Seoul

The olympics were arranged in 1988 in Seoul. My father wanted to be there. So we had our passports ready but he went alone. The capital city of South Korea must have been ready for the event then. Getting there alone he had only one aim, to watch the olympics sitting in the stadium.

In 1978, my parents had been to London where he had watched his favourite players on the Wimbledon court. It must have been his dream come true. My mother had a good time looking at different sites & she had brought pamphlets & brochures from all around. What we watch today in the “Crown” I had a thick book with the Royal family & their linage.

She was accompanied with mama who had planned it so. Looking at the clean Thames, the Big ben, the wax museum by Madam Trousse, Cleopatra’s needle & so many others. Then they went to the US. Where they were with Dr Jalukar & his family. They visited Detroit, Orlando, Toronto & came back rejuvinated.

I was in 8th std & my brothers in 7th & 3rd. Vaibhav had fever for a couple of days. I had written that in the aerogramme & also that he is well now. Both my grandmothers were there to take care of us. They were excellent cooks & yet we missed our mother. She has been a shield for us at all times. Not having her around was very difficult.

But in Seoul he was alone & had a language problem. After a few days he wished to get back, managed to prepone his ticket & reached home. The food, the language, no company all foreign to him. Now it is not a big feat to travel abroad but it was then!

The soul has only an extra letter when we think of “Seoul”. The city has so much to offer. Our idols from the Kdramas another reason to visit today. The palace, the tower, the city ride which takes you on a tour of the city & much more. After lockdown is over ofcourse! Then the flights will resume & lets fly out.