Days 5 & 6 – Donuts, Drama, and the Final Flight Home

A vibrant spread featuring gamjatang, a Korean pork bone soup, being prepared at the table with fresh mushrooms, greens, and spices, surrounded by traditional side dishes and condiments.

Whew. We’re at the tail end of this trip, and y’all—these last two days were a whole sitcom episode with a meltdown subplot and a side of magical donuts. Let’s roll.

Day 5: Palaces? More Like Parking Lot Purgatory

We got a slower start on Day 5—sleepy, snacky, and ready to wander. First mission of the day: Gamja-tang (pork bone soup) at a little spot near the hotel. Let me just say—it was so worth the minor identity crisis of not knowing how to eat around all those bones. Like, this soup was giving “maybe I’m a soup person now.” except I'm already a soup person.

Bustling scene near the shopping center, with lanterns lining the street and a misty view of the mountains in the background.

Then we tried to go to the palace. Keyword: tried.

Parking was a nightmare straight out of a horror movie. After a solid “nope” from the crew, we noped outta there and headed to a little shopping area instead.

This place was a whole vibe: multi-level outdoor mall with random art everywhere—like an artsy treasure hunt. We wandered up, up, up, and found a cafe at the top that had donuts that were so good. Korean donuts don’t smack you in the face with sugar like ours do—sweet, but not too sweet, and the texture was dreamy.

Petri enjoys a whimsical afternoon with a fortune reading, a colorful donut, and a refreshing iced tea at a cozy café.

Harley read our fortunes from this vending machine outside the cafe (bless Harley for always keeping things ✨mystical✨).

We also stopped by another cafe for shaved ice—delicious but cold enough to make me consider dental insurance—and one of us got a matcha teddy bear that looked too cute to eat.

Grocery store stop on the way back because obviously we needed snacks for the trip home. Mushroom-shaped biscuits, y’all—I will forever regret not bringing more of those. We also found this moving sidewalk that just let you take the cart straight up, no drama. Korean grocery stores are advanced.

We also found out they mark the front parking spots pink for women, recognizing how unsafe garages can be. And the accessible parking? Enough room for ramps no matter what side you’re on. It’s the little things.

Spicy boneless chicken feet garnished with sesame seeds, served in a tray alongside some cherry tomatoes for a flavorful Asian-inspired dish.

We ended the night ordering in with Harley for one last meal. I was so anxious about traveling the next day that I could barely eat, but I wanted that final moment together. Packed up our lives and tried to sleep before the big day.

Day 6: Airport Adventures and Emotional Rollercoasters

The final day. We got up at an hour that should be illegal and piled into the car with Harley to the airport. Said goodbye to Emily and watched K-pop videos in the car like little gremlins trying to avoid travel panic.

Suitcase packed and ready for the next adventure, waiting in a cozy hotel room.

But panic found me anyway! Got through bag check, said goodbye to Harley, and then… boom. My bag got flagged. I couldn’t even tell Allison what was happening because she was ahead of me.

I tried to stay calm—tried!

But the meltdown came anyway. Couldn’t talk, just handed the note over to the check-in lady with tears already streaming. She was a literal angel—took me straight to the baggage security area while I played the “did I accidentally pack a bomb??” highlight reel in my brain.

Petri chilling with some donut holes and drinks after a wild battery adventure at the airport.

Turns out I’d miscounted my clipper batteries—lithium-ion batteries need to stay in the carryon, not the checked bag. Once we found it, I was able to breathe again (sort of). The check-in lady didn’t leave me until I got through security, so I didn’t have to keep explaining why I was still crying. Absolute hero.

Reunited with Allison on the other side of security. She gave me a big mom hug, and we powered up with Dunkin’ donut holes and coffee—like an emotional reset button.

The Flights Home: Short, Sweet, and Way Too Loud

Milkis cream soda on a table, showcasing its playful design and popular availability at Walmart in America.

The first flight to Taiwan was short, but I had the misfortune of being next to a manspreader. Not ideal when you’re plus-size and working on unlearning the “make yourself small” garbage. But it was a quick flight, so I survived.

The Taiwan layover was six hours of pure “let’s not risk leaving the airport in a country we don’t know” vibes. We found some lounges and ordered food online, just existing in that tired, airport-limbo space.

Finally, the big flight home: 15 hours of movie-watching and window-gazing. I got lucky with a half-empty row so I could spread out, but my neighbor’s phone alarm went off for 20 minutes at a time.

A hearty bowl of noodle soup served at Taiwan Airport, accompanied by drinks and side dishes, offering travelers a comforting meal before their journey.

Twice.

Even with my Loops and noise-canceling headphones, I was ready to rip my eardrums out with a rusty fork.

Ended up hiding in the bathroom just to escape for a second.

But! Despite it all, I got to rest, watch some comfort movies, and snack my way home. We landed late that night, exhausted and so ready for our own beds.

The Wrap-Up

Nibbler sits adorably next to packed luggage, ready for an adventure at home.

These last two days were classic neurodivergent travel: sweet moments of discovery, random art and donuts, epic meltdowns, and friends who make it okay when your brain is fried. Korea, you were a ride—thank you for the magic (and the donuts).

Next up? Decompressing, snuggling Petri, and figuring out how to pack up my brain after this wild trip. Until

the next adventure, crew. 💛