Precious Living

Flight from Singapore to Bangkok

The story of my life is that I will always be the last person to board every flight.

I was dashing towards the boarding gate when two smiling men asked if I was taking the Thai Airways flight. I said that I was and one guy immediately whipped out the walkie-talkie on his belt. He spoke into it, “The last passenger have arrived, the last passenger have arrived, over.”

I stepped into the plane and noticed that the flight attendants were clearing away trays of orange juices. Did they wait that long for me that they started serving drinks? Or does Thai Airways always serve welcome drinks the moment you get on board? I will find out in my next flight, from Bangkok to Incheon.

Flight from Bangkok to Incheon

5am, the Air Stewardess woke me up for breakfast. “Who in the world would have appetite to eat at 5am?” I thought. She handed me a menu and this time, the choice wasn’t Chicken or Fish. It was Quiche or Fish. Feeling grumpy, I said anything. I got Fish.

The tray came and I saw a gleaming cup of yogurt. Yum! I saved that for last. By this time, my skin was so dehydrated by the dry cabin air that I could feel the tautness around my eyes. As I dipped the spoon into yogurt, I considered slathering some of the yogurt on my face to sooth the pain.

But then I thought about Passenger Safety. Mmm… nah.

Arrival at Incheon

7:11am After having been cooped up in aeroplanes for 9 hours, I couldn’t wait to get some fresh air. (I feel sorry for chickens who spend their entire lives in chicken coops). I got onto the travellator and as I walked, I thought my laptop bag felt strangely draggy. When I got off, I discovered why. The bottom of the travellator had sliced its wheels! The rubber wheels crumbled into tiny pieces pieces. I wanted to complain, scream and shout, but then I got a grip on myself. There are other more important things in life…

Getting from Incheon Airport to town

For two reasons, I have decided not to go directly to the hotel. One is that at 8am, the hotel isn’t going to let me check-in yet. Two is that I have repacked my luggage so I am only carrying very little stuff. I have decided to go to church first.

Everything was so convenient at the airport. I just needed to get out of the building and look for the Bus Ticket counter.

There are buses to anywhere in Seoul, as long as you know the name of the place you’re going, you can get a ticket. My ticket to Itaewon costs KWR 14,000. I was told to wait for the bus at Docking Bay Number 5A.

At 5A, a bus conductor came to help. I explained that I am heading to the Yoido Full Gospel Church. He explained that my stop would be Lexington Hotel.

I thought that can’t be right. I am here for the World Professional Blogger-Journalist Association’s Inaugural Convention and the Organizers are putting me up at Lexington Hotel. However, I am heading to the Yoido Full Gospel Church now, not the Lexington Hotel which is probably at the other end of Seoul. I explained that I am heading to Yoido and he said, “Yes, cross the road.”

It turns out that the church is directly across the road from my conference hotel! I was so surprised, I burst into half-giggles. Buses arrive at every five-minute interval. After an hour’s journey, the Bus Driver announced very clearly and audibly, “Lexington Hotel”. I got off, dropped my bags and reception and went to church.

At the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Incheon

It’s not everyday that you get to attend a church that’s attended by 850,000 members. It is the largest church in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Pastor talked to us about how important it is to be thankful. He shared a true story about a man who got involved in a car accident. His car got wrecked, his children got injured and he lost his left arm. Afterwards, he said, “Thank God that my children’s lives are spared! Thank God that my right arm is intact because that means I still can work!” Boy, that really put things into perspective. I was glad that I didn’t make a fuss over the damaged wheels of my bag.

I have many things to be thankful for. I am thankful to my Mum for sending me off. I am thankful that Aving have fully-sponsored my flight and hotel. I am thankful that my Dad blessed me with US Dollars for this trip. I am thankful that Nic’s mum stuffed her long john and gloves into my bag. (I didn’t think I would need them since I had checked the weather forecast a week earlier and it was supposed to be lowest at 8oC. But when I arrived I found out that the weather have taken a turn for the worst, we are now expecting -3oC!)

At the church, I was asked not to take photos during the sermon because that will distract everyone but the moment the sermon was over, almost everyone had streamed out to make way for the next big throng of crowd.

The orchestra and the huge choir. There are lots of pipes hanging behind the choir that looks like pipes from those old church organs. I wonder if it serves any purpose.

Next, I went for a Foreigner’s Briefing. It was brilliant! The 1-hour briefing helped me understand the 4,600 year-old Korean history, culture and politics in an interesting and engaging way. Did you know that Koreans can read english very well even if they can’t pronounce the words well? For example, the briefer said that his wife pronounces the kitchen as “chicken”, and she’s been pronouncing it that way for years and years!

During the service, I thought the Koreans seem to be very prayerful. At the briefing, I was told about Prayer Mountain, a village high up in the hills where Koreans go to fast and pray. Accommodation at the retreat costs only 20,000 KRW for a twin room; 21,000 KRW for a dorm room that accommodates 5; or 50,000 KRW for a luxurious family suite.

After the briefing, I went back to the hotel to check-in and refresh myself. Then, I walked around the area to look for lunch.

The Set Meals for 3 costs 24,000 KRW.