MY FAILED TRIP TO SOUTH KOREA SBN Mary Cayte Reiland

My Failed Trip to South Korea

SBN Mary Cayte Reiland

Tang soo readers, happy October! This month, I must share with you the story of my failed trip to South Korea to test for Oh Dan. First off, let me first say that I hope NONE of you ever have to deal with such a trip as this. It tried what little nerves I have left and left me feeling very hollow inside. Also let me say that I’m not imaginative enough to make any of this up, this is all true and factual, 100%.

I was scheduled to leave Pittsburgh on Thursday, September 22, 2022, on an American Airlines flight bound for Dallas, TX at 6:24 AM. As most of us travelers know, it is essential to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight, so this was already an early morning for me (and I’m not a morning person). I woke up at 12:30 AM, pulled out of my driveway at 1:30 AM, and made it to the airport by 2:30 AM. I had so much time, the ticket counters weren’t even open yet, so I relaxed. Around 3:15 AM, a line started forming, so I got in line. Shortly after, the ticket counters opened, so I waited my turn. When it was my turn, I went over to the lady, who started checking me in. Eventually she asked me a question, “do you have a visa?” Perplexed, I asked her why I would need one, since I was only going to South Korea for 3 days. She then told me that every US citizen is required to have either a visa or a K-ETA (some sort of short term visa) approved by the South Korean government in order to enter the country. When I told her I didn’t have either of those things, she said I had to get out of line and apply for the K-ETA online. So I did… I pulled out my laptop and after much trial & error, successfully submitted the K-ETA application… only to find that it could take up to 72 HOURS for South Korea to process.

Naturally I was irritated, no one had informed me about this, so I waited in line again, and asked them what I should do. After much cajoling (they really didn’t want to give me wrong information and make me angry) they suggested that I stay at the airport and wait to see if my application got approved, so I did. At that time, it was about 4:30AM, and they told me I had to check in for my flight by 5:24 AM in order to leave by 6:24 AM. I waited until 5:24 AM, and my application was not approved, so I had to reschedule my flight. As I was waiting for my ride to come pick me up, I checked my email. The time was 5:50AM, and my K-ETA had been approved. When that happened, I went back inside, I waited in the line, and asked them if there was any way they could get me on a plane that day. The lady was very nice and tried to help, but there weren’t any empty seats leaving Pittsburgh to connect with a flight to South Korea. At that point, I asked her to get me on the next available flight, which turned out to be Friday 9/23/2022, the next morning, at 6:24 AM.

Friday, September 23, 2022, take two! I arrived at Pittsburgh International airport around 3AM. I got my boarding passes, had a little breakfast, arrived at the gate, got on the plane and flew to Dallas, TX. No issues, I thought this was going to be perfect! I had informed my contacts in South Korea that I would be arriving a day late, and they were very accommodating, considering I was flying alone to a place I had never been before. I awaited my connecting flight to South Korea in Dallas with no issues. They boarded everyone on 28

the airplane with no comments, it seemed as though everything was going right… WRONG! Right before our take off time, an announcement was made that the airplane was overweight, so they had to make some adjustments, so we would not be taking off on time. We waited on that airplane for 2 hours, sitting at the gate, waiting for them to make these adjustments. I sat and watched a movie during that time. Finally, after those two hours, we were informed that the flight was suspended, and for us to gather our belongings and return to the gate.

When we arrived back at the gate, we were informed that they would have to speak with South Korea to determine when the flight could be rescheduled. They gave us free meal vouchers and asked us to wait. I informed everyone in my life what was going on during that time, my parents, KJN Saavedra, my boyfriend, and my boss. Every single one of those people said this was no longer worth it, and that I should just come home. Ever the optimist, I decided to wait to see what time the flight would be rescheduled. Eventually, I got my answer. We were rescheduled to depart Dallas, TX, at 8PM Friday, 9/23/2022. I asked them what time we would arrive in South Korea, assuming we left on time, and they told me 12:20 AM Sunday 9/25/2022. At that point, I was faced with a big decision to make. I could go to South Korea, risk something worse happening with the airline, arrive whenever, spend a little more than 24 hours there, then turn around and come home Monday 9/26/2022. Or, I could take fate’s advice, as well as all the major people in my life, turn around and come home.

There were a few major things that influenced my decision to come home. First off, when 5 different people in your life are all telling you the same thing, you should listen. Secondly, jet lag is something I’ve only dealt with once in my life, and I didn’t handle it well. With a 14 hour time difference between Dallas and South Korea, there’s no way I would’ve been performing at my best for my Oh Dan test. I would’ve made a fool of myself, KJN Saavedra, and our entire organization (not in anyone’s best interest). Third, I realized that this was not the trip I deserved. I believe my boss said it the best way. I am not required to go to South Korea to test. The entire reason KJN Saavedra wanted to take me there in the first place was so I could have the experience of training and learning from these people. He never intended for any of this to happen, so it was best for me to reschedule this trip when we have the time to do it right.

So I came home, notified South Korea that I wasn’t coming, and mercifully, they weren’t offended. They 100% understood and felt awful for everything that had happened. They even said that they couldn’t wait to meet me, as it had been a long time since they met with anyone as passionate as me.

This entire failed trip tested me in a way I didn’t know was possible. A friend of mine said I should get the Oh Dan rank just for dealing with this disaster of a trip. Honestly, I felt like I never wanted to fly again after this experience, but I’m still going to Panama, even after KJN Saavedra gave me an out (while praying and hoping that this won’t happen again). I won’t let this get me down again in any way, and I’m grateful that I can look back on this experience and laugh. Everything happens for a reason.

Take care readers, Tang Soo!

SBN Mary Cayte Reiland, USA