[Part 1] 10. Hello Seoul!

I had my 1st proper Korean class this morning and it was really fun except for the fact that I got really hungry after 10am and my class only ended at 1pm -.- The hardest part of Korean class is probably trying to control my hunger pangs and ensuring that no sound from my growling stomach can be heard. Thankfully, there is a 10 mins break before the end of every hour so having a class from 9-1pm isn't that bad. I must either have a full breakfast from next week onwards or bring food to eat during each break.
During the 1st half of the class, we studied from the textbook and for the 2nd half, another teacher came in and spent the lesson telling us more about Busan. I guess what I really looked forward to was the end of class when I rushed off immediately for Busan Station.

Initially, I was thinking of taking the KTX to Seoul for about 57,000원+ and then the bus back for about 32,600원 to save money. But when I was checking out Korail.com for the train timings yesterday, I discovered the Korea Rail (KR) Pass for foreigners! I bought a 3 day Youth Pass for 67,700원 and with this pass, I can take an unlimited number of KORAIL train rides within the 3-day period. I was given an e-ticket after making my reservation but didn’t have a printer to print it out in my dorm so after explaining my situation to the counter staff at the Tourist Counter, I was brought into the Station Staff Room where I could print my ticket :)
I thought that I could catch the 2.30pm train but the tickets were all sold out so I had to take the next train at 3pm instead. At least that gave me some time to have my lunch!

I was the 2nd person to enter the train car and it was the best time to use the toilet because it hadn’t been used by anyone yet since the last cleaning. So I put my bag of clothes in the overheard compartment and went to the toilet. When I got back to my seat, there was an old man with his stuff on my chair -.- He grumbled that he thought that he could take his own sweet time to settle in since he was early but I was “early” too. And then a few minutes later, he got out of his seat and went somewhere. 5 minutes later, a station staff came into the car (with the old man following him) and attempted to remove my bag! I heard the old man saying that when he came into the car, the bag was left unattended and was most probably left behind by a passenger earlier. Thank goodness I came back from the toilet just before my bag was removed! The woes of being a lone traveller. 

I spent the 2 hrs 45 mins journey to Seoul listening to music, reading my magazines on my iPad and sleeping. So yes, I’m back in Seoul! I got quite emotional when the train pulled into the station as the memories of my last few days in Seoul hit me. My exchange life was filled with beautiful, beautiful memories. Even though things didn’t work out between YW and me, and my time spent here in Seoul was made even more special because of him, Seoul still holds many beautiful memories for me. I never expected to come back so soon, and to come back for a weekend like this, and that I will be back for a longer period next year. One year ago, I never expected this day to come. One year ago, things weren’t the way they are now. One year ago, I wanted to return to Seoul very badly for one person. But now, that person no longer exists in my life. The day it all ended, it seemed as though my life had come to a standstill because the plans that I had been making for my future just dissipated into thin air. 

I must admit that at times, I still get pretty confused about my purpose for coming back to Korea. I mean I’m back for a reason, but the reason is not the original reason that I had and the motivation isn’t as strong as my original reason. 

Don’t get me wrong. Of course I’m very happy with the current man in my life though I wonder how far our LDR can take us. I just hope that J can come to visit me next year and that I can erase certain memories from 2010/2011 with my new memories created with him. 

Emotions aside, after getting out of the station, I recharged my T-money before making my way to Songnae Station and then got quite emotional again because I could still remember the last day I spent in Bucheon when Youngjin’s mum sent me to the bus stop and cried when I alighted from her car, and how I had cried all the way back to Seoul in the bus, hiding my red puffy eyes behind my shades.
I couldn’t quite remember the way back to Youngjin’s place but luckily, I had recorded down the details in my phone: train to Songnae, bus 15 to his place, the password to enter the building and his house password. I had to retrace the steps I took about 2 years ago. At around 7pm, I finally made it to Youngjin’s place :) It’s been a long time!

Songnae Station

I could still remember where to alight from the bus :)

Pardon my eyes haha. This is the only shot of me for the day! 

His mum prepared a wonderful dinner for me

Missed her cooking! 

Homemade plum tea

His cute lil dog who likes me afterall

After dinner, I spent the night talking to Youngjin’s mum about my Europe trip and getting her excited about all the shopping :) I really missed Youngjin & his family!