A Warm Welcome

Early morning in my capsule, I got ready to leave Japan. After showering and sorting my luggage, I strolled down to the Osaka City Air Terminal - confusing as it's a bus terminal and a stop for the JR trains. On my way, I munched on a breakfast pastry and drank a small orange juice box provided by my capsule hotel.

I bought a ticket, and lucky enough a bus was leaving within minutes. On my way we crossed a few bridges and I got to see the port - which is what Osaka started as it was a trading and mercantile city. In the distance, you can even see an Ikea! I actually saw an Ikea bus on my walk to the bus terminal.



After the 50 minute ride, I was at the airport and headed to Seoul, Korea. The airport was very crowded, but orderly. Boot wearers like me had to take off their shoes during security, but we're given slippers - so Asian.

I leave Japan relaxed and enchanted by everything I saw. There are so many places I would have liked to have seen and done, but I feel that I have accomplished a lot in the one week and only planning and booking in under three weeks. The hospitality of the Japanese people was bar none - it's crazy that they don't accept tipping and everyone from the hotel front desk clerk to the bus baggage clerk have such pride in their work and try to go above and beyond. I leave with my heart full, my soul refreshed, and my bum toasty! I'll definitely miss those heated toilet seats that play music or birds!

The flight to Korea is just less than two hours and I was able to book with points. I actually flew into Gimpo airport instead of the larger, newer, but further away Incheon airport. Gimpo is actually the airport I grew up going in and out of, so it brings back memories.

My cousin Soon-Hyup (순협), the son of my mom's eldest sister, picked me up as he lives closest to the airport of my cousins. He even offered me to stay with him, and my cousins debated whom I got to stay with, but I promised Taesoon (태순) that I would read the English children's books that I bought for his twins when he was in New York last month. I stay with him a few nights in Bundang (분당) and then switch to within Seoul at my cousin Sang-nim's (상님) when I make my treks to visit the various Kims.

I hung out at Soon-Hyup's (순협) apartment and caught up with his family. As his son is preparing for college admissions, his son and wife couldn't make it to dinner. 

My cousins had organized a welcome dinner of our generation and their kids. What a warm welcome to Korea! Here are a few photos and we're missing a few cousins as they were either trying to settle the bill or chasing children.







3 years ago, my cousins formed a group chat to organize a generation dinner when I was last in Korea. Now, I regularly wake up to tens, if not hundreds of texts! 15 strong (no spouses in the chat!) across 21 years where I'm the youngest, we're more like brothers and sisters. Thank you for the welcome dinner!

Afterwards, some of us headed to my cousin, Dong-hee's (동희) house where we had ice cream affogatos and fruit. We regaled in various stories.

Finally, I headed home to Taesoon's (태순) where his kids and his brother's, Taeyu's (태유), kids were waiting up and playing. I was greeted with claymation gifts of butterflies, a hat, and a seahorse. 

Also, Yoon-shik (윤식), Taesoon's (태순) son drew me and him with the Empire State Building and King Kong. You can see the close ups in the collage along with the fake candy that was given to me as a gift. This 6 year old is pretty talented!

Indeed, a warm welcome all around and my heart is full!