Leaving Home, Arriving in Seoul

The Day Has Finally Arrived

The day has finally arrived… 28th of March: departure day.

After months of preparation, excitement and perhaps a few quiet moments of nervous anticipation, it was finally time to begin this incredible journey.

My bags were packed, my travel itinerary ready and I had officially checked in at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Saying Goodbye and Moving Forward

Saying goodbye to loved ones was a bittersweet moment.

  

As I walked through customs at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the reality of this adventure slowly began to sink in. The journey I had been preparing for over so many months was finally about to begin.

Since my flight was scheduled for nine in the evening, I still had time to wander through the airport, doing a little window-shopping and enjoying a light dinner before boarding. I chose a bowl of Bibimbap, which felt almost like a small preview of the Korean adventure that was waiting for me on the other side of the flight.

Next Stop: Seoul ✈️

Next destination: Seoul!

The flight would take me to South Korea, where new experiences, new learning and countless discoveries were waiting.

Stepping Into the Adventure

Departure day is never just about travelling.

It is about opening a new chapter, stepping forward with curiosity, courage and an open heart.

The adventure I had been dreaming about was finally beginning.

Arrival: Entering a New World

Meeting My Chauffeur at the Airport

Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, 29th of March, I was greeted by a chauffeur arranged by my language institute, Lexis Korea. 

Since I had arrived a little earlier than expected, I first withdrew some Korean won from the ATM, just to have some cash on hand for the coming days.

The airport felt calm and incredibly efficient after the long flight and it was a comforting thought that someone was already waiting to take me into the city. 

The ride into Seoul was comfortable, although communication required a bit of creativity. The chauffeur spoke very little English and my Korean vocabulary was still quite limited. Luckily, we had the help of Papago. Using the translation app back and forth felt a little clumsy at times, but it worked well enough and even added a touch of humor to the start of my journey.

Despite the language barrier, it was a warm and pleasant introduction to my first moments in Seoul.

Checking In at My Home in Gangnam

I arrived at Ocloud Hotel Gangnam around eight o’clock in the evening.

The check-in process required payment for the entire stay period at once, something I had not expected. Because of the amount, my Mastercard could not immediately approve the full transaction. 

So I paid what I could for the first period and planned to return one or two days later to settle the remaining balance and extend my stay until May 4.

In my mind, I already imagined what might happen later, perhaps my hotel card would stop opening the room door once the system registered a checkout.

It is, after all, just a computer system following instructions. I smiled at the thought and decided to wait and see.

A Cozy Room After a Long Journey

After the long flight, I was tired and wanted to settle in quickly.

The hotel room was beautiful and cosy, exactly what I needed.

Here is a short video of my room: https://youtube.com/shorts/Lyrzg_9OyeA?is=bjMfrzIo5xt-_sdN

There was a window with a pleasant view that I could open, a desk where I could study, a good bathroom with a lovely shower and a comfortable king-size bed. Honestly, I could not have wished for more.

My room was located on the 11th floor, room number 1102.

One feature in the bathroom immediately caught my attention: the electric toilet. In Korea these high-tech toilets are quite common, but for me it was something entirely new. The control panel next to the seat looked almost like the dashboard of a small airplane, with various buttons and symbols that I didn’t immediately understand.

Before using it, I felt the need to study it for a moment to make sure I wouldn’t accidentally activate the wrong function. It was a small but amusing introduction to Korean comfort and technology.

For a brief moment I wondered which button I should definitely ‘not’ press first.

After unpacking, I decided to go out and find something to eat.

First Solo Dinner in Seoul

Dining alone is not always easy for solo travellers, so I had already looked up a place where I could comfortably eat by myself.

The restaurant turned out to be about a 20-minute walk away.

I visited Ssada Gimbap (싸다 김밥), located opposite the AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Gangnam.

The food was simple but delicious, I ended up eating two portions of gimbap.

After dinner, I walked back to Ocloud Hotel Gangnam. Once in my room, I tried out the lovely shower, which felt absolutely wonderful after the long journey. It was exactly what I needed after so many hours of travelling.

Refreshed and finally able to relax, I slipped into bed and quickly fell asleep.

I had arrived, tired but grateful. My Korean journey had begun.

Exploring My New Surroundings and the Han River

The next morning, Sunday, I was eager to explore my new surroundings.

First, I checked the walking route to my language institute, Lexis Korea, to confirm whether it really was a fifteen-minute walk from my hotel.

After that, I decided to head towards the Han River. However, my sense of direction still needed some improvement. Instead of arriving directly at the river, I somehow ended up much farther east than planned.

Walking in Seoul quickly turned into a small adventure. The city is quite hilly and many of the wide roads cannot easily be crossed on foot. What should normally have taken about forty-five minutes became a much longer journey as I searched for the right crossings and walked around several large intersections.

In the end, it took me a few hours before I finally reached the river.

Along the way, I bought something for lunch and enjoyed it on a bench near the water.

The temperature was dropping quickly, because it was becoming windy, so I could not stay very long. Still, it was a lovely moment. A small bird kept me company while I was eating, watching people walking, cycling and jogging along the river.

For the first time since my arrival, I could simply sit still and take everything in.

Just two days earlier, I had said goodbye at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, boarded my flight and travelled halfway across the world. Now I was sitting by the Han River, observing daily life unfold around me in this vibrant city.

It felt peaceful, a quiet first connection with my new environment in South Korea.

Tomorrow my Korean language adventure at Lexis Korea would truly begin. But for this moment, sitting by the river with my simple lunch and my little bird companion, it was enough just to be here.

A Quiet Beginning

Jet lag, tiredness and excitement mixed together that evening.

But I felt content.

My journey in South Korea had truly begun.