Bombay to Incheon
After months of planning, I finally held a plane ticket with the words' Bombay to Incheon' printed on it. I was finally going on my dream vacation to South Korea. My grade 10 board examinations had ended, and I had been extensively researching locations, cafes to visit, foods to eat, and products to shop. I also worked on my Korean language skills to ensure a smooth trip without miscommunications and confusion due to language barriers.
I usually do not get up early in the morning and feel fresh, but that day was an exception. I was up and ready to leave for the airport, still contemplating if all that was real. Nothing felt real; it felt as if I would wake up from this lovely dream at any time. I remember trying to process my thoughts, feelings, and reality at the airport and the plane. I also vividly recall my uncomfortable sleep during the 15-hour flight. However, it was all worth it. I was finally at Incheon Airport, gathering all the heavy luggage and trying to find the airport bus service to get to our hotel. I also found out that Jimin (a member of BTS) was at the same airport on his way to London for a work schedule.
We got tickets for the airport bus service to take us to our hotel. I enjoyed the 2-hour bus ride to Seoul while listening to music and enjoying the city views. By the time we checked into our hotel room, everyone was hungry. We looked up places to eat at, found a sandwich shop called 'Eggdrop,' and walked there. We sat at the tables by the window on the 1st floor and decided how to spend the rest of the day while having our first meal in Seoul.
We decided to visit the famous Han River and catch the sunset there. First, we went to the convenience store to buy transportation cards. Then we took the bus to Han River Park and walked to the river park. The sun was slowly setting, and all surroundings had turned golden. Coincidentally, we found a yacht ride to take us around the river and stay in front of the Banpo Bridge for the 8 p.m. water fountain show. Another family was on the yacht with us, and they were shocked to see us on the yacht because it wasn't well known even among locals.
The sun was slowly setting, and the sky had a pretty pink, purple, and blue gradient. I could also see the crescent moon. The air got chillier as the sky darkened. The atmosphere during the water show was calming: the cool night breeze gently blowing through my hair, the soft sound of water hitting against the yacht, Adele's songs playing softly in the background, and the water slowly falling from the sides of the bridge, moving and changing colors. Our yacht captain enthusiastically clicked pictures for everyone, helping us capture this precious memory on camera. We wrapped up our first day in Seoul with some pizza for dinner and looked forward to spending more days in the city.
