Seoul - deeply in love and slightly melancholic

Love is in the air 💜

Yes, I have fallen in love, I admit it. So now it's out. It's not a bad thing per se. No, on the contrary, it's always something beautiful. So why not enjoy this feeling and soak up every moment?

What is she like? Uuufff, where do I start?
Maybe with her appearance. She has an elegance about her; something graceful, graceful and almost dance-like. Somehow timeless. It's nice to just look at her and get lost in her.

Then she also has this deep spirituality that attracts me. This energy has become so rare these days.

And maybe also the traditional? This is reflected, among other things, in her love for art. At the same time, she is modern and open-minded and I can experience and dare so much with her. I have no fear... no, I know: I won't get bored with her quickly.
She also has her quiet sides. A long walk by the river, where I can get lost forever? She's up for it.

When I think of her, she has something magical about her. A mixture of self-assurance, wisdom and loveliness. Added to this is a good measure of self-confidence; she is self-aware.

Her deep connection to nature also has something fascinating about it. A harmony between humans and nature that is rarely found. She simply has the right values and that charisma.

Oh yes, I miss her... We only got closer recently, but this encounter drove me crazy.

Her name? Oh, it's not that important. But okay. She's called 'Kyoto'.

Travel planning 🛫

I'm looking for her on Airbnb and find a few accommodations. Like yesterday, I click on the first one and apparently find exactly the accommodation. Traditional with conveniences, available exactly during this period, not before or after. He, an older semester, Akira, studied in Heidelberg. On Airbnb, he seems to be the only one in the whole country who also speaks German. I take a look at a few other accommodations, but he is the right choice.

Now the question of the journey remains. The ferry from Japan to South Korea was nice, the four hours. But from Okinawa it would be 25 hours, either the whole Friday or Sunday. Plus the cost of the Shinkansen from the south coast to Kyoto. I reluctantly decide to take a flight from Okinawa to Kyoto or Osaka.

Burger King 🍔

Around noon, I set off again. Today I don't have much time because it's Monday and I have to work. I decide to indulge in another fast food chain. In this case, Burger King. I haven't tried Burger King in Asia yet, let's see what's coming.

The streets are really busy at 12:30 p.m. I see another CCTV car and grab the translator. It says 'fulfillment of official duty'. But in the end, it doesn't make me any smarter.

I also notice other things here in the traffic. I hardly see any old cars. Over 90% seem to be less than 3 years old. And a McLaren has joined the Lamborghini around the corner.

A funny thing that I already noticed in Japan: Asians are quite fond of scooters, that's no news. Many delivery services are based on this. But these hand inserts are something that I've never seen before. Once again: genius and simple.

In Burger King, I compare the menu with the one in Germany. They have black buns. Many black buns. They taste better than the usual buns. More hearty. There's a lot of shrimp. And no chili, like chili cheese fries or chili cheese burger.
Oh well, and it's the first store or chain that doesn't offer Wi-Fi.

I opt for shrimp, a few other things, and the garlic burger. I expected a bit of garlic paste. Not grilled garlic slices. :D I preferred to eat at Burger King in Germany than here. And even then, it was only an annual event.

I see the words 'Edison Motors' on a bus. I already noticed Edison on a sand statue in Busan. South Korea appreciates Thomas' inventions very much; it has the largest collection of museums dedicated to his honor worldwide.

A walk in the park 🚶‍♂️

The more I'm on the move, the more I like the LED bars at the intersections. Bars on the sidewalk that serve as pedestrian lights. Probably primarily designed for mobile phone users. But even if you just look around, you notice it more. I like it.

Stopping by a park for a moment, I then make my way back to the 'office' and perform a now familiar dance.
'An-nyeong! One Green Tea, venti, hot, take-away.' Insert card, select won as currency, quickly slap my signature and wait for the tea. Leaving again, wondering once again why people don't hold the door open for 2 cents when entering and off to work.

Work, work, work

I start working. Among other things, the Monday meeting with my German colleagues is on the agenda. Another colleague has sneaked into the meeting in front of the camera to wave a greeting at me. I'm happy, a bit tired, and flattered. :)
The topic today will be 'reflection'. 'I can do reflection', crosses my mind. But something else sneaks into my thoughts. That this form of meeting is not what I have come to appreciate. It's nice to see the colleagues. Somehow see them. But via MS Teams, online, it's not the same. Something is missing. There's a lack of closeness. Exchange, vibrations, undertones, and bantering. After the meeting, the colleagues will eat together at a table and I feel a bit melancholic. Far from being homesick. But to appreciate what was given until a month ago.
What irony. Raised as an introvert, I now miss personal contact as an ambivert. Even direct exchange via WhatsApp is much more connecting than this. Well, it's like a door, you had to go through it.

During a break, I go to my trusted hipster café again. Just five minutes away. Probably doesn't matter where you live. I can understand why they're so popular. Wherever you are, you always have something familiar, something consistent.
I stop at the traffic light. The second floor looks inviting. I turn around, grab my laptop, and go back. This time not for take-away, but to stay. Until this evening in an inviting city comes to an end.