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pangaea

Joined: 20 Dec 2007
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:13 pm Post subject: Things I miss about Korea. |
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I am coming back to Korea in less than 2 months and I'm really looking forward to it. With all the negativity on this board, I thought it would be nice to list some of the things I like about Korea and have missed since I've been home. After I've been back in Korea for a while and things are starting to get on my nerves again, I can look back on my list for some perspective.
Things I miss:
My students
Kim bab, bi bim bap, galbi, street vendor food
ondol heating
black market shopping
cosmetics shops
No division between residential and commercial areas. Being able to walk to just about anything I need.
Before anybody says it, there are things that I didn't like before and I won't like this time. I am not listing them here because they don't belong in my Pollyanna inspired post.  |
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Solarian
Joined: 12 Nov 2009
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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Don't be a pansy, you can still walk to everything you need in US/Canada. Just it'll be several hours instead of minutes :p |
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climber159

Joined: 02 Sep 2007
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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After toughing it out for a winter in New England I have a renewed appreciation for the ondol.
I too miss the frequent kimbap lunch for 2000원. A single roll runs me $4.95 at my local Korean joint!
I'll add the public transportation to your list. Most bus systems in the US are slow, infrequent, and expensive. And where there is a subway system, I feel as though the trains are going to jump the tracks! Makes me wonder what they're doing with the outrageous fares they charge.
But I'm digging the cleaner air and the bikeable roads! |
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ThingsComeAround

Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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I am here, but when I go home I miss the full service you get at some mom & pop establishments.
For example- yesterday I was going down to get some HotChoco but the store had already closed. I know some in NY would say "Sorry, we can't open for anyone" but the owner of the shop saw me and greeted me with a smile- turned and unlocked her shop, and one of her bulbs caught a short-circuit. Didn't bother her, she was happy to get me my Choco! |
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Bloopity Bloop

Joined: 26 Apr 2009 Location: Seoul yo
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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ThingsComeAround wrote: |
I am here, but when I go home I miss the full service you get at some mom & pop establishments.
For example- yesterday I was going down to get some HotChoco but the store had already closed. I know some in NY would say "Sorry, we can't open for anyone" but the owner of the shop saw me and greeted me with a smile- turned and unlocked her shop, and one of her bulbs caught a short-circuit. Didn't bother her, she was happy to get me my Choco! |
It doesn't just happen at the mom & pop shops!
I got to the Hongdae Subway (sandwich place) 5 minutes after midnight. Employees were already moving the ingredient containers (meats, veggies, cheeses, condiments, etc.) out. I looked in and was about to leave when they told me it was fine and that I could be the last customer that day (or the first of the new day...). I felt bad that they had to bring some ingredients back out but was glad when I powered through that foot long sub before a night of zen. |
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southern boy
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Samgyupsal and soju on weeknights and admittedly Norae bang. Korea yes, Korean not so much. |
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Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida
Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Location: Not Korea
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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Miss seeing my K buddies. Sadly, I'm losing contact with friends I used to work. They stayed and I left. But otherwise, there were instances of surprised courtesy that will always remain cherished. |
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storysinger81

Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Location: Daegu
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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I'm leaving in four months and kind of don't want to (but my dad has cancer, so my husband and I have decided to live near him for a few years and maybe pick up my hubby's US citizenship).
I'm going to miss so many things.
My local 시장. Oh, the vegetables!
Cheap, delicious Korean food of all kinds.
My MIL's kimchi.
The mountains (I'm serious).
My taekwondo instructor and buddies.
The swing dance club in Daegu.
Public transportation (being car-free; though I am hoping to lessen my dependence on my car in the US by active choice).
My students.
My work schedule. (Those of you who've taught back home know what a joke 22 hours/week really is.)
All those wonderful free festivals that are a great excuse to travel around the country.
Cheap, quick flights to some of the awesomest travel destinations in the world.
Passive learning of Korean (from immersion... I'll have to study a lot more in the U.S.)
Cheap, high quality health care.
Living in a foreign culture means learning something new every day.
Now I'm all sad... Please enjoy Korea while you're here! |
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