5th and 6th May- Traveling and Arriving

So, yesterday I jumped on the metro to meet my friend, Maria at Shady Grove.  We had Peruvian chicken and I got cough drops.  I crashed especially after staying up the night before.

I woke up at 2:30.  Maria drove me to BWI-an hour drive.  The security was quick or maybe it was because most people won't wake up that early for a flight.

Anyways I got some tea right before boarding.  There were only 11 of us on this small plane so I got the two seats for me.  I fell asleep with the tea in my hand.  Luckily most of it was gone before I spilt it everywhere.

I landed and had to rush to my connecting flight.  The customs guy kept asking for detail regarding my trip because what I gave wasn't good enough.... Aaaaarrggg why are you in Canada. I say layover, he says be more specific.... Eh?!?!?

Anyways, there was a couple and this girl that I helped guide as to where they needed to be.  The girl was from China and was going there and was worried that she would miss her flight.  I helped her from Customs to our gate.  The couple I had to leave at customs, because they would have taken too long between the questions by customs and the language barrier.   We were all going on the same flight to Vancouver and we all made it!

4 hour trip to Vancouver. I couldn't eat anything.... Nothing available (for free that is) and I didn't like anything on the menu.

I reached Vancouver and couldn't find Taz.  I texted her... No response. I toured the airport and then went back to our gate and voila!!!!!  I needed lunch as it was 1430 at home and I hadn't had anything.  So subway was my choice.  The guy I ordered from
   1. Could not accept cash because they didn't want large U.S. Bills or didn't want to give
      Canadian change.
  2.  Then he didn't give me chips with my sandwich. I asked to swap the drink order with the chips,          and he said no.

Absurd!!!!!!! But I ate food.  I am thankful for what I have!

Taz was explaining to me that she was on standby so we were waiting to see if she would get seats- the anxiety!!!! Otherwise I would be in Seoul alone the first night/day.  So scary :o ahahahaha joking- I would have figured it all out!  She got the last seat.  The LAST one! On board, initially, no one would change seats with us.  However, there was one guy who didn't like his seat so he requested to move and that is when Taz chimed in.  So the flight attendant came to me and asked if I would change spots, and of course I say sure!  And, then he asks someone else to move into the row in front of us so that I can be next to Taz!  Awesomeness :)

 In this flight I went in and out of sleep.  The flight was 10 hours.  Thankfully, I got yummy vegan meals with desserts!!!! Cookie and brownie; yea me :)

We landed.  The free tour that Taz found dur,ing our planning, did not have a night option.  The tourist book lied!  But my trip here began with a martial arts demo in the airport!!!!! Wow :) awesome, love it, so happy.  The two guys we met in the airplane stuck by us and want to meet later this week!  We took the subway to Seoul another hour.  We got lost to our  jimjibag. Taz had a map and I just followed her lead as she likes navigating.  People were really nice too.  I noticed that here when you need to pass someone or have a question, we say "excuse me."  In Korea they don't say excuse me- they simply wait until you are done.  There was a guy that helped explain how to get out of the subway and onto the road.  Taz's fare card would not let her exit; but there was a young girl who helped her out by using her card.  Loving  his place!

So, we made it to the Jimjibag.  It was interesting because I just saw a bunch of ladies walking around naked which seems to be very natural to them.  I went out of my comfort zone and took part in the experience and went in the jacuzzi, hot tubs, etc.  I also went into the different fermantation rooms.  I liked the oxygen ones.  Lastly, I got a one hour massage.  It was a deep tissue massage that also involved flexibility stretches and her using her elbows.   Didn't know how flexible I was till this. But, it felt good!  Especially after 24 hours of traveling.  She even massaged my head and jaw.  We got are own cave-like/bed-bunk like sleep area.  Very comfortable!

Till tomorrow :)