We arrive

Wow! It was a long trip--abut 19 hours on the plane. In 1978 when I came we flew from California and spent the night in a luxury hotel in Tokyo. That eased the pain!

The Seoul airport was amazing. The last time I was here it looked like the Providence Airport. Now it is one of the largest airports in the world. Everything works flawlessly. People are stationed in various areas to help anyone who looks confused. We changed money, got a map, and found the bus to our hotel; all in record time.

Seoul is gigantic--all huge skyscrapers. The Han River is still muddy, but it has parks and expensive buildings along it. Dozens of bridges are like ribbons crossing the river. This is a city with money. You can see it in the buildings and the people. I don't think we will have any trouble getting American food if we want it. There was even a Dunkin Donuts at the Seoul airport. (That's for you, Leah)

One thing hasn't changed though--the mountains that surround the city are still beautiful--just a little harder to see. My reaction to being in Korea again surprised me. I had the feeling of coming home--or at least to a home that was part of my younger self. I'm really glad I'm here.

However, I think I need to sleep. John is already dead to the world, and it's only 7 pm.