Numbers are hard
Everything was going so well today. I did a little shopping (clothes are so cheap), met MiHwa for lunch near City Hall and went off to explore Insadong. I managed to get there by myself and even found that tea house that we always go to.
I decided to head back around 4:30 as we were meeting for dinner. I navigated all the way back to the green line, paid my fare and was waiting for the train. Then it happened; I second guessed myself. “You idiot, you’re going the wrong way” Happy that I noticed before boarding the train, I quickly changed sides and got a train headed in the other direction.
So I’m sitting there, not really paying attention. I mean, I’m on vacation, I don’t need to pay attention. I recall thinking to myself that you really can’t judge distance in a city the size of Seoul. Then I noticed a station name that I recognized; Jamsil.
I’m sure my jaw dropped… “Sweet feathery Moses, where am I?” I knew that Jamsil is in east Seoul and I should be on the west side. I pulled my subway map from my bag and realized that I was indeed going in the wrong direction.
Not really wrong as the line is a loop but it was way too late to do anything about it. I just had to sit there and ride it out. So my 30 minute trip ended up taking over 90 minutes. During a Seoul rush hour.
Well done, you freaking imbecile…
It’s hereditary- sorry about that!
You’ve left the country? How time flies! Well, give us a ring when you get back, hopefully before next year
how embarrassing for you.
@Janice, sorry! Things were so crazy leading up to the trip. I’ll call you guys once I’m home.
@Rach, MiHwa claims it’s very common. We were at dinner last night and SeoHae said she has done it many times. Even Koreans have to look at the map to get around as it’s just too damn big and complicated to know it all. Makes for a good storey if nothing else
Well done indeed.
When are you back from Korea? Gimme a shout. Perhaps we can meet upfor a bevvy.
@Roger – I’ll be back next weekend