Ten hours in an airport. Arrived early in the morning at Incheon International Airport with nothing to do except to wait for the tours counter to open. However, when I got there, the five hour tour was fully booked so I decided to go take the 1 and 2-hour tour.
I am just glad that the airport passenger lounge has bed chairs where I was able to stay in while the airport was still about to wake up.
On the Transit Tour
The first tour took us around Incheon where we saw the Heungryunsa Temple, Incheon Grand Bridge, and the Memorial Hall for the Incheon Landing Operation. The temple was really wonderful with its surroundings showing the beautiful colors of autumn. I was so glad to be out of the airport and just simply breathe the cold, fresh air. I don't get to this in the city, nor do I see such beauty in the city. The Memorial Hall was also cool and it is just an eye-opener that our country had really been active in supporting our allies during times of difficulties. In the Memorial, I saw the Philippines, together with other countries, being commemorated through our flag for its participation in the Incheon Landing Operation during the Korean War.
My second tour was a shorter one with a visit to Yonggungsa Temple. It was a Buddhist Temple and I was particularly appreciative to be able to see a monk in prayer. It was really solemn and I wish that prayers lifted will be granted.
Throughout this transit tour, I am particularly thankful for gaining a new friend. Given that she is older than me, but I appreciate her for being nice. I was sitted beside her on the first tour and we just kind of hit it off, talking about where we are from and what she did on her vacation in the Philippines and what I am going to do on my vacation. I was surprised to find out though that she thought I was American. LOL.
Going back to the airport, I decided to get my cold noodles first before going through Immigration again and on to the pre-departure area for my next flight. There was no cold noodles (sigh) so I ordered the next best thing on the menu - bibimbap. The food was really good but I miss their fish, mushroom, and radish side-dish.
On Security
So before I got through Immigration, a big shock happened to me. While on security check, I was asked to get out of the line and go inside a small private room. It was pretty scary but I kept calm and asked the lady officers why I am being "singled" out and they explained that I got randomly selected for a second security check. Their English was not good but I understood perfectly, especially after they showed my boarding pass which showed SSSS on the top. So, if you see one on yours, expect this check, especially when you left the airport on a transit pass. It was disconcerting and made me a bit paranoid. What made me more paranoid, although resigned as well, was when boarding the aircraft, the computer declared that I was unable to board! So I had another security check right after I left the tube onto an area right before the plane entrance. I was so hoping I won't be checked again when I arrived in the US.
On Nice Airport Facilities
With a few hours to go before my flight, I decided to freshen up and was so glad to locate the shower room at the second floor of the airport. It was just near the open passenger lounge where I stayed earlier while waiting for the Tours counter to open. It was a nice surprise to find that the shower room is free and they provide you with a (petite) towel, toothbrush, and toothpaste (if you don't have those with you). The shower room is huge (that you can even take your cart inside) with body gel and shampoo inside. One can even borrow a hair dryer! In all the airports I've been to, I think this is the only one that have this nice facility open for everyone.
On Nice People
When I finally got inside the plane, I went straight to my sit and there was already this Korean guy sitted on the seat beside mine. There was a bottle of water on my seat and I asked if he left it there. But apparently, and as he said this with a smile, "Korean Air is really great! They always have water for you as soon as you arrive." But I'm guessing that it's only for long-haul trips because there was no water from my flight to Incheon. Then the guy casually asked me how my vacation in Korea was and where do I live in the US. So that's the second time today that I was mistaken for an American. Maybe it's my accent? Or because I speak English fast? LOL. So anyway, I told him I was just about to begin my vacation and that I am just visiting friends. He said I was lucky to go straight to San Francisco because he lives in Carson City in Nevada, another three to four more hour ride for him. I am so glad to have a nice seatmate who is courteous and respectful of your space.
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