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.
You're a brave and adventuresome person! LU
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