September

Do you have everything, ______? your mom asked for the 100th time. You nodded.

Passport? Do you have your passport? she continued

Yes. 

What about money? Maybe you want me to go buy something to eat? You’re not hungry? Did you confirm to them that you’re leaving today? You’re sure they will send a driver? she started to panic.

It wasn’t your first long-distance flight all by yourself, but she’s overprotective. Your sister moved out to US 5 years ago. She has a great husband and a small baby. Sometimes you think you’re horrible aunt – you’ve met your nephew just once. When he had a month your parents and you went to US to visit. But that was it – the flight tickets are too expensive to visit more often. And now, you’ll be even further. At home you were the last one and your mother can’t stand that you’re leaving her, too. Of course, there’s still dad, but he’s always busy with his company and don’t spend much time at home. You feel a little bit sorry that you are leaving them. But this job… you couldn’t say no. For the last 5 months the only think you were talking about was Korea. You’re favorite topic – When I’ll move out to Seoul someday… You still can’t believe that you will actually be there in less than 12 hours. 

Yes, mom. I have everything. Everything is confirmed, too. Don’t worry. As soon as I’ll be there, I’ll call you. you said to make her calm down. Or yourself.

You’ve just told her that you have everything, but just to be sure, you check your purse one more time.

Money - check

Passport with visa – check

Phone – check

Korea & Seoul guide – check

Korean dictionary – check

Park Yoon-Ji’s number and all other documents - check

Yes, you have everything. Uff

It was time to say goodbye with your parents and go to security control area. You hugged both of them. Your mom started to cry and so did you. Your father was a tough guy who doesn’t cry for goodbyes.

Take care _______. And don’t eat dogs! it’s all he said.

I won’t. you responded with a smile on your face. Once you told him about the job he started his researches. Of course he was looking for negative aspects and stereotypes of Korean culture. Dogs, cats, War… ah you knew it was his protective-side talking not always-rational-businessman, but you were arguing with him a lot about it lately.

You  hugged him tight.

Take care of yourselves I said to them and went to security control.

When you’ll be able to hug them again? On Christmas? You wiped off your tears and decided you won’t think about it now. You’re going to make your dreams come true.

You were sitting on your seat. The plane will start taxiing in few minutes and the flight attendant asks to turn off the phones. You sent a quick message to your dad, updated Facebook. In GD’s style – you chuckled on the thought how Ana would call it.

London >>>>>>> Seoul

You’re turning off your phone and look around the first class cabin. You’ve never flight in first class and you’re quite excited. Sky blue color dominates. Flight attendants wear sky blue jackets, white knee-long pencil skirts and white scarves on their necks. You’re surprised you can’t see any mid-aged flight attendant, they all seem to be under 30. Their black hair are tight in neatly buns tied up with blue ribbons. They are walking around every passenger asking them in English or Korean. You’re amazed with everything you se