Christmas in Australia

I woke up on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2013). I went down to the Gold Coast. Rough start, you know the swim bag I told you is going to be the death of me… Well this is where it starts. I left it on the bus because I fell asleep on the bus, and I got off in panic. I had no towels, swimwear, goggles, or anything. I didn’t lose anything important thank god, but still, I was upset. I really liked all the things I had in there. After that kind of start, I got a pair of really basic swim trunks and an Australian flag towel, which ends up being a good thing. I really like the things I bought. It kind of killed my mood at the beach being by myself without my bag, and knowing that I will be alone for the holidays. It could be worse I thought, but doesn’t make it much better. I got a quick swim in, and some snacks! I managed to call the Gold Coast Transportation, and they will be on the look out. The office will be closed till the 30^th of December, so that’s the closest time when I could get my bag back. By that time, I would be in Sydney… I got some information on how I could go about retrieving this bag, and the office closed, so I was pretty much done with the Gold Coast. I remember texting my Party Veterans saying I really wish I were home. They responded by saying that this is a great opportunity and that coming back home after all this time away will be very rewarding! They were not wrong! I had to stay strong! Thank you guys and I miss you guys so much!

I took the train up back to the city, where I was waiting for my transfer. I was already fragile enough. Then, I see families getting together at my transfer station hugging and kissing and welcoming… Why is it that in times like this, people have to do all this shit in front of my face? I get home and make one of my final journeys to the hostel. I get on the phone to talk to mommy because I know she can make me feel better. I told her about the missing bag, and she told me it’s nothing to worry about because it didn’t have anything important in it. That’s the truth, but I’m still upset. I felt as though if I were home, this would not have happened. Oh well it did. I wrapped up the conversation with a Merry Christmas to mommy. My mom was so sweet after I got off the phone! She would not stop texting me making sure I was okay till basically I went to bed. I woke up to bunch of text from my mom saying how proud she was of me for doing this, and being able to venture out on my own! I promise I will make you more proud of me mom! Cannot wait to be back!

I got ready to go to the airport for my trip to a city; I don’t know if you heard of it; it’s called Sydney! YAY!!! I did feel much better Christmas Morning. I had my Christmas shorts on, and I was ready to roll out. I waited from my Manly station where my hostel was for about an hour, and finally got on the train. If the train at my train arrived within 30 minutes after my arrival, I would be able to make it to the airport before the gate closes. The next train to the airport wasn’t for another hour after I arrived. I sucked it up and took a cab to the airport, and the airline upgraded me to business for my flight to Sydney! I guess it’s a win. I got to Sydney and it was raining, but I figured it has to be a better city than Brisbane right? I was right. I checked into my hostel at the Bounce Hostel and got 3 days worth of free Wi-Fi with my charm! I left the hostel in the rain to explore the city. I didn’t feel like making new friends in the hostel just yet. I walked from Central to Darling Harbour to check things out, but everything was closed because today was Christmas… From there, I made my way to the Opera House, but took couple detours at some Christmas trees in the city. Finally, I arrived at the Opera House. Glad I made it there even though it was dark and raining! I sent pictures to mommy and the Party Veterans. After basking in the glory of the Opera House, I walked through the gay streets of Oxford St to check out the scene, and I did some grocery shopping, ate some Indian food, and got home and bed! Merry Christmas everyone!

Brisbane

My next destination is Australia! Thank you mommy for the greatest Christmas present of my life. Nothing is going to top this present. (My feelings will change as my Aussie travels continue.) I landed in Brisbane in the morning (December 22, 2013). The weather was fantastic seeing that I just came from Seoul where it was -3 Celsius; it was great going into summer. I got caught up in the excitement of Australia that I almost lost my swim bag. (This bag is going to be the death of me.) I get on the train to get into the city, so I can do some exploring before checking into the hostel. I saw the Treasury Casino, Queen St. Mall, Anzac Square, and City Hall within like 2 hours, and I was on my way to the hostel! My hostel was really far away. Note to self, don’t book hostels when you are intoxicated and busy packing. I got to my hostel, and checked in. I took a shower and a quick nap, and I took the train back into the city for some more touring around. I went into Roma St for their park and saw a cloud of spiders hovering over my head and thought, “This is how my life will end.” I walked all the way through just a little bit quicker than before to get to the city. (I don’t do well in nature.) I got to catch a light show displayed on the city hall building in downtown Brisbane. It was their first year doing the show and it was really cute, and it perfectly silhouetted the building. I walked from downtown across the Goodwill Bridge, which is their walking bridge that crosses the river in Brisbane. From there, I walked through the South Bank area, where they had really cool walkway with flowers and greenery all around. Once I got to a certain point, I sat on the riverbank, looking at the lights from the city, and the thought that ran through my head was “How awesome is my life right now?” Got home, booked a tour, and bed.

So Brisbane’s train system is nothing like Seoul. The train doesn’t run every 5 minutes; it runs like every 45 minutes. Not realizing this issue, I gave myself very little time for error on my journey to the city to go to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The river-cruise to the sanctuary leaves at 10:30am, and I arrived to the boat at 10:28am after a run to the dock. Hot flashes are real again. Once I got on the boat, it was smooth sailing. We got to the sanctuary, and I got to feed kangaroos and hug a koalas. The way I’ve learned to deal with home sickness now is to see something and try to associate it with something from home or friends or anything that makes my feel safe and home, so when I saw a picture of Cher holding a koala, I knew I was on the right track and felt good about my decision.

After the interaction with the animals, I was back on the river cruise to Brisbane. I walked from the dock to this lookout called Wilson’s Outlook, which has the best view of the city. It was an hour or so walk to this outlook, and by the time I was there, the sun was beginning to set. It was beautiful for the eye, not so much for the pictures. I stayed there for a while, and reflected on my trip even though it has only been two days.When the reflection was over, I took the Citycat (Brisbane’s ferry system), and the train home. I slept like a baby.

Goodbyes

I woke up at 10:40am for my 11am final, which I bombed like all my finals. I wrote couple letters of defeat to my professors asking me not to fail me, and I haven’t seen my grades yet so let us hope for the best.

It’s Friday December 20,2013. I only have a day before I leave, and my finals are over! It’s time to celebrate! It is time to start with our final meal in KLI, which has been so good to us for our five months in Yonsei. All the times we have texted in our group chat of 40 people, “KLI at 12 ETA”, “KLI at 1 ETA”, or “KLI at 3 ETA”, it was only right we have this meal. I’m glad I got to share this with Sung too. Most people joined in as the meal went on because I think we sat in the restaurant for 2 hours just chit chatting about the night before and the trip itself. The meal was over,and Eljay, Kyle, Brian, Christina, and I decided to head over to a jimjilbong for a bath after we sent off our first Party Veteran (the name we gave our group for being just fucking awesome!). Adrian was the first to go. It was hard to see him leave for all of us! This is real; the trip is basically over, and we are not going to have each other anymore like we did in Fall semester 2013 in Yonsei. We went to the jimjilbong right next to the campus and enjoyed the bath! I was really quiet throughout the entire time there. I really didn’t want Adrian or anyone to leave me. The quiet lasted throughout dinner as well. We all head separate dinner plans, so I ate with Alfred, Ophilia, Brian, and Kyle. We went to our favorite Garbi steak place and ate like kings. I was just in my head the whole time. I was sad, mad, bitter, happy, scared, content, confused, loved, and more; to say the least there were a lot of emotions running in my head.

We all got back together after dinner for our what I guess was our final night of Casual Drinking. We found room in a hof to seat all of together, and we shared the drinks with some food; we had a great time there! Kind of got really intoxicated and some of us thought it’d be a good idea to walk to Hongdae for our final night of turn up! It kind of turned into a disaster. We all separated and didn’t know how to all get together, so I stuck with couple people like Brian, Bryant, Sheimay, and Kyle. We went into Zen Bar for their six tequila shots for 10,000 won special. This was bad. We each bought one and took all those shots in matter of 15 minutes or so. Two pictures at the bar later, we were out, and met up with couple other folks! I remember being really tired and going to Taco Bell to meet up with everyone else that was beat. It was time to go home and say some good byes. By the time we got back to the dorms it was 6am, and everyone was beat. Francis was the first to go, so Matt, Eljay, Yujin, Brian, and I hung out in Captain Francis room to see him off. He was the second of the Party Veteran to leave us. “The captain has left the building” never sounded so real until now. The next one was I; it was 12 pm and most people came down to give me my hugs and goodbyes. I cried in the SK lobby knowing there will no longer be a group text for “Meet at SK at 7”, and as I left I looked back once. It has been a great trip! I cried all the way to the airport on the bus as people stared at me like I was a crazy person.

From the airport, I took a mug shot for my over extended stay in Korea because of my weird ARC and Visa. YAY I took a mug shot! I was really excited to take one, so I was smiling and the attendant had to tell me not to smile because it was a serious offence… After the picture, I received a call from Bryant and Kyle bidding me a nice and warm farewell and apologies for not being able to come down to see me leave.  I think it was good thing because I don’t think I could have cried even more. I called my aunt, mommy, and other family for my final goodbye before I boarded my flight for Brisbane.

I don’t think people understand the magic Korea had on me. The life in Korea was unreal. Starting with the people I’ve met on this trip, they have made brought me life! I consider them family and I hope they consider me theirs. I hope to share many more memories with them as time goes on. Yonsei is not the end for the Party Veterans. Best believe we will turn up everywhere we go! These people know me better in the short 5 months that we had than most people back at home! We’ve shared wonderful experiences together, and I know I will be telling these stories for a long long long time! I had my doubts, but I know now that this family is real, and I can’t wait to be uncle Young for all of the Party Veterans. Thank you so much everyone.

Moving on the things we’ve said to one another on a regular bases that people will never understand! Or think we are crazy to say! Like OTL (Looks like a person begging or as Matt put it “Only Tell Lies”) to our ETA (Eat Together Always); there are so much more we’ve shared and learned from one another, some good some bad, but it’s always fun and meaningful!

I feel like I’m babbling on about the same thing! Just know that Fall 2013 Yonsei Exchange was something special for me because of where I was with the people I’ve met! I came with fear and I leave with family and power! (A stronger liver too)

Watch this video! Thanks Christina for making it! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRtw5c2nAxE