SEOUL, KOREA - August 27, 2001
Oooooo.... came awfully close to writing this journal in Jakarta once again! The last couple days had me planning to take my onward ticket all the way back to Jakarta, and then figure out my meandering future Asian travels from there. Last night I packed my bags, woke up early, took a shower, walked to the bus stop with my bags, turned around, walked back to my apartment with my bags, thought about it, put my bags back on, walked out the door again, walked down the street, thought about it, walked home again, set my bags down again, sat around a bit, thought about it on the toilet (just kidding) - its where I do all my serious thinking - (just kidding again), went through my bags, grabbed my passport, and left my apartment without the bags. So I missed the flight to Jakarta!
So wondering why I was doing this strange activitiy this morning? Well, basically, I just decided to forget Indonesia, I've seen enough, and instead I went to the Chinese Embassy to get a tourist visa! It was pretty hard passing up a free ticket back to Indonesia (but then I'd have to buy a ticket to get out), so thought I'd rather just do some China travels instead. On top of that, one of my former co-teachers at my last school just completed his contract, and he's going over there - so - the plan is - I'll just join him on the travels!
Korea is just as odd and quirky as ever. I've become accutely more aware of its idiosyncricies with the somewhat lengthy time away. There are many things to love about this country - mostly the interesting collection of foreigners who make it their home along with some of the most incredible food I've tasted anywhere. The lively nightlife and bustling activity of its inhabitants also keeps it a lively place. But, overall, it seems as if I'm not quite mentally prepared to make a go of Korea a THIRD time. I'm leaning more towards traveling and experiencing a few other Asian cultures, and go from there. I'll be back in Korea again, but maybe not extensively. Probably be back in a month or so most likely. But not sure if I'm ready to make another lengthy go at it.
Anyhow, I'll be here for about a week, and then gonna take a slow boat to China...
Last journal in Seoul before China
September 3, 2001
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Wintermoon2@yahoo.com