Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ariellowen]

-An alphabet is easy to memorize, but a language is difficult to learn.

-Don't go into the medina after dark.

-Many things are simple once you risk doing them.

[alpope23]

Travel has taught me to put a complete change of clothes into your carry-on bag and to take an immodium tablet the morning you get on the airplane.

[laogaiguk]

Not so much taught, but one of the biggest things that has changed is my eating habits after living in Asia. I eat significantly less than when I was in Canada (the portions here seem normal now ), and more importantly, I am not as picky (not that I was really picky) with food anymore.

[jellyteecha]

I've learned that I know nothing that is of any use to anyone.

[aldershot]

-mj is better in peru than it is in indonesia, but not as good as in thailand.

-don't surf if you think it's too big for you.

[Hanson]

Interesting thread and some good replies so far.

To add to what's already been mentioned, traveling has taught me that the material things we often think we need to be happy are just that: things. People living in huts are happier than my complaining self with my digital camera and my traveler's checks.

Before having a child, I would pack a school-sized backpack and head off for 3 - 4 weeks. I didn't need all the clutter that surrounds my daily life. Living as an expat, I also have much less in terms of personal belongings than my friends back home.

[hiua25]

Yes, great thread. I liked the first few replies to the OP in particular. I agree that lot's of people come into your life when you travel, and then leave shortly afterwards, but that's cool because they came into your life for a reason, to teach you something or whatever. They are always part of your memories and are always going to be part of your life whether you stay in touch with each other or not. For me that is really something to be treasured.

I would say that people who are brought together simply through circumstances (as discussed by crazymongirl) can still have a great affinity with one another, we are part of each other's lives forever and we should celebrate that.

But, as another poster discussed, as you travel you realise that you own opinions are less likely to be right and you learn to accept that there are many other valid world views out there, not just your own.

[SPINOZA]

When one gets out of Seoul, it's immediately apparent that SK has much to offer the traveller. Due to my complete lack of desire to see any more this planet than I already have (exceptions being Antarctica, where I shall visit on a ship via Chile one day, and Scandinavia) I intend to travel a bit around Korea.

I'd absolutely love to visit North Korea too, but I'm too miserly to pay up.

I absolutely loathed Thailand. I know, you Thailand lovers, that I didn't see enough to form a worthwhile opinion, but I honestly could never return. Everything about it just irritated me and nothing whatsoever impressed me. Had I not seen weird and wonderful places like Turkey and Rome already, I might've been more in awe, but even then I doubt it. And you know what? None of this would even matter if Thailand was not made out to be the must-see paradise that it is.

That's one thing travel has taught me that I forgot to address previously....don't waste your money lining the pockets of overrated tourist shit-holes.

[Muramasa blade]

I've learned that life is uncertain. You are guaranteed nothing, nor are you owed anything. Doing good deeds will not change anything, in the greater scheme of things, but that shouldn't stop you from doing them. Countries and nations are stupid, but individuals can be brilliant. And I really, really, hate the cold...enough North American winters will do that to you.

[ChimpumCallao]

1) Perceptions can be deceiving. I've never met surlier people than in Thailand "the land of smiles" nor had better service than in Cambodia "the wild west."

2) if you look vulnerable, kind, or new to travel, people often try to take advantage of your kindness (i actually learned this from my canadian bf, as I tend to look like a dragon lady walking down "buy my sh*t lane in southeast asia"). smiles don't necessarily mean kindness.

3) dangerous places generally are not as dangerous as they seem.

4) For all I hear about the people of so and so place, I've never had better service, more smiles, and met nicer people than in the USA and Canada.

5) Government, stupid ideas, and good intentions destroy a lot of countries, and by proxy, people's potential.

6) Russians are EVERYWHERE