First Impressions

Ok, so I'm FINALLY getting some actual time to sit down and write! Sorry it's been a while--I really haven't had reliable Internet access yet. BUT, after switching hotel rooms THREE times now (because either the Internet or air conditioning wasn't working), I'm finally in a room with working everything :). Still won't be able to call home until I either get my cell phone (hopefully soon) or move into my apartment on Saturday when I could then call home with Skype. I don't have a converter or adapter yet either, so no laptop or flat iron (gasp!) for me yet.

So much has happened in the last four days that I don't even know where to start. I guess the beginning's a good place...

Both my flights went just fine. My roller carry-on fit in the over-head bin (just!) and nobody gave me any hassle about it. The only hitch was my entertainment TV not working on the flight from Van. to Seoul...made for a long flight. I also pinched my finger under my 70-pound monster suitcase and still have a nice blood blister to show for it.

The first of many experiences with hilarious translation errors.

I got into Seoul about 3:00 pm on Friday and was met by Mr. Park from GDA--the school I'll be working at. He's super friendly, smiley, and welcoming, but his English is a little rough around the edges, which made for a slightly awkward hour and a half car ride into Bundang (the suburb of Seoul where I'm living and working), made more awkward by the fact that I started nodding off almost immediately. I felt so rude, but could just NOT keep my eyes open. So Mr. Park (who looks about twenty-five--weird to call him 'Mr'), took me to my school first and then to my hotel. Met a few of the teachers at the school, and they asked me to go out with them on Saturday. Very welcoming.
After the quick trip to the school, Mr. Park dropped me off at my hotel. It was only about 8:00 pm, but I was exhausted and pretty much went straight to bed. I woke up at 3:00 am sweating my butt off (and you know how hard it is for me to get hot!). My air conditioner had quit working, and it must have been 30 degrees C in my room--definitely the end of my sleep for the night. After watching about three crappy English movies on TV (the ONLY English on TV), I was pretty much ready to charge a one-way ticket back to Winnipeg on the credit card and fly the coop. But Saturday morning, after a good hysterical cry, I sucked it up, pulled myself together, and went out and explored the area a little bit.

Beautiful, busy Bundang

Saturday ended up being a great day. I met Nate at the Starbucks in my neighborhood in the morning. He showed me around the area, helped me get a T-money card for the subway/bus, and then I got some groceries for my hotel room so I don't have to eat out all week. I loved how grocery shopping was a complete crap shoot. It was a little easier with Nate with me since he's picked up quite a bit of Korea, but I'm pretty sure when I go on my own I'm going to end up with some interesting things. They definitely have all the basics though; I ended up with yogurt, bananas, milk, and Ritz crackers. And Mom, they do have plenty of bread and stuff, so that's comforting.

I came back to the hotel room Saturday afternoon and took a good, long nap. A group of teachers from my school came to pick me up that night ,and we took the subway into Seoul for another teacher's going away party. We first went to a hot-expat-spot called Carne Station--an all-you-can-eat/all-you-can-drink-for-twenty-dollars restaurant. The place was PACKED with expats...a new sight for me considering that in my neighborhood in Bundang, I sat on a park bench people-watching for twenty minutes and didn't see even one other westerner. Alright, so this place was crazy. First of all, you go through a line to fill your plate, and what you're dishing up are slabs and slabs and slabs of raw meat, which you then take back to your table and cook yourself over a little grill in front of you. How awesome is that? As much steak, pork, BACON, etc. as you can handle! Glorious. I even got a little adventurous and tried throwing some crazy-hot Korean sauce on the meat, wrapping the whole lot in lettuce, and eating it like a wrap like the locals do. There were also bucket loads of rice, noodles, fruit, and many, many, MANY other liquidy things I couldn't decipher. I steered clear of the squid and baby octopus...and there was no dog, Gina--sleep easy :).

Samsung Plaza at night- the heart of Bundang

So you've got all this food, and then on top of that, you also have unlimited access to an open bar. You literally go up and pour your own drinks of whatever kind of hard alcohol, beer, or wine you want. How do these people make any money? Our group had a great time, but was super tame in comparison with some of the other obnoxious North American groups frequenting the restaurant. With nasty expats stumbling all over the place, shouting loud obscenities, and taking shots of whiskey straight from the bottle on the streets, it's easy to see why English teachers here aren't exactly embraced by Koreans. It's too bad.
After Carne station, we went to a bar called Money Beach--a fun bar, and crazily decorated, but pretty much an American atmosphere. Most of the clubs in Seoul are open until 5:30 am, and that's when the Subway starts running again (shuts down at 12:30 am). We couldn't make it that long and took cabs home BEFORE sunrise.

Sunday, I went out exploring for a while again in the morning, but went to bed at 4:00 pm and didn't get up until the morning. Much needed sleep. Mr. Park came to pick me up at my hotel Monday morning for my first official day at the school, and that pretty much brings you up to speed. I'll save my experience at the school for the next post since this one's already way too long.

My first real Korean meal. Yep, I'm getting quite adventurous. But I won't lie--there's no way I tried that red stuff in the middle.

The people I've met so far are great. Most of the teachers at the school are from the Toronto area, but there are also a couple from the States, South Africa, and England. There are three other girls who just got here four weeks ago, one of whom--Liz--I'm going to be living with. We're excited about that because it's an actual two-bedroom apartment versus a studio...and I'm going to be much happier not living alone. We'll be moving in on Saturday. I'm actually going to miss the hotel though--not exactly roughin' it with a flat screen TV and jacuzzi tub :).
I've taken a few pics that I'll try to post soon, but it's weird...I feel really touristy and out of place whipping out my camera here since I'm usually like the only white person it sight and for SURE the only person taking pictures. It's different, too, I guess, since I'm living here and not just on vaca.

Thanks to all of you who have sent me messages. Love hearing from you! And I'm sorry if I haven't gotten back to you yet; I will soon :)

Missing you all lots! And come visit- Seoul is awesome :).

More to come soon...