My visa run...

In the middle of June I got an urgent email from Mr. Park explaining that I needed to obtain my visa ASAP because I would be leaving for Korea in July.  Unfortunately, our government was ‘months behind’ on paperwork and my FBI background check (which I needed in order to obtain my visa) was just sitting in a pile of papers waiting to be sorted through.  Granted there was nothing I could do, but SLP needed me desperately (Janet, the woman I was replacing could not wait any longer to return home).  So they sent me to Korea without a visa to begin work.  Now before anyone gets hot and bothered by this, just know you can live in Korea for up to 3 months without a visa (to be honest, I’m not sure if working is legal- but I know SLP would have my back if anything were to come up).  For many, this might have seemed like a nuisance- but for me it was a blessing.  I ended up getting a free trip to Japan for 4 days!  And by free I mean that SLP paid for my flight, and my parents paid for my hotel for 3 nights (thanks mom and dad!!).  Oh, and I got to take 2 days off of work- SCORE!

Japan is like a better Korea.  Now don’t get me wrong, Korea is amazing… but Japan is sunny- so it automatically wins!  After not sleeping at all the night before, I boarded a bus at 5:30am for an hour long bus ride to the airport.  There, I waited for 3 hours for my 9:40 flight (why I took a 5:30 bus… I’ll never understand).  The flight to Fukuoka, Japan was about an hour from Ansan.  Fukuoka is closer to Seoul than it is to Tokyo.   The first thing I did when I got there was take a cab to the South Korean Consulate.  After this approximately $55 cab ride, I realized I would need to master the subway station before I went broke.  I dropped my passport off and was instructed to come back at 10am the following day to pick it up.  I was eager to get to my hotel and take a nap, so I took another ridiculously expensive cab ride back (I had no idea where I was going so I had no choice).  I checked into the Reisenkaku Hotel Ekimae went to my room on the 9^th floor- and slept for 3 hours.

My hotel

When I woke up I decided to learn about my surroundings- so I ended up walking around for about 4 hours.  I walked up and down any street I saw.  Fukuoka was really a great place to stay; I was not bored just wandering around for hours.  Finally, I decided it was time for dinner, I ended up eating a burger place (I know, not sushi!).  I went for a teriyaki burger though, for some Asian flare.  It was already getting late, so I stopped in a café for some tea, then headed back to my hotel.  I was going to be at the consulate at 10am on the dot tomorrow, I needed to get my visa right away so I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore.

The following morning I woke up very well rested, ready for a day of adventure.  I headed to the Starbucks I had found the previous night and ordered a low-fat iced Vanilla bean frappuccino (my first of about 20 throughout the 4 days I was there).  The barista kind of laughed at me, I think it was due to the fact that I ordered the only thing labeled as “low-fat” on the menu (such an American).  On my way out of Starbucks a Nigerian man approached me.  I was interested in making some friends for my few days there; at least I’d have someone to hang out with.  However, after getting oddly hit on (his first question to me was “are you married”) I decided it might just be better to spend the next few days alone. 

After picking up my visa, I headed out on my first adventure of the trip- I was going to the zoo which also had a botanical garden to explore.  I hopped on the subway… took it a few stops down.  Then my instructions told me to take a bus, which would stop right in front of the zoo.  I got off at the right subway stop, but didn’t know how to get to the right bus.  So I asked this man who worked in the subway/bus station.  He spoke no English, brought me to a phone where you could talk to an English-speaking person.  I spoke on the phone to this guide, who then translated to my worker friend.  The man then proceeded to leave his job and walk me through the streets of Japan to the bus stop.  He waited with me until I got on the bus, and then explained to the bus driver where I was going.  People here are all very nice and helpful.  If they can’t help you they’ll take you to someone who can help you.  I also met an old Japanese woman on the bus, she spoke beautiful English.  She asked me where I was from and what I was doing in Japan.  She also asked me if there were any specific animals I was looking for at the zoo.  I said no, that I was just going because I like animals, she laughed at me- it made me feel like I was too old to be going to the zoo, maybe I was.

I spent about 4 hours at the zoo/gardens.  The sun was beating down on me, burning me to a crisp.  I was also getting attacked by mosquitoes.  The zoo was also somehow completely all uphill on an intense incline.  So after 4 hours I decided to head back to my next activity (a visit to Ohori Park).  I somehow found the bus that would take me back to somewhere I knew.  I loved the bus.  It was air-conditioned and bug-less.  I then took a subway to Ohori Park… a beautiful and relaxing spot.  I literally just sat there for 2 hours.  The park is also home to the Fukuoka Art Museum, in which I saw a really cool Buddhist exhibit.  After the park I walked around looking for the Ruins of Fukuoka Castle, I really believe I was in the middle of the ruins but didn’t see anything that seemed ruin-ish.  So after walking around aimlessly for an hour, I bought a hotdog from a lady in a van and headed back.

There are so many shrines and temples around Fukuoka- you could literally spend a whole day walking around looking at them.  So that’s exactly what did.  I’m not exactly sure which shrines are which but some I saw were Kushida Shrine, Shofukuji Temple and Jotenji Temple.  They were all beautiful and spiritual (I actually ended up watching some people pray in them).  Very cool to see! 

Canal City is this huge mall in Fukuoka.  Some of it is outside, or just open to the outside.  I went one night just to check it out and saw this laser light sprinkler show for kids.  It’s really just a DJ playing music for kids to run around in sprinklers too.  It was very interesting to be in an “outdoor” type mall.  There were many two buildings of the mall which were connected by these overpass walkways.  There were also many small alleyways around the mall which were just lined with smaller stores and boutiques.  It was easy to lose track of time just walking around looking at everything.

 

Udon noodles are very popular in Japan.  It’s basically just a noodle dish topped with different things (fish paste, veggies, etc). There was a small ‘restaurant’ right next to my hotel.  What you do is walk in, put money in a vending machine type thing, and press a button of the food you want to eat.  I, of course, got a spicy noodle dish.  Every time I went back I promised myself I’d try something different, but I love spicy food too much to pass up on it.  I also ate a lot of gyoza  which are basically dumplings.  Very delicious!

Going to Japan was an amazing experience! Before coming to SLP I was nervous about not having my visa, knowing I’d have to go on a “visa run”.  However, it ended up being a great thing… I got a trip out of it all! It was exciting to see the country on my own, with no real plans.  A very relaxing four days!

My week off...

I happened to join SLP right before their summer vacation.  I worked for a week, was starting to figure out my routine- and then I had one week off! Of course, everyone had planned exotic vacations for that week- to Thailand, Japan, Philippines, etc.  I, of course, did not have enough time to plan my own vacation.  However, this was a great opportunity for me to explore Korea a little more and get more acquainted with my new home.

My first trip out, I went to Itaewon.  This is a small city district in Seoul.  This area draws tourists in for its ‘great’ shopping.  By ‘great’, I mean that it is home to a variety of stores found in the United States.  I guess you could say it was a taste of home- which was nice (I got a coffee from Starbucks which was great)!  It was a perfect place to spend my first day of vacation.  I walked around- walking in and out of stores (I found plenty of small Korean boutiques as well).  I didn’t take many pictures… but I did find this cool view and decided it was interesting enough to share!

On my second day of vacation I decided to do something super touristy…  I decided to go to a few museums.  The day started with my normal routine- waking up late, going to the gym, then coming home and researching what to do that day.  I found the Seoul Museum of Art and decided that sounded like a good place to start.  So I made the 15 minute walk to the subway and the hour ride into Seoul.  When I got out of the subway I ended up near some rally- I quickly turned around and walked the other day (I’m still new here I don’t need to be peacefully organizing against anything yet!).   After walking through side streets aimlessly for 20 minutes I finally found the museum.  The exhibits I saw were pretty cool and interesting.  I wish I wrote down the artists names… but of course I didn’t.   After leaving the museum quicker then I had hoped I needed to find another activity to occupy my day.  I ended up where the protest had been before and noticed that I was outside some sort of palace.  Intrigued… I entered.  Deoksu Palace was so beautiful!  Lots of interesting buildings to see, beautifully landscaped- I was immediately happy I had found this place.  There was also a museum which was showing “American Art”- a nice taste of home again! I have to admit, I enjoyed the exhibit at the Seoul Museum of Art more! 

My third and fourth days of vacation were kind of a blur… I somehow managed to spend those days in Ansan and mostly in my apartment.  But hey, totally relaxation all day is what vacation is really all about!

Friday had come and after doing nothing for two straight days I was ready for some excitement.  I found a website (ansananswers.com) which provided a lot of information about restaurants and things to do in the area.  Of course, when I came across another Mexican restaurant I had to go try it.  Tomatilo was my point of interest that day, and as much as I was anticipating it I decided I needed to do something else to fill up my day.  I decided to go back to Myeong-dong in Seoul.  The atmosphere there had been great my first time and I knew it was a place where I could easily spend a few hours.  I got lost through the streets- using places like American Apparel, Forever21 and The Gap as my points of interest and navigation system.  Finally… it was Tomatilo time!  I eventually found the subway station and took it a few stops and a transfer to Jonggak.  The restaurant was too easy to find and I realized I needed to waste another hour or so before it was an acceptable dinner time.  I ended up walking around and eventually turned the corner and saw this beautiful mountain in the distance.  I needed a closer look.  After walking about a mile I realized in front of this mountain was some sort of palace.  I was eager to go inside and see what beautiful buildings where hiding behind the walls.  Walking for what seemed forever, I eventually realized it was closed- fail.  But, I always try to see the silver lining in situations, so I quickly turned around and headed back to my original destination- Tomatilo.  As I entered, a total relaxation sense came over me- it was very Chipotle-ish!  I had found heaven!! The food was great, and probably about as Mexican as I’m going to get in Korea, and it will do.  I can’t wait for my next trip there!

My first trip to Seoul...

Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea; it is also one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world.  There are many different places to go in Seoul.  On my first trip, I went with a friend from work- she had said she was going shopping and to a Mexican restaurant she had found online- so honestly, how could I resist.

The subway station is 2 minutes away from the school I work at and the school is about a 15 minute walk from my apartment.  We entered the subway station, Hanyang University at Ansan.  We walked onto the platform and only had to wait a few moments for the music to start playing, indicating our subway was arriving.  After about an hour on the train, we were in Myeong-dong, in Seoul.  At first, where we were seemed like any other city, however, turning a few corners we found the shopping we were looking for.  It was instant gratification to see streets lined with different shops to go into.  Small boutiques, larger stores, people selling things right on the street… it was awesome. 

*This is the only picture I have that kind of does it justice

*Singing missionaries in the street

*ICE CREAM (people here love ice cream- it’s everywhere)

After walking around for a few hours, finally finding the Forever21 we had been looking for.  It was time to eat.  We took an extremely cheap cab ride a few blocks down.  After re-entering the subway hoping to cross under it to the other side, we eventually got a little lost.  Regaining our ground with some New York Fries and asking for directions, we eventually reached our final destination- Taco Rico.  Not necessarily the best Mexican I’ve had, but my Mexican food fix was achieved in the moment.

My first trip to Seoul had been a success.  I came home with a few new things to add to my wardrobe, a burrito in my stomach and an understanding of the subway.  I felt satisfied, but also eager to see more of what Seoul had to offer.

My shower...

I’ve decided to give my shower its' own post.  You may not agree that it is truly deserving of it, but trust me on this one- it is.  My shower is an attachment of my sink, not separate from my small bathroom.  Needless to say, figuring out the proper way to shower was indeed a challenge.

When I first got here, my shower was just hanging out in the sink.  A handheld head, turned on by the twist of a knob.  My first shower was an adventure in itself.  Not only did I clean myself, but I managed to get the whole bathroom soaking wet in the process.  I knew there was a strategic way for this to work, and I quickly figured it out.  When placed in the attachment on the wall, and tilted at just the right angle I am able to shower adequately.  However, I still remove my towel and toilet paper from the bathroom to avoid getting them soaking wet.  Now, my greatest challenge is remembering to turn off the hot water when I get out!

My first few days...

Arriving here I expected some sort if wild and crazy culture shock.  Maybe I was jet-lagged, maybe I was tired, maybe I was too excited- but I felt comfortable and at ease the moment I landed.  Well, let me back track for a minute there.  I got picked up in the airport by a cab that was waiting for me; we drove for about 45 minutes to Ansan, Gyenoggi-do, South Korea (my new home), and the next thing I remember we were at my apartment.  The cab driver spoke no English whatsoever, and when we got to my place he just emptied his van and then drove around the corner… leaving me there. 

*my apartment in daylight

I stood awkwardly for a few minutes, reevaluating the decision I had made to come to Korea in the first place.  When I saw him walking around the corner to come meet me, relief flooded over me.  We waited for Mr. Kim to arrive with the keys to my place.  Walking up two flights of stairs I was so anxious for my new home to be revealed. I walked through the doors to a small kitchen, a LARGE bed, a mounted flat screen, fridge, a washing machine (no dryer) and some sort of armoire.  With the pink flowered wallpaper on one side, flowered red on the other side- I could really see potential here.  After about a week I had officially unpacked and made this place my own.

*my place all unpacked (and clearly lived in)

After settling in, shaking of my nerves, I got into my un-sheeted bed (Mr. Kim had bought me two blankets to sleep on).  I had a big day tomorrow, my first day at SLP.  I feel asleep in an instant, woke up eager and excited for what was in store.  The two days I spent training were a blur.  Next thing I knew it was the weekend.  After a delicious Indian meal, a few drinks with some other teachers, I went to bed- excited for the next day, my first trip to Seoul.

My beginning...

It seemed like yesterday when I was sitting on my bed in New Jersey talking on the phone to Don Park for the first time.  It was actually in December.  I remember shooing my mom out of my room, only to follow her a few minutes later with these words typed out for her to see “HE SAYS HE CAN GET ME A JOB IN KOREA”.  I also remember her rolling her eyes at my excitement.  We both never really thought it would happen; I was just excited to learn I would have a job after my graduation.

As I entered second semester at school I did not really think I would be leaving the country in a few months for a job.  I followed up with Mr. Park, started filling out all my paperwork for him, but I searched for other, ‘local’ (in a sense), jobs.  And surprise, surprise- I found none!  That’s when the reality of this wild adventure began to set in.  I had no reason, no excuse, to not take this opportunity which was handed to me. 

So I went forward with it all.  An FBI background check, college diploma and visa application later, I was on a plane… on my way to South Korea.  I left on Tuesday, July, 19- headed to California first for a 5 hour layover.  After a quick visit with my brother, Nathan, in Cali I was on Asiana Airlines flight 201, seat 54A, ready for my 14 hour flight….

*Nathan and me at Venice Beach

* the first view I had of Korea