Things..

I have experienced my first "non-western style toilets."  My first one was at the subway, and I found out on Friday that my school also has these hole-in-the-floor squats.  I saw one western toilet on the first floor, but I can't remember where it was.  Well, it's not so bad.  After all..it's just like popping a squat outside, but with a little bowl that flushes.  I don't really see how one would go number 2 though...let's hope this scenario never comes to life.

Speaking of the subway, the Seoul subway system is super clean and really big.  There are 12 lines that stretch across the city.  My apartment is on line 6 at Bomun station, just outside city center, in Seongbuk-gu which isn't a bad location for getting around.  The seats that are reserved for old people are literally always open for the old people.  No young people sit in them ever which is a nice change of pace I suppose.  It's nice for me since I look/am Korean because the people on the subway don't stare at me or try to speak English to me.  I can just blend in for the most part which I'm thankful for.

Subway car on line 6

Koreans also pass out everywhere, especially on the subway, but also on the streets and in public places.  Check out Blackout Korea for real evidence.  I can't wait to get my non-rental cell phone so I can start taking pictures for this website and posting them on the blog too.

My last thought for today is on Itaewon.  It is everything they say it is.  Touristy, white people, western bars, etc.  It honestly feels like you're in multi-cultural city in the states, and it is totally bizarre.  I will, however, definitely be making my way back there for my fill of western food.  I hear they have brunch and Mexican and all kinds of other delicious stuff!  

Welcome to Itaewon!  Home of the Taco Bell.

the view from the rooftop of my building at night

Week 1

I've survived my first week in Korea!  I'm still at orientation until Wednesday, when we are finally being taken to our district offices and apartments and unleashed to live on our own in Seoul.  It's kind of scary since we have been pretty isolated here, surrounded by English speaking peers.  The only thing I know so far is that I will be teaching elementary school..which is supposedly 4-6th grades but could also be 3rd.  The orientation schedule has been pretty serious with lectures all day, every day.  Although, I'm not entirely confident about my teaching skills, we will see what happens once I get to school.  All the lecturers seem to have contradicting things to say which basically means it will all depend on your school/co-teachers/principal/budget etc.  

Even with the packed schedule, we've managed to make it off campus a few times, and we took a field trip on Saturday to the Korean folk village in Yongin.  I would say it was a good time except for the fact that we were outside all day at a traditional village with no AC in 90 degree weather with 100% humidity.  In fact, this is what the weather has been like every day so far.  Everyone was soaked within 5 minutes of getting off the bus which was awesome.

Traditional meal at the folk village

Dip n dots after dinner

Wandering the streets around Yongin

Kyung Hee gate at night

We broke down and got pizza last night after Korean classes.  I'm trying to like the food, but I'm just plain hungry!  I like to call it the forced diet.  

Typical cafeteria food we've been getting..it's all a mystery.

What day is today?

I guess today is day 4?  It's hard to keep the days of the week straight due to jet lag and an intense schedule.  It's Friday night here in Korea now.  We had opening ceremonies and started lectures yesterday and then had a full day today from 9AM-8PM.


I'm meeting so many people and of course, not remembering who anybody is.  It happens so often where you meet a group of 5 or more people and are lucky to actually catch one name.  It's like I'm not even listening when introductions start.  We did the math, and I think there are at least 350 teachers here just for Seoul.  There are also two other orientations going on right now in different parts of Korea.  It's craziness.


Here's a video of the ridiculous taekwondo performance at opening ceremony!

Day 2

I made it to Korea!  My flight arrived around 5PM Korean time (which is really 4AM EST).  Overall, the flight wasn't awful.  By hour 8, after 3 movies, I was ready to be off the plane with 7 hours still left to go.  I will say that it was really disorienting to fly through 15 hours of straight daylight.


After getting through baggage claim (no luggage lost praise the LORD!), exchanging $$ for won, renting a cell phone, and checking in at the EPIK desk, we finally got on the bus to Kyung Hee University Global Campus, our orientation site.  Here are a few pictures around campus and my dorm.

Entrance gate to Kyung Hee University (global campus)

Awesome snacks that come with equally awesome faces

Dorm room and a lot of luggage

Shower head attached to the sink.

Another room shot

Lift-Off

Departure in less than 24 hours!!


Needless to say, starting to go into panic mode.  I'm mostly packed with just a few things left to throw into the carry-on.  I must say that I am proud of myself though.  I fit everything into 2 suitcases.  What is left to be seen is whether they meet the 50 lb. requirement.

This is just after I finished "unpacking" at my parent's house.  The actual packing seemed a daunting task to say the least.  

Here's what I got.  For an entire year.  Yup.

Anyway, my flight leaves from Dulles on Monday afternoon at 1:25PM, and I will be arriving at Incheon at 4:35PM the NEXT day.  There is a 13 hour time difference.  Ya, you guessed it, it's a 14 hour direct flight.

See you on the other side!^^