The last weekend before our trip was filled with excitement. Packing clothes and other stuff has never been this delightful. At last! It's been four long years since we were able to fly out of the country again. Pandemic imprisoned us, and when gates of other nations opened, travel requirements and Covid protocols made us stay home-base and we decided to explore other tourist spots here in the Philippines instead.
"But not this year anymore," Jeff said when we were checking the flights either going to Japan or South Korea. Jeff has been to Japan, but never in South Korea. On the other hand, I've been to SK many times already, but who doesn't want to go back again and again, right? South Korea is my happy place. Seoul is my home. I love where bibimbap, kimchi, and kimbap belongs. Besides, all I want is to go anywhere outside the country.
Looking back, Jeff and I got along because of our similarities when it comes to our love for travelling. Imagine our wandering selves being locked and wanted to escape the suffocating impact of Covid to the whole world for many years. Museums, car camping, and visiting provinces have been our way to feed our exploring souls.
But not this time, indeed.
The moment we passed the Immigration here in Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the thrill and exhilaration pumped up. Yes, we went out of the country!
Eunpyeong Hanok Village
"This is me. This is my old self," I uttered while Jeff looks at me so intently when I modeled to him my outfit for the day. "Ganda mo!," he said with approval. You see, during the time that going out is a big task and fashion is not that relevant, I tend to go out of the house without even checking what I look like. People used to avoid each other, anyway.
But then again, not this time anymore.
Meanwhile, Jeff started to warm himself up with his photography and videography skills. Since our first day in Seoul, he directed me on what to do, where to walk, which side to go, and so on. All these in connection to his SK travel video in mind. This is him. This is his true self. This is what he is passionate about.
In Seoul, we walked about 20,000 steps a day. We enjoyed hopping in and out of the bus. We got lost in the train station. We ate at a market beside locals and we tasted their street foods. We wore their national costume called Hanbok. We saw different places, and we shopped from their skin care and kpop stores.
This is us.
Yes, this is us.
We might not notice it, but we're slowly getting back to how it used to be. Even though many things have changed and some people in our circle were gone, our lives remain. We will always go back to what we love, to what we value, to what our true selves were, just like before.
I hope we are all getting there. Annyeong! ♡
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