| Anecdotes |
| BUSAN DRIVERS are absolutely crazy. The taxis are very dangerous and the bus drivers are positively insane. Watch all corners in case of speeding mopeds and scooters; they may or may not stop when(or if) they see you. |
| return to / de retour a |
| GOING TO THE CLINIC The doctor was kind and went through a list of possible symptoms in English. He circled "sore throat" and "caughing" as they were my only symptoms. He checked my throat. He then proceeded to draw up a list of 6 different drugs I should take! He asked me to return in two days and wasn't too helpful when I asked what was my illness. I thouhgt I would carry my heavy prescription out of the office, pay my dues and be on my way. Little did I know ... the nurse on duty was awaiting, syringe in hand, to give me a shot... in the buttock!! There are many things I fail to understand in Korea. |
| FASHION IN KOREA The Koreans dress very well and are very conscious of appearances in all situations. The women wear VERY high heels nearly everywhere. We actually feel sorry for them as they make their way through the subway and around city streets. The young men are into dress shoes which look a bit like clown shoes-the toe extends WAY out. And running shoes can be nearly every color under the sun; and in as many different styles as you can imagine. If you hit the subway on a Sunday, expect families and groups of older folks dressed to hit the hills. You will see walking sticks, mountain hiking boots, knee high socks, hats, backpacks, gloves- all fashionably colorful, of course. It's the day to go to local mountain parks or temples for hiking and picnicking with family and friends. At first, I figured they were overdressed for the small hills they have. But then again, they have so many! It's a great thing to see and puts the hard working Koreans in a whole new light. People who know how to relax and get back in touch with nature and their heritage. |
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| To PEOPLE WATCH in comfort, head for the subway. You will be pushed, squeezed, politely ignored or stared at- but never bored. It's the place to see mothers with the neatest baby backpack -a great idea: stick the baby on your back, lean forward and tie the blanket around the baby and your waist- VOILA! Want to buy CDs, glue, candy, ties, shirt covers, magnifiers - go to the subway. A guy will get in your car, say his piece and start collecting money from anyone who's interested. Most just sleep through it. Then he moves on to the next car. Curious about classical music ringing in your ears and Koreans who talk to themselves - cell phone users are abundant. Everyone (I'm not exagerating) from 13years and up has a cellphone with videogame and even email capacity. |
| If you meet KIDS IN UNIFORM, treat them with respect. They're middle and high school students. They spend an average of 13 hours (7am to 8pm) on weekdays with a half day on Saturday, being educated in public and private institutions.They have no life until their University Aptitude Test (CSAT) in grade 12. This is without a doubt the most serious event in a person's life in Korea. It decides what kind of University you have a chance of getting into. The CSATs were held on Nov 7. Buses and subways had more flexible hours to avoid students arriving late. Military testing, airflights, and taxis were all adjusted so as not to disturb any facility where testing was taking place. Parents and students flock to Buddhist shrines to pray for success during this week. |
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| RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS abound in Korea. We got out of Harry Potter too late to catch the subway all the way home. So we were stranded with about 50 other Koreans hailing a cab at midnight. Of course, we were one of the last people left. Finally, a guy came up and asked if we spoke Korean. We said no, and he then stuck with us and hailed a cab for us. We managed to convey our destination. He got in the cab with us - took us home- paid our cab fare and told us to enjoy our year in Korea. TOO MUCH!! |
| Some lady friends from another school needed A NIGHT ON THE TOWN. They took us along. After supper, we went to a 5star hotel in Haeundae and managed to get into a fairly exclusive discotheque. Of course, Chris and I were the only westerners there and, it seemed, the only couple. The place is arranged like a fine restaurant with booths neatly lined up and a dance floor at the end. The people who come in are young, well dressed and 90% female. Each table costs $150 for the evening and no one can take your table while you stay. The over abundance of waiters make everything run very smoothly. Watching the waiters talk with the young ladies made me think they knew them very well. Apparently not. The waiters are simply paid to introduce the ladies to gentlemen at other tables or to people in the private rooms lined up along the walls. Women are asked, cajolled, entreated, grabbed, pushed, dragged and pulled into these meetings(most seemed to enjoy it). After meeting the guys, they could leave anytime they chose. Most chose to leave. Everyone danced: girls with girls, guys with guys and had a great time. All the while, waiters keep a steady stream of girls walking across the room. Interesting. |
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