Chiang Mai International Airport kinda reminds me of the airport in Charleston because it was tiny and rather empty. It took no time at all to get all checked in and ready to board. We tried waiting for our USAC friends to arrive at the airport so that we could say goodbyes, but they didn't make it in time, which was really sad. Everybody else seemed ready to go, but (predictably) I was having a difficult time leaving. I didn't cry, but it was with a heavy heart that I boarded the plane to our connecting flight to South Korea. I could write some kind of long meditation on what it was like to leave, but I decided to take the Thai approach of "goodbyes happen and if we're meant to meet again then we will" and tried to be excited about going home rather than borderline-depressed about leaving.
Our plane left Chiang Mai at midnight and we arrived at Incheon International Airport bright and early somewhere near 6 a.m.. The security check was a breeze and we set up camp near our terminal. I took the opportunity to run around and check out the airport while some of our group napped (so grateful for airports that don't have armrests between the chairs so we can sleep easily!) After getting some food and poking around a bit, I called Ma and Dad over Viber so that they knew that I was doing well. One solid nap I got on the long plane ride back to the U.S. I was really lucky and ended up sitting next to Emma and Katie T, so my flight back was awesome! I ended up watching the entirety of the Werewolf Boy movie (which I had watched parts of twice between the seats of people in front of me. But I finally figured out the name of the thing and actually watched it with like, sound and subtitles). I ate pretty decent plane food that consisted of a lot of rice bowls and overall had another great experience of Korean Air.
 |
| There were a few monks on our flight... |
 |
| The Snoopy Coffee House at Incheon International Airport |
 |
| taking a quick nap at Incheon International Airport |
After arriving at L.A. we continued to stick together in our little pod and went through customs together. It took forever to get our bags and by forever I mean much longer than customs usually takes- I was in a plane-daze and deeply disoriented so I couldn't tell you how long it took. All I know is that the majority of the old korean business men had moved along with their tiny hard-shelled suitcases and there were only a few stragglers looking for luggage. We eventually got all of my bags and then moved through customs and back to the exact gate where we'd boarded the first flight over. It's weird how life comes full circle like that, right?! After saying goodbye to Lauren and Paige, I had to give some quick hugs to Emma, Katie T, and Katie G before hopping off and checking into my delta flights that would get me the rest of the way home.
 |
| Last picture of the Ohio/SC girls! We met in the LA airport and parted in it! |
Thoroughly disoriented, somewhat greasy, and with limited amount of USD, I got my tickets for the final legs of the trip and made my way to my gate. After texting my family (using ACTUAL texting and not viber!) I called my grandparents then Nidhi. Both parties were thrilled to talk to me and I was glad that they were keeping me stimulated enough that I didn't fall asleep and miss my flight.
The flights from LAX to Atlanta then Atlanta to Myrtle Beach passed by in a complete daze and I was exhausted and felt disgusting from being in the same clothes for 24+ hours and without access to a shower. Finally arriving home to Myrtle Beach was the weirdest feeling. I was relieved to FINALLY be home and TAKE A SHOWER but it also hit me that I was done. That I was home and away from Thailand and all of the lovely, exotic, wonderful, sometimes frustrating, and exciting things that it had to offer. Now I got to watch my friends from afar doing the things that I loved and be envious of them that they get to walk to the coffee truck and buy "kaffe yen" and fresh pineapple and hang out with my Thai friends. I mean, yes, eventually they would leave too and I would empathize with their sadness over leaving, but I was definitely jealous of them for a good while and I definitely missed Chiang Mai far more than I ever thought I would. (I still do!) My trip was absolutely lovely and I can't begin to describe how absolutely wonderful it was and how excited I am to go back eventually.I still talk to the majority of my friends from CM and I cherish the relationships that I made there! I can't imagine having picked a more wonderful place to have studied and explored.
Sawatdii-jao,
Haley (บัว)
