Building 63: Banking on Han

Almost 20 days in Korea and not yet on any outing! The feeling itself made me think, but then the shackles ripped apart yesterday, with a wonderful Cruise on the waters of Han River in the late hours of the day.

Last two weeks were unlucky. On the first weekend, lot of work was coming up and the second taken away by the rain gods. This time around, there was no barrier; plan was all set to be executed.

With some nice tasty and spicy (;)) Andhra style lunch, we four set out on a Sunday afternoon towards our destination. The team included Prasad, Hima, Sudha and me. I was thrilled as it was my opening innings; the other three had been out before. The taxi to Suwon station and then a train to Yongson would take us closer to our destiny. The best thing about Korea was the train system, a cleanly built and well-constructed subway carrying lines across Korea connecting various destinations. I was wondering, when will Bangalore have METRO, and we shall have such privileges, but till then plz adjust maadi.

Getting into the train was easy but going in the right direction was equally important. We ensured we were on the right path, having said that getting seats was not easy, however all of us somehow managed at least by the halfway stage. Reaching Yongson, a total electronics market, that was my first impression. We picked up few stuffs here and there, iPods, camera, USB etc. We didn’t have more time, our destination lying somewhere else.

A taxi then to Building 63, which lies on the banks of Han river, the closest get down point for visitors. The number 63 has significance, the number indicating the storeys. I too was astonished at the height. We would get onto the top but that’s after the cruise. Walking by its side, our neck had to be stretched really backwards to get a glimpse of its crest.

The stretch of the cruise would be an hour and half. I was wondering if it was too long. Prasad always told that one hour was feasible, not more. Sudha had no expression but the only person who wanted this cruise, Hima was excited. Not that, others were not excited, after all, this was an outing but then Prasad thought it was not worth coming single on this cruise. I agreed with him after the cruise elapsed.

There was not another evening which was more meaningful and plentiful than this. A wonderful voyage, I felt like the Sinbad going on some adventurous trip far away. Bridges passed; skyscrapers went by, the cool breeze made the cruise junta shiver and tremble. Moments were being captured in the form of pixel data, it was always the poses which I thought really made the moment lively. Prasad always second my opinion, so did I on his comments.

The world is shrinking was again proved, when two Indians were encountered on the board. There was exchange of resume in words, and proofs given for family background strength, it only triggered us some topic to joke about and laugh. An hour and a half just flew away like moments, this became the most memorable moments of our life, glimpses of them caught in the camera.

Towards the end, the 63 building was awaiting. I always wanted to stand on top of the world; I got a chance to do that in Korea, at least some part of the part if not the whole. 63 floors above ground at a tremendous height, the sight itself made you so nervous. The thrilled section on the sky deck, the portion which is transparently built, so you can see through the glass, just below you, 63 storey’s down what is placed. It was like you are in the air standing on a transparent glass. It was really fantastic, people were afraid to come on there and I was trying to jump. Sudha and Hima made courage, after initial hesitations’, but we boys had to show we are boys. How could one show we were afraid, even if we were in actual!

The day ended with the same train journey through the Korean subway back to Suwon station and then a taxi ride from Suwon station to our apartments. The Korean old couple looked as if waiting for us to server the last supper and then having a healthy warm experience behind us, all four went into our respective hives.

More updates awaited in the weeks to come....