God is with me in South Korea

Welcome to my Journey in South Korea. I think what is significant in any journey is the beginning of the journey. This post is a bit long, but is a really important aspect of my trip to South Korea.

After a 14 and a half hour cramped, stuffy plane ride, I landed at the Incheon airport in South Korea at 4:30 in the morning on August 29^th.  But wait, that’s wrong… I was supposed to land Friday morning on the 30^th so my friend could pick me up. Apparently me nor my parents or my Korean friend knew how to calculate the International dateline.

I remember gazing wild – eyed at the fluorescent sign above the baggage claim stating the time and date. “Is it really Thursday the 29^th?” I asked the blonde woman beside me. She looked at me a bit strangely and replied “Yes.” I told her my situation and she directed me to the Korean Air desk.

Well that’s freaking awesome. I arrived on the wrong date and had no way to call or contact my friend. I had no idea how to reach the university … after all this was my first time by myself in a foreign country.  I waited for my luggage and prayed.. “Please Lord help me figure all this out… please let everything come together under your will.”  Not even a full minute after my silent prayer, the blonde woman from earlier walked up to me and asked where I was going. “Seoul.” I answered.  “Great I am headed that way too, why don’t you take a taxi with me to my hotel, we’ll eat breakfast together, and then call your friend and figure out what to do from there.”  I hesitated for a split second,  Mom’s warning repeating in my head “ Don’t trust strangers” but rather than feeling apprehensive, I felt calm and at ease. I knew right then that this tall blonde American woman was my answer to prayer.

We took an hour long taxi ride from Incheon to Seoul. We had a nice cab driver who spoke excellent English with a bit of a French accent. ( No, I don’t understand how that works either)

We arrived at a fancy hotel where I spent most of my day in the lounge. The clerks held on to my luggage and helped me call my friend.  With the help of my kind companion and the hotel clerk I managed to find a hostel for the night.

My answer to prayer was a woman from LA, a believer, who comes to Korea twice a year for business. I have not spoken to her since that day but I will always remain grateful for her kindness and generosity. God’s presence was definitely felt the day I landed in this beautiful, vibrant country.

In my next post I will tell you about my first few nights in Seoul.

Cheers.

(This was the view from the hotel, my first morning in Seoul)