The Trip

It feels like this trip has taken about half of my life, and we're only in South Korea! Right now, I am sitting in the international section of the Seoul airport (apparently pronounced 'soul'), patiently waiting for our Mongolian flight. The flight yesterday took about 12 hours, and I can honestly say I never want to spend another second on an airplane. Oh well, I guess I kind of knew that the travel portion of the trip would be the least fun, and most exhausting. I have met some really great people, and some not so great people, but all-in-all I am so happy to have met them.

My anxiety, of course, decided to flare right away once I arrived in San Francisco, and keeping food down has been a bit of a struggle. Luckily, I was blessed with incredible parents, and my mom and dad talked me through the night in San Fran, and the world doesn't look so bleak as it once did :) Plus, I got to FaceTime with them, the puppies, and Putter Goodwin earlier this morning, which was a great comfort.

Like I told my dad on the phone in the San Fran airport, the first thing I did upon meeting all of the other M-23s (the 23rd group to serve in Mongolia) was search for a father-figure type who might help me along the way, but my dad leaves a helluva pair of shoes to even try to fill. Anyways, I met a guy named Kevin who is right around 40-45, who (like me in my long-hair, classic rock days) loves Led Zeppelin. Not even close to Butchy, and a little more of a crazy uncle type, but his face has been a welcome and comforting sight. I've also been spending a lot of time with a young married couple in their late 20s who have been extremely kind and great travel companions...definitely my best friends of the trip so far.

I am extremely nervous about the whole trip, but in my heart I knew it wouldn't be a cake-walk. I am trying to set short and long-term goals for myself. Yesterday, my goal was to just make it to the hotel in Korea and pass out. My long-term goal, right now, is to make it through PST (which ends around mid-August). By that time, I hope, I will be much happier, and set on staying in Mongolia for a longer period. It will all take some time and a lot of patience. Plus, seeing my man Joe Wheeler in mid-July is something to look forward to!

The beat goes on, I will be back soon,
Ben

PS - Disclaimer - The views expressed in this blog are mine personally and do not reflect the opinions of the US Peace Corps