We arrived at Incheon Airport yesterday afternoon and took the bus into downtown Seoul (10.000 KRW per person).

At the airport, everybody was very helpful and people even came up to us to offer their help. We probably looked like a sorry bunch after our 10:30 flight.

The bus took the Express Way and along the way, we passed mostly brown patches of flat areas and hills. Then I understood why my Korean friends often mention that Germany is so green.

A normally 10-minute walk from the bus stop to our guest house K – haus turned into an hour long search. Not only did we ask people on the street, but again,  Koreans came up to offer their help. At one point, we had three different parties trying to help us. One couple crossed the street when they saw us with map in hand and looking lost. Another couple joined our group and wanted to know if we got enough help. Then a car pulled up and the passenger offered her help as well.

I mention this because my Korean friends in Germany had cautioned me not to expect too much help on the streets in Seoul.

The rest of the day was spent in good hands – one of my former students met up with  us at the hotel (he had a hard time finding it, too) and from there on, we explored our eating and drinking opportunities.

Our first stop was a little eatery and I was in seventh heaven with my first serving of Tokpukki. We had some beer in a snack bar and I had forgotten that one must order something to eat as well (unlike Germany). We sealed off the day with a Korean bomb drink on the roof top terrace of the hotel. Our lights went out early.

Yesterday’s highlight was finding so much hospitality and kindness from strangers in a big city such as Seoul.

The adventure shall continue – it is 3:36 now in Seoul and need to get out to find some breakfast place.