SOUTH KOREA
Brief description of characters introduced
Elena Lagos ( main girl from Los Angeles ca) (Mexican parents) ( 19 year old college freshman) wants to be a writer, loves books, hp, dw, 5’3 Shy, caring, nice, funny, Hufflepuff. ( works part time at the bookstore) ( volunteers teaching kids English)
Kim Sarang ( 20 year old college student at who helps Elena with everything she needs. She's Elena's best friend. Super affectionate and kind. Long wave black hair, 5'6. Works part time at a coffee shop and wants to be a singer and entertainer.)
Leaving to the airport
“Ya tienes todo listo?” ( Are you ready?)
Si Ma, no te preocupes. ( Yeah, mom. Don’t worry.)
Estas segura? Libros, ropa, jabon, pasaporte, dine- ( Are you sure? Books, clothes, passport, mo-)
Ma! I chuckle interrupting her. Estoy lista! ( Mom! I’m ready.)
Nomas me estoy asegurando hija ( I’m just making sure)
Ya se ma. ( I know mom.)
Llamame todos los días. Llamame cuando llegas a Corea y a la escuela. ( Call me everyday. When you get there and when you get to the school.)
Si Ma! I whine ( Yes mom!)
No te vayas a olvidar. ( Don’t you forget.)
NO MA! I laugh annoyed. ( No mom!)
Esta bien esta bien she says lifted her hands in defense. ( Okay okay)
Ya vámonos o voy a perder el avión. ( Now let’s go or I’ll miss the flight)
Persignate primero. ( Pray first.)
Mama no tengo tiem- ( Mom I don’t have ti-)
Ahorita! She demands pushing me towards the statue of the Virgin Mary. ( Now.)
After what seemed like forever we finally were in the car.
Amarate bien. ( Seatbelt.)
Ya se ( I know)
1 hour later we arrived at LAX and drove up to the front of the korean air gate.
Mom helped me get the suitcases out the car and me and her walked up to the front of the car.
We stood in silence not knowing how to say goodbye to each other.
Cuidate bien. She finally says holding my hand ( Take care.)
Come mucho y no te vayas sola a ningun logar. Acuestate temprano y no hables con extranos
( Eat a lot. Sleep early and don’t talk to strangers.)
Ma, i chuckle interrupting her. Todos van a ser extranos. ( Everyone will be a stranger.)
Ya sabes de lo que estoy hablando ( You know what I’m talking about)
Si Ma, ya se. ( Yes mom, I know.)
Te voy a extranar much mija ( I’m going to miss you a lot sweetie)
Yo tambien Ma. I hug her and she blesses me. ( Me too mom.)
Te llamo cuando llego. Te prometo ( I’ll call you when I get there, I promise.)
Eso espero ( You better)
I grab my suitcases
Adios Ma. Te quiero ( Bye mom, love you.)
Cuidate she whispers putting her hand on my shoulder. ( Be careful)
I walk away and into the crowded airport
30 min later I finally got my suitcases in and passport checked.
Before going through security I look back and see that my mom was still there.
A rush of gratitude and love came over me.
I smiled and waved goodbye at her.
Moms are so worrisome I thought. I’m going to miss her and my dad so much. Not my brother so much.
I felt so bad for people that have to travel constantly. The crowds and busyness of the entire atmosphere gave me so much anxiety.
I didn't dawn on me what I was doing and where I was going until I was sitting in my seat surrounded by korean people. Besides me I only saw about 4 or 5 foreigners but they didn't seem at all new to travel. The anxiety started welling up inside me again and having the middle seat wasn't helping.
Just put in your headphones and sleep through the whole thing. Relax
It helped that it was a night flight and I caught myself slowly drifting in and out of consciousness until I finally fell asleep.
9 hours into the flight I woke up. It was 4 in the morning and there were still 3 hours left. Great I thought. I laid back and closed my eyes hoping I can fall back asleep but after 30 min of trying I gave up. I looked around and realized that literally everyone was asleep. Why. Why am I the only one awake. I groaned and stuck my headphones in.
At around 6 am, I hour before landing the man that was sitting next to me woke up. He looked in his mid 20’s and hadn't bothered to speak to me at all the entire flight but he must have had an amazing sleep because after waking up he just wouldn't shut up.
I didn't mind the “Good Morning” and “ How was your sleep” but after 15 min of his life story from where he was born to his job and love life I was beginning to get stressed.
I have never had such a long conversation with a stranger and it didn't seem like he would stop any time soon. So I decided to do what anyone in my awkward situation would do. Pretend they have to go to the bathroom. I excused myself and went to the restroom. I stayed in there for as long as I could. You know you suffer from social anxiety when you are willing to lock yourself in a restroom to escape a conversation.
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