First International Guest!

For the first time since I arrived in Korea back in 2010, I had an international guest!

By "international guest," I mean someone who flew into Korea to visit me and stay with me. I've had guests before, but they all lived in Korea at the time they were my guests.

But wow, did she have quite the odyssey to get to me...

She started with a domestic flight to New Delhi (she lives in India at the moment). That was fine. Then, her flight from New Delhi to Shanghai was delayed for almost 3 hours. That meant, she missed her connecting flight from Shanghai to Busan, South Korea.

No worries, though. They just put her on the next direct flight to Busan--the following morning (it was the afternoon of the day she was supposed to arrive--actually, the time she was supposed to walk into Arrivals in Gimhae Airport). If she couldn't catch that one, the next available spot was on a flight on July 18 (!!!!). What's really messed up about that date, besides the ridiculous wait time, was that that is the day she's supposed to leave Korea to return to India! I asked if she could get on a flight to Seoul at least, and they said no, that all flights were full. Blast.

The next morning arrived, and she made it for her flight. Only this flight was also delayed about 3 hours. This time, I expected a delay. I even told her to be ready for another one. Korea (or the southernmost region) had just officially started its rainy season. It rained every day for that entire week (and beyond). That affected the flights. Ultimately, she got on that flight and made it to Korea!

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, from the palace looking towards the main entrance--and modern Seoul.

We had a great time during her 3-week stay. It was not ideal, since I had to teach classes everyday, but at least she was able to rest and relax at my place. After school, I'd take her out to try different kinds of restaurants (Korean and non) and cafes. On the weekends, I took her to Busan and Seoul. We took a break her last weekend, but it was forced upon us (I was hospitalized).

The Pancake Epidemic (Nutellargasm and Blueberry)

*Friend & Guide (Sungsu), yours truly, and Danielle relaxing.

Taking selfies of each other in a traditional Korean house.

At Bukchon Hanok Village. Good to know, after touring.

*Raccoon cafe near Sookmyung Women's University Station.

*Same cafe, but they also have 2 pigs and a HUGE corgi (not pictured).

Surprise! First time being hospitalized--since birth.

She's back home in India now. Fortunately, her journey back went just as planned without any hiccups. We're dreaming of when and where we'll meet again. Maybe Poland . . . ?

*=Pictures taken by Danielle or from her camera/phone.