Back from Seoul

Being back from Seoul is different to being back from any other place. It's of course the same home that I came back to, but it feels different because of the magnificent place that I've just left. Now, what is it that makes Seoul so special, you might ask. And that's indeed a good question, one that I frequently ask myself, too. And I'm not sure. I'm thinking of Seoul as a second home. I have lots of close friends and family over there, I like the city with it's many different parts and districts, and I love the streets, they're great to skate.

I like the fact that, different to Indonesia or Finland for example, Korea is a country where I can communicate with the people like anybody else. I can chat with a taxi driver and bargain with a store clerk, I can ask for directions and more importantly I can even help someone who's asking me. Seoul is a place that makes me feel like I belong there. And that I find an amazing thing to have. Even now that I'm far away, in a different country, speaking another language, I still think of Seoul as a city that, to a certain degree, I am a part of.

But there's equally important goodness here, too. There are reasons why this place will always be worthwhile returning to, reasons why I'm here right now. It might be less exciting than many other places, but it's still home, still a place of comfort. The best part though is, that I'm not alone with my thoughts. My dear friends are with me on that. They're a true blessing and they are the reason I'm not going insane. We all go way back and it's absolutely delightful to have them around even after so many years. Pure motivation.