South Korea Travels

Side quest achieved: Hanging out atop the bridge of the highest building in Korea. (I have an affinity to summit the outside of tall buildings).

I have fond memories of travelling. Spending seven months learning Korean prior to departure, and experiencing the fruits of my labour. Decoding signs and texts in Hangul. Speaking to locals in Korean and watching bright smiles of surprise and awe wash over their faces. Experiencing the culture of food and customs. Eating new foods. Visiting folk villages and markets. Learning in-depth about the history of the Korean Peninsula. There is a beauty about immersing ourselves in a culture different from our own.

However, plans aren't foolproof, and I carry home memories of severe food poisoning that left me out of commission for a week. It's a reminder of the fragility of life; that no one can foresee the events unfolding in the next minutes, hours, days or weeks. It's a reminder to listen to one's intuition and inner voice asking for proper rest where needed.

No one can strip from us how we create meaning of any situation we're in - that power remains with us. I focused on practicality - honouring what my body needed. I focused on small wins as recovery progressed - any experience is better than no experience. I focused on what I could do instead of what I couldn’t do. I constantly reassessed needs and accommodations, akin to a medical triage system.

This experience fuelled my penchant for travelling. Here's to future international adventures!