The night sky was void of stars, a lot different from what you used to see back home. Sky scrapers towered above you and you see familiar faces in giant billboards as the taxi you were in coursed through the busy highways of Seoul. You just arrived for a month’s worth of vacation, something you had planned ever since you were a university student. Upon landing your first job, you made sure to save up for this trip. Now that you are in the land of Kpop, you can’t wait to start your adventures. You would definitely make the best of it.

You watched outside the window as the commercial establishments blur past you, the scenery transforming into that of a quiet neighbourhood where you could see houses standing next to each other. The sight was comforting, makes you feel that you were back in your neighbourhood. You decided to rent for a room space in an inn since staying in a hotel makes you feel alone.

The cab rolled to a stop and the kind driver informed you that you have reached the place which will be your home for the next thirty days. You followed him out of the car as he pulled out your travelling bag from the trunk. After paying for your fare, you smiled one last time at the man and said your thanks.

Pressing the doorbell, you fought back the wide smile that was growing on your face. Everything just felt surreal. The wooden gate opened and you were welcomed by the warm smile of Mrs. Lee. You bowed your head and introduced yourself. The kind woman smiled warmly at you and ushered you in, while a young lad took your belongings.

As the two of you walked down the cobble stone path that went around the main house, you couldn’t help but smile to see how it looked like the traditional ones you see in Korean dramas. Mrs. Lee, who instructed you to call her halmeoni since she is one anyways, started asking about your flight and as you warmed up to her, you told her brieflt about your plans for the week.

You were already at the back of the main house where you could hear loud banters and smell the aroma of grilled pork. Mr. Lee was having his own party at the backyard, which was technically the front yard of your unit. The men were kind enough to acknowledge your presence and invite you to join them. You were about to decline when halmeoni scolded her husband for drinking too much and causing too much noise.

“She needs to rest so I appreciate if you and your friends keep it low,” she huffed and led you away from the gazes of drunken men.

Before showing you your room, she led you to the laundry room in the first floor and you smiled in relief when you saw coin-operated washing machines, dryers and irons. Your payment also includes breakfast and she informed you that breakfast starts as early as seven in the morning.

Your room was in the second floor, complete with a bed, personal refrigerator, air conditioning/heater units and bathroom – all you need to survive. You don’t know how to cook so it didn’t bother you that you don’t have a kitchen.

“Rest now my child. You had a long day and I’m sure you will have a long day tomorrow.”

With that, halmeoni bid you good night and you did too.

You woke up early the next morning, the rays of the sun blanketing you in its warmth as you sat up in bed. You looked outside the window to see the clear sky and squealed in excitement for today starts your first of many adventures in Seoul. You quickly hopped out of bed, took a shower and changed into a comfortable tee and jeans. You slung your bag across your body and slipped on your snickers. After one final check of your room, you locked your door.

As you stepped into the sun, you saw halmeoni cleaning the remains of the gathering last night –putting the soju bottles aside.

“Good morning, halmeoni!” you greeted as you approached her.

“Omo, you are up so early,” she chuckled, taking a good look at you, clearly seeing that you are in high spirits; the gleam in your eyes telling her that it was indeed your first time in their country. “Let’s get you your breakfast.” She pulled off her cleaning gloves and you followed her to the dining table at the main house.

Your eyes widened in delight as they feasted at the traditional Korean breakfast laid before you. It consisted of galbi (grilled short ribs), kongnamul bab (bean sprout rice), oi naengguk (cold cucumber soup) and an array of side dishes: spicy seafood salad, seasoned kelp and moo saengchae (radish strip kimchi). You looked up halmeoni who was amused just by looking at you. She motioned you to start eating and you did, but after saying “Jalmukesumneda!”with so much enthusiasm making halmeoni laugh heartily at you.

You were half-way through your meal when you heard the sound of the phone ringing from somewhere inside the house. Halmeoni left shortly afterwards and you continued to satisfy your taste buds. Checking first if there was someone looking, you fished out your phone and quickly took a photo of your breakfast. You would be posting it in a blog later tonight.

You were drinking water when the old lady came back with a package in her hands. She smiled at you and you couldn’t help but sense that there was something bothering her. You didn’t want to pry but you didn’t want to be a burden either.

“Thank you for the wonderful breakfast. I enjoyed every last bit,” you beamed and halmeoni smiled seeing the empty bowls. “You don’t need to bother about me halmeoni. I shall take my leave now,” you stood up and before your hands could touch your used plate, the old woman stopped you. You hesitated a bit, but seeing that halmeoni won’t let you do it, you bowed politely and pushed your chair back.

You were about to exit the back door which opens up to the backyard when you heard her sigh. Turning around to face her, you saw the worry in her face which she masked with a smile earlier.

“Halmeoni, is there anything I could help you with?” you asked not wanting to be direct. It would be impolite if you ask her something which was none of your business.

She was reluctant at first as her eyes darted from you to the package in her hands but then she decided to tell you anyway.

“One of my husband’s friends last night left this,” she pulled out the CD from the brown paper bag. “He wanted to drop by to personally get it but he was held up by a meeting. It seems that he needed this in that meeting. I sent my helpers to shop at the market and they haven’t returned. And your harabeoji is snoring loudly in our room.”

“Where is it, halmeoni? I’ll take it to him,” you offered realizing that she could not leave because of the other guests. Her face lit up but then you could sense that she still had qualms about it.

“This will be a good way for me to familiarize myself with Seoul. And after giving it to him, I could begin my sightseeing.  Trust me halmeoni, it’s fine with me,” you assured her and you were glad that she finally agreed.

Tearing a piece of paper from a notebook, she jotted down the buses you would take and which bus stops you should wait in. She then wrote the name of the person and his complete address