Goodbye is the hardest part.

Location: Incheon, Korea (Incheon International Airport)
Time: 7:57 AM
Date: July 5th

Hi, my name is Johnny and I like to boohoo cry when I leave people. Ok, so I didn't boohoo cry, but I was doing that awkard thing where I wanted to cry, but I was trying not to cry, but I ended up tearing up anyways.

It's funny that my first post ever of my vacation took place at this airport! Because Koreans are kind people who love giving out free wifi. However, I did not appreciate the 5 hour flight from Vietnam to Korea where I felt like I was going to die on the plane, but then the feeling went away leaving me to wonder if I was even awake or if it was just a dream... My life.

I spent the last week chillaxing in Vietnam. Nothing really crazy or out of the ordinary happened. It was just to be able to relax after doing tours back to back to back in three different countries. Leaving is such a bittersweet family. I got used to living with my family and basically doing nothing all day. The only downside was not having my phone or hanging out with people, but it was also a nice break to clear my mind and get refreshed. It's weird to think that I've been out of the country for five whole weeks. I've missed so many big newsworthy things and events, but I experienced things that I'm sure many people won't ever get the chance to experience.

Things I'll miss: my family, being forced to go play badminton, Star Channel and Channel V, waking up way earlier than I would at home, being able to stay home all day, actually eating 3 meals a day at the table, doing more things a day than I would in a week, having the shower consist of the whole bathroom, riding taxis and motorcycles, being in a room the same temperature as Antarctica.

Thins I won't miss: SQUAT TOILETS!!!, no A/C, death traffic, cars honking, not having a cellphone, slow internet, being up when everyone in America is asleep, having to sneak around the house when I wanted to poop, being able to stay home all day, eating way more than I would normally, spending 24/7 with my mom (or close to  it), the world falling apart when I'm gone, flights, feeling like I'm about to die at the randomest times.

Overall, this was a crazy and amazing journey. I had so much fun, met tons of people I'll never forget, and to see what it was like to live in three different countries. Will I do it again? Definitely. Except with different countries of course. Traveling is way too fun for me not to. However, it feels TOO good to be going home to America. I know we may have had our problems, but I truly see how amazing you are and I would not want to live anywhere else. Irony that I'm returning home on July 4th. Funny how things work out!

So, this is my last journey. The forever long flight to Atlanta. Hopefully, I will make it! Heck, if I can survive China, I'm pretty sure anythin is possible at this point. I have TOO much to do when I get back, especially preparing to leave for college. Crazy to think that in about seven weeks, I'll be moving out and living in a different city.

Fact: I'm totally old now. Where's my cane?

In conclusion, It's been real, Asia.

xxxjohnny.

That awkward moment when you step into a communist country.

Location: Outside Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (My Uncle's house)
Time: 6:03 AM
Date: June 3rd

Let me start off this blog by apologizing to the people who were at Incheon International Airport when I was there yesterday. Yes, I know escalator rails aren't meant to be sat on. Yes, I know I went into every store at least five times. Yes, I know there was that awkward moment when Donk played really loudly on my iPod and everyone stared. But, come on. Six hours of waiting. I could only take so much.

I also want to give a shoutout to Goon Squad: Vietnam. I knew there would be a connection between all of us when we meant at the ATL airport. That bond only grew as we landed in Korea and had to find gate 107. Little did I know that it would be such a painstaking task and that half of our group would end up lost, but we all ended up together. I will never forget you guys (specifically talking to you, boy with the blue plaid on plaid ensemble. I was totes jealous. Not very many people can wear that many shades of blue.)

Now, Dear Vietnam Airlines, can you not be ghetto? I know first impressions are important, and I was definitely offended when I stepped on board and smelled stink. Also, get like Korean Air, five people are not meant to be seated together in a row. That is the opposite of okay. And also, GIVE OUT MORE THAN ONE PAPER CUP OF WATER. I SWEAR TO GOD, IF I HAD PASSED OUT ON BOARD, I WOULD'VE SUED. Dehydration is NOT the business.

And of course, it would have to be Vietnam where you land in a random field, have to take a bus to the airport, use stairs because they don't believe in escalators, and be terrified of doing something wrong and getting arrested. There is so much more I would say, but I'll save it for later when I come back. Going to jail is not on my to-do list for the trip.

And as I rode to my uncle's house and got a good look at the city, I realized one thing.
The fastest way to make someone not take their life in America for granted: send them to a communist, third world country.

That's not to say that this trip is bad. I'm still enjoying every bit of it. My uncle's family is pretty cool and they provided us with a pretty kick ass room (with air conditioning, thank god) and I'm even though it may not have been what I expected, this is where I came from and that's one thing that I can't change.

xxxjohnny.

Dear airplanes, why do you toy with my emotions?

Location: Incheon, Korea (Incheon International Airport)
Time: 5:34 AM
Date: June 2nd

I did NOT expect travelin to be this grueling. Keep in mind that this is my first traveling, and if you're used to it, you're probably like "It's not that bad. Blahblahblah." Well, to a person who is flying for the first time and it's literally on the opposite side of the world, it is pretty crazy.

First, the airport. I left from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As soon as we pull up, people are literally everywhere, cars are driving where they can squeeze into, and cops are gooned up like they're about to do a drug bust. We checked in and dropped our baggage off. (Please at how my bag was a little overweight and instead of just pulling something out, my parents caused a big scene and tried to bribe the people to let it slide, but then I just pulled out a pair of jeans and it was fine.)

After that, we went to security and they do NOT play with that at all. I'm pretty sure I got verbally abused by everyone that was there, but hey, as long as there aren't any terrorists on my plane, you can frisk and yell people all you want. But one PLEASE wouldn't hurt. ;)

We finally got to the gate and I had three hours to waste because my parents decided it was a good idea to come super early. I didn't get to bring my iPhone along (LONG STORY) and I had to buy wifi to use it (Seriously, atlanta? Stop being a douche. Get like Korea. $$$ Free wifi $$$)

Finally, we got on the plane. I realized that the process from arriving to the airport to the actual plane is a lot like being in line for a ride at Universal Studios... You have to wait forever, people are everywhere, there's lots of scenery changes, you pass through and see all these cool, fancy things, and then you finally get on.

The flight was 14 hours long. I was expecting it to be like what you see on tv: a bunch of seats with a TV in the front of the plane that replays the same movie over and over again and you're pretty much bored the whole time. WRONG. Korean Air was the business. They clearly had it going on. Of course, I don't have any other flights or airlines to compare it to, but Korean Air was a good first impression. They had little tvs for each seat with TONS of movies to watch (I watched Rabbit Hole and started a lot of other movies, but stopped paying attention) and TONS of music to listen to (Is it sad that they had better music than my iPod?) and TONS of games to play (Come on, Street Fighter 2... How awesome is that?) They also came a bunch of times to give us food (delish), drinks (amazing orange juice), and other nice stuff (WARM TOWELS? WELL, I NEVER....) It was very enjoyable and those 14 hours went by quickly.

Aside from the fact that my mom was literally SPRAWLED out everywhere on top of me and I couldn't have been like "Hey Mom. Get off." without getting slapped all the way to Africa. Also, Please Korean Air, can you answer one question: why did you wake everyone up at 4 in the morning to give us orange juice. Even if we were still in Georgia, I'm pretty sure we would be sleeping at this time. Also, can people not use the bathroom 24/7. I mean, I understand having to use it and all, but literally, every time someone walked out, someone would go in. Please check your bladders/bowels. However, can I just say that Korean Air attendents have the most adorabl outfits ever? It was very Lady Gaga chic with the headband piece.

You better work it.

Now, I'm just chilling at this airport in Seoul waiting for the flight to Vietnam to arrive (another 5 hours to go...) I'll update next time I get a chance!

xxxjohnny.