Yikes하다.

Do you ever have those days where there really isn't a current word to describe just how bizarre it is? And you just have to make one of your own?
Word of the day:

Yikes하다.

yikes·ha·da

야이크하다

verb

1. 1.

   to do the yikes

My ninth time taking the flight between the US and the Republic of Korea was likely one of the most eventful. By now I'm more than accustomed to the journey and 16-19 hours of travel time it takes between airports, but I often embark on my adventures alone. At 5:30 am, with very little sleep, I was prepared for the challenge of having my boyfriend accompany me. I was elated at the idea of having a travel companion with the promise of far less monotonous hours of sky time ahead. 
Just not in the way I had pictured.
The goal? MSP (Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport) to DTW (Detroit Airport) to ICN (Incheon/Seoul Airport). Seems simple... in theory.

We hit our first road bump at check-in. Steven, the boyfriend, was directed to Delta's special services after attempting to check-in. We figured it was due to his lack of American citizenship... as he is from Shanghai. 
Debbie, the Delta agent, was our first omen. 

THE OMENS

1. Debbie.

Debbie the Delta check-in agent could not swipe in Steven's passport. For those of you inexperienced in international travel, a passport is swiped into the computer much as a credit card is. The reason it wasn't scanning was because Steven had accidentally washed (and dried) the passport in the laundry. To our good fortune, there is a bar code that Debbie was then able to manually type in. BUT Then it was telling her that he needed a visa. To which she scanned the US visa Steven carries and sent us on our merry way.

2. 1% Chance of Precipitation

Minnesota is well known for our snowy winter seasons. The weather is almost unpredictable, ranging from 40 degrees one day to -5 the next. However, a promising sunny day of 0% precipitation and clear skies? Who could go wrong with that? Except.... that one little percent at 8 am.... just before our departure. Luckily de-icing was swift and we were able to depart in a sensible time.

3. A -10 minute layover

If you don't travel often, you may want to listen to this one. The time of departure is NOT the time you should be at your gate. In fact, the doors close 12-20 (12 for domestic, 20 for international) minutes prior to departure. And once those doors are shut, they might as well lock them, throw away the key, and then meld any openings, because you are NOT going through them. Boarding for our flight began 10 minutes before our scheduled landing in our Detroit layover (Okay, this one was my bad while booking) which gave us a thirty minute window. You can imagine I was biting my nails, especially with the snow and de-icing... and being in the very back of the plane. And miraculously? We landed early, making it to our gate just in the nick of time.

4. The bathroom-lady

This one is more of a personal inconvenience. I have this thing when flying... Every airport I enter I take a bathroom selfie with one foot on the sink. I don't know where, why, or how this tradition evolved... but... instagram loves it? Or at least I pretend they do. And I know this may seem a little disrespectful, but in complete honesty I wipe the sink up every time just in case some dirt was leftover. 

But just as I was taking my limited-edition Detroit bathroom-ie, a janitor walked in. Aaaaand she, reasonably so, snapped at me. It was the first time I had been noticed in my tradition... and I began to feel the bad juju.

5. Biometric Boarding

I always love when airways introduce new technology. Especially when it makes it easier and faster for the passengers. As we shuffled up to the front of the boarding line, I realized that there was no scanning of tickets or passports, but each person was stopped to take a brief mugshot and then enter the doors. You receive a slip, and I was baffled at how by a simple picture the airlines are able to know the exact information on my boarding pass. Incredible. This also meant Steven would not have to swipe his passport again. So I was ecstatic.

6. 5 feet apart cause we're not g-oood at booking

The only seats left were completely spread about the cabin. And one of us had to pay for an upgrade due to the lack of seats... so we couldn't swap it out. Thus, we were on opposite ends of the cabin for our 13 hour flight from DTW to ICN.

***7. We Should Have Known.

We were both well aware that Chinese citizens had to present a Korean visa in order to pass customs. But Steven assured me that since he had his US visa, he was able to enter for 30 days as well. That is also what Debbie had informed us. So with little to worry about, Steven and I stepped in separate lines to immigration and I slid right on through... at this point I should really be carrying a punch card. But as I passed the non-reenter-able checkpoint, I watched through the glass doors as Steven seemed to encounter a predicament. After a bit of chatting, he was walked into a separate room were I could no longer observe. No contact, no way of entry... I went to baggage.

8. Emotional Baggage.

Although I enjoy flying Delta, I usually fly American Airlines. I am very fortunate to be the recipient of my dear friend's companion flyer perks, meaning I can ride standby for the same price as an employee. I had attempted, many time, to fly to Seoul by American, but unfortunately they only have one flight a day out of the US. And with the holidays and weather, it was near damn impossible... But a couple days prior to buying my Delta pass, I had attempted to go through DFW (Dallas/Fort Walton). Checking two bags (as usual) which contained essentials of living, I waited on standby for a seat on the plane. But, due to weather, I was unable to get to Dallas... but my luggage was.

And maybe Inchon? I went to go check while Steven was in immigrant limbo. And of course, they weren't able to help me immediately due to the traffic in the airport. They said they'd call me when they located it.

It's still lost. Still.

9. STEVEN IS DEPORTED.

That one is pretty self explanatory.

Yup, my boyfriend, not carrying the correct visa, was deported before he could even enter South Korea. So it seemed I was going solo into the night. He was able to exchange his return ticket for January 21st and go home immediately to the US. But still, there was so much that could have prevented this all from occurring. Debbie... I'm not looking at you but.... DANG IT DEBBIe.

I gathered up my carry on and walked heavy-hearted and defeated to the airport railway. A one hour ride from 홍대 (Hongdae Station) which is where I am residing. I had plans to meet my best friend, Caillean, and her two friends Ava and 경 (Kyong) for 닭갈비 (Dalkgalbi). I promised to meet them as soon as I dropped my few belongings at my AirBnb...

which was on Steven's account...

Steven was kind enough to help me with directions, but once there, I couldn't figure out which door to enter. I called the host... who only spoke Korean.

I can speak a decent amount to get by, but it is MUCH more difficult to understand over the phone. And he spoke very fast. So after about 20 minutes of accidentally trying to break into what I assume is normal family homes, I asked a passerby to help. Apparently the host is just really bad at directions, because the friendly stranger, a native, also had a difficult time understanding. I entered, and was so delighted to see clean, happy environment. Actually, its my favorite place I've stayed thus far (aside from a five-star Marriott hotel in Namdaemun... but that is another story). I warmed my frozen hands and then turned on my heel to meet Caillean and co down the street. 

We enjoyed a fabulous meal, and I enjoyed meeting her friends. 

닭갈비

They agreed to take me shopping in 신촌 (Sinchon station) for PANTS and UNDERWEAR and SOCKS to which I had none thanks to my lack of luggage. I also splurged on a sweater for new years (mostly so I could wear something that didn't smell like, sweat, jetfuel, and defeat) from Brand Market. And my designer ganny panties were a steal from Daiso. So far, packing light has not turned out too badly. I have my makeup, so... we chillin'. 

New Year's Outfit

We then proceeded to get boba (BOBA. NOt buBBle TeA), and hit up an arcade for a few rounds of 1 v 1 mario kart. Caillean beat Ava... And 경 beat me BY A HAIR.

As the night chilled down (quite literally) I threw Caillean and my two new friends hugs and headed home. Cozied in bed, I dozed off with a mindset for a brighter tomorrow and a fun New Year's Eve.

I MADE THIS.

And then it was 2:30 am.