1) Never, EVER forget anything when you are at the grocery store!
It costs roughly 10,000 WON or around $10 US dollars to get to the commissary (military grocery store) via taxi and takes about 15 min both ways. So there is no "quick trips" for a few things. I'm notorious for forgetting a few ingredients and conveniently had a Wal-Mart about a 1/4 mile from my last home. We always have the Korean market down the street, but the sun-baked fish smell mixed with sewer will quickly make you forget about buying food and have you running for cover. There are pockets of fresh, spring air, just not in the markets.
On the flip side, I don't want to buy too much, because hauling it through the lobby, up the elevator and to our door is a workouk; however, The doormen are always willing to lend a hand. They are always bowing and smiling and helping. My American determination is a bit uncomfortable with this.
2) Never, EVER leave home without your address written in Korean.
Unfortunately, we are unable to communicate where we live to anybody who doesn't speak English. We got into a taxi a couple weeks ago and sat their trying to work it out with the cab driver-- we ended up walking home and promptly had our realtor write our address down. Now, upon entering a taxi, I just shove my phone at them with our address typed out. It works every time.
3) I don't know how to work ANYTHING!
Even the simplest tasks are difficult when it comes to living abroad. I don't know how to work the following items:
* oven
* washer
* dishwasher
* front door
* elevator
* subway gate
* ATM
* sliding doors at stores
* websites that require my address
* McDonald's delivery
* restaurant ordering
I tried to order McDonald's to my front door, because they have McDelivery and it was raining and I didn't want to drag Emmalyn out. Needless to say, didn't get past my address before I hung up. I was unable to communicate to the lady where I lived. I didn't want McDonald's anyway, on the other hand, maybe the doorman would help?
4) If I ever want to shop again, I need to loose about 30 lbs (a good reason not to learn my address!) and shrink about 3 shoe sizes.
Yes, it is true, Asian women are overall very small structured. Yes, my good American build makes shopping almost impossible. Darren had a suspicious glimmer in his eyes when I told him this!
Despite many failed attempts to appropriately function, we are learning fast and always have a good laugh. Our spirits are high and we are still loving the people and the base. Exploring new sights is an ever growing desire and some of the things they do as a country and government make a lot of sense. We can learn a lot from our time abroad, but it also makes us appreciate the American way of life that much more.
We have had a great time visiting palaces and seeing elements of traditional Korea and elements of modern Korea. The city of Seoul is perfect balance of ancient and high-tech and a fusion or Eastern and Western culture.
Made for shorter men.
Palace entrance
Trash Art. :)
Buying chopsticks is serious business.
Namdaemun Market
Walking through a traditional market.
Our apartment!!
They are very considerate of small children here in Korea. We ate at Bennigan's, YES I KNOW, why would we eat there in America, much less Korea, but I appreciated how they catered to Emmalyn.
Something dried, with legs/tentacles, I didn't try it.
Korean gardeners outside our skyrise. Fastest grass planting I have ever witnessed. They all had little seats strapped to their derrières. :)
A few days after moving in, we realized there was no microwave, so the built-in hot plate came in handy for reheating oatmeal.
The washer/dryer combination. After some translation, and much button pushing, I successfully washed clothes!
That was a fun trip to your home away from home. Thank you for such a delightful journey.
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