More on South Korea

So my whole plan to keep writing all kinds of things about my adventures in South Korea definitely stopped. Part of me is apologetic about this but the other part remembers how tired I was. It's really draining moving to a new place you know nothing about starting a new job, being illiterate, not being able to communicate, being exposed to new germs and getting sick, and much more.

Despite all of the transitional things that come with the adventure, I have been eojoying my time here in South Korea. It truly is amazing to not have to have a car. Things are very cheap and there is so much to do!

One thing that I love about Korea is that it is definitely a night time culture. People tend to stay out all night (and not just on the weekends). The main grocery store in my town doesn't even open until 10am and closes at 12am. It's delightful. I mean for me it is because I am definitely not a morning person. I haven't experienced much of the night life though because by the time I am done teaching for the day, I can be pretty spent but I do enjoy going to dinner with my coworkers. Mind you we have dinner around 9 or 10pm. Again something to get used to but I enjoy it. It's really fun.

Something else I enjoy are all the small businesses. I am very curious to know how the small business world works around here. I feel like they are doing something better and different than we do in the States because small business people seem to do really well. Now maybe my perspective is skewed because I have never lived in a city before but that's how it seems. There are small businesses everywhere! And by everywhere I literally mean that. In spaces you couldn't even imagine fitting a thing there will be a small store. Korea is very resourceful in using space. It can get a bit tight with other people around but it's creative and beautiful to see the small businesses everywhere. It boggles my brain that all of them can make a profit with so much competition. There can be many of the same time of restaurant all in the same place and some how people go to those places. It makes my heart happy.

The subway is both amazing and a little terrifying. I can take the subway to get just about anywhere in the Seoul area and even beyond. It's also really cheap and super fast. But, you never really know who crowded it is going to be. I didn't even understand how many people you can fit on the subway. I remember thinking once, there is no way we can fit more people onto this car. We are full. (and by full, I mean not having any personal space and standing right next to someone on all sides of you). I was wrong. Those people got on the subway and somehow we squished closer together. I told you Korea is extremely resourceful with small spaces. Anyway being American, this can be quite difficult. I am used to my personal space. I am accostumed to being able to move around and people move out of the way and vice versa. That's just not how the culture is here and it can get a bit overwhelming at times. Sometimes it makes me really angry and other times I remember that just because it's different doesn't make it wrong or rude. So I like taking the subway....most days. :-)

Well that's all I have to share right now but I will share more in the future. Read if you're interested.