My last day in Korea. Wow. I am still not sure what to think. Seoul had so much happening, but few obvious tourist attractions. People were kind and formal in a way I was still trying to understand, and the history felt deeper than I could grasp in one visit. Korea had been a personal adventure, although not a typical one. Thinking back over the last week, I was beginning to realise that perhaps Korea wasn’t only about exploring another culture, but also about exploring myself.

The last six days had been a series of trials and tribulations. I would undoubtedly arrive in Kuala Lumpur a different person from the one who left the United States. I had learned about my own patience, others’ capacity to forgive, the meaning of friendship, and how to understand and accept different cultures. For the first time in my life, I was routinely singled out, in both positive and negative ways, because of who I was. I now had a glimpse of what it felt like to stand out.

Last night, I went to dinner and then a club with Hope. Unlike the previous evening, when I had been able to get to know people, this group was not especially warm. Introductions were awkward, and I struggled to join the conversation. I walked by myself for most of the way to the club. Already feeling uncomfortable, I realised just how different I was from the people around me. Without a common language, I found it difficult to connect and felt quite alone. Hope was there with her friends, and I didn’t want to rely on her to look after me. I got a beer and spoke with a Japanese woman from Paris who asked whether I wanted to dance. She seemed friendly, so why not? I soon realised, however, that dancing with someone else felt uncomfortable. Rather than burden Hope, I decided to leave. As noted earlier, I hadn’t slept much the previous night, so I needed a good night’s sleep.

Relatively early in the morning, I headed into the city centre and checked into a hotel. Check-in was at 14:00, but the receptionist kindly let me into my room six hours early. I needed to finish some work before going to Kuala Lumpur, get a good night’s sleep, spend a little time alone, and prepare for an 08:00 bus the next morning. In all my overseas journeys, I had never stayed in a proper hotel; some European “hotels” had been more like rough hostels with fresh paint. Having internet access was useful, and with my laptop I could work on my own schedule.

+++++++++++++++ [19:18:24] LF I heard a ring in my ear phones [19:18:37] Kelvin Nicholson wow, you tried calling me [19:18:42] LF yeah [19:18:43] Kelvin Nicholson hold on buckaroo! [19:18:58] LF I didn’t know what I was doing but the phone symbol was enticing +++++++++++++++

My mom is wonderful, as usual. Soon, I’ll fire up my webcam and show her the view from the window.

I’ve met some wonderful new people and continued building friendships with people I knew from Portland. Nathan, whom I met at one of the bars, has a wit that brings out the humour in anybody. His roommate, Mabelle, made me feel included when I most needed it. Sarah, impressively dedicated to her work, helped me navigate conversations in which we both knew almost nobody. I couldn’t have asked Amara to welcome me to the city any more warmly, and I think she is doing better than I have ever seen her. Hope, who brings energy to everyone around her, is one of the most independent, resilient, and strong people I have met.

Well, that wraps up Korea. I’ll be working and eating the rest of the afternoon, which at this point, sounds like bliss.