The Eagle Has Landed

It's a rainy morning in Seoul, S. Korea. My plane got in at 6:15 last night, 45 minutes delayed from an extra security check at JFK, and a hold up on the runway there. Chang and Jihae (the kind woman who's putting me up in Seoul, who's also a Fulbright junior researcher) met me at the airport. I exchanged my U.S. bills and traveler's cheques for Korean won, and also got a mobile phone rental. We stopped for dinner on the way to Jihae's apartment - my first real kalbi dinner in 4 years, complete with soju. The soju helped me to get to sleep at a decent hour so I could get a full 8 hours sleep. I was up at my normal time this morning, around 7 a.m.

I've spent the morning doing receipts, organizing my stuff, contacting my teachers and chatting online with my husband. I will hopefully be getting an umbrella today! Will ask to check out the area at Hanyang Univ where I'll be conducting at least two of the interviews tomorrow.

It feels really good to be back. To be honest, I wasn't sure if it was going to be weird or not. I was actually stressing a a little bit about the fact that I wasn't filled with the rampant expectation and delight and even excitement that one would think I'd have leading up to the trip. But now that I'm here, it feels good and I know that it's going to be a very productive and relaxing trip. I am looking forward to seeing my old friends in Ulsan next week as well as shooting interviews and B-Roll.

I had thought that I would feel much like an outsider - not just outside Korean society, but also outside the community of ex-pats. But that worry has vanished - it feels like a 2nd skin here. I have made the transition back into "life in Korea" so very easily. At least, that's what I feel at this moment. Could change, y'know.

But what I really need right now is another cup of coffee (instant with sugar and powdered creamer all mixed in a little package together) and a shower.