Korean living daily tip #2

Disclaimer: all opinions expressed are my own and based entirely on my personal experience. Things may change depending on situations and just because it happens one way one place doesnt mean it will always be that way. Please keep this in mind when reading and/or commenting.

Now on to tip #2. There is no right of way for people who are walking. This is seen most in subway stations and on sidewalks. While the general "rule" is to stay to the right, hardly anyone follows the rule. There are arrows suggesting it and videos urging it (for people to stay right) but 95% of the time people ignore it and go where they want. This is most stressful and annoying when trying to go up or down stairs. A full wave of people will be coming down, stretched from one side to the other, and you will have to bob and weave to make your way up. That is if you can manage to even make space. Now, most people I know just push on through. This is generally how the Koreans do it too, this observation based on being someone they have repeatedly pushed past. Yet, I am a bit too timid, so I usually just have to be the bob-and-weaver or wait for the flow of people to lessen.

Also, and I am sorry this post ended up being more of a rant, watch out for people who will literally cross the length of space just to walk where you are. For instance, you are walking on the right and another person is on the walking toward you but on the left. There is a I chance that person on the left will cross the way and walk directly toward you expecting you to move. It becomes a game of chicken, and I always lose because I cave and move to let the person pass. Perhaps it is complete coincidence, but it happens too often for me to believe it.

Anyway, enough complaining from me today. It is not always bad, but it is something to keep in mind when you are in busier cities.

Korean living daily tip #1

I plan on trying to post short, often quirky, little tips now and again as I roam through various parts of Korea (mostly Seoul but hopefully other places too) since I never really manage to get longer more detailed posts finished. These will be tips (or info) that may help you know what to expect in daily life in Korea. These are from my viewpoint as living in Seoul, so they may not apply to everyone or every place. So on to my first one:

Sneaky escalators! Here, unlike in some other places I have been (mainly North America), the escalator may appear to be broken when infact it is really just sleeping. Way to go conserving energy, Korea. Seriously, if people arent using it, they often stop, but will usually start back up as you walk up to it. I am sure this happens in other countries too, but it was something I had never personally seen before. I would walk up saying, "awww that sucks," then it would start up as I got closer. It seems that a broken escalator will usually have a sign blocking it completely, so dont be too disappointed at first glance if you see a still escalator. It likely is just waiting for you to get closer before it starts.

Attic Cat / Cat Attic - cat cafe in Gangnam

I love cat cafes. Luckily I have a great one only a block away from my apartment. If you go to Gangnam Station, exit 10...take an immediate left down a little street (sort of a driveway, or more of a parking lot when I went). There was a person dressed up like an orange cat with a sign pointing the right way, but he/she may not always be there. Still you will see a building with green and yellow bubbles. That is where you turn.

Anyway, walk a short ways until that road ends. The cat cafe will be in front of you (a little to the right) on the 4th floor of the building. You will see a place named Pomato, and the cafe is to the right of that. The cat cafe sign will be on the wall of windows above the 7-11. The elevator is through the door immediately left of the 7-11.

Okay so on to the cafe itself. If you have read about any other cat cafes this is pretty much the same. You walk in, put some slippers on (putting your shoes in a cubby hole), and disinfect your hands. There are also spare sets of slippers for use if you need to run off to the restroom while you are visiting the cafe - this way you don't have to waste time putting on your shoes. Then you go through another door and up to the counter, pay your $8 or 8,000 won, then order a drink (the first drink is free with the entry fee). Then you have a seat. This place was also cool enough to have little cabinets for you to put your things. Somewhere in this process, you will be introduced to the rules, which vary per cat cafe but are pretty much all the same (don't feed the cat human food or drink, don't wake sleeping cats, don't mess with cats when they are eating, don't pull cat's tails, don't pick up and hug cats, etc).

  Then you start enjoying the orgy of cat love that is running, lounging, stalking, or sleeping in the room. My previous cat cafe visit was lacking in cat loving. Most of the cats seemed disinterested in people and a little on the snooty side. I figured this was the norm since cats aren't always the most sociable with people they don't know (as opposed to dogs who love you the moment you walk in the door). This cafe, however, had lots of loving cats eager for pets and attention. 

Periodically, one of the workers (possibly the owner or manager of the place) would come out and either give people a little cat food on their hands to feed to the cats, pass out snacks to give to the cats (the kittens were not allowed the food or the treats, which was a little sad but I guess I understood it), or use a pole with a feather on a string to make the cats play and do various tricks - not to mention some instructed mischief. He had a lot of fun with it, the cats seemed to enjoy it, and the patrons all laughed and played along.
 

 

I stayed for quite a while (there is no time limit for staying beyond their normal business hours) before I decided I really needed to go and get some productive things done, but not before one of the cats took up residence on my coat (which I had sitting on the bench). That cat slept peacefully for some time before I finally had to nudge him off so I could leave. That was a sad time indeed.

Finally, I gave the girl at the desk my empty cup, traded my slippers for my tennis shoes, then I headed down and out of the building. Luckily, it's so close, I know I can go back any time. There also seemed to be some sort of stamp/punch card you could get for return/repeat visits, so I will have to look into that for next time.

Attic Cat Cafe Info

website: http://www.godabang.com

phone number: 02-3481-3123 (in Korea)

open hours: I believe it is 1pm ~ 10pm

--seems there are others in Myeongdong and Hongdae as well (and a few other places according to the website). I can't read the website, so I can't be certain of what it says.

The subway adventure continues...

I went for another search for Cool Pet/Dr. Pet and I finally found it. I took the subway again and actually did a transfer *gasp* which was interesting. It gets a little easier for me each time I go out. Monday I may be going to a different Cool Pet and I will have 2 transfers, so that will be the test.

So this time I found vending machines with hot drinks and made a few observations. Now the hot drink vending machine may be normal in other places but I have never seen them before (outside of anime and korean dramas). I had seen them before on my last visit but I didnt try them. I didnt try one todat either but I plan to test them out soon. An observation I made (one of a few) was that subway stations can be dangerous to the bank account. Every time I go in one, I buy something from one of the miltitude of shops that are there. If I am not stopping for a coffee and donuts or buying some kind if beauty product, then I am buying some gadget or accessory or I am stopping at one of the many convenience stores down there. It is bad enough I do the same thing at street level, but now even underground when all I wanted was to catch a train or cross the street safely (if there wasnt a cross walk).

Another observation...subways can get really crowded.  There also seems to be a whole lot of hurry up to wait kind if thing. People will push you around so they can get past you then simply stop in the middle of the walkway (or even on the stairs) whether someone is blocking their was or not. Now this is something I had heard about before (the people just stopping right in front of you), but I didnt believe it was as bad as it is. I can get used to it but I cant guarantee I wont run right into someone some day. Plus, I dont want to pick it up as a learned habit.

And a final note for the day...bathrooms. I finally found a restroom that didnt have toilet paper but that did have the communal roll outside by the sinks. You have to grab some on the way in, and hope you managed to get enough. There were both western-style and squat-potty-style (the hole in the floor that you squat over) toilets though - thank goodness, and they were both abundant and clearly marked on the stall doors. Now some may be thinking talking about the bathrooms is gross, but its something you have to me prepared for if you plan to go to Korea or many other asian countries. So there you have it.

I think I will document my next subway trip on video (or at least a slideshow) to help show others how to use the subway...just from my experience and perspective.

Back in Seoul

So I didnt mention I had left, but I am back in Seoul to start my first of 2 study abroad semesters (orientation is in a week). Today I took my first subway ride by myself. Most people may think that is no big deal but it was hard for me. People make me nervous. Small enclosed spaces make me nervous. New things make me nervous. Needless to say I am a nervous person. If anyone has seen My Flowerboy Neighbor (or whatever its called)...then I am like the lead girl. Anywho here I am wandering the street looking for pet vets and pet shops (looking for pet supplies) and feeling really good about my first solo subway ride (I have only been on it one other time more than a month ago and that was with a friend). Yep it is time to step out of my box and see some of this great country (or at least the city...baby steps).

edit: pet store shopping was a bust. I was looking for cool pet which I am absolutely positive I saw while coming home (in a car) earlier in the day, but I just couldnt find it. On the way back (even easier than before though very crowded) I saw a band in the subway station and got some shots of a few other things (including the homeplus virtual shop).

My Blogger is in Korean, and...T-money!

Well, I am not sure how to change it, but my blogger is all in Korean (minus what I type). That is slightly annoying. It wouldn't be an issue if I was highly familiar with Blogger, but I am not so it is problematic. Anywho, moving on. Today was another little adventure. I went out and bought a T-money charm so I can use public transportation. I haven't actually attempted to use the subway yet, but baby steps. I felt pretty good though because I finally got to use some of the Korean I have learned. So far, up till purchasing the t-money charm, I had only managed to say simple things like Hello and Thank you. Today, I got to say, "sago sipoyo" (I butchered that romanized spelling, I'm sure) when explaining that I wanted to buy the t-money card. That felt good, and the woman at the counter l ooked infinitely more relieved that she didn't have to try to work it out in English.
After, I went for some tofu stew with ddeok (rice cake). It was really good. I am pretty much working my way down the menu at this one particular tofu stew place. First I had kimchi, then mandu (dumpling), and now the rice cake. Next I want to have the ham (looks like spam). I also went grocery shopping. It was a small haul of items; nothing too big, bulky, or that I really have to cook just yet, but I did pick up a few tasty things for dinner and a snack or two. While there, I spotted another foreigner. I guess he could be a native, who just so happens to have a white parent so he doesn't look Korean, but I don't think so. I didn't quite get up the guts to say hello, but it was nice not feeling like I was the only foreigner in the store (E-mart in Sindorim Techno Mart). On my walk back home, I saw yet another foreigner. I didn't talk to him either (damn my shyness!!). It was just odd. I have been here all week and I hadn't seen a single foreigner at all, and all in one day I spot 2. I guess it is likely because it is Saturday, and they are out doing their weekend thing (where they would have otherwise been teaching classes or working while I was out previously in the week).
Well, that's been my day so far. Perhaps there will be more to happen, but I will save that for another post.

HMart and Korean Food

So, I have been really super busy, but I have made time to stop at the HMart in Houston and pick up some things. First, let me say that that is the most awesome grocery store ever. I mean... really EVER. They have a cool section in the front like a mini-mall. I picked up some really nice headbands there. The one on the right, I wore to a wedding. It was a nice accessory and added some nice sparkle to the dress.

  

I also had a nice dinner in their food court, which has really good Korean food despite it being "food court" style. I had bibimbap and it was delicious! It came in a hot stone bowl, and came with soup and kimchi. So far, I've had it twice there. It is absolutely repeat visit kind of good.

Anywho, while I was there (I've been twice so far so this covers all of those visits) I picked up a few things to try. Check 'em out:

Okay, these chestnuts were just terrible. Perhaps they were bad, or perhaps it's something you either have to get used to or have to grow up with to like. Either way... they were bad. They tasted more like vienna sausages - which doesn't really fit in with the sweet part of the description on the bag. Don't worry all you Chestnut fans - I haven't given up on them forever. I will try them again when I can get some fresh roasted ones... some that don't come in a foil pouch. I will see if I like them better then. I hope so, because I was rather looking forward to liking them.

Oh, lovely lovely kimchi. This stuff is really tasty. From what I have heard, it isn't quite as spicy as it could be, but I am okay with that. I can add more spice if I want. I got some gochujang and red pepper powder, so there is plenty of spice to be had. Let me also say, I haven't had any kimchi that I didn't like. I did, however, find some in my local (non-Korean) market today and it sort of scared me. It looked really really bland, was full of water in the glass jar it came in, and had no color. It didn't look good at all. I thought about buying it just to try it, but decided to stick with what I already knew was good.

This wasn't something surprising, but I like Pepero. I already knew I liked Pocky, so this one was pretty much a given. I really wanted to get the one that was all fancy and had almonds or peanuts or some kind of nuts crushed into the chocolate but it came in a box the size of my head, so I passed on that this time. My birthday is coming up though, so I might buy it then. :p

And lastly I have some rice cakes. These were Strawberry and Blueberry flavored bean paste filled. Really it might sound weird if you don't already know what it is, but these things were DELICIOUS. It was just really too bad that one little thing was something like 400 calories. I ate 4 of them on my 6 hour drive from Houston to New Orleans, realized how many calories each had, and decided to ration out the rest. Additionally, I should note that these aren't Korean. They are actually wrapped up in a pink and purple Japanese package. That didn't matter. They were good, so I will have them again. There were a lot of other little rice cakes, some of them looked like regular flour cakes too, but most of them looked too messy to be eating while driving so I passed on them. I might get them another time or the next time I have an extended stay there in Houston.

Well, that's part of my haul I guess. I did get some other things that aren't included like ddeokbokki, the before mentioned gochujang paste and powder, and some fish cakes, but I will talk about those things later when I discuss making ddeokbokki for the first time in a later post. I also will weigh in on a kimchi stew meal I plan to make later in the week - but my family doesn't like the smell of kimchi so I sort of have to sneak it in when they are asleep or something. Bummer.

Yup, that's it for now. Let me know what you like to buy at the market and what you like to cook. If you have any cool recipes, let me know. I would like to learn to make more things. 

Who wants to go to Korea? I do!!

Yeah, so I originally wanted to do some youtube vlogs but that's not working as planned, so I will start with a blog. Oh yeah! So, what's the point? Here's the low-down.

I want to go to South Korea to teach English. If worse comes to worse, I will just visit, but I'd like to have something actively productive to do, plus I think being a teacher will help me obtain friends a lot easier than if I just go for a few months here and there without having any social connections. That point aside, I do still have to finish school first. *sad face* I am classified as a senior, but I have about a year left to complete my degree. So, the plan is to hop on the EPIK train and try for fall 2013. Hopefully I can make it in before all of the schools decide to follow Seoul's ways and drop the native English teachers.

What am I doing now? Well, for now I am doing a few things:
First, I am researching Korean culture, and starting to learn the language. I am using the supremely helpful talktomeinkorean.com for the language part, plus Rosetta Stone as well. I love Rosetta Stone, but I find TTMiK to be a lot more practical, especially since I can listen to the lessons in my car... something I can't do with Rosetta Stone. I have watched a multitude of videos from past and current English teachers in Korea, to get an idea of what I can look forward to, plus I've also been reviewing cultural and food videos, blogs, websites, etc for more Korea specific information.

Second, I have a recruiter lined up to help me search for a school once I am ready. We aren't on a daily active connection basis since it'll be a while still before I officially need their help, but it's nice to have someone to answer questions about the process when needed. I've started getting some of my paperwork requirements organized so I am ready (like lining up references and making sure I know what I need and when), though it'll still be a while before I need these things.

Third, and perhaps the most obvious, I am completing the required education portion and I will be working on certification... probably over the summer.

Lastly, I've been enjoying kpop and kdramas, perhaps more than is normal... I sort of include this in the first point, but make it separate since it's mostly for entertainment lol

There's probably still more I need to do, but I think I am making good headway to prepare myself. *nods*

That's going to be it for my first post here. Next time I will post about my first Korean food experience, and I may also include here some stuff as I am learning the Korean language. Overall, I will just post things as I think of them, chronicling my year and a half before heading off to Korea... and then some!

If you live, lived, or plan to live in Korea (or even if it was just for a visit), let me know. If you have a blog, vlog, or website about your adventures, post the link so I can check it out!