Checking Things Off the List

Applied for and received passports....check

Found a place for the dog....check

Bought airline tickets....check

Yes, you read that right. I secured lodging for the dog before I bought the airline tickets. That is one deeply loved pooch.

Reserved a place in Seoul....check

Reserved a place on Jeju Island....check

Reserved a place in Busan....check

Bought plane tickets to and from Jeju Island....check

Almost all the big things are now checked off the list! I still have to reserve lodging in Gwangju and I have to apply for some travel certificate thing we need to enter Korea. I read that as long as I apply for that at least 72 hours before the trip, I'll be fine. I think I'll get that done this weekend just to be safe.

Aside from that, it's just the little stuff left to do. I need to call the bank. Can I use an American credit card in Korea or will I be charged exorbitant fees? I don't know. I do know how to say "I only have a credit card" "Do you take credit cards?" and "I only have cash" in Korean. I suppose that will be helpful. I have to tell myself little stories to learn the vocabulary. In Korean, credit sounds a bit like she-no to me so I tell myself, "She's spent way too much money on that credit card so no! she can't use it anymore." And the word for cash sounds a little like honey gum (you really have to use your imagination to hear this one!) so I tell myself that honey and gum are dirty and sticky, and cash is also very dirty.  Whatever it takes. Learning a foreign language is tough!! The word for coin sounds a bit like tongue-John. I'm stumped on a story for that one. I can't see the connection between a coin and John's tongue.

I want to buy vacuum sealed bags. I don't know how well they work, but space will be at a premium. I heard they can really save on space in the luggage, but it can also make the luggage much heavier because it is so densely packed. I should also buy those little bottles that ensure you don't take too much liquid on the plane. The first time I went to Korea our luggage was delayed by a full day. I learned to make sure the important stuff is packed in my carry on!

I want to buy non perishable food like granola bars,  ramen, crackers, stuff like that. My memory of Korea includes always being hungry. Being a picky eater in a foreign country can be a challenge. Plus, I'm not the only picky eater in the family. I want to make sure we have plenty of snacks packed that taste like home.

I know there is more to do, but the trip is gradually starting to take shape. Twenty six days from now I will be flying across the globe. I can't wait!

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