Korea?!?

Yes, that's right. I got the chance to go to Korea with 24 hours notice and did it. I heard Wednesday (2/6) at 10am that I was going to Korea the next day at 1pm. Well, that was just crazy! I also found out that my two week deployment to Seoul was being extended to 4 weeks at 2pm on Wednesday. Well, after booking a flight and hotel, time to change both. After changing both, I found out, 30 minutes before the travel agency I book through, that I was in the WRONG hotel. Well, after trying to fix it, the language barrier proved too much, and I was "stuck" at the Marriott. (Upon closer inspection, I really would like to stay at the MUCH nicer Marriott, sigh)

Now for that adventure in Korea itself. So I flew over on a 12 hour flight direct to Seoul, sitting next to a small man, with an even smaller bladder, ugh! No sleep, 4 movies, and thousands of miles later - Seoul - Incheon! Left Seattle on Thursday at 1pm, arriving in Seoul on Friday at 5:30pm. Wow, its absolutely a brand new airport, and 30 minutes from ACTUAL Incheon. So after a 50 minute bus ride, at the Marriott. Let me tell you, it was so easy to travel into, through, and out of the airport, a sweet cushy bus to the hotel, and even easier to check in and get "settled." Unfortunately, that means not unpacking because I know I am moving come Monday. Sigh!

Well, with my giant brick of a work laptop, I jam into work, meet some coworkers and start the transition process. I notice that HAL 9000 is operating the HVAC systems, and fire suppression, it's quite impressive and a little unnerving, glad I'm not Dave. Anyway, for my first Korean meal, I go with the new coworkers to Indian. Ha ha! Still only have had Korean on the flight! Dinner, well, me and the other GIS guy Chris (amazingly, another fellow forester become computer nerd) try to go to the Irish Pub. Well its packed and smokey, so we jam out and over to the Austrian restaurant. Chris worked for CH in Germany, and knows his bavarian food, and said this place was great, and he was not lying. I forget real German beer can be amazing. All of you will be shocked, but after my delicious dark brew, I decided I would try the Hefeweizen, and its the FIRST that was not a total piece of ASS. Gotta hand it to the Germans, they really are amazing brewers. Did I mention that where I am working and supposed to stay is right outside of a US military Garrison?

Looking forward to getting settled, finding some spare time, and touring. Closest I got was last night looking at some stores, and this morning walking the 2 miles to work over the river. Absolutely gorgeous, and amazing, I hope to start getting some photos to do it justice. Well, talk to you all soon, and watch for updates and photos.