Greetings from the Sun!

Greetings from the Sun!

Okay, so we’re not really on the sun, but it sure feels like it! Gwangju is Africa hot with the humidity level of a Turkish bath. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

We arrived at our university apartment last night following a 26 hour journey on 3 hours of sleep. When I emailed my son Kael from Vancouver announcing our arrival in good health, he remarked, “Yeah. Let’s see what you say after an 11 hour flight (to Seoul)!” his remarks proved prescient. The “Morning Calm” promise of Korean Airline was, alas, not quite the case. The perpetual motion of those on board combined with our excitement kept us wide awake.

The last time I flew overseas was in 1993. That 13 hour flight to Japan went by in a flash. I pretty much slept the whole way. Well, 17 long years have passed, and I’m apparently much creakier now. No matter how I tried, this time, dreamland remained elusive.

Still, the challenge of fatigue in close quarters was ameliorated by the gracious and efficient flight attendants. These stunning young women attend to every conceivable need with calm voices and gentle smiles. These miniature dolls are the very picture of elegance in slim-line ivory suit jackets and pencil skirts. (Proving that he is, indeed, a chick, Rob worries that, due to the snugness of said skirts, the flight attendants will have difficulty performing their duties.) Accents include ming green blouses and funky thin hair ribbons akin to those one would wear on a lapel for a cause, such as breast cancer awareness, except these are starched straight and set sideways so as to shoot out of the wearer’s head of perfectly coiffed upswept hair. Neck scarves are also architectural marvels fashioned with the aid of liberally applied hairspray.

We delight in the nice little touches, like a handy sturdy plastic vanity pack complete with toothbrush, toothpaste, and slippers. We amuse ourselves with our reading material. I have picked up Bill Fawcett’s You Said What? Lies and Propaganda Throughout History. A fan of biography and history couldn’t ask for more! This book covers everything from Stalin’s Big Lie to Eric Clapton’s Undying but Temporary Passion for Patti-Boyd Harrison. Riveting! Until my eyes feel like they’re falling from their sockets. Then I turn to movies. Ghost Writer, the latest work of that most gifted of pedophiles, Roman Polanski, and Valentine’s Day, by Garry Marshall. The first movie is sublime in its subtlety and attention to detail. The second movie is the polar opposite. One wonders how Hollywood can churn out such dreck. When my eyes protest“Enough!”I shut them and listen to everything from Dolly Parton and Barbra Streisand to Elvis and the classic rock band Boston. Still, sleep eludes me. I sample the Greek Tales channel where some poncy Brit almost manages to lull me to snrkk, snort…. Almost. Time for breakfast, at midnight Winnipeg time.

By the time we get to Seoul, we’re in a zombie-like state, with a similar sense of humour. We are amused by the greeting we get from none other than Pierce Brosnan. 007 is there in all his glory, eyebrow cocked, grinning from posters for Paradise Casino. We manage to secure a cellphone and get a bus from Incheon International to Gimpo, the regional airport. The bus ride there goes quickly as we whiz by mountains and water on one side and evergreen forested hills on the other. We also get a glimpse at the outer edges of the city of Seoul. It’s a study in contrasts with bazillions of Lego style blocky tall apartment blocks, side by side, across the street from tiny haphazard gardens incongruously squeezed between humble shacks. This site was striking even from the air as we flew into Seoul. Miles and miles of identical, utilitarian blocks, with little leg room between. Another visual standout is the loden green water with the mountain tops jutting out from underneath. We’re also thrilled to bits by the 45 foot evergreens trimmed to look like Bonsai trees.

We make it to Gimpo just on time, and with great relief, settle into our seats for the 40 minute flight to Gwangju. Our host, Diane Kim meets us at the airport, then takes us shopping at the market so we can have breakfast at our apartment.

The good thing about staying awake all night on an international flight is that is allows one to immediately slip into step with the clock at the destination. As midnight rolls around, we fall into bed like redwoods.