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Things I miss about Korea.

 
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pangaea



Joined: 20 Dec 2007

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:13 pm    Post subject: Things I miss about Korea. Reply with quote

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. Very Happy

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. Very Happy
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Solarian



Joined: 12 Nov 2009

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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