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.

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).

Adventures in Korea - learning to subway!

Yes, I know subway isn't a verb, but I am making it one lol. Anywho, I had a nice outing with Marti, who was kind enough to show me around the basics of using the subway. I didn't actually go anywhere, but at least I now know how to get into and out of the subway as well as some of the basics on how to get where I want to go.
We also took a turn through the many many many floors of D-Cube department store. I checked out one of the basement floors which is a food court in heaven. I found some places with macaroons. Oh my...this could be really bad for the diet. I also picked up a super cute headband and a couple stones (don't ask...they were just pretty).
Separate from my outing with Marti, I did my first dirty clothes wash today using this so called drying washer. It really doesn't dry. The clothes aren't dripping wet though, just need a little air drying, so hopefully it won't take too long. I would rather not having laundry hanging when Kendra gets here. Worst part is that I washed black pants and shirt with 3 white wash cloths. Now I know it generally isn't a good idea to wash clothes with towels and whatnot, but I have never had issues with it before. So, now I have a pair of pants and a shirt full of white specks. Ick. At least it's only two items, I can see the positive here since it could have been a whole wash load of clothes ruined, but it still kinda annoys me.
Well, tomorrow is my trip back to the airport to meet/pickup Kendra. I will be going early so I can look around at some of the stuff that is in that massive airport. Then more adventures to proceed from there.
So, here are some pictures from D-Cube (nothing too fancy): fish from the cute little water display in the floor and a pretty Christmas scene.