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nene
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do
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 Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:48 pm Post subject: Arrived in Busan |
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Hello fellow Busan residents?
My boyfriend and I just arrived in Busan, we don't know how to bargain at the markets, are afraid that most Korean restaraunts won't agree with our vegetarian diets and are having trouble finding some basic apartment set up things at prices we feel are reasonable... we need some advice from any fellow residents....
Does anyone feel like showing us around or answering a few questions in exchange for a drink and some good company?
I'm Canadian, my boyfriend's American, we're both excited to be here and start teaching tomorrow, and we're also a little overwhelmed and could use some good ol westerner advice about life in Busan....
many thanks,
J & M |
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TJ
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:16 am Post subject: Help |
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Most employers realise that it is their own interests to help a newby to settle in. Have you asked your employer to help you ?
Also, most schools that employ foreign teachers provide FURNISHED accommodation. Did your contract mention that your apartment was to be furnished ? Alternatively, did your employer give you an allowance to buy pots and pans etc? If they did then any big supermarket and many smaller supermarkets should be able to provide what you need.
Sure, you may be able to save a few won by shopping around but unless you're really short of money it's not worth the trouble. Wait until you have settled in before you try that. BTW, prices are fixed at supermarkets, you do not bargain there.
Sorry I can't meet you --- I'm back in Aust. now. |
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FUBAR
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: The Y.C.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:28 am Post subject: |
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| Where in busan are u located? |
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Wrench
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:49 am Post subject: Re: Arrived in Busan |
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| nene wrote: |
Hello fellow Busan residents?
My boyfriend and I just arrived in Busan, we don't know how to bargain at the markets, are afraid that most Korean restaraunts won't agree with our vegetarian diets and are having trouble finding some basic apartment set up things at prices we feel are reasonable... we need some advice from any fellow residents....
Does anyone feel like showing us around or answering a few questions in exchange for a drink and some good company?
I'm Canadian, my boyfriend's American, we're both excited to be here and start teaching tomorrow, and we're also a little overwhelmed and could use some good ol westerner advice about life in Busan....
many thanks,
J & M |
He he Teaching.. Thats so silly  Any who welcome to Busan. Its a great stinky city l. |
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hojucandy
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
Location: In a better place
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| Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:04 am Post subject: |
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busan is a good city.
check out http://www.pusanweb.com for accomodation info
i sent yu a PM - get in touch if yu want to. |
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nene
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:52 pm Post subject: hello! |
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hi! my girlfriend made the OP, so i'll let her do the talking, but we're in yeonson dong...i don't remember the name of the larger section of the city, but if anyone wants to get a drink or go for a hike this weekend, we'd love to meet anyone we can say more than hello and thank you to! or, less personally (on that note, i figured when you see a westerner here you run to them and exchange crazy korea stories, but it seems no one even wants to say hi...have we just bad luck or is there some wierd 'i was here before you' or 'i'm not used to communicating with people' thing???) where are the foreigner hangouts at?
thanks all - peace! |
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hojucandy
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
Location: In a better place
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| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:42 am Post subject: |
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i am also in yeonsandong
happy to meet this weekend. yu have my number. use a public phone.
there are foreigner hangouts near yu as follows -
pusan national university area - crossroads & soul train bars... come out of the north-west exit of the station, head straight up and cross the main road. then go north about a block or two and west a block.
seomyeon area - many bars. probably the best is near gaya station. its called o'brians and is near on the east side of the main road.
i prefer to avoid foreigner hangouts. they are a little noisy. my girl and i frequent heo-shim-cheong bar in oncheonjang. they have excellent beer. can meet yu there friday night if yu wish. i'll be going to the sauna there after work (about 2:30pm) |
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David76
Joined: 15 Jun 2003
Location: U.S.
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| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:00 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| (on that note, i figured when you see a westerner here you run to them and exchange crazy korea stories, but it seems no one even wants to say hi...have we just bad luck or is there some wierd 'i was here before you' or 'i'm not used to communicating with people' thing???) |
I was just on my way to try to figure out how to post a poll about that! I think the simple answer is that a lot of foreigners in South Korea suck, and I mean that in the worst possible way. My take on it is that many foreigners here think they are waaay cool for being out on "the edge of the world" and it kills their groove when they are exposed to a genuine attempt at communication by another foreigner (who has the audacity to be on their turf!) that does not smack of attitude and hostility.
Trying to meet other foreigners and having any positive expectations about having a social life here have been my worst mistakes in South Korea. I'm much happier now that I've disabused myself of such notions. It might be something you have to learn for yourself, though. |
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Wrench
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes thats true.. I live in Gupo unfortunatley there is no foreigners except the one I worth with. |
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Wrench
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes thats true.. I live in Gupo unfortunatley there is no foreigners except the one I work with. |
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YoungLi
Joined: 06 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 10:34 am Post subject: |
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| David76 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| (on that note, i figured when you see a westerner here you run to them and exchange crazy korea stories, but it seems no one even wants to say hi...have we just bad luck or is there some wierd 'i was here before you' or 'i'm not used to communicating with people' thing???) |
I was just on my way to try to figure out how to post a poll about that! I think the simple answer is that a lot of foreigners in South Korea suck, and I mean that in the worst possible way. My take on it is that many foreigners here think they are waaay cool for being out on "the edge of the world" and it kills their groove when they are exposed to a genuine attempt at communication by another foreigner (who has the audacity to be on their turf!) that does not smack of attitude and hostility.
Trying to meet other foreigners and having any positive expectations about having a social life here have been my worst mistakes in South Korea. I'm much happier now that I've disabused myself of such notions. It might be something you have to learn for yourself, though. |
I think you've hit the nail on the head here David76! Good post! |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:09 am Post subject: |
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| David76 wrote: |
| [...Trying to meet other foreigners and having any positive expectations about having a social life here have been my worst mistakes in South Korea. I'm much happier now that I've disabused myself of such notions. It might be something you have to learn for yourself, though. |
Why do you need "foreigners" to have a social life? |
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nene
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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| nice quote myth. i need westerners to have a social life because i don't speak korean and frankly, trying to communicate in a foreign culture and foreign language is, thus far, exhausting. i've been here for two weeks, been sick for one...otherwise, i'd say how about all us who think that westerners who don't like westerns suck get together and have a big western ball. and now i have said it, but i'm too sick for a ball this weekend. so how about next saturday...anyone in busan want to aim for a good night out? |
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David76
Joined: 15 Jun 2003
Location: U.S.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:35 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Why do you need "foreigners" to have a social life? |
Because my Korean isn't good enough to carry on a conversation.
Besides, it seems almost no South Koreans (percentage-wise) hang out with Westerners socially. Let's turn the question around to make it more realistic: Why wouldn't you need foreigners to have a social life? |
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