Comments on: First Report from Korea

By: Antara

Antara — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 09:53:15 +0000

Hey Konrad,
Hope you’re having fun in Seoul. I’m back home too..and about to roast in the heat here. Anyway, this is just to say that the URL for my blog has changed to http://www.baghaescup.blogspot.com, but the name remains the same. Why I’ve had to change it and so on, is a long story that I shall tell you over lunch at Harkness when we meet! Have a great break and keep in touch.
take care,
Antara

By: Muninn

Muninn — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 09:41:34 +0000

Thanks for all the support everyone! I promise to get out of the dorm as much as possible Antti, I know I should probably have tried to hunt down a hasuk or other homestay arrangement but I was a bit concerned about the whole experience…

Jae – I was amazed too at the patience displayed too, although I nearly trampled a poor convenience store worker who was blocking the gum section…

By: tianan2

tianan2 — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 08:20:33 +0000

Great! You finally got a place at SNU! Well, I am quite sure that LOTS of things will tick you off from now on, but as you always do, just enjoy it.
By the way, I can’t believe that the bus driver waited for you to bring some changes. To be honest, I had never witnessed such a HUGE patience throughout my 25 years in Seoul. Obviously, that is a good sign!
Anyway, if you need any help, just email me. Good Luck man!

By: Antti

Antti — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 06:12:55 +0000

So you are in the dorm! Ok, I’ll allow that since you’re staying only for the summer and finding a hasuk (下宿) room for such a short time might have been difficult, but now as a out-of-homework for the rest of the summer this 선배 orders you to get out of the foreigner’s dorm as much as possible. (As if you needed someone to tell you this…)

So good luck in landing in the appropriate level, getting a good teacher and decent classmates!

By: Muninn

Muninn — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 00:15:25 +0000

Hey thanks for the tips! The “food question” is a big one…I have about 5 favorites already established before I came, but as you say, there is so much variety. I’ll check out your suggestions, thanks!

By: Kotaji

Kotaji — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 23:44:46 +0000

Good luck with your stay in Korea.

I know exactly the problem you mean about talking speed. The problem is (in my opinion) that Koreans aren’t used to talking to ‘foreigners’ so tend to believe that you can speak fluently and understand everything if you manage to get one or two half-decent phrases out.

I’m sure you’ll pick up the food thing quickly enough. The only problem is that there are such a variety of different styles of restaurants and so much tasty food to try. (My tips: 돌솥비빔밥; 삼치구이백반 – the alley next to Kyobo Bookstore specialises in this; and 돼지소금구이).

I have to say I’ve been quite distressed when I’ve visited Japan before, after living in Korea, suddenly to find that I’m completely lost in every restaurant that doesn’t have a picture menu. Oh well, one more reason to learn kana I suppose.