Korea Day 1-9: Seoul Air Show

The main reason I went to Korea was for work.  I won't bore you with all the details but I will show you some pictures!

Korea Day 0: 14 Hours of Flying...err...Eating

Once you have tasted business class or higher, there is no way you would want to fly coach EVER again.  From the shorter check-in lines to the air port lounges...along with a much more comfortable seat and excellent service in the cabin...why coach ever again?  Oh that's right, each seat is like 5x more expensive...anyway...I got to experience this little slice of travel heaven on my journey to Korea. 

After a very long ride to the airport (traffic, rain, etc) I got checked in and headed through security to enjoy the lounge for about an hour.  Here is a picture:

They had a couple sandwich options, many drinks, and other snacks.  There was also free Wi-Fi.  The lounge was for a couple of the SkyTeam Airline Members (Air France and Korean Air had reps inside), so I heard anywhere from 2-4 different languages during my brief time in the lounge.

Next was boarding...I wonder how one qualifies for the Morning Calm...

After boarding we all got settled in and they started to distribute these little toiletry bags (tooth brush, tooth paste, lotion, etc:

 

When we reached cruising altitude, the eating began and hardly stopped throughout the flight. Besides two 3 course meals, there were drinks coming around and a couple snacks here and there.  Here are some pictures!

In general, the plane ride was uneventful, we got to Korea, went through passport control and customs, grabbed our bags and got in our car to get to the hotel.  Below are my pictures of my home for 11 nights, enjoy!

Standing shower and big ol' tub, two people can bath at the same time! 

I'll try and clean up these posts when I have some more free time.  That's all for now, stay tuned for more!

~

Arizona and Some Notes on Language

I recently returned from a trip to Arizona for work.  It's the first time to Arizona that I remember, I think I might have visited when I was little.  Anyway, I wasn't really sure what to expect other than it being hot.  I didn't have much time to explore the state of Arizona.  I did view the mountain like formations in the background of my hotel outside of the Tucson airport.

I was very surprised by the size of my hotel room.  It very large for just one person. It could have easily had three queen beds along the wall.  It was extra wide as well.  Maybe it's because I'm a Gold Member of the rewards program...

I knew I would probably find many Spanish speakers in Arizona...and Arizona pulled through. I would say more than 50% of the Arizonians I interacted with spoke Spanish.  I could pick out a few phrases as I took Spanish all through middle and high school.

A lot of times I wish I was bilingual...with any language other than my native English.  I'm probably like 1.25 lingual...I know some Spanish and am trying to pick up Korean.  I've had exposure to French and Flemish as well growing up.  When I hear a foreign language I'm eager to listen and learn.  I find it amazing so many languages exist; that there are hundreds of ways to identify the same object, to greet someone, to ask for something to eat.

I have one small trip coming up soon and then it's off to the motherland.

~

Ah! Motherland!

Originally, I had requested to travel to a particular trade show for work...and wasn't given an explicit answer on if I would go or not.  Now, months later, I have been given the opportunity to actually go!  I'm very nervous and excited even though I may not show it on the outside. 

I'm very thankful for all the opportunities my recent job change has brought me.

More to follow in the autumn months.

~

You Went to Kansas City for Vacation?

The title of this post was the most common reaction to my trip to Kansas City. Here are some pictures, photo credits all me:

Courtyard area of the art museum

Big shuttlecock

Some sort of reflecting pool

Large front lawn

Picture from our seat location at the KC Royals game

Closer picture within the stadium

Fireworks

Outfield Area

Skyscraper Shake

Sporting KC Stadium, we had really good seats

San Diego: The Padres

Day 5: I went to a Padres game with some family friends! Photo Credits: All Me

San Diego: USS Midway Museum

Day 4: I went to the USS Midway Museum! Photo Credits: All Me