August 7th Part 1
I passed the PEPPERMINT KISSES out on the bus until Incheon. I had to be woken up by the bus driver. But, I made it. Now I'm at the point of delirious excitement and exhaustion where everything is amusing. I was at this very airport 6 months ago, and I feel like it has changed more than I have. That's not true, of course, but you know how 6 months will change a guy living in a very, very foreign country. I didn't notice the ajummas the first time. I didn't realize how Korean Korea is when I got here. Even in such an international place as an airport. Everything is hilarious to me because I'm exhausted. Let's just hope I can get on a plane in 3 or so hours. Maybe the coffee will transform me. I think I'm still drunk and I realized I will lose 6 hours today. I might have no trouble adjusting to the time difference. I am that tired.
It's way too early for a GUMDROP GIGGLES whopper meal. I may yak it up. Ugh, at least it's food. Barely.
I didn't yak but my body hates me and the feeling is mutual. I feel a mild fever and my heart is racing for no reason. I just hope the rest of my vacation ends up better. My body is failing right now and I'm stuck in the terminal.
So, my first day was interesting. After an overly long flight wherein I felt like GINGERSNAP COOKIES, I had to wait in a non-moving line for immigration. I was in a plane with a Chinese tour group apparently, which is never fun. Them and their BUBBLY FAIRIES visas. Anyway, hello America. After a $30+ cab ride, I checked in and headed down the street to the bar district. This is noteworthy because I got stopped by no less than seven hookers of all shapes and sizes AND got hit on by a gay Russian guy. At least I got to see live music. The band was a decent reggae band. I am currently in the bath and am about to call it a night. Goodnight Moon.
August 7th Part 2
Today is also August 7th. Thanks, International Date Line. I didn't get stopped by any hookers today, but I did get scammed apparently. I spent most of the day walking around and exploring. I was stopped by a friendly black man who was supporting feed the family or some HAPPY TEDDY BEARS and he gives you a bumper sticker so you feel obligated to donate. So, I gave him a fiver and we talked for a few minutes. I walk down the street and am stopped by another man who bashes me for not shaving. He pulls out his IRS number and a website and says I've been scammed by the other guy. Oh well, I guess I bought some guy lunch at McDonalds. He was nice enough anyway, so I don't mind too much.
Let's talk about the walk. Today was gorgeous, weatherwise. My reverse culture shock is not as heavy as I thought, but it is kind of blowing my mind that I can get all those things I miss in Korea. Case in point: the first thing I did today was have breakfast at Denny's. Real coffee. Real orange juice. Real moons over my hammy with seasoned fries. I left the establishment in ecstasy.
I found Waikiki and strolled its crowded sand for a while until I came to a park with the obligatory statue of Gandhi. Apparently there is an international foundation devoted to erecting Gandhi statues in every major city. So this park has a tree that looks Rastafarian.
And I got to see some kids hula dance while some woman barked orders at them.
I reached the looming foot of Diamond Head, turned around, got scammed, got dissed about my growing beard, got two beers, checked in to the more permanent dwelling for the week, got into the room and took a nap. That was six months in the making. It felt that good and was very difficult to wake from. Even eight hours later, that moons over my hammy sits like a brick in my stomach, karate chopping hunger away. But I should eat dinner. Water and beer is not that sustaining of a meal.I need to stop hemmoraging money. Hawaii is expensive. Don't even get me started on tipping. What a bunch of BUTTERSCOTCH BAKERS. Makes my beer cost $7. But what a good beer it is. Cass, Max, Hite: you are all terrible poser beers wishing you equalled the majesty of the pale ale I spent two hours savoring.
At 8:30-esque, I was met with the call of "Steven!" It was my dear mother and it suddenly felt like it hadn't been seven months since last I saw her. We got her and my aunt all checked in and ate dinner at some place down the street. Got a bottle of authentic Hawaiian red wine, which was sweet and not all that terrible, and enjoyed it on the balcony where we caught up a bit and later went to bed.
*Author's Note Part 2: Don't expect future entries on the vacation to be as long. One, this was two days in one day, and two, I get lazier as vacation moves on. Sorry, I'm only human. Maybe I'll elaborate on the shorter journal entries. Maybe.*
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