I had to head to the fast bus terminal to meet a friend. Navigating is not my forte, so plans at unfamiliar spots always make me anxious. Even when my friend sent the simple meeting spot in a couple of lines, it was the same story. A coffee shop a little away from the terminal. 🚌 But, against all odds, I found the place easily just from that message. Definitely not a usual occurrence.
After chatting away at the coffee shop with a long-time-no-see friend, he left first, and I stayed back as I had another meet-up nearby. 📚 I spent the time reading. Checking the clock, I realized it was nearly time for my appointment. Leaving about fifteen minutes early should do, especially since it’s only three subway stops away.
As I left the coffee shop, a chilly breeze swept over my face. I zipped up my leather jacket all the way up to my neck and tucked my hands into my pockets. Just a few more meters to the subway, I told myself. 🌬️
On my way in, I hadn’t noticed, but descending the subway stairs revealed an endless stretch of stores, like Alice in Wonderland’s yellow brick road. And the crowd! It was nearly impossible to walk straight. Two steps forward, sidestep left, one step, twist to make way for a passerby. Where on earth is the subway entrance? 🤔 Amidst the bartering, friends shouting “Look at this!”, or “Not that one!”, or “How about this?”, my mind blurred the line between tardiness and chaos. It’s like the whole world is here.
Suddenly, I noticed a sign overhead pointing to the subway. Instincts kick in even if you haven’t been taught. Just keep going straight, and you’ll reach the station.
With a slightly calmer heart, I resumed walking slowly. Knowing I was on the right track freed me from all anxiety. I even had the leisure to browse the stores on either side. I could silently offer advice to shoppers, thinking, “That one looks better!” 🛍️
However, despite the walk, the station was still nowhere to be found. Anxiety started creeping back. As I glanced around nervously, I spotted another sign a bit ahead. 🕵️ Getting closer, I read the small lettering next to the arrow: just 200m more to the subway station. I realized I had been too hasty with my irritation. The station name, ‘Banpo Station’, was right there.
Banpo Station?
Wasn’t this supposed to be the fast bus terminal station? Why connect these two stations? Feels like a classic ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. Yet, unlike that bridge, this passage actually exists. Trust these folks, and they might just tunnel from Seoul to Pyongyang. 🚇
Meanwhile, I had missed my appointment time, and I started walking back. On the return journey, I realized how far I had actually walked. No matter how fast I moved, the way back seemed endless.
But wait, why am I heading back? The meeting spot was at Nonhyeon Station; going to Banpo Station is fine. Yet, turning back felt unmanly, and besides, I had come so far already. Exhausted and tempted to just head home, this shopping alley, like the Han River Citizen’s Park trail, offered no quick exits.
Leave a Reply