I'm in Korea!

It has been two days in Korea and I have to say a lot has happened. Coming to Korea has been a long time coming and now that I'm finally here, I'm not sure what to feel. Stepping off the plane I expected this whiff of nostalgic air that would tell me that I'm in Asia, but I got none of that. Instead I was hit with big roads, tall buildings, and everyone dressing in very up to date clothing. I guess I imagined Korea to be a little differently and for some reason I felt as if I was just back in San Franciso. However, I spent a whole day walking around Seoul and that changed things a little, it is starting to hit me that I am actually in Asia.

Well lets start with the first day. The airplane ride on United was a long and grueling one. There was only four movies that played over and over on the whole trip! I am definitely taking an Asian airline the next time I go to Asia. I only took United because there would be other teachers on it and it turns out I was sitting near four of them!

My ride...

So immediately after the plane ride me and the other trainees hoped on the bus to the City Air Terminal to catch a van to our hotel. The bus ride was so long, took us an hour and a half to get to the hotel! There were so many cars on the road late at night, so surprising. Well, I guess it is because Seoul is in the top most populated city in the world. The wait at the City Air Terminal was even worse! We waited for two hours in the freezing cold. For a Californian girl, 40 degrees is definitely freezing weather. I don't know what I'm going to do when winter comes around. =/

My Room! (Sorry I was not very enthusiastic, was still jet lagged and soooo tired).

My first meal in Korea the next morning! Kim Chi Soup! It was so good, and the portion was just enough. We got to sit on the floor and it was heated! So here in Korea the heating system comes from the floors. Apparently it was taken from the idea of the old palaces where wood would be burned under the palace to keep it warm (not that we still burn wood under our floors now).

Me and my roomie met up with my friend Jamie who has been teaching in Korea for the past three months. It was so nice of him to come and meet up with us and take us around Seoul. Without him I don't think we would have done this much stuff in one day.

Markets in Korea.

Fruit stand right near my hotel.

Bosingak Bell Tower, once used to announce the time to the city.

A three floor Coffee Bean! It's huge.

Cheonggyecheon River, a man made river right in the middle of Seoul.

My roommate for the week from Boston! She is so awesome. =)

Motorcycles have mitts!

A cute little tea house we walked into. I felt like we were in a train next to the tracks. I loved the place, could sit there all day reading a book.

I bet this was written by some disgruntled teacher. Haha.

Pumpkin Tea.

Rose Tea.

Iseul Tea? (I forgot how it was spelled).

I thought this was a cool structure, a huge paint brush drawing a circle representing how the city attracts people and retain culture (I think I remembered that correctly).

I FOUND HIM! Hahaha...too bad it's only a cardboard.

These guys were so entertaining. They gave me a show by taking a block of honey and mixing it with corn starch then stretching it until it was more than 2000 strands! After they took that and wrapped different fillings inside to make little balls...looked like a cocoon to me. I bought the almond filling one and the honey part melted in my mouth and became very chewy! So interesting.

Saying HI to Seoul! This is marketing for "Visit Korea Year 2010-2012" (I quote exactly as it was written).

My roomie and Jamie. I am so thankful that Jamie came out and showed us around, without him we would have been so lost! He invited us to a Thanksgiving Dinner the next day (below) and it was so awesome! He gave us a great introduction to Korea, hopefully it will still be just as good when I'm on my own.

Korea's Lantern Festival. Different lanterns were placed along the Cheonggyecheon River, it was so nice at night.

Huge Dragon.

Mashimaru!

Cool Carp.

This happens to be a very popular cartoon in Korea.

Dinner, some kind of noodle, it was so spicy and a bottle of Soju. Hahaha, I couldn't drink it.

I thought this was the cutest thing ever. We met three drunk men on the streets at 6pm! (That is the norm here). Jamie decides to talk to this man the man hooks arms with Jamie and starts talking and laughing. It was so funny and cute. The man kept saying "English, no."

Shopping in Dongdaemun at midnight! People here do not stop shopping! There was sooooo much stuff. I am definitely doing some major shopping when I settle in.

SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING! Omg...I was officially overwhelmed at this point, could not walk around in these stores anymore. -_-

A glimpse of what the shopping is like (I will definitely be doing a separate blog devoted to the shopping over here).

First experience using the subway. It was quite efficient and the ride was very smooth.

The nice lady who made my breakfast. She laughed at me when I pointed at things trying to order.

Breakfast on the streets of Sanggye

There is a dollar store in Korea! (It's basically the Daiso store back in the states).

Exercise equipments exist at parks! Such a weird site, but apparently many people use them to work out...no wonder people in Korea are so healthy.

Glimpse of Sanggye...filled with so much stuff!

Went to church for a Thanksgiving sermon and dinner. This was a very interesting experience. I've only been to church one other time. The people were extremely friendly and the food was delicious! Other teachers who have been here for awhile were craving for this Thanksgiving Feast. I guess I won't know how they feel until a few months later. As for the Korean people who were there, seeing a Turkey was quite a bizarre sight (the Turkey's were imported from the U.S.).

Making stuffing in a rice cooker! Seven heads put together to try and figure out how this rice cooker worked.

The delicious feast we had at the church. This may seem normal to you, but it was totally new for many Koreans at the church.

Time for me to get to studying for my assessment test tomorrow! Eeps!!! I will try to update once a week...so keep checking up on my blog and also leave comments! (please leave your name =]). THANKS FOR READING! <3