Korean Job Discussion Forums

[healed]

I have 5 vacation days around Christmas to spend in Korea, another 12 days to spend anywhere outside of Korea beginning mid-January, then another short vacation in February to spend in Korea. I usually roam around low-key beaches and explore, but I'm now thinking about more meaningful ways in which I can vacation.

This doesn't necessarily have to involve volunteership, but I am intererested in some type of personal or professional development. Basically I want to vacation in a way that is more meaningful and/or intentional. Do any of you have such experiences that you'd like to share or recommendations that I can explore? Thank you.

[Tiger Beer]

Join a Buddhist Temple, the kinds that you have full-on meditation everyday for as long as you want....in MYANMAR.

[healed]

Good idea. And that's someplace that I really want to travel to. I'm now researching the political climate there. Thanks.

[soviet_man]

For the 12 day trip I would unhesitantly say go to IRAN.

There is 1 flight a week from Korea to Iran (on Iran Air) non-stop.

I went there earlier this year and it was absolutely one of the best things I've ever done in my life.

The history, the atmosphere, the amazing mosques and art, the crazy cheap prices and Iranians are so fantasticly generous, proud and wonderful people.

It was a fantastic learning experience and worth every dollar.

I cannot speak highly enough of Iran, you would not be disappointed.

[thiophene]

[healed]

[Dude Ranch]

[IlIlNine]

[soviet_man]

FLIGHTS:
Incheon - Tehran - Incheon on Iran Air. There is 1 flight per week. I paid 1.1 million return including tax on Iran Air. They use ancient 30+ year old 747s which are clean but basic. 15 minutes before landing all the women suddenly pull on their headscarfs. On the flight home, shortly after take off, they take them off again ... quite surreal, but in a good way


ACCOMMODATION:
In Tehran you could easily find a private room with air con and TV like "Hotel Firouzeh" for US $18 per night and they will give you breakfast every morning and you will make friends with the other travellers there. Out in the regions, cheaper again.

TRAVEL:
Taxis and subways are dirt cheap. Domestic flights in Iran are like $30 to 50 US per flight.

SHOPPING:
If you like shoes, go to the mall off Jomhuri Ye Eslam street in Tehran. There are zillions of shoe shops and they are of a very high quality and cheap.

FOOD:
You could easily have a full meal with meat for under US $5. Ramdom people like shop keepers and mosque keepers will invite you in for tea without question.


I did not do a tour - I went independently. It was the best way to do it. You won't have trouble meeting people. Tourism is almost non-existent.

Overall I give it 10 out of 10. It is a rolled gold destination, unspoilt, untrampled by mass tourism with a deep culture that is thriving and intact. GO NOW.

[Dude Ranch]

solid advice soviet man, thanks!

Where else have u travelled? any other suggestions?

also, when u say u went independent does that mean u went alone? would it be ok for a white male from canada (american accent) to go alone?

[eac02]

Iran sounds really interesting and I would love to go. Would the fact that i'm American be a problem? I know my passport would probably be flagged at customs and stuff like but would I encounter any other trouble?
Also I'm woman, does that change anything?

[soviet_man]

The defining moment of the whole Iran trip for me, was sitting in the hotel dining room for breakfast every morning.

You would look around the room and see Iranians, Iraqis, Kurds, Lebanese, Turks, Syrians and a few westerners ... and everyone would be laughing and getting along with each other.

There were men wearing flowing thawbs and women covered head to toe in abayas and headscarfs, sitting alongside goofs like me wearing only a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops. Nobody batted an eyelid.

Everyone was drinking tea, eating enourmous bits of bread and we happily shared tables with each other.

You would hear conversation in Farsi, Arabic, Kurdish, Balochi, Armenian and English among others.

There was no commonality at all with language or culture, but it didn't seem to matter .... Iran is special.

In summary, if you are American or a woman (and I am neither) you would not have any problem.

[bucheon bum]

Yes, you will have a problem if you are American. Good luck getting a tourist visa. It was relaxed back during the Clinton/Khatami years, but the Iranian gov't made it difficult again after 9/11 and the "Axis of Evil" fiasco.

That being said, if you DO get it, you'll have no problems after that.

[schwa]

I visited Iran in 1972, travelled overland from Tehran to Mashhad, down to Taybad & across into Afghanistan.

I remember Tehran vibrant & chaotic, friendly people easy to meet & quick to invite you into their homes. Stark beautiful countryside. Deep history. A camel trader took a fancy to my girlfriend & in all seriousness offered me 12 camels for her.

This thread puts me in mind of a return visit.

[healed]