Japan VS Korea

Wow! Japan was a whirl wind. The WinK (when in Korea) trip was three days long; really it felt like three weeks with how much travelling we did and all the things we saw and adventures we had.

I hoped in the subway (about 1.5 hrs) after work Tuesday and ended up in Seoul where I met the other WinK travellers. We took a bus to Busan (about  8 hrs). We were in Busan for 10 hrs. We wandered to the beach front which was beautiful. Reminded me of Nica. Also ventured to the fish market and in the streets. Took the ferry to Japan (about 8 hrs).

Saw a shrine and castle our first day. Went to Aso Mountain the next day: a sulfur volcano-type. Hiked that evening with the hostel owner. Went to an onsen (naked, outdoor, hot, mineral, hot spring type). Shopped in Fukoka that night. Bus to ferry in the a.m. (about 3 hrs). Ferry took us back to Busan (about 6 hrs). Bus to Seoul (about 6 hrs). Taxi home, arriving at 130 a.m. Having to teach this day. 

Youwza!

The air was instantly cleaner, clearer and fresher in Japan. Was a great change.

The people were so much friendlier! They didn't stare at you out of judgement and resentment as they do in Korea at times, but out of curiosity.

Their body types are more similar to ours. Koreans are aneorxic. 

Everyone dresses the same - fancy - in Korea. In Japan everyone had their own style.

Was a very different shift.

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA

JAPAN

SHRINE

CASTLE

ASO MOUNTAIN

HIKE

ONSEN

LAST BREAKFAST

Barber Poles

Back home barber poles signify a barber shop. In Korea, barber poles at nighttime signify a "love motel." These are so common here! Also, most men cheat in their wives in Korea. If your bo$$ man takes you out, you are expected to become inebriated AND have sex with a prostitute. Men, even foreigners, you know now what's up here.

WRAP IT UP!

P.D.A.

Everywhere you turn in Korea you see both males and females touching one another. My gaydar be going off like no tomorrow up in here! Oddly enough Koreans will hold hands with one another, friends and parents regardless of age. They rap their arms around each other as well. It was odd at first just because the Koreans are very anti-gay and everyone, by North American standards is "acting very gay." It has definitely been a paradigm shift being here in that respect.

Travel Advice?

In working at a private school/hogwon, I have VERY little time off. In saying this, I need to utilize all my time here as effectively as possible. The main reason I came here is to TRAVEL and MAKE BANK. 

Wow this will be hard to travel to travel with very few "long weekends" to use.

I would love to hear from the big, wide world as to where you might suggest I go.

My thoughts so far are: Bali, Malaysia, Thailand, Philipines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia, Jeju Island

Japan is already crossed off the list.

I won't have time to do all, but would like your input please :)

Lack of Visible Disability

It is on rare occasion that you will see an Korean here with a visible handicap. When you see someone who is in a wheelchair, has a disfigurement or is somewheres on the autism spectrum, you are quite taken aback. The area either does not have as many people in this category as we do back home OR they are not allowed to be in the public eye. I gather that the later is true. If you are not good enough here, you are not allowed out it seems.

Lack of Age

No one hear ages! They all look like they are 12 years young. It is insane! 

My "supervisor" is 34, not married, not dating, no kids. She looks like she is 12, honestly! It is very bad for her to visit family as she is getting to be too old to not be married. Similar to home I guess, but waaaaaaaaaay worse.

When you look old in Korea, you must be really old! If you look a little old, you're probably close to 90 years young! 

I swear it's all the kimchi they eat. It is said to have a lot of the collagen replenishing goodness in it. 

Rumour also has it that their faces naturally hold more fat in their faces. This must be where ALL their fat is stored! Seriously!

Yoga

Last night I was able to try a regular (meaning not hot) yoga class for FREE! Awesome right. I know :) The studio is the cheapest in Uijeongbu, so my school "secretary" was apprehensive to send me there. She felt the atmosphere may not be up to snuff with it being 70,000 won/month (70$). 

I arrived a bit late. Oops! But joined in immediately. Thankfully I have taken yoga classes prior as it was all in Korean. I needed to sneak a peek out of the corner of my eyes and watch the instructor for visual prompts.

A supervisor brought me to the class as I did not know it's location. Regardless of how many times I told her she could leave, she stayed and watched THE WHOLE CLASS (one hour) on her Friday night after work. I felt/feel really bad. But I did tell her it was ok to go ... 

During dancers pose the class and instructor began to laugh a bit. I knew they were laughing at me. OH GOD! Dancer pose is my favourite and I am actually pretty good at it. Turns out, they were commenting that I was too long. Haha

Lucky for me, Friday night classes have 15-20 minutes of partner yoga. LOL! I was paired with an older, little korean lady. We did good I think :)

I will try this studio for a month as it is the cheapest and I did enjoy the atmosphere very much so.

I may try the hot yoga here, but you are required to buy into three months at 351,000 won (351$). A bit steep for me, but we shall see.

I am hoping to hit up yoga m-f from 730-830. It will give me something to look forward to every night!

Shower Head

When I first arrived my shower head was on. I could see nor find anyway to switch it off so that I could use the faucet. I also did not want to play around too much with the sink as I had a HUGE  fear I would be unable to switch back to the shower head mode, meaning I would be a smelly, sweaty mess who was not showering. Which reminds me, I forgot to put deodorant on today. Dang! Back off Koreans! Haha.

Two days ago I built up enough courage to play around with the faucets. And to my surprise and stupidity, I am now able to seamlessly switch between shower head and faucet!

Ta-da!

Itaewon

Krystal and I, two newbies to Korea and one of us directionally challenged (it's like being with my mom all over again :) ) Made it via subway all the way to Itaewon yesterday! So proud of myself! We had minimal transfers but still. Accomplishment! It wasn't a super difficult but it's a good win and feeling. Now I know I can survive.

I would compare it to a busier whyte ave area. Was neat to see. And tons of all types of people. 

African Museum

Had a fun field trip today. It was so rushed! I don't even know if the kids really saw anything it was that fast. Was cool though. May have to go back. The performances were so cool though! 

I could have a field trip every week. It really helps to break up the week!

Bank Account

I do not know why us foreign teachers are expected to get a license on our own. There was a huge language barrier today while I was trying to set up my account and trying to set up the transfer account too. The form asked for my beneficiary, so I put down my beneficiary. But because that is a different name then my name they would accept it. To Koreans, beneficiary means whose account is it going into. Way to clarify! I was also given a random Visa card when all I asked for was checking. It was ridiculous. I had to go back, ON MY BREAK, with my poopy supervisor to get it all sorted out.

Now all I need to learn is how to know when the exchange rate is best for me to send money home.

Optimism

Went in with an open mind today. I had a great weekend. I walked into school with a smile and positive attitude. It quickly fell flat on the floor. Luckily the day went by fast. And tomorrow we have a field trip which will help break up the week. I am just finding it hard to stay positive during the m-f grind.

Today's caffeine pick me up.

English Speakers

Every time, without fail, whenever I hear someone speaking English I immediately look up from what I am doing to see who it is. My eyes open wide. My heartbeat quickens. And then I realize I don't know them. But the sound is enough.

I don't feel out of place here. I don't feel like an outsider really. I mean I don't realize/remember everyone is here is Korean and I, well I am not. I guess I just don't feel any different, or like I stand out here until I see/hear another non Korean.

most exciting ... really?!

The most exciting thing this Monday to Friday grind was: adding chilli paste, mushrooms and fresh garlic to my breakfast eggs. So sad. THIS literally is the highlight of my M-F. Ugh!

My feeling ebb between loathing the school and being ok enough with how the school is. My being is in a constant tug-o-war. It's truly exhausting.

week three

The days are so looooooong but the week flew by. I am surviving on little money; no I am not running low, I am just spending less than anticipated. Will be paid this Thursday. Fingers crossed that the pension is been paid into ... !

Weekend was ok. Movie at my place Friday night, tried to go to the baseball game Saturday but it was rained out, hike Sunday. 

Now back to the grind ...49 more weeks to go.

It is starting to cool off quickly. Fall is approaching.

Bulgoksan Hike

Was a bit of a rock scramble. The stair portion is Ridonkulous! Puts Comino stairs and river valley stairs to shame. Was a beautiful view. Nice to breathe in fresh air. Smelt like home. Found a Buddhist temple. Was able to go inside and just BE. Was so peaceful and zen. With my eyes closed I forgot I was in Korea.