It has been a long day venturing to Seoul—filled with both ups and downs—but overall, it was a great start to what I hope will be an incredible experience. Our journey began with a short flight delay, setting us back about thirty minutes. Once we landed in Atlanta, we had to rush to our connecting gate but fortunately made it just in time. The first flight was short and uneventful, which I’m used to by now. However, I was somewhat dreading the long-haul flight to Korea, having only experienced one that long before—when I was adopted and flew to America as a child. To my surprise, the flight turned out to be smooth and comfortable. Thanks to Delta’s hospitality, time seemed to pass quickly, and before I knew it, we were landing in Incheon.

After landing, we were all feeling groggy—understandably, after such a long flight and a dramatic time zone shift. We took a moment to regroup and freshen up before boarding our bus to the hotel. Although we couldn’t check in immediately, in hindsight, that may have been a blessing. Getting out and moving helped us fight the fatigue. We dropped off our bags and headed to a nearby Korean restaurant, where we enjoyed a traditional meal of soup, noodles, kimchi, and other local staples—a delicious way to begin our immersion in Korean culture.

The first stop of our tour was Gyeongbokgung Palace, where we witnessed the Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony. This traditional reenactment from the Joseon Dynasty features guards in vibrant uniforms performing a formal handover of duties, complete with drums, horns, and precise formations. It was an engaging and meaningful introduction to Korea’s royal history and culture. After the ceremony, we explored the palace grounds, once home to the king. The design and architecture were stunning—clearly the product of careful planning and cultural significance.

Next, we visited the Blue House, the South Korean equivalent of the U.S. White House. It was a beautiful property with a fascinating story. We learned that the former president chose not to live in the Blue House, which opened it to the public as a tourist site. However, with the presidential election coming up in June, the next leader could decide to move in—closing it off once again. That small detail sparked my curiosity about the upcoming political transition and what it could mean for the country.

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