Wandering (7)
Seongsanpo Port in Jeju Island.
Ah, South Korea is indeed small.
I had hoped it would be better when I landed at Jeju Airport, but even there, people recognized me and hastily moved away, whispering. Some even secretly took photos and posted them on social media.
Nowhere to hide, really.
Fortunately, the accommodation Youngju booked for me to cool off wasn't in Jeju Island but in Udo.
Being an island off Jeju itself, I expected fewer people there.
I wore a hat, sunglasses, and a mask in the taxi heading to Seongsanpo Port, to stay unrecognized.
I didn't want any hassle if my exact destination was revealed. With the idea of enjoying my painting, I boarded the ferry with a big bag full of various art supplies.
On the ferry to the island, it felt better to stand on the deck, facing the sea breeze, than being inside. Watching the vast ocean and sky and the floating flocks of seagulls eased my mind.
Upon arrival, I rented an electric scooter to find the accommodation.
Thoughtful Youngju rented me a small, contactless check-in house, a single home surrounded by Jeju's unique stone walls.
Under the flat stone in the yard, as Youngju instructed, I found a note. The landlord had left the door lock code, rules, and a guide there.
After entering the unique house structure, it was about 20 pyeong in size with two rooms, a living room, a laundry room, and a combined shower and toilet. That was it.
"Wow, nice."
Perfect for living alone. What I liked the most was that this house didn't have a TV. After being harassed by the media for weeks, I've grown to dislike TVs.
After checking the spring quality of the bed and walking around the garden, I realized the garden wasn't much. Just some grass and big rocks in about 50 pyeong.
But it had something you don't see in the city.
"Wow! An outdoor open-air bath!"
It was a very small bath, barely enough for two people, with pink petals floating in clear, warm water.
Built right against the stone wall and invisible from the outside, the bath was designed to allow sitting and looking up at the sky.
"Youngju must have really paid attention to detail."
I should definitely try it tonight. It's going to feel great.
After exploring the house and organizing my clothes in the closet, I set up my art supplies in front of the living room window overlooking the garden.
Then I found myself with nothing to do.
If someone were with me, we could have a conversation. But I'm alone.
The chirping of small birds, the distant sound of waves. Such a peaceful time.
I sat on the sofa, listening to these sounds.
But soon, my mind drifted back to my current situation, and I frowned.
"Ah, damn it."
I'm not usually one to swear. But I've cursed several times today already.
Not wanting to mope and feel worse, I texted my mom, brother, and Youngju that I had arrived safely and then dressed up again.
"It's the first day, so of course, I should have some fish with soju."
Since delivery services aren't available here, I have to go out and buy it.
I had noticed a few sashimi restaurants while riding the electric scooter.
The last ferry leaves at 4:30 PM from Cheonjin Port and 6:00 PM from Haumokdong Port.
It's 5:30 PM now, so most tourists should have left. It should be fine to roam around, but I'll keep my face covered.
I rode the electric scooter, enjoying the breeze, to the sashimi restaurant.
Noticing me, a man in a running shirt, probably the owner, eyed me suspiciously.
"You don't look like you're from here. A guest?"
"Oh, yes. I came for a month-long stay in one of the stone wall houses."
"Huh? Half the houses here have stone walls. How can I know which one? And why are you covering your face so much?"
I hesitated, not sure how to respond, when a lady came out of the restaurant and slapped the man's back.
"You! Why ask such questions!"
"Ouch! But he looks suspicious."
The lady glanced at me and whispered, though I could hear, "Maybe a celebrity on a secret trip, don't keep asking."
Hearing her, the man's suspicious look changed.
"Oh? Ah, right. What would you like to eat?"
Let's just skip the explanations.
"I'd like to take some sashimi to go. What's good?"
"Rockfish, of course."
Rockfish? Isn't that common even in Seoul?
"Is rockfish famous here?"
"Of course, it's wild rockfish. You can't get this in Seoul."
Looking at the menu inside the restaurant, the wild rockfish was priced higher than the flatfish I usually eat in Seoul, probably because it's a tourist spot.
I'm not as poor as I used to be. Let's spend some money since I'm on a trip.
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