Transfer and Communication

So, I arrived in Seoul after a long 14 hour trip. 14? maybe even 15. The layover in Shanghai was brutal to say the least. Well the flight to Shanghai itself was brutal as well.
First, there was no tv like i'm used to on long flight travels.
Second, My laptop wasn't fully charged, so I couldn't even use it for long as I was saving it for the layover.
Third, Food/service on the plane wasn't that great. I got 2 meals and some sort of sandwich snack.
Also, I told you yesterday about gate checking in my guitar? Well, that didn't work out well. At least they let me put it in the overhead compartment besides it being a full flight.
However, I sat beside a really nice person who helped me. The flight attendants were not really good at understanding English, so the person beside me helped me ask the flight attendants what to do and etc.
So the 12 hr flight to Shanghai was brutal with me fighting to sleep or staring into nothingness, attempt at conversation to the person beside me.

Once I arrived in Shanghai, Pudong airport is actually really nice. I like the architecture of the building. However, this was where I had to switch planes to Korean Air. I thought there will be a special transfer lane and etc. There are but only for the plane I was currently using transfers. So for me to switch planes, I had actually go through immigration, pick up my luggage, exit the arrivals area, get onto the third floor to the departures area and re-check in all my luggage. This, I didn't know that I had to go through immigration at all. The people at the airport initially weren't helpful at all. They were like, "3rd floor 3rd floor" or one lady even snarled at me to "follow that lady" only to be brought back to where I started. I was directed in many different directions while I was carrying my backpack, purse and guitar!  Eventually, a kind lady helped me explained it one by one.
I got on the third floor and I had to wait an hour in order to check in since they don't check in until 3 hours before boarding. This time after signing some waiver? guarantee form or something, I got to Check in my guitar.

Once I was in the waiting area, I got time to relax. It was really nice to relax after the hectic.  I should have eaten my cup noodles since at the Pudong airport, they do have what they call "drinking water station" which is complete with warm water and hot water dispenser. However, when I looked at my noodles, I really didn't have the appetite as it was pretty late at night. So I decided to update my blog/facebook status/twitter and realized, I forgot that I was in China so I couldn't even access those sites. When I looked to my side, I was watching the men put the luggage in and realized, how labor intensive it was. I was so amazed that I forgot to eat it. However, just as I decided to eat it, it was time to board the 2 hr flight to Korea.
The flight to Korea was a lot better. (maybe because it was shorter too) The service was also a whole lot better! Food was delicious! They served sashimi for goodness sake! I didn't think they would even serve food for a mere 2 hr flight to Korea... So I was really surprised nevertheless and wonderfully surprised because by the time I was on the flight, I had an appetite and was pretty hungry. 2 hours later I arrived in Korea, passed immigration quickly, and on the way to the baggage claim, saw something i thought was pretty funny. It may or may not be funny to you, but i'll post it up anyways. Also this was 00:30 and 14 hrs of travelling under my belt. However, I still think is funny...

Once I got out of the airport, I saw my name and my homestay. They were such a cute couple. They immediately told me to call my parents. In which I did but got the answering machine. I told them that I didn't think that my parents wouldn't pick up at that time, and but it was really hard to try to communicate that to them.
Speaking of communication. That was difficult. I had a couple phrases in my book. I understood for the most part of what they were saying but honestly it was really hard to ask questions or talk to them. sighs... Better study more Korean... Remember more vocabulary! However, it was amazing, how much they could understand me and it still leaves me confused (even today) how I manag(ed) to talk to them in broken Korean. It's really hard as I'm trying to think of Korean vocabulary words, I think of the Japanese equivalent. From time to time I do slip up and talk Japanese to them. (sighs...) sometimes it works, with words like 'kantan' (簡単）or 'kibun' (気分）but those were successful slip ups.
We arrived back at the apartment. Small and cozy and just as I imagined it would be. I am very grateful for it. My room was a lot bigger than I thought it would be. I imagined my room would be as small as the one I had in Japan however, I feel like my room is almost as big as my room back in Canada. It's like 3/4 of my room in Canada really. I like it. Also once I got home, the zipper for my guitar popped like I feared... but good thing it popped up at home. Now I only have one zipper thing that works. I don't know how it'll turn out once I leave. Maybe I'll just purchase a hard case or something. I don't know. We'll see when the time comes. My homestay parents prepared some fruit before I quickly went to bed.
However, something that I need to get used to in this place is how everything is so open. Like they leave their doors open when they sleep, privacy seems like it's nonexistence. I feel like it's a cultural thing? I guess, I mean I'm assuming as from dramas it seems like that as well. I need to get used to that for sure.

Today, I got myself some toiletries and a universal converter chord for my stuff I brought from Canada. My home stay drove me. Oh I also got a bus card... Got to see around the neighbourhood for a bit. Seeing the neighbourhood I realized that we live pretty near the Han River. I feel like I can just walk to the Han River Park. It will take I feel about 30/45 minutes. However, I am slightly scared of walking around near the roads here. Most Koreans are SCARRRY drivers. I thought people in Vancouver were scary drivers. This is just a whole new level! And Shout out to Brendan who had told me that I will see a Karoake in every corner in Seoul. I didn't really doubt him from the beginning but I didn't think that it would be this extreme. There were like Karoake's even across from each other, beside each other. I wonder how they compete? lol
For lunch today, I had homemade samgyupsal! Sooo good. Gochujang is AWESOME! My homestay mother made the Gochujang herself! And the green leaf you eat it with, I forgot what it's called. They told me but I forgot. 대박!
I admit, I am currently suffering from jetlag and since I have time till school start, I am going to give in and sleep.
As I am typing this out, my eyes are droopy and the fan behind me and bed right beside me is calling me pretty loud. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.
Hopefully, my homestay will show me around tomorrow? Or at least show me how to get to the University.
Well signing out to sleep.