Day 3 and 4 of 293

Day 3-4

Our first full day on South Korean Soil was actually pretty comforting.  Caleb and Katherine took great care of us. 

Kathrine made breakfast for us.  Eggs and toast with raspberry jam (which I love and never knew, I guess I have to go across the world to try a new jam) and orange juice.  Great breakfast!  We talked for a little while.  Found out that Daniel had already unpacked (fyi- I still am not completely unpacked, but I need more hangers).

After a morning of Kathrine answering all sorts of questions, she showed us what Korean life would be like.  We took their cute dog, Bishop, on a walk.  She showed us where many of the places that we would frequent were.  Then back to her apartment to hang.  Then walked to a café and had a non Korean food!  This is a great, because I was worried about food.  No worries, I am gonna be able to survive.  Then we walked back home and got ready to go to Emart for the first time.  Luckily the school picked us up and took us to Emart.  We walked into the multifloor building with everything you could  think of, except for nearly everything I buy in America.  This store is the equivalent of Walmart, but I think much bigger.  Groceries, childcare, cooking classes, clothes, appliances, shoes, pharmacy, and tons of other things that I didn't know what they were.  Oh yeah, let me tell the coolest thing about it being multifloor… the escalators are not actually stairs, but a ramp, when you push your cart onto the ramp your wheels lock in place and they will not slide down the ramp as it moves, that is unless you are me, and somehow your cart wheels (heehee!) don’t lock, and it starts to slide down the ramp.  Luckily for me, I am super strong and saved the cart. JK, it wasn’t very full yet.  I already mentioned this on FB, but Mrs. Yoon saved me from buying the wrong meat, however, I later found out that it was only pork.  I could have handled that.  (More about pork to come)  I got peanut butter, which I had heard was hard to get, they had a few choices.  Super crunchy all the way for me!!! I got grape jelly (not as good as the aforementioned raspberry jam, just saying!) I got eggs, bread, orange juice, bottled water, chicken breast, bananas, a blow dryer, strawberry yogurt, toilet paper, dish soap, sponges, silverware, a trashcan, and a pillow.  Between Mrs. Yoon and Kathrine we were able to get a good start.  It was not nearly everything I needed, but it was something.  No paper or plastic sacks, just load it back into your cart and go to a boxing station.  You then put what you can in a box and carry the rest.  We may not be going to emart much by ourselves, definitely gonna need to have multiple people to carry stuff, especially since we will not have our own transportation.  After getting back, I put my things away, and started to unpack.  I got through one suitcase, then took a break.  Incidentally, I only have one drawer.  There is plenty of space to hang clothing, but just one drawer.  I found that I have WiFi available  in the corner by my window, so I got online and sent out some updates on FB (refer to FB for details).  Caleb messaged me on FB to see if I wanted to go out with everyone for coffee or dinner (FB is how we communicate since we do not have phone service.  So, Caleb, Daniel, Christine, and I all walked to a coffee shop (Coffee Tree) where I found Dr. Pepper!!! (refer to FB for photo).  We talked about what to expect in the school year, then walked home!

Now, my question to you—Did you notice a theme in the mode of transportation used?

The next day, Caleb, Daniel and I, took a trip to Seoul. We first walked to the subway, then found out the hard way how not to be on the subway.
First lesson learned… the six open seats you think are open in the corner, are not, they are for the elderly, pregnant, or small children.

Second lesson learned…the elderly, pregnant, or small children prefer the corner spot in every other section of the car.
Third lesson learned… If you see a space, you better take it.  All people for themselves.
Fourth lesson learned… do not stand by the door.  You will get shoved, squeezed, poked, and prodded at nearly every stopping point.
Fifth lesson learned… Bring a book.

So, and hour and a half later of just standing, we arrived at Seoul (pronounced See-ole).  We looked around at a bookstore for a little while, then walked around looking for something to eat.  My first Korean food to come.  Caleb finally decided on a place, and we sat down.  He ordered plain pork, and marinated pork.  They have a cook top at your table and you cook your own food.  (refer to FB for photo).  I used chopsticks for the first time in a long time.  I am not as good I was in Malaysia.  I would get the hang of it, and then lose the hang of it.  I will get better! I will get better! I will get better!  They put Kim-chi and mushrooms on the cook top, they gave us little platters with garlic and a bean sauce on them, and a bowl of tofu, a bowl of rice sticks, and some sort of soup.  Did not try the Kim-chi, it was spicy.  Did not eat the garlic, too much garlic for one bite, but Caleb and Daniel roasted their garlic and ate it like that.  Did not eat the mushrooms, too thick!  Did not eat the tofu, tried that on the plain, not interested!  Rice sticks, don’t quite see the point, I prefer rice.  Did not eat the soup, too spicy! Tried the bean paste stuff, spicy!  Then they brought out the pork, thank you Caleb for knowing what to do.  He cut it up into pieces and made sure that it cooked well.  The plain pork was really good.  At this point they also brought out rice, which was purple, but good.  They then brought out the marinated pork, it was okay.  I prefer the plain pork.  I was only able to finish about a third of my rice.

After eating, we walked to a palace (pictures are on FB).  It was pretty cool, it looked like what you would imagine it looked like.  After walking around there for a while, we headed to the gift shop, which is the only place I have found post cards at so far.  Let me know if you want one. 

When we finished there, we stopped at Dunkin Donuts to get coffee, which you will soon realize is a theme around here.  Coffee, Coffee, Coffee.   We walked to the subway, and followed the new found rules.  I got a seat within two stops!  Yeah!  We got back, went to our apartments and I fell asleep early that night!

So far… I like Korea, it feels like New Mexico to me.  It is very mountainous.  We are at the base of a mountain.  When you walk out in the morning, it is quite cold, but it has warmed up during the day, everyday that I have been here.  It is not nearly as cold as I thought it would be.  I don’t know that I would want to stay here forever, but I think it is going to be a good experience.  The biggest difficulty is the language.  I need to learn some key phrase at the very least, but I think I am going to be just fine!

I ask again, did you notice a theme in our mode of transportation???