Morning Chores and a Moment of Panic
May 15th. I woke up bright and early at 5:30 AM and, on a whim, stepped out into the yard to do some quick weeding. Today was the day—I was finally heading to South Korea. Since my journey was scheduled to kick off around 10:00 AM, I wanted to stay productive and blasted through whatever small tasks I could find around the house before leaving.
As the clock ticked down, I walked over to Takasaki Station. But once I got there, my bus was nowhere in sight. I had already spent about 5,000 yen (roughly $35 USD) just to get to this point, and panic quickly started to set in. Was I going to miss my flight? In the end, the bus showed up just three minutes late. Looking back, my sheer panic over a three-minute delay was almost comical. It hit me hard right then: I am undeniably Japanese. When punctuality is drilled into your everyday culture, even a minor delay makes you assume the absolute worst.
Painted Skies and Touching Down in Seoul
I hopped on the bus and made a beeline for Narita Airport. After fueling up on a classic Japanese katsu curry (pork cutlet curry), I breezed through check-in and boarded my flight.
I lucked out big time with my seat—it was incredibly spacious with plenty of legroom to stretch out.
As we took off, I gazed out the window and watched the sky put on a show. The light outside shifted through vibrant shades of blue, red, and orange. It felt so dramatic and alive, almost as if the universe was putting on a colorful welcome parade for my adventure.
Finally, for the first time in six years, I touched down in South Korea. The absolute first order of business? Grabbing a piping hot bowl of Soondubu (soft tofu stew). It was out-of-this-world delicious. I wrapped up this incredibly long day by chilling at a cozy cafe right next to the restaurant.
The Real Reason I Flew
So, why the sudden trip to Korea? It all started with a casual message from my ex-girlfriend: "Come visit if you're free." I told her I would, and when I say I'm going to do something, I do it. I absolutely hate lying, especially to myself. It might sound like a crazy reason to jump on a plane, but keeping my word is non-negotiable for me. I can't help but wonder what kind of wild experiences and sights are waiting for me over the next few days. I'm honestly beyond stoked to find out.