Here Comes The Sun

FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/9, 1/60 sec, ISO200)

About a month ago I was in Seoul, Korea when I got Covid on the second last day of my business trip.

This was my nightmare coming true. To get sick far away from home. Strangely it was the first time I got sick when traveling even though I traveled a lot in South East Asia, India, Korea or Japan. But the worst case so far was a cold while in Malaysia and some serious cases of stomach issues 😉 in Indonesia and India. But this time was different. I finally got sick with the virus that changed our world for more than two years now.

FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/14, 1/75 sec, ISO160)
FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/14, 1/100 sec, ISO160)
FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/9, 1/200 sec, ISO160)

While I was only really sick for about three days I felt alone and lost when I produced a positive test after a horrible night where I sweated like a never did before in my life. I guess I had high fever but couldn’t say because I didn’t pack a thermometer.

In the morning I called reception and asked if they could bring some muesli and fruits for breakfast and leave it in front of my room because I have Covid. “You must leave our hotel now!” Of course I can understand them but when I told them that I can’t leave the hotel because I don’t know where to go they finally agreed to bring me some breakfast and leave it at my door.

Next I needed to go to an testing station to get an official PCR test taken. And I had to contact all my customers that I met within the last couple of days. Luckily none of them got Covid except the very first person I met. And I guess he passed it to me.

The great thing is that my customers all were very helpful. Everyone offered to assist if I would need help. And I needed help. One of my contacts helped me a lot. The young lady organised the quarantine hotel and booked a room for me. And on the very first day in my quarantine hotel she stopped by with her boy friend to bring me a massive food package and another one two days later. I had to leave half of it when I left my quarantine hotel after six days. It’s good to have friends when you far away from home.

FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/8, 1/350 sec, ISO160)
FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/8, 1/320 sec, ISO160)
FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/8, 1/400 sec, ISO160)

I checked in on Saturday but only on Tuesday I felt well enough to go for a short walk. Before that I just went out for supplies to the convenient store just opposite my hotel. The temperature was extreme, hot and humid, like always in August. I was wearing an FFP2 masks like everyone so breathing was a challenge. I’ve been to Seoul a couple of times but never in this part, the North East of Seoul, close to the Korea University.

It was only a short walk but it felt good to leave my hotel room which was surprisingly big but had only a super small window facing a brick wall.

FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/8, 1/90 sec, ISO160)
FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (23mm, f/8, 1/60 sec, ISO500)
FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/140 sec, ISO160)

This was one of my strangest business trips so far. First there was apocalyptic rain fall on the day I landed. Then I contracted Covid and had to stay in a quarantine hotel in a room that felt like a prison cell thanks to its super small window. No wonder that I was keep humming “Here Comes The Sun” on my first walk in the area. Finally there was light at the end of the tunnel. Just another three nights and I could finally leave this place and go back into a real hotel before I fly back home.

It’s amazing what a little sunshine can do. I was in a much better mood when I returned to my “prison cell”.

FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO160)