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Louis VI
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
Location: In my Kingdom
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 Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 4:39 am Post subject: Memories of Busan |
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| The more amazing thing I find is the contrast between Busan 1997 and Busan 2010! How thinsg changed and keep changing. Looking at what we had available to us as foreigners back then and at what foreigners have available to them now in the way of public transit, western goods and so on, it is an amazing change. But that is for another thread! |
I am nostalgic for the Busan I knew of '03, when foreigners hung out in music stores in Nampodong which sold vinyl and CDs galore, where sidestreets ruled during outdoor festivals and Haeundae was new and Texas Street was old yet not yet pathetic. The only time I ever wished I'd been here five or more years earlier was my times in Busan. I still may find myself living there in the future. But times they are a changing. It's all seeming too much like Seoul for my liking. I hope the magic remains. |
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grainger
Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Location: Wonju, Korea
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| Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 4:49 am Post subject: |
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| You just made me very sad. I haven't been back to Busan since 02. I was thinking about going back for a visit. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 4:49 am Post subject: |
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wow Louis that was fast!
Ah yes good ole Busan of 1997 with its one subway line, endless traffic jams, 700 Won starting fares in cabs, where the only access to western foods were McDs, BK and some pseudo-western food joints!
Where watching movies was an adventure in these old broken down theaters, one of which was in Somyeon behind was used to be Taewa mall. There were rats in that theatre! 
Texas Street was already pathetic then (when it was not I do not know)
Camp Hileya was still open and across from it was the Dallas club, a dive to beat all dives...but next to it was the fabled Chicken schak...best fried chicken in town back then.
Going to haeundae in the summer was a pain as you typically had to take 1-2 buses in horrible traffic.
No homeplus, one Lotte Department store only (Somyeon). Nampoodong was the place to go for movies. Centum city was a big wasteland with factories and a helicopter shop. A place you just drove through on your way to Haeundae.
The place was in some ways better than today and in others worst. Over tyears of development, Busan lost a lot of its Busan flavor and became something else, more Seoul-like. |
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Louis VI
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
Location: In my Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 4:59 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| Over the years of development, Busan lost a lot of its Busan flavor and became something else, more Seoul-like. |
Indeed. The distinctive character of the city as first experienced was like an understated Hong Kong, a busy port city that had its own identity, and in a way a zippy charm unmatched by the comforts of more cosmopolitan Seoul. I guess one can't re-discover a city, only see it for what it has become or what it has lost.
I expect it's easier to live an expat lifestyle in Busan these days. And I'm sure most saw that KTX express train as a good thing, the subway to Haeundae as a good thing. Ah, well. I also think Vancouver ain't what it used to be in the eighties. Only cities like Tokyo, New York and Montreal continue to rock on with no loss of appeal. It all depends on one's first experiences I think.
What do new eyes to Busan see? |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 5:07 am Post subject: |
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New eyes would see Busan as it is. I am sure its a pretty cool place to discover for newbees.
It is for sure far easier to live in for foreigners now. But that is in part too bad as the wonky thing that was Busan back then was part of its charm!
Getting around Busan now is a breeze. Getting to Seoul as well with the KTX. |
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Waluigi
Joined: 09 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 5:58 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| New eyes would see Busan as it is. I am sure its a pretty cool place to discover for newbees. . |
definitely. I visited a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I loved it! the vibe is different to other Korean cities.... can't really explain it. |
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