When I was 12 years old and during my 6th grade in elementary school, we have been privileged to be visited by Korean Volunteers to conduct Education mission. These Korean Volunteers stayed for quite awhile and taught us a lot of things. This was the first time I was introduced to Korean Culture. During that time, they were offering a lot of programs to all the students in our school. I chose to learn Korean Language and Taekwondo. The volunteers were very kind and that is the start of my admiration to Koreans and I really hope that I will have a Korean friend. I kinda forgot our Sung sang nim (teacher) name, but I remember that we really became friends to the point that we made some letter exchanges when she went back to Korea. However, we lost communication. 

I actually forgot about Korean Culture for awhile as I have been busy during my High school years and eventually went to college. However, my fascination to Korean Culture is still there. This was renewed when I was given and opportunity to teach Korean Students when my guests in Shakey's (I worked as Restaurant Marketing Coordinator in E.Rodriguez Branch) asked me to work for them. Well since, I was really looking for a lighter job then since my post as Shakey's RMC was affecting my studies, I accepted the offer and became a tutor. 

This is where I met my two (2) beloved students and my Korean chinggu (friends). I remember the first day we met since I was the one who gave them, well not actually gave them but suggested their English name. They are Minhee (Minnie) and Jimin (Jenny). 

We have had a lot of experiences together and they have been involved into different unfortunate situations here in the Philippines, but we surpass all the troubles that strengthened my relationship with them as well as to their families. So after they went back to Korea, they are actually asking me to spend a vacation there on December 2009, free of charge, but since I was quite busy with my starting professional career, I was not able to obliged. 

So it has been three (3) years since we have seen each other personally, and I really missed them so much, especially out bonding time. Luckily, I was given opportunity again to go to Korea to attend a work related seminar and I just extended my stay to meet them and explore the country. 

I was really overwhelmed by the loved that both my students and their parents showed me when I went to visit them in Incheon. They picked me up in Gwangmyeong Station, in full force even it was quite late, they even delayed their dinner so that we can eat together. They treated me to a very sumptuous dinner and made me feel at home and allowed me to stay to their house. I have had some chatter with the whole family, over Mekju (beer), dried squid and my pleasantries to them which includes dried Mangoes. Although Minnie's parents were not really fluent in English, I know they are trying hard to convey their message to me. I was particularly touched when both Minnie's parents told me that I should treat them as my second family and expressed that they were very grateful of my visit to Korea. They also thanked me for taking care of both Minnie and Jenny during their stay in the Philippines. By the way, Minnie and Jenny were cousins. I was really privileged to have a second home and family in Korea, a lot greater than what I have ask for during my elementary days. 

Anyway, during my stay in their house, I was really treated so well and was able to grab a photo with the whole family. It was one of the highlight of my travel to Korea. I missed them already, especially Minhee and Jimin. It was quite sad that Minhee was sick now and I really hope that she will be able to recover soon. I wished to see them and spend a longer time with them when I go back to Korea, hopefully on March 2013. :) 

Awesome was an understatement for my first bullet train experience in Korea! It was my first time riding a bullet train and my first time to travel alone in a very foreign place. The experience was both scary and liberating at the same time. Literally, I was lost in translation. 

I have shared here my very first international conference held in the most southern part of Korea, Changwon City. My ride to KTX or the Korea Train Express was one of my many firsts experience  in my travel to Korea.Though it was not the fastest bullet train, it was relatively efficient being able to traverse Changwon to Gwamyeong in two (2) hours (5 hours ride if you take a bus). 

So from the CECO, I bid goodbye to Kuya Alvin and Kuya Paulie. I was the first one to travel up north to Seoul since I am meeting Miniee, Jenny and their family in Incheon. So despite my hesitation and fears in travelling alone in a country where only few can understand and speak English, I composed myself and braved travelling alone. I took a cab and while on my way to train station, I was able to took some pictures of Changwon since I haven't explored it thoroughly.

Sights in Changwon City

I already have a printed ticket since our liaisons have already arranged it all for us. The ride from Changwon to Gwangmyeong costs me 41,900 won (around 1,800Php). It was quite expensive but it was all worth it. By the way, if you want to travel Korea, they have this program wherein you will be given an unlimited KTX pass. It's cheaper because if you are to travel for 7 days and you want to explore South Korea from North to South using the KTX, it will only cost you 75,000 Won (around 2500-3000Php). For more information about the fares and train schedule, you may check the KTX website here.  

Upon arrival, I really don't know what to do, so I used my common sense and proceeded to the ticketing station. My scheduled trip was at 5:35PM, I queued at 4:45PM, to my dismay I waited for 30 minutes, I thought there was a problem with my ticket since the ticket lady called someone on the phone, who was not answering. I was just standing there, not being able to understand a thing. My patience was being tested. When it has been 20 minutes since I queued, I asked her, what's the problem? They just keep on saying, no problem. I am explaining but they don't seem to understand what I'm saying. Eventually, I was approved and they told me to proceed to the train station without giving me anything. They told me to just show my printed ticket. Damn! If I have known, I should have skipped going to the ticketing office.  Anyway, at that time I was still tense. I don't know where should I go and it was really hard asking people. I just go with the flow. In the train station, I asked the guard if where should I wait since there was a seat number provided in my printed ticket, however there were two numbers and I don't know what that stands for. So I rely on him in good faith and waited on the place where he asked me to wait. The train arrived. I immediately ride on it and look for the seat number 12 as indicated in my ticket. But, I was approached by another person saying that it was his seat. Goddamnit! I already put my luggage above and it's not easy to take it our since it's very heavy. Grrr. He told me that I got the wrong couch. So I took out my luggage and proceeded to the next couch while the train is moving. My problem in the next couch was, I didn't know where to sit since I can't see the seat numbers, maybe brought about by anxiety and mixed feelings. I just sat in the first vacant seat I saw. Fortunately, a guard arrived and I asked where my seat is located. Finally, I'm at peace.

KTX Changwon Station, Korea

What to expect in KTX

It's a bullet train, yes, but you won't feel that it is moving while inside it.  Although when you look at the window you can see that it was really moving fast, but everything inside was at still.  What I particularly like was the fact that the KTX is equipped of wifi, so you will not be bored. The experience was like riding a plane. It has foldable table. I was in economy class, that it why, its a bus type. But they also have a special seat. The special seat is more spacious and it's four-seater, two-seats facing each other. It also have a big table in the middle. 

I was really thankful for the wifi since I ran-out of prepaid credits to contact Minhee, who will pick me up at Gwangmyeong. I used my Kakao Talk to call her. I was really excited and exhausted at the same time. I slept after I talked to her but I alarmed my phone so I will not miss my station. I was scheduled to arrive at 8:10PM. 

There are eight (8) stations between Changwon and Gwangmyeong. After every station, people come and go, and my seatmate changed twice. You really need to prepare yourself if you are alighting since I think based on my estimate, you need to alight for three minutes only. So I was ready to meet Minhee and Jimin in Gwangyeong, only to be shocked that the Gwangyeong station was like an airport. I have a hard time looking for Minhee and Jimin since I thought it would be easy as there will be only one (1) exit, but no there are 8 exits, left and right.

Gwangmyeong Station, Korea

Since I have no phone credit, I looked for a phone booth. Luckily, I have a lots of coins. Finally, I contacted Minhee, but since they are on the other side, it still took them a while to find me. But I was ok, the station was very high end, there are LED TV's to entertain you while waiting.

Finally, after three (3) years, Minhee, Jenny and I were reunited! I was picked-up by the whole family of Minhee and I was really flattered. They brought me to restaurants in Incheon where we ate dinner together and afterwards, had some bonding time and enjoyed the nightlife of Incheon.

Over all, the train experience was superb! and the feeling of being lost, weirdly, was my favorite part!