My one-week anniversary of living in Seoul is fast approaching, so an update is far overdue! Getting here was a tedious process; I had to pack a year’s worth of comforts from home, visit Houston for an interview with the Korean consulate, and then travel for 22 hours before touching down last Wednesday. I flew on Singapore Airlines, which was very luxurious and comfortable. Lucky me!
Upon arriving, I was examined for H1N1 (the virus formerly known as swine flu) and asked to please not show up at work for the next week, just in case I had contracted it en route. This has given me the chance to explore my surroundings and endure the culture shock before I start my job. Lucky me, again!
Since then, I’ve moved into my temporary digs at the Coop Residence, a hotel/apartment building in Mokdong. The Mokdong area is my new home base. It’s a mostly residential area South of the Han river and has been the subject to my most of my explorations this past week. My apartment will be in the same building as Monica’s (which is really exciting) and is not far from my school. Monica has introduced me to a lot of teachers from Korea POLY School, and everyone has been really welcoming, generous and warm. Lucky.
On Saturday, Monica took me to Itaewon. It is part of Seoul that is popular among residents of the nearby military base, English teachers, and foreigners from all walks of life. You are just as likely to hear a Russian conversation, see North African merchants, buy a plate of hummus from a Saudi restaurateur, or sip a Starbucks latte in Itaewon as you would be to experience the Korean equivalents. It is truly international.
On Sunday, Monica and I decided to climb a mountain. We descended into the subway, and popped out an hour later in an area filled with massive, modern, high rise apartments surround by steep, green hills. We started up a hill, turned onto a path and found ourselves in the middle of a crumbling housing development. Young boys played baseball on a winding path, and families went about their daily chores in dilapidated homes. You could see straight into some of them, as if the walls have been blasted away years ago. It was a startling contrast to the clean, sterile surrounds. We trekked further up the impossibly steep streets and wondered if this was an overlooked remnant of the Korean war. Once we made it to the top, we found a beautiful community garden and a view well worth the sore muscles. The coolest experience by far!
Seoul has not failed to surprise me at every turn. It is a clean, safe, friendly city that makes it easy for a Texas gal like myself to get acquainted with the Korean way of life. I spent a few days exploring on my own, using the super efficient and endlessly entertaining subway system.
