Thursday, June 17th

Landed safely in Tokyo; we had no boarding pass or seat assigned so we raced out of the airplane and followed signs to "international connecting flights". Used our itinerary and passport to get through to Security checkpoint; Kelly had no trouble getting through... they were not happy with my carry on bag; required rechecking 4 times and finally sent us on our way...

Tried United airlines for boarding pass to Incheon; no go; sent to Asiana airlines; we had 40 minutes to plane departure! We ran onto people movers to Asiana desk; the agent was very kind and ran to departure board to show us that we had to go to gate 38 to get our boarding pass/seat assignment; she ran with us to point out gate; very kind and helpful!

Arrived at gate; showed our baggage claims; given boarding pass and seat assignment! Yeah!!! We boarded plane immediately! Very helpful cabin attendants! Good flight; another meal...two hour flight... landed in Incheon about 6:00 pm...

Breezed through foreign immigration check point, baggage pick up and customs... into waiting area to look for Aaron...there he was!

We had the pleasure of meeting Aaron's girlfriend, Jeong Mi Park!

Jeong Mi's dad graciously picked us up in his car and drove us over the New Incheon Bridge to Aaron's apartment building. We are able to use Aaron's friend Dan's apartment while he is back in Franklin for his time off between teaching assignment's... Thanks Dan!!!...

We got our luggage in, unpacked and freshened up... and headed out into the city to explore and eat our first dinner in Korea!!

We enjoyed our first meal which was chosen by Aaron and Jeong Mi which consisted of a grill over hot "coals?" which cooked the pork right at our table!! We used metal chopsticks metal spoon (typical utensils in Korea) and after toasting our safe arrival we were introduced to 8 or 10 different foods... some spicy... some not... but always included KIMCHEE!

After dinner, we went to a western bar to watch the Korean's soccer team lose 4-1 to Argentina in the World Cup. We visited with Dan Schwabenbauer, Josh Castonguay, and other western English Teachers! Then after a very very very long but exciting day... back to Dan's apartment and bed...