It is official. The move to Korea is complete. I have an apartment, a cell phone, and an interview that's lined up within the next couple of days. Provided I get the position, I would be entirely self-sufficient. I didn't really expect everything to move this quickly, actually I thought that I wouldn't be able to find anything at all, live two months here and then head back to Canada with my tail between my legs, so to speak. I've been here only for four days now, so it still feels like a vacation. When I get a job, that's when I'll be in "regular life" mode.

It didn't start off well. The flight that took had one stop-over in Chicago, then off to Korea. The flight was to leave Pearson at 8.30, but due to a few delays, we didn't leave until 9.30. I was more than a little concerned, at first the announcement was that the pilots were delayed through customs, no big deal I thought. They finally arrived half an hour late, but then they experienced eletrical problems with the plane. I've ridden a few airplanes rides before this, and thankfully there haven't been any hitches. I guess the last thing anyone would want to hear while onboard a plane is that there are electrical problems. The crew depowered the plane and restarted. So for a couple of minutes there was no power except for emergency lighting, strips of light guiding towards the emergency exits. At that point, I was getting a little nervous. After that restart, we were off and running. Two hours later we arrive in Chicago. I grabbed a bite to eat, a Chicago style hot-dog, then went outside the terminal for fresh air before my connection to Korea. Then another odd thing. There was a few people outside, one man was unconscious on the side of the road, with a couple of people tending to him. I didn't recognize exactly what was happening. At first glance it looked like some people were going through their luggage looking for something. It turned out that someone had just passed out and was lying face down on the sidewalk. They were trying to wake him unsuccessfully. I came over and asked if they needed help, which they did. I went inside the terminal and brought out airport security to assist. It was very strange because there were a few bystanders already there but nobody had thought about calling for medical attention until I arrived. I wasn't able to stay to the see the outcome, I had left just as the ambulance arrived.

Finally, it was time for the connecting flight. Everything went smoothly, tried to sleep over the 14 hours in the air, somehow managed to sleep through take-off. Arrived safely, went though customs, and went to the baggage collection area. It took a while for customs, so all the baggage was already unloaded from the carousel. The kicker...no baggage. Half a world away from home, and I have nothing with me except a book, a digital camera with no more battery power, the clothes on my back, credit cards, and $200 cash. At least I was safe, have to be thankful for something. Filled out a report at the terminal and then took a bus to the city to meet my friend. Turns out, I boarded the wrong bus. Ended up who knows where. We get to the end of the line before the bus doubles back to the airport. At the last stop, it's just me and the driver. I guess he felt sorry for me because I absolutely had no clue where I was. Through a series of hand gestures and pointing at maps, he takes me back to a stop along his route relatively close to where I was supposed to be going. Close meaning, 40 minutes away by car. I call my friend user the driver's phone and he meets me at the spot. From there, it's been a breeze ever since. My baggage, still sitting Chicago, arrived the following day and I settle in an apartment in the city.

It hasn't been perfect, but it ended up working out anyway. I'm thankful that I didn't have to carry around the luggage halfway cross the city at least.
I haven't gone over the day to day life, just wanted to cover the beginning of the journey. Not quite figured out this blogging thing yet, as soon as I get a better handle hopefully I can show you some pictures. I'll try to add an entry as often as possible, and I definitely like to hear from you all so write me an email when you get the chance.