Seoul in the City

Chapter 2: Welcome to Korea

As soft mellow music played through Cassie's purple ear buds a gentle hand embraced her shoulder. "Excuse me miss, we will be arriving in Seoul very shortly" said the petite flight attendant. "How long was I sleeping?" she wondered staring at her silver watch as the time reads 10:47 am. "Why do I feel so tired? " she yawned as the plane began to get a little turbulence. "It's okay," assured the flight attendant. Several minutes later the plane lands. Cassie grabs her luggage and exits the plane. As she steps out onto the platform she could feel her stomach balling into a knot from anxiety.

"I must remind myself that it's okay to be nervous sometimes. Besides the queasy feeling, the view of Seoul, Korea was absolutely beautiful and that's just the airport" she admitted. "I hate feeling like a tourist. I now know the feeling when people ask me questions all the time about how to get to the statue of liberty or the empire state building. I wonder where the restrooms are? Because I really have to use the bathroom" she sighed. "This is going to be difficult since everything is in Korean. Maybe I should of brushed up on my language skills first" she thought. She asked several people and they stare at her as if she had a disease of some sort. "Not cool" she figured.

"Miss do you need some help?" asked an older gentleman. "Actually yes," Cassie said as she crossed her legs moving awkwardly. "The ladies room is that way," he pointed. "Thank you," she says rushing towards the women's bathroom. As she made her way through traffic she accidentally rolled her luggage onto a man's foot. "Aigoo," he screamed in pain. "I'm so sorry," she shouted as she fled into the restroom. Minutes later Cassie walked out the bathroom to be greeted by the familiar man who helped her earlier. The thin older man with black hair approached Cassie. "Hello again," she said with a smile. Before, he could speak they were interrupted by a man making threatening insults.

The tall medium built sophisticated man with sharp features and fair skin and jet black hair spoke in Korean to the nice gentleman. "What's he saying?" she asked. "He insists that you apologize for running him over," he explained. "Well tell him I am very sorry. It was an accident," she confessed. The two men begin to converse about the situation. Suddenly, Cassie's phone rings. "Hi Dad," as she excused herself from the scene. Moments later, the rude man taps her on the shoulder. "How can I help you?" she asked. "How are you going to pay for my shoes?" he insisted. "Is he serious..." she thought. "Honestly. They look pretty fine to me," she said.

She handed him a tissue to wipe the scuff mark on his black shiny shoes. "Thank you," she gracefully explained to the older gentleman. Cassie  walked away as the immature man began shouting Korean insults she presumed. "Taegsi/Taxi," the man shouts while pulling up in the gray vehicle. "Yes. Can you take me to this address?" she pointed on the paper. He begin to shake his head no, then Cassie flashed him a few twenties she had in her  wallet. "I'll take you," he said in a creepy tone. About 25 minutes later she arrived in a place called Jongno District. Cassie gives the man 60 dollars in American money. He smiled and handed Cassie her bags. He drove off and she began to walk towards the sliding doors which happened to be slightly opened.

"Hello...Hello... I guess no one is home" she assumed. Cassie continued to walk around her parents house admiring the art work on the walls. She put her bags down near the staircase. She could hear someone talking in the backyard. "I hope I'm not intruding," she says. "Cassie... baby girl is that you? her dad asked. "Hi daddy," she smiled in excitement. She ran to her father with open arms. "It's been a long time," he said with tears in his eyes. He took his glasses off to wipe the tears from his face. "Your mama is going to be surprised" he nodded touching his black fade haircut. "Where is she?" Cassie asked. "I'll take you to see her right now," he promised. Steven Phillips a retired military veteran grabs his daughter's luggage and proceeds to go upstairs. He is an average built man with cocoa skin and he has a very clean cut appearance.

"I got the bags," she suggested. "No daughter of mine is going to carry such heavy weight," he insisted. "Baby, guess what... we have a visitor?" he said knocking on the door. "Who is it?" she said. He opened the door as Cassie stood in front staring at her mother. "I can't believe it," she cried. She rushed to her mother's aide. "I missed you so much," she wept. "I know mama, I've missed you too," Cassie said wiping tears from her face. "When did you get here?" her mother recalled. "A few minutes ago actually. I think I might have jet lag" she joked as she yawned. "Nah baby... we are about 11 hours ahead" Steven said. "Poor baby. She looks exhausted honey," Charlene noted. Charlene Phillips is a middle aged woman with black curly hair and coffee like skin. Cassie is the younger version of her mother.

"I'll take you to the guest room," her father stated. "We have so much to talk about," her mother explained. "Go get some rest and we will eat and talk about everything a bit later," Charlene said. Cassie kissed her mother on the cheek as she exits the room. "Here we are. Hope you enjoy the stay," Steven mentioned. Even though the sun was shining brightly through the window it felt as if she had a bad hangover. Cassie falls onto the bed and passes out. Eight hours pass and she hears a knock on the door. "Hi, sweetie. Did I wake you?" Steven asked. "No. I'm awake" she says. "Your mother made your favorite dishes" he said. "Clean yourself up. Bathroom is down the hall on your right," Steven replied.

Cassie grabbed a white towel and headed to the bathroom. After she showered, she could smell an amazing aroma coming from the kitchen. It smelled like a really good home cooked meal that she has not had in awhile. Cassie gets dressed really quick because she is starving. Then she heads downstairs to the dinner table. She sees both of her parents cooking and smiling at one another. "Aren't you two cute" Cassie thought. "Can you set the table for me Cassie?" Charlene asked. "Sure mama. Where is the silverware?" she said. "Look in the cabinet on your left" she pointed. "Got it" said Cassie. She began laying down the white rectangular plates with gold embroidery on the side.

Charlene takes her seat as my Steven and Cassie bring the food to the table. Meatloaf, coleslaw, corn on the cob and dinner rolls had Cassie's full undivided attention. "I would like to say grace. I'm thankful for my loving daughter for showing up and surprising me. I adore my wonderful husband and I'm just really happy," Charlene said with emotion. "Don't cry mom. You are too pretty for that. You're going to ruin your makeup" Cassie teased. She handed her a napkin. "Amen" Steven said loudly. Cassie begins to eat and never has she ever felt so overwhelmed with emotion. The food literally made her want to cry. She felt like a little kid again. "I was just telling your mother that I'm going to show you around town tomorrow. I think you are going to really like this place. Do you like Asian cuisine?" Steven suggested.

"Sure" she nodded. "They have the best dishes in the area. It's a little place called Pyujeon(Fusion) Noodle. Get all the rest you can. We have so much to talk about" he insinuated. After, everyone finished their meals. Cassie decided to clean the dishes. Her mother kissed her daughter on the cheek as he escorted his wife upstairs. "I'm going to be optimistic about this and I hope everything goes well especially for my mom" she prayed. Cassie shuts the faucet off and turned the kitchen lights out. She makes her way up the stairs heading to the guest bedroom. "In this moment I feel happy and safe" she replied as she turns the lights out and waits for the journey to begin...