Day i KoReA. That is TWO in Korean

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Day i Korea. That is TWO in Korean

July 25th, 2009 by iamtheeditor

Well, today was mostly nothing but boring business stuff but I did meet the other expat foreign teachers. 2 Canadians and a Texan who enjoys surfing. They pretty much informed me about the lifestyle of the foreign nomad of an ESL (English as Second Language) teacher. The Texan said that Japan is mad expensive. Southeast Asia and especially Taiwan (readers, TAKE NOTE!) are overlooked. You can have a great time for dirt cheap. He stayed in Thai for $500 a month and lived WELL. He also said Laos is a good time too. WHAT is there to do in Laos??? I know where Laos is by the way; it’s just that you NEVER really hear about that part of the country side of the world. He said they just have tubes in the middle of no where in the forest and you just ride them and get thrown around. Okay, not exactly my idea of a good time since I don’t swim. Note to self, he did say he liked surfing. He also said Vietnam still had a lot of animosity towards Americans and that even though he had a lot of fun there, he once got jumped/MUGGED. Okay, I’m scratching Vietnam off.

The one thing that I noticed they all shared in common? A sense of ADVENTURE. It takes balls and courage to travel to a country not of your own. Especially when America is so known to be so GREAT, WHY would anyone want or seek to leave? We don’t. We just wanna go EXPLORIN! Ay ay (captain). Oh,I just wanna have fu-un! Oh girls like me just wanna have FUUuuuuuuNnnn! Plus the two other Canadians who were older did happen to be single. Definitely can understand that one! They’re all male anyways.

The only notable thing was my 3 trips in 1 route journey. I took the subway for the first time and it WASN’T even in America! Can I get a round of applause please? I took a bus (7726) from the University (the one I’m staying at) museum (like 7 min. walk from my dorm) to Susaek Station. And of course realized that I was suppose to get off at Susaek SUBWAY Station (yes, there’s TWO) after I already got off. Lovely. I walked the extra 15 min. there. Rode the subway to Bulgwang and then took a taxi to Myeongdong University where our LOVELY and VERY fun meeting was at. 1,000 won for bus. 1,500 won for subway and 4,000 won for taxi. About $5.22 and then all of us foreign teachers (4 total) rode a taxi back. 11,50o won but only 3,000 each person. That’s cheaper and quicker than my an hour and like 15 min. ride all over town and waiting too.

Notes on what I’ve ate so far. The contract said I get lunch but now my “boss” said I get breakfast and dinner too. Weekends too. First night, Wednesday was what looked like country fried steak with rice. I later on find out it was some breaded panko (Japanese bread crumbs) authentic Korean dish. It was good but I find it hard to believe that i’ll lose weight if I keep eating like this. =( The kimchi was really spicy. Spicier than I thought. For breakfast this morning, it was Korean food. Meaning no cereal. We had some spicy banchan with something that looked like pieces of pork (kind of similar to bulgolgi??) and rice. Dinner was fish with that red sweet/spicy sauce. I don’t normally eat fish but this one was quite tasty and easy to maneuver around the bones. Day three will be squid in the red sauce followed by the congee type dish with chicken but I guess I’m skipping ahead of myself… =p

Day 1, Korea

Day 1. Korea

July 22nd, 2009 by ChinaChao

Prelim. In an attempt to not have full blown jet lag (13 hour time difference/Florida and Korea), I did not sleep today. Well, I slept between 7 and 9 (my Atlanta flight duration). I did also wake up at around 2pm the day before (you know, job-free. It happens). Then I slept through out my 16 hour plane ride from Atlanta to Incheon. I flew Delta and it was indeed a pleasant trip experience. In 1st/Business class they had those sleeping pods! Delta had plenty of new release (and other) movies along with tv shows, but they charged $2 for Sex and the City! You each get your own tv attached to the head rest of the person in front of you, so no need to be not picky! Delta also offered 2 meals, a sandwich and about 3 snacks and lots of drinks following each snack and throughout the trip. Gee, thank God Spirit doesn’t fly International! I sat next to a very nice and talkative gentleman, Rich, which made a heck of a difference for the duration and enjoyment of my flight! The other Korea girl sitting at the window seat (I sat middle), I don’t think she even got up once to pee or got up for that matter. The stewardess gave us 3 forms to fill out prior to landing in Korea. All either about duty free, your health condition, reason for visiting, or contact information, etc. and were to be collected at customs, security, etc.

My first thoughts after exiting those doors… you know after the fearful “where is my luggage” scare, customs, security, bathrooms, etc. etc. was currency, call the camp coordinator (”boss”) and HOW am I suppose to call him again?? OH yes and thank you TMobile because even though you informed me that it would be $2 per minute in Korea you some how FAILED to mention that Korea works on CDMA network and you are GSM. So WHY did you even tell me it’s $2 per minute when you CANNOT even get the phone to WORK?! Uh huh. Perhaps I should give them a heads up but even as was UPCIC, it shall be futile junky POCI (piece of crap information). Yes, I just made that up.

I got 61,350 won for $50 at a 1209 won rate per US $1. Hell, it was better than the 1104 they offered at the Atlanta airport currency exchange booth. Then after realizing that 350 won on a pay phone for about 2 minutes (which is real B.S) is really about 29 cents (I take the B.S. back), I felt pretty silly. Guess I’m still adjusting to the hundreds and thousands of won. I finally decided to get a rental cell phone at SK. It was pending to be charged on a credit card (should have carried Visa. They get some discount) at a rate of 3000 ($2.41) won for the first 10 days, 2000 ($1.61) won through the next 20 days and finally, 1000 ($.81) won after 31 days. It’s free incoming and 100 won per every 10 sec. which is about $.49 a minute (ouch but at least it’s by per 10 sec and not rounded up to the next minute like the States). That’s about $61 to rent it for 35 days… oh crap I miscalculated before. Boo… this does NOT include how much you talk outgoing at 8 cents per 10 seconds. Dude, do they have prepaid phones or did I just get jipped?

I took a 8,000 rmb ride from Incheon Airport (ICN) to Madu bus station. I must have rode for about 45 min. non-stop so for $6.43, it was cheaper than a 15 min. ride to the Vegas strip by bus ($8). When I finally got picked up and almost settled, I did notice that they gave my driver friend, Allan, a bottle of cold water while they pumped his (car). And WHO SAID Vegas was a service industry giant? They even gave me some free disinfectant wipes at SK phone rental.

Settle in, blah blah blah. Typical dorm style room. Two twin beds. Two computer/study desks. One bathroom which was seriously the only real notable topic of the day as there is no bathtub for the shower. Just a curtain and ONE bathroom floor connecting EVERYTHING. Apparently, it just drains into the holes by the sink (which is only about one feet away from the shower anyways). Guess the Koreans don’t pee while they take their shower! OR DO THEY? Dun dun dun sound effect! =P

Preparations!!!

Now that I've "stolen", urr SECURED my ChinaChao screen name on every worthy blog type forum spot I could find, I am seriously in need of REMODELING. I am trying to clean out my room (and my closet) prior to packing and leaving to Korea for the month! I'm excited but a bit nervous about my future and everything. The lovely GMAT still haunts me and well, I'm going to be in another country where neither English or Cantonese is the first language! It seems that my English-Korean dictionary has brought me anxiety rather than relief! I also posted up all my pictures from New York on my FaceBook and MySpace! FINALLY! Took long enough... I have to get stuff finished and perhaps go back to preparing for the GMAT and posting more ENTERTAINING blogs! Until then, PEACE my friends PEACE! =)

Love and love Life,

CC

Jeeeze-shush! I should just delete this and start all over or do a mega make-over. Whoever happened to stumble upon this, please visit http://chinachao.blog.com because I forgot I had this and can't even believe I was able to retrieve it. =) Although I can't guarantee you it'll be any more ENTERTAINING but HAVE A GREAT DAY regardless! =D