Jet Lagged Odyssey from Seattle to Tokyo via Seoul
Hey fellow travel enthusiasts, buckle up and prepare for a tale of epic layovers, sleep-deprived shenanigans, and the quest for the perfect airport kimchi in my recent globetrotting adventure from Seattle to Tokyo with a pitstop in the bustling city of Seoul. Spoiler alert: it involved less sleep than any human should have in a 24-hour period.
Let’s rewind to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where my journey began. Armed with a giant empty suitcase, my carry-on suitcase and a personal item (backpack) full of snacks,
an extra-long phone charger, and a will to survive, I embarked on a journey that would take me through the magical land of jet lag and lost-in-translation moments.
My sister and I played hangman and watched anime while on the flight. I had a window seat and at least I did not have the flight attendant hitting my elbow with the food cart this time! The plane food from Delta Airlines (Operated by Korean Airlines) was really good. It was bimbibap and the taste was really good. I would suggest it and while I did have some protein bars with me, I was not really hungry. I had really bad airsickness and had to use prescription nausea medicine.
Seattle’s infamous gray skies bid me farewell, and I thought, “What better way to escape the rain than a layover in Seoul, right?” Wrong. My three-hour layover turned into an odyssey of trying to navigate Incheon International Airport with my sister like a sleep-deprived Indiana Jones. Note to self: airports look nothing like ancient temples.
Most signs in the Korean airport had English as well as Japanese on them, but it was not easy to find our next boarding zone. We got lost for almost two hours trying to find it. I found my way through the labyrinth of duty-free shops, massage chairs, and futuristic toilets.
With a belly full of questionable delights, I boarded the final leg of my journey to Tokyo. Narita Airport greeted me with a blend of modern efficiency and traditional Japanese charm at around 9:15PM. But, oh, the jet lag was real. I felt like a walking emoji, with my eyes resembling two tiny black holes, absorbing light and emitting exhaustion.
Because we did not feel like navigating Tokyo’s subway system, we had a private bus take us to our destination – a cozy hotel room where I promptly collapsed into a heap of post-layover glory. It had taken us 27 hours to finally arrive in our hotel. It was really late and my sister and I were both really tired.
In hindsight, the layover from Seattle to Tokyo via Seoul was very long, filled with language barriers, culinary surprises, and the eternal quest for the perfect nap spot. Would I do it again? No. Get a direct flight. Layovers are too exhausting even if they are cheaper.
Tomorrow, we have a huge day planned out for us so here’s hoping it’s not raining and that we have some really yummy food.
See you tomorrow,
Addis
Hope you both got a really good sleep!
I think Incheon Airport is like “Hotel California”. You know, that kind of place with lots of magical traps to make you lose your way. I almost missed my plane because of the maze inside. Well, have a safe trip and lot of fun !
I love how you prepared a large empty suitcase!! Great planning!