Korean Bikes

So, I bought a bike this week, which I am thoroughly enjoying. However, Korean bikes are... some very interesting things. Not to mention expensive. The cheapest bike I could find was 170,000 won (about $150~170).

I was torn in a debate between a cutesie bike that was only 170,000, and a folding bike that was 280,000. Now, you may be asking, "What the *** is a folding bike?" Well... it's just that. A folding bike is a bike that folds! haha
There is a kind of clip system in the middle of the bike where it has a hinge so you can rotate the bike around and fold it in half. It's very convenient for people living in small apartments.

However, if you think a folding bike is a strange idea, you obviously have no idea about Korean bikes in general. Mind you, you could run a Google search, but it isn't the same.... I shall try to take more bike pictures to share with you. In the meantime, there is...

While many Korean bikes just look old-fashioned, but are popular among the youth; some adult bikes look like large children's bikes, while still there are those that... just can't be explained with words. Such as, the "triangle bike".

You may think that many people aren't going to ride such a ridiculous contraption but.... it is used by boys and girls, young and old. Oddly, you can see them around a lot. Which I refuse to understand! haha



Now, what I don't understand about this country... the bikes are made to be small so that you can keep it inside. After all, if you keep it outside it could be stolen. STOLEN!
You have to understand... this country works on such a strong system of "trust". So why would anything be stolen?

You may be surprised the first time you go to the larger grocery store and watch as everyone just puts things right and left into their backpack while the attendants are watching. For me.... I was in shock, I was like "Hey, hey, are they stealing? Should we tell?".... No. It's the norm. They trust that you will take it all out and pay for it in the end. o_O

You can buy over $10,000 worth of something at a home goods type store and tell them you will pay by the end of the month... and they just go on trust.

But god forbid you leave your bike outside, chained or otherwise. It will disappear and you will be screwed because there isn't likely to be a creature on earth that is more lazy than a Korean police officer.

It is too strange for me to even begin to comprehend.

Anyways, on to other topics.

Notes on Korea

So, here I am in Korea... what a strange place sometimes. You don't know? Let me tell you!

NOSE PICKING: So, you will quickly learn if you come to Korea, it is perfectly fine to pick your nose in public. Yes. I'm not even kidding. No matter where you go, or what age/gender the person is (though unless they are very old or very young, it is usually men), you will see people picking their nose: on the street, on the bus, on the subway, in the restaurant. It is a local past time here and they see no harm in it.
One friend of mine interviewed for a job where the director told her that they wanted to make sure to teach the students traditions and proper manners. Her comment: "Like not picking your nose in public." His reply: *totally serious* "You mean you don't do that in America?"
Enough said.
Please note however, it is rude to blow your nose in public. This is something you should leave the room to do. No one wants to see that. But picking it is perfectly understandable.
BTW: From what I've seen in Korea, your finger will not turn green if you continuously pick your nose.

KOREAN AGE: Some people may already know about the Korean "age system", but did you know there are approximately 3 versions?
Yes, indeed. It is hard to know from one person to the next how old they really are. That is why I suggest just asking for the year they were born and doing the math yourself.
Version 1: When you are born, you are one year old already. This is the only understandable thing about their ages. It also exists in all three versions I've heard, but is the only requirement for this version.
Version 2: When you are born, you are one year old already. Then, on New Year’s Eve (even if you were born two minutes before or less), you turn two years old. Then you add a year on at every birthday as per usual.
Version 3: When you are born, you are one year old already. Then, on New Year’s Eve (even if you were born two minutes before or less), you turn two years old. Then for that whole year you are two. The next year you are three. You have a birthday, but it means nothing. Your age is just determined by what year it is and not if you're birthday has passed.
If you don't agree, don't tell me. These are all direct explanations I was given by different Korean people. In other words, if you come to Korea, or meet a Korean, the best thing to do to learn their age is to either ask them the year of birth, or ask for the American age.

BATHROOM NOISES: This is a subject with several interesting bits and pieces to it.
Apparently, it is okay for men (at least old men) to fart in public. They do it anywhere, in the train, department stores, at dinner... all over. Basically, it always happens and no one pays attention to it at all. One day a man let out a loud one on a train and no one even blinked an eye. *but I'm sure they were all thinking about it*
My friend told me this one: If you are in Seoul, feel free to fart. Apparently it is so loud in Seoul that no one is likely to notice. Also, the sewage system here sucks *especially in Seoul* and it always smells like sewage anyways. Therefore, if you stink, no one will notice, if you're loud, no one will hear. She does it whenever she feels like it and no one has ever noticed.
Woman's bathrooms are another interesting place. Since, obviously, women never poop or fart (since it is so impossible for men to comprehend our bodies work the same as theirs), there are noise machines in the woman's bathroom for just such an occasion as she might make any sound when she pees or... otherwise.
If you come here girls, no need to fear, they won't blow up! They just make some nice water/static noise for a few minutes so you can let it all out! God forbid you make a noise!

DRIVING: Though my Korean friends assure me that there are rules to the road here in Korea, I have yet to see any that might exist and actually be followed.
Standing at the traffic light you will watch as car after car and bus after bus go right through the red light. Mind you, I don't mean the way we hit the gas to make the light in America, or how a few random **** go through the light on a whim. No. I mean, at least every other person will just, mosey on through the light whenever they feel that they have waited long enough and it needs to be their turn.
I have no idea how these people live so long with the way they drive.
I have yet to see a stop sign in this country. My friend assures me that they exist, if you go far enough into the mountains and countryside, but never in a city or decent sized town. Instead you will see a white line drawn on the road where they are supposed to stop.... you won't see them stop though.
There are so many things I could point out about their driving, but you would have to see it and live it to understand. If I learned to drive in Korea, I wouldn't fear driving in any American city again. I've been to so many and never seen worse driving than here.

The greatest *in a very sarcastic way* part of the driving laws in Korea would have to be left turns. In Korea, it is a well-known fact that left turns are dangerous. They are so dangerous, in fact, that in many places, wherever there are many lanes and lots of traffic, they are usually illegal.
Now, why is this so weird you wonder...? Well, let me tell you!
This is ridiculous simply because, while left turns are dangerous and illegal, it is perfectly legal to make a U-turn wherever and whenever you damn well feel like it. I can't count the number of times we've come up to the turn and the driver said "No, no, no left turn", then about 20 feet after the light they pull a U-turn into oncoming traffic and your life flashes before you as you wonder where about the in-existence of common sense in this country.

If you think I am ridiculing my current home too much, I will simply add a link that says it all for me and leave it at that.
Fan Death
Just search any article on the reported cases of "fan death" in Korea then tell me that I'm wrong. Really! It's too much sometimes.
However, I guess it makes for an interesting Halloween costume~

Korea Life Blog 6 -- Insa-dong and Baseball

I realize I am late and early with this post. Late because I didn't post last weekend (since I've been posting one a week) and early because it's not Sunday yet. ;)

Anyways, it has been interesting. On Friday the 2nd, I woke up at about 1 am coughing and with a swollen throat. I barely made it through work and then dinner with my friend without passing out, but somehow I managed to make it home. My tonsils have been swollen since, and though I know I should go to a doctor, I am reluctant. I hate doctors when I speak the same, or basically the same, language as them. I am wary of going to a Korean doctor. In the meantime, I have learned from my friend that one of the worst things you can get here is tonsillitis, it is apparently much worse here. As it is the first time for me to have it, I will just believe her.

In the meantime, I've been busy despite my discomfort.

Last Saturday, my friend came from Daejeon and, with a new Korean friend I made last week, we toured her around Seoul before bringing her back to enjoy Jeongja at night. I walked her butt off as is my way~ :)

On Sunday, I saw her off again and continued to Seoul where I finally made it to Insa-dong, a nice traditional area (and tourist trap) in Seoul. It was very nice. I was able to buy some fun things to send home (should I ever make it to the post office).

I had some lovely and somewhat odd tea in a nice cafe with friends and enjoyed it immensely. The cafe was really lovely and the tea came out looking very decorative, so I took pictures~








Then I was taken to the stadium to watch my friends favorite team, the Twins, play some baseball! I even bought a baseball jersey to get in the mood! haha (so not me!)


The game, however, was rained out, and we lost.... very, very badly.
So then we went to an amazingly cheap place to eat some cold noodles, which are lovely too.

Then another week of teaching and.... DRAMAS! I have been spending my free time in the week watching Korean dramas and movies for amusement. They are rather funny.

Today I was supposed to meet someone... I went to Seoul (Coex) to meet them. I left early out of boredom and spent some time wandering on my own waiting. Luckily, Stefanie called me, about five minutes before I got a text that told me my plans had been cancelled.... she came over and we did some shopping.

Oddly, I spent a lot of money (a LOT) but I am happy with all my purchases.

I bought two books and a nice map of Korea to look at for plotting evil deeds... or just trips. I bought "The Little Prince" because I have never actually read it and it seems I should, and "Daddy-Long-Legs" which I have read as a Korean manga, watched as a Korean movie, and will probably watch as a Korean drama. I had no idea it wasn't a Korean story... Mind you, I started it on the train and I didn't think I would ever detach myself from it.... it took strength. It has also taken a good deal of willpower not to pick it up again tonight. I find I am enjoying the original even more, and I rather liked the take-offs. I forgot how happy a good book could make me!

I also bought a CD. Though I went in looking for new Korean music to 'study' from, the CD I wanted was sold out.... so I bought a Japanese CD. "I Am Me" Matsushita Yuuya. A very good buy oddly. I bought it because he is a cute boy and looks like a young Gackt... I was wondering if it was a good idea, but once I put it in the computer... I haven't stopped listening to it! He is a good singer. I'm very happy.

I also went clothes shopping. I went to the sales and got about 5-6 new summer shirts! I know, imagine finding clothes that fit in Korea! Though jeans are likely impossible, they do have a lot of "one-size" shirts. I didn't really think I would like them, but I got some.

Strangely, I like them all, and I am glad I bought them. It was apparently a great day for shopping for me! However, I need to start watching my money more. I have been keeping track of all my purchases and I am spending too much. However, much of it is just settling down stuff or souvenirs to send home, so it should be fine.

I will get paid next Monday and need to send half my paycheck home to pay on my loans, but it does seem to be an easy living here. Even if food is over-priced! :-p

I really love my town.

It's weird. Though I may never be happy with any job, since it is too easy to find fault when I have to deal with other people.... but I like my apartment, I like my students (usually), and I LOVE this town!!!

But no, I am not homesick. I cannot imagine missing Indiana when I have mountains and oceans within just a few hours ride. A cheap ride on the trains and/or buses, where I don't have to drive or be bothered with road rage, is nice. All in all, the children stress me out, and sometimes the boss, but I can always go home and just... relax.

I like it.

Korea Life Blog 5 -- Dongnimmun

Yesterday, I decided I needed to get out more. So I got on the train and traveled to the far Northwest side of Seoul. A friend told me of some areas that had more old-fashioned or traditional style buildings, so I wanted to check it out. However, what I found was much different from what I was planning for, but it was an interesting and fulfilling journey.

I went on Line 3 to Dongnimmun (Metro map). From there I was planning on walking to Anguk from there and see many things on the way. Mind you, I saw many things~ but I didn't make it to Anguk the way I planned. :)

At Dongnimmun I was able to see the Independence Memorial Park (Seodaemun Independence Park). It is like a small park, or walk-through museum about the Japanese invasion in Korea and the ways the Japanese tortured the Koreans. It is very interesting with many recreations of events and areas, if a little one-sided.



When I left there, I started walking toward the next stop toward Anguk, but I was distracted by a large mountain... and I decided I wanted to test it out. So I crossed the street and started to make my way through the winding streets and steep inclines. In about an hour, I found myself on a mountain. Around that time, I also realized that I hadn't eaten for more than 24 hours (because I'd forgotten dinner and breakfast and still hadn't had lunch) and I had no water or anything to drink. Basically, my blood sugar was getting low and I was sweaty, miserable, and unwilling to turn around and not reach my goal! However, in another hour, I had to give up and start looking for a way down. Eventually I was somewhat lost, but not totally. There were always the random army boys posted to keep watch around the mountain if I needed them, but I was determined to go it alone.

So, eventually I found a path leading down and took a short break on a large rock overlooking the local town. Then after going off the path, or on a little used path, I came upon an abandoned apartment building that I decided to explore.

However, my findings were rather disturbing to a small town person like me. Even though it's an abandoned building with broken glass and no windows or doors in place... but there in the bottom apartment, someone was still living in it. Not only that, but there were many children's things lying about. Imagining what it is like to grow up there, or to go to school without being able to take friends home....

It bothers me that here in Korea, if it isn't new, it's old, and if it's old, it's no good. My Korean friend lives in a building that was built in 2004-2005. I said it's nice, he said 'No way. It's an old building. I really want to live somewhere new.'
What will happen when this tiny country runs out of space to put their new buildings? Will they finally take down the old abandoned ones and rebuild there? And what will happen to the people who live there?

This is why I hate cities. This is why I am such a country girl, I guess. I know how to make sense about land!

Anyways, I freaked out my friends on accident, by texting that I couldn't hang out with them because I was "lost on a mountain" without thinking. After that, I received a call from a worried friend asking if there was someone nearby I could give the phone to. So when I made it down the mountain, past the abandoned buildings I went into a convenience store and handed the phone to the owner. I was then placed on a bus with great care as the man told the driver that I was a lost person who needed to get to the subway. I was then dropped off at the stop near the subway, where the bus driver proceeded to honk for my attention and point me to the right entrance. They were all very nice and helpful, and it made me feel guilty that I had troubled them. However, it's always nice to find good people who are so willing to go out of their way to help a crazy “lost” foreigner.

So, in the end, it was an adventure and a good learning experience.

Korea Life Blog 4 -- Cell Phone!

I meant to write this sooner, but a friend was having a crisis... and now many people are talking to me, so let's see what we get.

So where to begin? Starting from the last post: I still haven't made it to the post office, mainly because I was running out of money, but I know where it is now. Since my school has FINALLY paid me back for the ticket (which is a whole different area of problems) I should be able to make it there this week. I also found the 'special' trash bags that I need after trying out about 6 different convenience stores. Stefanie helped me, and the first one she walked into had them. It was so small I didn't see it before. haha.
I had to pay $100 to extend my TEFL, but now I have another 3 months, so it should be no problem. I'm getting used not being able to rely on my work. My co-workers are nice, but they have been so busy and stressed about their own work.
I visited the Japanese Hagwon, and went for my "free" class ^^. It was hard! haha. Because the default language is Korean and I don't understand it, I couldn't quite keep up. So I will study my Japanese more before I go back. But they were really nice and I really want to study there.
I also found the closest place for the 'free' Korean classes.... but I can't make it to the class for beginners because I work too late on those days. So I need to find another one.

I am finally starting to adjust to things here... I think. Some things are just too difficult, but maybe I can learn to ignore them... or I'll pretend to and then talk about it on here! haha

I am still annoyed by people who just stare me down wherever I go. I also get annoyed when my friends... I know they mean well... but they tell me that I'll get used to it, or worse "It didn't happen. Just ignore everything." I wish I could sometimes. But I don't want to close my eyes to the great things I can find just because there are a few (or many) idiots who think I am an escaped zoo creature. It actually bothers me more when they tell me to ignore it though. One day I was walking with two of my Korean friends. This old man was walking by and staring at me with his eyes wide open... he almost ran into one of my friends and he even craned his body to keep staring at me as he went around my friend. I asked "did you see that?" knowing there was no way to miss it... but no. This is Korea, so "it didn't happen". They tried to convince me they saw nothing.... It's too much. Another friend tried to tell me that "Koreans are shy". They aren't used to making eye contact, so they will be embarrassed if I look at them while they stare at me.... No way! They are not embarrassed at all. From the old people to the middle school kids (the younger ones too, but let's say they don't know any better) they will stare you down. O_O
However, I have had one person actually smile at me—a genuine smile. I was so happy. I smiled back and even remembered to say hello in Korean. :)
Also, the day of the Korea World Cup game, I wore a Korean jersey and had a Korean logo painted on my face.... Many people smiled at me that day! Some people said 'Hello' or 'Korea fighting!' to me. It was nice to "fit in" for once~ haha.

You also have to get used to the fact that you are a foreigner
. So many things are difficult. I finally got a bank account, and my bank card. And once my school reimbursed my ticket, I was able to get a phone. However, it is another feat. My co-worker was going to take me to where she got her phone, because the owner speaks English... but since the world cup is happening, she was too tired after staying up to watch the European teams play. So she gave me directions... very vague ones, and I went to look. I found only one store that I decided could have been it and went in.... yeah. I stood there for 20 minutes. They helped the people who came in at the same time as me; they helped the people who came in after me.... I was annoyed. After 20 minutes he must have decided I wasn't leaving, because he looked at me for the first time and said something in Korean that may have been 'I’ll help you next' or 'what do you need' from his intonation. Then he turned back to the other people... I left.

I went to meet some Korean friends of mine though and they helped me to find a good free phone and get a 2 year plan with SK. So I am all set. It's not the I-phone, but it's a nice phone, and free so I can't complain!

There is always more to come, but now I must sleep. Tomorrow is a long day, so I need to be well rested.
I really will try to get some more useful posts up soon, now that my stress level has gone down.