My Escape to South Korea

It all had to start with an idea. The rest was to come up with ways to accomplish this "idea." Then came my plan on how to arrive here. That's how I am here, in South Korea. Against all odds and complaints from my parents, I have accomplished part of one of my "dream" voyages. I have arrived at Inchon Airport, only about 34 miles away from Seoul, the capitol of South Korea. I have finally made my escape to South Korea.  Now all I have to do is figure a way out of this airport.

All these people stare at me strangely while I find my luggage. I didn't bring much (main things), just some clothes for a week, toothbrush, toothpaste, medicine, and a pair of shoes (besides the ones I have on). It's not much to survive on for a 2 years. So as I get lost, I'm not even thinking about asking for help. This is one of the things that no one likes about me. I should just ask for help, it's not that hard. Advantage of studying a language (at least a little) "Dangsin-i naleul doul su?" I asked the Korean woman at a stand. I asked her if she can help me.She laughs as I blush because of my accent. "I...speak English  that was im..pressive," she has an accent, but her English was much more impressive than my Korean. She directs me towards a rest area and says there's exit near there. I bow my head as I thank her, "Gomawo!" Well, I passed one of my first challenges. Can't wait for what the future will bring! The airport is super bright and the lights dance off the signs to the seemingly squeaky clean floor. The people are all prepared for their trips out of the country and their arrivals back home. I smile as I see a couple reuniting. The man wears a business suit, obviously coming from a business trip, and his wife wears a beautiful blue dress that reaches her knees. As they embrace they look like a young couple coming from their honeymoon.

Aah, the outside, I think as I leave the foreign airport and just start walking across the parking lot-that has foreign cars with foreign license plates and Asians coming out of them. The clear blue sky and the bright sun makes me shine much more than before my escape. Time to explore! (And jetlag, I'm tired) After two hours of walking I have managed to walk to Seoul. The thing is I guess I'm not much of an adventurer because I haven't seen much. I hope I get fresh perspective on things though...Then there were screams. Too loud! I turn to see 6 Korean boys running for their lives and they seem....familiar. "Aus pgamsanghago idong!" Wait, they're coming...! They wear a lot of black. Did he just tell me to move?

Left to Right
Junhyung, Dongwoon, Gi Kwang, Yoseob, Doojoon, Hyunseung

Now I'm being dragged by one of the cute Korean boys. The street I was just walking had a lot of people on the sidewalks and it's easy to get lost. Additionally, these boys are taller than me and pretty fast. We stop,   "Nado bangab," I frown because I don't like people touching me. I just said, "Hello to you, too," and pretty bluntly at that. I ignore them and pick up the notebook I dropped. I write in it everyday. "Excuse me, miss. But, do you speak Korean?" the cute (cute, baby face) one asked me. I grin and...now I know who they are. "Si..."

They led me to a restaurant after they laughed at my response, but I just followed sleepily while someone dragged me."It smells delicious!" I can't resist the hunger in my stomach, but I still stare at the food as if its poisoned. "Because it is delicious, try it! Or are you scared?" The cute, baby face boy taunts me-his name is Yoseob-and smiles. He sits diagonally in front of me at a table. It's pretty clear that he speaks the most English. He has an accent, so I smile. "You know who we are, you can trust us!" Yoseob grins and the oldest, Doojoon with messy black hair, brings Coke and nods. I know they all understand, I have seen them on their show and they spoke (and understood) English. "You're BEAST and you're famous, sort of international K-POP stars," I take a bite of the Kimchi, "That doesn't necessarily mean I know you and you don't know me."

"Then...Can we have your name, B2UTY?" says Junhyung, my bias from BEAST, as he sits in front of me. Figures, they're satisfied with an American fan. (B2UTY is the name of their fans) His black hair falls perfectly above his left eye. I look around this restaurant to see a bunch of BEAST posters, they said they loved this restaurant for its Kimchi. I have no idea where they led me, I have no idea what street I am in. "What is it, B2UTY?" asked the youngest with the deepest voice, Dongwoon. "Oh, nothing. Just hungry." I keep eating and gulp down my Coke. "Wow, you like Coke, B2UTY!" says Gi Kwang, the bulkiest. That's annoying me... They laugh and I blush. "Nae ileum-eun Alexa ibnida." My name is Alexa.

"So you think South Korea is just an escape?What do you mean you don't like animals and nature like a hippie?"
"Don't you want to see our beautiful temples?"
"There's lots of Korea!"
"Explore and stop being uncomfortable! Aish!"
"Try new things!"
"Plus you need to improve your Korean!"

I blush at their comments, as they stare me down and remember the fight with my parents about this trip. I guess they were right. But I just got here! I have to try. I guess I can't be so closed off, I should be more well rounded....Plus it's gone so far, so good...They did find me...Oh, this jet lag. As thoughts flow through my head, someone pokes my left cheek. I grab the owner's finger and twist. "Aish! Be nice," says Junhyung. He shrugs and says, "You think too much." Then, Junhyung speaks to Doojoon and Yoseob about something in Korean. I'm suspicious, but Hyunseung leads me out of the restaurant (half covering his face and the others are behind us doing the same thing) and distracts me. We stare at all the commotion on the streets and he points to so many beautiful buildings as we walk at a slow pace. "Hey, you're not embarrassed to be seen with me, are you?" I ask, eyeing him, and look down at my clothes. I'm wearing black RUTGERS sweatpants, with blue converse, a dark blue sweater, and a blue hat that says SWAG. He removes his hoodie from his face, smiles, shakes his head "no," and resumes walking...Towards a building..."Come on, this way."

We enter a building and Yoseob is covering my eyes. It's like 1 PM and I want to sleep, can't I just go find the cheap motel I want to sleep in? The rest of the guys are talking to someone. "How old are you, Alexa?" asks Yoseob. "25 years old and counting," I laugh when he laughs. Hey, I see light! "Welcome to CUBE!" They yell and I frown. I..WANT..TO..SLEEP. I don't say it, but I take out camera and I tell Hyunseung to let me take a photo. (Gi Kwang joins in) He nods and takes it. I still don't get why I'm following them..Then again, they are persuasive...

...Not this time!! "Unhand me, I'm tired and I want to sleep! This is kidnap and I have rights.. Sure it's a foreign country, but still. You've dragged me everywhere and...." I kind of yelled in the CUBE parking lot. They showed me around CUBE (a few floors) and when asked if they had busy schedules...They said today was a day off...I'm not entirely convinced. The building's huge and pretty cool, but I'm tired. How did Chris McCandles do this? I better stop acting so weak. Doojoon covered my mouth and Gi Kwang says, "You scream a lot." "Well, this wouldn't be a problem, if you hadn't grabbed my arm when those crazy fan girls tried to run you over." I would claw my way out, but I'm too sleepy. "Why didn't you just leave?" Junhyung asked, grinning evilly. Stupid Korean boys. "I thought so," grinning wider because of his successful teasing. One of their hit songs played on the radio when they started their car, FICTION, and they started driving. I scoffed in the back seat as they sang along. I'm singing along with them, but you can't blame me. It's one of my favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAzWT8mRoR0



I slept most of the ride to come here and when I woke up I instantly took a picture..or a few more. The trees are so beautiful and the temple itself seems a part of the nature. I was instantly awake when we arrived. It's breathtaking and as I take pictures, they laugh and say, "I told you she'd like it." They point out EVERYTHING, as if to convince me that nature was awesome and that so was everything in South Korea. I smile and say, "Thanks...I don't need any more convincing. I guess I should have been wiser about this decision and not have been so rash. But even though this was an escape, I have to realize the reality in all of this...I think I 'll hang around here, breathing it all in," I sigh and remember that at some point I am going to have to find a job to maintain myself while I travel. Bunch of odd jobs should do it. "Thanks for taking time out of your day. You guys are sweet," I give them an eye smile and tilt my head. This is the nicest I've been to them. They all nod and smile; they tell me to wait before I enter the temple. I sigh and walk around the beautiful scenery...Huh. 

...."Ha...ha...ha. You look...so funny!" I laugh at their ridiculous outfits while they complain about how rude I'm being. They're good people and they did teach me a lot. They refreshed my mind when they explained all about this temple and it's history. I have been so dogmatic and all I did was think about myself when I went on this trip. I should have focused on the real point of the trip. They view things differently than I do, but have similar opinions as well. Hmm...Something new about these people who live on the other half of the planet that I live on. "Smile and say BEAST!"