Friday, November 14, 2008

I'm here, barely...... (mom read at your own will)

Well after some 20 hours of travlel or so, I am here in Ulsan, South Korea. I must say it didn't come easy, at least the final part leg of the journey. What happened you ask? Well after getting in to South Korea from Tokyo, got my luggage and went through customs, everything normal so far. One of the ladies from my recruiting company greeted me at the airport and then showed me to a bus that I was to take to Ulsan, the directions being 'get off at the last stop'.

Upon arriving to Ulsan we made a stop or two and there were some directions in Korean and English telling people which stop it was, etc. and I knew I was good. But then we made a stop and there were no directions at all and everyone got off the bus. Well I followed and tried to ask the driver where we were, but of course he speaks no English and I speak about 5 words total of Korean, so we're pretty much at a stand still there. Well at this point the driver goes off and I am on outside some hotel and quickly coming to the realization that I am not where I need to be.

Ok, time to act, lets not panic, I'm thinking to myself. So I decide to hail a taxi only to go to the same motions of him not speaking English and me knowing 5 words of Korean, awesome. I end up pointing in my Learn Korean Book that i need to go to the airport cause there is a bus terminal there, taxi driver says he understands and we're off. Get to the airport and the taxi driver lets me off and I realize once again that I am not in the right spot except this time it's worse. This time, I'm in BFE Ulsan at 9:30 pm, at an airport that is entirely closed and dead. Honestly, what airport closes at 9:30

Insert panic feeling as I stroll around this parking lot looking for a single soul to talk to when my answers are heard and I run into some security guard type characters at the Ulsan airport. These guys could speak some English and we finally come to an understanding and decide that I need to be at the Ulsan bus terminal, another taxi ride.

Get to the bus station and stroll around for a bit but at this point I assume it's a safe bet that my director has already left and that I'm better off on my own at this point. Enter taxi #3, albeit a much shorter ride as there were several motels/hotels near the bus terminal.

Now I sit at my motel writing this blog post, which is pretty astounding that a motel would have a computer and internet connection. Since I do have internet I was able to see that my recruiter had e-mailed me concerned as I wasn't where I was supposed to be, so I gave her a call and explain the situation and they will get in touch with the director who will pick me up tomorrow.

Having gone through the worst of the first evening, I can look back and laugh at it. I mean nothing happened, I got to see a lot of the city and have agreat story for you the reader. Plus, I know I can get by in almost any situation now, right? The one thing I feel bad about is having the director/recruiter worry about me, but they know I'm safe now so its good now. Until next time.........

6 comments:

Betty said...

Better the recruiter worry than mom!!!
glad to hear you are nearly where you are supposed to be. At least your adventure happened near the end of your trip & not at the beginning.
Get some sleep & keep us posted.
L-mom

JB said...

Oh Sepe! Only you! :) Glad you made it safely and we miss you already!

Sum said...

And to think, this was only day 1! Can't wait until the adventures REALLY begin....

Unknown said...

Chris! It's Sara here in AZ. I am so glad I found your blog. It's fun to read about ur adventures! Please keep in touch!

Unknown said...

WOW to tell you the truth my first day or two in Germany was only slightly better. As long as you don't panic strange places are manageable.
mciochetto

Daddyo said...

Okay so I guess the Rosetta Stone Korean lessons would have been useful on your first day? Well, it's the start of your great adventure. Keep the blogging going and don't be like Phil Savage and drop "F" bombs. Want to know how you are getting along with the Korean kids, given your limited knowledge of their language. Hopefully you are learning more words every day.

L-dad