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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Confused (08/16/07)
Mongolia. Halfway around the world from my Oregon home. Two weeks in the countryside completed, teaching English to summer students.

Exit day–a whirlwind of activity began with early morning breakfast provided by a missionary couple, then off to be a tourist–museum, souvenir shopping and a cultural concert. The evening was capped by dinner with a second missionary couple. A final rush to pack for the airport–departure time was set at midnight when Saturday would change to Sunday, August 5, 2007.

From Ulaanbaatar my flight was a few hours to Seoul, Korea where I had a very long, day layover. The airport had only a few travelers inside at that pre-dawn hour, and was quite a comfortable spot to get refreshed and sleep a little before the hustle and bustle of airport traffic would start up.

Once refreshed, I found a bookshop that also sold phone cards and purchased one to call my husband. He was anxiously awaiting news that I was, in fact, returning. I must admit that I was more than a little anxious to hear his voice. I placed the call. It was 6:30 Sunday morning in Seoul. My husband answered his cell phone and it was 4:30 Saturday afternoon. We shouted for joy at hearing each other’s voice.

The remainder of layover time was spent napping, eating, exploring shops (duty-free does not mean cheap) and doing a free craft offered to experience a Korean art form. My guess is that a long layover in Seoul is not uncommon.

Departure was on time: 6:30 p.m., still Sunday, August 5th. A 10-hour flight, a plane change in Seattle, and final touchdown–Portland, Oregon. The time? 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 5th.

After the phone call from Seoul, my husband sent word to family and friends that, “Emily will return from tomorrow.....tomorrow.” I returned a half-hour earlier than I left. Confusing?
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
08/23/07
Interesting! I'd love to read more about your two weeks in Mongolia.

I wondered if this could be stronger on topic, which only came in at the very end. Maybe some cultural or language confusion?

Congrats for being able to spend many hours in an airport constructively!
Jacquelyn Horne
08/24/07
Interesting. Sounds like fun.
Dee Yoder
08/24/07
Well, I just read your husband's companion piece about your trip! I thought I recognized the circumstances in your story. It's interesting to hear this story from two sides.
Joanne Sher 
08/24/07
Enjoy your conversational style. You have some great advice from Jan, so I won't repeat it. Enjoyed this, and keep writing!
Sherrie Jackson
08/29/07
I love stories like this! And sadly, I dream of getting a day ahead somewhere in the world, just to feel cool. :-P This is very well-written.

One thing: when you use hyphens to separate an idea, make sure to use two so that your readers don't end up with new words like "tourism-museum." You don't want them to be....confused. ;-)

Good luck! Don't forget to throw a brick on the message boards on Wednesday!