Seoul Story – Day 7: September 9, 2007

Finally, it was time to go back. As all the delegates from Malaysia were catching the same flight back, a non-step bus as assigned to shuttle us and a few other delegates from Europe to the airport. The wide window of the bus gave us a better view of the scenery of the trip. It was an uneventful journey. There was nothing interesting about the scenery as the airport highway cut across relatively uninhabited terrain.

When we checked in, I confirmed my request for low-protein meal. The first thing after I went through the immigration was to look for a toilet. I knew that Malaysia Airlines would be using the same plane and there would not be an on-board aisle chair for me to go to the toilet.

I have to empty my bladder every three hours but the journey was more than six hours. I controlled my fluid intake since I woke up and hoped that my diapers could hold whatever my bladder had to release. Cutting down fluid intake and not emptying my bladder periodically could be dangerous. Insufficient fluid intake may cause urinary infection. Not emptying my bladder on schedule may cause a reflux of the urine back to my kidneys. Both could damage my kidneys further.

When meals were served, I discovered that my low-protein meal had a full portion of fish fillet. I had to leave most of the meat uneaten. With a half full stomach, I could not do much but try to catch some sleep. To add insult to injury, the sandwich bun served later had chicken fillet filling. I removed all the chicken and ate the bun. I was annoyed and made a mental note that I would send a complaint to Malaysia Airlines when I reached home.

Red bridge somewhere between Seoul and Incheon
Red bridge somewhere between Seoul and Incheon.

Pine tree lining the airport highway
Pine trees lining the airport highway.

Toll plaza along the airport highway
Toll plaza along the airport highway.

Accessibility symbol used widely in Korea
Accessibility symbol used widely in Korea.

Toilet at the Incheon International Airport
Toilet at the Incheon International Airport.

Boarding lounge at the Incheon International Airport
Boarding lounge at the Incheon International Airport.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH67 Incheon to Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH67 Incheon to Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia Airlines low-protein meal that was not
Malaysia Airlines low-protein meal that was not.

Do not be fooled by Malaysia Airlines' low protein meal label. It was not!
Do not be fooled by Malaysia Airlines’ low-protein meal label. It was not!.

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

3 thoughts on “Seoul Story – Day 7: September 9, 2007”

  1. I never been to korea before. It look so inviting from your photos. Makes me wanna go..oh save some money 1st. work..work..work

    Peter:
    Work work work and spend spend spend. Seoul is a very expensive city.

  2. Hello. Mr Tan,
    You space got so many pix. Got jelous ha..ha..when I visit Osaka last month for “Art of Body Expression” workshop I forgot to bring my cam. But I can see same here. Good luck

    Peter:
    A camera is a blogger’s most essential piece of equipment. 😀

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