Here!

7.10.05

We’re here...safe and sound! The trip was long, and hard. However, durring our 5 hour layover in Chicago we met a very friendly guy who was from Korea. He talked to us for hours! And offered us his help if we ever needed it while we were here. It is said that Koreans are very friendly and our first encounter confirmed this solidly.
The trip from Chicago to Tokyo was so long and as luck would have it a group of Middle Schoolers/Highschoolers from Japan were traveling back on the same flight. Surely we would have a seat far from them and would be able to catch some zzz’s but no! We were directly behind the group playing cards and talking THE WHOLE FLIGHT!!! 12 hours! I once got up to walk around the plane and wandered up to the other coach cabin. It was literally the difference of night and day. No windows open, very quiet, people sleeping, the occasional reader. We were not so fortunate. Brian and i think of springing for business class on the flight home..if it’s not too expensive. The leg room and quiet would be worth it to us!
We were met at the airport by the other American teacher, Kimberly Fields. She is AWESOME!!! She reminds me a lot of my cousin, Kristina.
Kim helped us with our bags, got us bus tickets brought us to our apartment and helped us get settled. She is going to be a big blessing to us, and especially me to have another girl around who is easy to get along with. She’s a musician (singer), and just an energetic, fun girl.
When we first got to our apartment it was dark and rainy and very depressing. Brian and I both were wanting to hop the first plane home, but I knew it would be better once it was daylight, and not raining. And, i was right. We felt much better about it in the morning.
We had our first experience in a Korean grocery and that was something. Fresh squid, bins and bins of garlic (a national food), seaweed everywhere (like giant fruit roolups), miniture crab dishes, and HUGE crabs. In the parking garage there are directors on every level that bow and point you on your way down doing something i equated to “spirit fingers.” Kim said it was their way of showing respect and appreciation for visiting thier store.
Well, we’re off to church with Kim. We hope all of you are well and miss everyone so much already but Brian and I are excited to spend time together just with eachother and also with the Lord. Please be praying for us as we are over here. We love you all very much!
--Amanda Larsen Wells