Gold Coast, Australia- Jiin Suh

Right now, it is 10AM and I am on a bus to the Incheon International Airport. I have a plane at 6PM but I thought I should spend some time at the airport because I heard there are a lot of entertainment. Knowing that Incheon International Airport has been known as the best international airport, there are so many facilities that I wanted to tryout before my journey. I think it would make a great start. As I got closer to the airport, I could see the golf course that I went before with my friends which gave me chills when the arriving airplane was so close to the ground that it was almost right on top of me. Excited for my trip, I came out from the bus and I started to look around the airport. I saw group of students excitedly running to four season ice rink! It looked quite small but there were kids who are having so much fun in those ice skates and some were even on roller blades! The floor was not even an ice but it was a Polyethylene Homopolymer which makes the rink available throughout the year. 

Next, I could see a movie theater and thought I should use it after I get back. To be prepared for the long plane ride, I decided to go to the sauna to relax my body. After having some rest, I did some shopping around the duty free shops and ran for the flight.  

After having a 10 hour plane ride, I arrived in Brisbane, Australia, where I have been for three years for middle school. I always wanted to come back to Australia but did not have any chance to do so but I am so glad that my first stop of my journey was Australia. As soon as I got out from the airport, I felt the hot humid air wrapping around me, which I missed so much. The weather was perfect with clear blue sky. First, I headed to Gold Coast, where I lived as a child. As I looked out the window, I could see the beautifully shining shore and palm trees that covered the sky.

Surfers Paradise, a suburb within Gold Coast that has one of the most beautiful coast, was where I lived. I could see the blue glass building that was standing high, which was where I lived and it was the tallest apartment in the world at that time. I started to walk along the beach where I saw people surfing, tanning and playing. I was happy to feel the soft sand going through my toes that reminded me of the times when I would spend my whole afternoon after school on the beach everyday. 

I went to the Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary to see koalas and kangaroos. I got to take photo with the koalas, holding them as if they were a baby and also held a snake and a crocodile. There was a field with kangaroos jumping around where I could feed them. There were kangaroos that were taller than me and some had baby kangaroos in their pockets. I bought some food and crouched down in front of a small one and started feeding it. 

After having so much fun at the sanctuary, I went to the shore and ate some fish and chips that I did not eat when I was here before but my boss urged me to try. I fed seagulls and even a pelican which was quite enormous. I walked around a park in the afternoon, watched people have barbecues while their kids run back and forth from the beach. Everything looked peaceful here with the beautiful nature and people enjoying it. I really wanted to stay longer but I had to get back to bed early for another plane ride tomorrow. I regretted for having such a busy schedule but I am glad that I can have this wonderful experience to travel all over the world. 

Chungju, Korea - GaYeon Ji

 “Wake up, Wake up! It’s already past 11.”

I recognize this women’s voice, but I don’t know from where. I thought I was on my way to another city from Singapore after enjoying the beautiful view and delicious iced Milo.

“Wake up!!!!!”

Someone is shaking me. Is there something wrong with the watch?

It was then when I opened my eyes, and my mom was standing right in front me with her angry face yelling at me. But how can this be? I was on my way to Seoul, not my room. I looked down on my wrist to check if the watch was okay, but it wasn’t there anymore. I was lost. What about the eccentric buildings in China? The famous Shanghai dish, Xiaolongbao? The syrup dragon that a sweet old lady made for me? A cup of cappuccino I enjoyed on a lovely day at “Sweet Annie’s Bakery” in Flossmoor? The unforgettable performance of singers and dancers wearing Chinese silk dresses in Shanghai? An “adventure” that I took with the Millers and their two children to Stony Creek MetroPark for a bike ride? I vividly remember every moment of my journey through my space pocket.

“Are you ok?” said my mom with a worried voice.

“Yes…..but what happened to the watch I had on my wrist, mom?”

“What watch?”

“You never had a watch on. You didn’t have anything yesterday when you went to bed.”

“You sure you are okay, hun?”

“Yeah….. I'm all right.”

“What’s the date today mom?”

“It is April 12th, 2018. Do you need me to take you to the doctor’s?”

“Thank you. No, I’m good. I will be back. I just need some fresh air.”

I was very lost. Then was this all a dream? Can this even be possible? It can’t be true.

As I got out of my house, I could smell the spring coming from the cherry blossom trees. I started to walk towards the scent. When I finally got there, the beautiful scenic cherry blossom street that my hometown Chungju in Korea is widely known for was soothing my confused mind. Couples on the street were holding hands enjoying the beautiful day out. Kids on the side of the road were begging their parents to buy them street food. Watching these happy people enjoying a nice day in spring made me forget about everything I was stressed about. I got ddukbokkie (Korean rice cake) in a cup and Sikhye (a rice drink) from the food stand and sat down to enjoy the moment.

Then I took a bus to downtown to walk more to figure out more about everything that happened.

While I was on the bus, I could see the hard working farmers getting ready for summer, planting rice seeds. I also saw a tower of an apple, which my hometown is widely known for. The sweet breeze coming from the crack of the window was soothing than ever.

When I finally got to downtown, I saw people shopping and eating on the street. There were a lot of people waiting in line on the street in front of food stands. As much as I enjoy eating at a restaurant, I love eating while standing at food stands in my hometown. I walked around listening to the laughter of people in downtown mixed with music coming from different stores. 

By the time my stomach started to growl, the sun was going down, and the neon signs of the karaoke rooms were turning on. I knew it was time for me to go back home and let go of the adventure which turned out to be just a dream.

As I was walking towards my house, I could smell my mom’s signature soup, Kimchi Soup, and Korean barbecue. I ran to the house, and my mom was standing in the kitchen cooking, greeting me with a smile.

We sat at the dinner table, and she asked what my plan was for my trip around the world. She went through all the lists of things from passport to toothbrush to check if I am prepared for this journey. That same night my boss called me to wish me good luck for the trip and to be a brave journalist. I went to sleep with the hope that my trip will be as good as the adventure I was on with my space pocket.

Singapore - Yon Joo

I was way too focused on my doughnut because before I knew it, I had finished my doughnut and had landed in front of the Merlion in Singapore.  The Merlion symbolizes Singapore and is a traditional creature with a lion’s head and a body of a fish. The Merlion used to stand at the mouth of the Singapore River, as the representation for trade, but was relocated in 1997 to the current Merlion Park that fronts Marina Bay. There are five Merlion statues in Singapore but this one was the original one that spouted water into the bay at designated times throughout the day. The sun was starting to set and I thought it was the perfect time to view the entire city at a vantage point.

The ideal viewing point would be the infinity pool but only hotel guests are allowed to use the infinity pool but the Singapore flyer is just as great as the infinity pool. Being the world’s largest giant observation wheel, the Singapore flyer lasts 30 minutes and the view encompasses the whole city at a glance including the Singapore skyline and even some islands of Indonesia and cities of Malaysia. I ordered a cup of tea as I embarked my journey on the largest observation wheel and looked down at all the beautifully man-made sites of Singapore.

The vibrant green of the soaring trees caught my attention and I headed towards the Gardens by the Bay right after. To my surprise, the area is very articulately designed I enjoyed wandering through the vibrant plant life, escaping the city bustle. I passed by the Supertree Grove, with a cluster of the iconic, futuristic structures designed to perform environmentally sustainable functions. And on the way out, I passed by the Cloud Forest Dome to see the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

By the time I came out, my stomach was growling and I had noticed the sun was setting. I went to the nearest hawker stall; a Singaporean style cooked food Centre, and ordered Chicken rice—a trademark meal that’s everywhere. It included steamed or boiled chicken atop fragrant oily rice, with sliced cucumber as the token vegetable. After a fulfilled meal, I bought an iced Milo and walked out the hawker stall to take a stroll by the Marina Bay when my wrist started to ache. I noticed that the straps were tightening up, notifying me that it was time to tap the watch.