The drive from Incheon Airport to the heart of Seoul was nothing short of a spectacle. The van glided smoothly along the highways, the girls pressed against the windows like kids on a school trip. For a moment, they were too mesmerized by the towering skyscrapers, the perfectly manicured greenery, and the futuristic bridges to bicker.
Vanessa broke the silence first, her face pressed against the glass. "Abeg, are we in a movie or real life? This place is giving Avengers meets K-drama. Everything looks like they planned it with Excel sheets!"
Chloe laughed, leaning back in her seat. "It's just a city, Vanessa."
"Just a city?" Vanessa whipped her head around dramatically. "Chloe, don't vex me this morning. Does this place look like 'just a city' to you? Compare it to the potholes in New York or the 'swimming pools' we have on Lagos roads. Omo, this place is heaven!"
"You've been calling everything heaven since we landed," Asha quipped, smirking.
"Because it is heaven!" Vanessa shot back. "Abi, Jisoo, explain to them. What kind of city has no visible trash on the roads? Lagosians would faint if they saw this!"
Jisoo, grinning, took her turn as the unofficial Seoul tour guide. "Okay, so this highway will take us into central Seoul. We'll pass by the Han River, which is super famous for picnics and sightseeing. And if you look closely, you'll see Namsan Tower soon."
Vanessa perked up. "Namsan what? Is that the place with the locks? Where couples go to declare love and all that nonsense?"
"Yes, exactly," Jisoo replied.
Vanessa's face lit up. "Okay, okay. I'm going there first. I need to lock my destiny in place before I start meeting Korean men who'll try to steal my heart."
"Your destiny?" Asha asked, raising a brow.
"Yes, oh!" Vanessa waved her hand in the air. "If you people like, don't secure your future. Me, I'm locking mine. I'm not leaving this place single."
Chloe groaned. "Vanessa, it's not even been a full day. Can you calm down?"
The van pulled into Itaewon, the vibrant neighborhood famous for its international vibes. The streets were lined with hip cafes, boutique shops, and enough neon signs to make even Times Square feel outdated.
Jisoo clapped her hands. "Guys, we're here! Welcome to Itaewon!"
"Wow," Asha murmured, stepping out of the van and looking around. "It's so colorful."
"And clean," Vanessa added quickly, adjusting her sunglasses like a diva. "I still can't get over how clean everything is. No hawkers shouting, 'Sister, buy one get one free!' Nobody running after you to sell suya. Jisoo, do people even hustle here?"
Jisoo chuckled. "Not like that, Vanessa. But you'll see plenty of street vendors when we visit the markets. They hustle in their own way."
The girls settled into their Airbnb, which, much to Vanessa's delight, wasn't a cramped one-room apartment but a stylish, modern loft with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
"Finally, something that matches my taste," Vanessa said, throwing herself onto the plush couch. "If you had brought me to some dingy corner, I would've booked the next flight back home."
"You're welcome," Chloe said with a mock bow.
After a quick unpacking session, Jisoo announced their first stop. "Alright, ladies, we're going to Gyeongbokgung Palace. It's a must-see for tourists."
"Palace?" Vanessa's eyes lit up. "I hope it's big enough to make me feel like a queen."
"It's a traditional Korean palace, not Buckingham Palace," Asha teased.
Vanessa waved her off. "Palace is palace. Lead the way!"
The group arrived at Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Vanessa immediately stopped in her tracks.
"Chineke! This place is massive! Is this where Korean kings used to chill?" she asked, shading her eyes as she looked at the sprawling grounds.
"Yes," Jisoo said with a laugh. "This was the main palace during the Joseon Dynasty."
Vanessa tilted her head. "Joseon? Is that not the name I see on all those K-drama subtitles? These people were really living the life back then."
As they walked through the palace gates, Vanessa couldn't help but compare it to home. "If this was in Nigeria, the entire palace would've been converted into someone's private property by now. They'd be charging us 5,000 naira just to look at it."
"Vanessa, not everything is about Nigeria," Chloe said, laughing.
"But it's true!" Vanessa insisted. "Just imagine the big men in agbada throwing parties here. It would be chaos!"
The girls strolled through the palace grounds, taking pictures and marveling at the intricate architecture. Asha, always the curious one, asked Jisoo endless questions about Korean history, while Chloe focused on getting the perfect Instagram shot.
Vanessa, on the other hand, was busy striking dramatic poses in front of every building. "Take this one! Make sure you get the angle that shows I'm royalty."
"Vanessa, you're blocking the building," Chloe complained.
"It's not my fault I'm the main attraction," Vanessa said with a wink.
Their next stop was Myeongdong, the bustling shopping district. The bright lights and endless rows of stores immediately caught everyone's attention.
"This is what I'm talking about!" Vanessa said, grabbing Asha's arm. "Let's find some Korean skincare and see if it can fix your face."
"Excuse me?" Asha replied, pretending to be offended.
"Kidding, kidding," Vanessa said, laughing. "But seriously, let's shop until our wallets cry."
Jisoo led the way, pointing out popular stores and street food stalls. Vanessa made a beeline for a stand selling tteokbokki, the spicy rice cakes.
"Finally, something spicy!" Vanessa said, taking a bite. Her eyes widened, and she fanned her mouth. "Ah, ah! Is this pepper or fire? Koreans are wicked!"
Jisoo laughed. "That's not even that spicy. Wait till you try buldak."
"Buldak?" Vanessa repeated. "If it's spicier than this, count me out. I still want to have taste buds by the time we leave."
The day ended with a stroll along the Han River. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the water. Vanessa, for once, was quiet, taking in the view.
"This is nice," she finally said. "It's peaceful. No traffic noise, no generator humming in the background. Just vibes."
"I told you Seoul is amazing," Jisoo said, smiling.
Vanessa nodded, a small smile on her face. "You were right. But don't get too cocky. We still have a lot to explore."
As the girls laughed and planned their next adventure, Vanessa looked out at the river, a mix of excitement and contentment washing over her. For the first time since they landed, she felt like she belonged.
Seoul had officially won her over.