So it's been awhile since my last post, and I do apologize for that. Let me catch you up to speed as best I can. The last two weeks have been a blur of activity and further settling into my surroundings. And as luck would have it, I (ME!) showed a few new folks around Taean. Guess who isn't the new kid anymore?
The weekend of September 24th, my friends from Taean, and a few from orientation, went to Seoul for our first big city adventure (comparable to Muppets Take Manhattan, but fewer Broadway numbers). After learning that Seoul actually has two syllables at a rousing "futbol" match during the Expat Festival, we all went out for Indian food and drinks with new New Zealand company. I got my first taste of the foreigner mecca/neighborhood, Itaewon, and also remembered what it's like not to be stared at on a regular basis. The night was a generally good time with lots of rejoicing over the birth of my good friend, George...who later got lost after wandering away from the group in a drunken stupor...classy.
The following day was much lower key with a fine group of people. Myself, Shufan, Margeaux, Brandon, Alistair, and Jane went to Hongdae for coffee, shopping, and pizza. I managed to acquire a few new pieces to add to my suitcase wardrobe which continues to thrill me to no end! However, I'm still in need of shoes, sweaters, and socks...Never the less, the weekend was a good time, and my first experience with express busing was a genuine treat.
Zooming right along, the following week a new "waygook" came to live in Taean. It's funny to take the role of pseudo-ambassador after only living in a place for a month, but that's just what Brandon and I did. It's really nice to see a community of people open up so quickly to new folks and also continue to assist each other through the whole process of daily living. I don't know where I'd be without all my fellow Taeanites. They are darn good people.
So this past weekend may mark a dark spot on my time in Korea. To sum it up, I'd describe it as "interesting." Sparing the many details, I'll just use lists to recount my misadventure to Seoraksan. If you want more info, feel free to leave a question or comment using the speech bubble at the top of the post.
Top 5
1) Hiking Seoraksan in the Fall
2) Enjoying the west coast white sandy beach
3) Sleeping in a queen-sized bed of my very own
4) Eating Thai food in Pyeongtaek (and getting to take leftovers home!)
5) Meeting new friends in Gongju
Bottom 5
1) Hitting a guard rail going down a one way (you guessed it) the wrong way
2) Being manipulated by hotel managers who think foreigners have money
3) Sitting in the middle of a small backseat between two guys until 4am
4) Realizing at 4am that we will not find a hotel room within a 50 mile radius
5) Opting out of hiking to the top of Seoraksan (grueling pace)
Needless to say, the trip ended (eventually) and I made my way back to Taean Sunday night. And, to my surprise, another new waygook was in town and up for some frivolity. So that's just what we did. I managed to order some things for our table and even made some new Korean friends. It's really amazing what a bottle of soju can spur in this country. I don't like the stuff much, but I love to share it with Koreans because they are "a hoot" (my Minnesota roots are showing).
This post could go on...I haven't even told you about my weekdays (Staff hike to Mondae Beach, drinking with the VP, Middle School field day, the delights of internet banking, and the headaches of Kindergarten lesson planning). But, let's rest it here and we'll see where we pick up next (there may even be pictures!).
Feelin' Minnesota,
-Bets
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