Touchdown in Korea: My First Hours

My first time traveling abroad since COVID, and I couldn’t have chosen a better place to explore. Touching down at Incheon International Airport, the doors slid open and the cool, crisp March air rushed in. My first breath on the Asian continent.

The airport itself felt like a welcoming committee. Spotless floors, quiet efficiency, and just enough hints of Korean culture woven into its modern design, with murals, patterns, and art that told me I was far from home. I made my way to the main concourse, probably looking like a slightly dazed Westerner trying to collect my bearings.

That’s when I picked up my first (and still only) T-money card, my new golden ticket for buses, subways, and more. For the record, Korea’s transportation system is ridiculously convenient; one card opens a whole city.

From there, I hopped on the AREX express train to Seoul Station. Watching the cityscape shift from open spaces near the airport to the dense, neon-glowing sprawl of the capital felt like a time-lapse in real life. Even through the fatigue of the flight, I could feel my energy building with each stop getting me closer to the heart of Seoul.

Seoul Station was a whole other beast, a maze of escalators, corridors, and signs in Hangul and English. The smell of bakeries and convenience stores lingered in the air as I navigated my way to the subway and, finally, the neighborhood of my Airbnb.

I dropped my luggage, barely gave myself time to sit down, and immediately stepped back outside.

It was a chilly Friday night, but the streets were alive. People laughed outside bars, small groups huddled around tables of steaming food, and delivery scooters zipped by like it was a race. Plenty of businesses were still open, their warm light spilling onto the sidewalks.

I wandered aimlessly down streets of all sizes, some bustling with activity, others quiet and narrow. Despite the cold, the city radiated a warmth. Nobody paid me much mind; everyone was too busy enjoying themselves. And honestly, that was perfect. I could blend in, take it all in, and just be.

In those first few hours, Korea didn’t just greet me, it invited me in. The mix of efficiency, vibrancy, and warmth made it clear why people fall in love with this place. And I was just getting started.

– Hector Franco