Maybe I was a bit premature with the change of the blog name. I guess I am eagerly anticipating the big move westward. First, I suppose I should tackle the 600 pg course pack I need to complete by Monday. Cheers to going back to school.
Being back is oddly normal but little things catch me off guard.
I nearly had a heart attack when people were walking around with shoes on in the house.
I couldn't believe the luxurious feeling I had using a full size bath towel. In Korea, the standard size towels are comparable to our hand towels.
Menus in English are nice and I can't believe HOW MUCH TIME PARIS HILTON TAKES UP ON TELEVISION. Great job America.
The food is too much for me. I had anticipated a great culinary adventure. But I found myself only capable of eating one slice of my calzone and then feeling sick to my stomach. All you vegans out there, perhaps you were right when you told me our bodies don't process cheese and dairy as well as we think they do. having been away from it for so long, it does quite a number.
Anyhow, time to cell phone shop and see all the new changes in Hingham. That is see some new stop lights....oh and the new train!
7.03.2007
7.02.2007
Stateside-I AM
Arrived in San Francisco at 8:30 am. My head is spinning already. It's wild comprehending the English everywhere. For one year of my life, all of the superfluous noise around me was easily blocked out, as I didn't understand anything being said. Now, every announcement and conversation I process by nature. I had a diet coke on the rocks-it was ultra refreshing. I am also amazed at the security measures here in the states. I mean Alex got a gun through security in Seoul-a BB gun, but a gun nonetheless.
Leaving Seoul was quite the adventure. I departed the Jeju Airport saying goodbye to all of my co teachers, host family, host cousins and aunts and friends from Jeju. Alex and I arrived in Seoul, a year worth of luggage in tow. I had never traveled to Seoul with luggage that made me look like a real deal tourist. And, from our experience I am glad for this. It felt a little bit like my times in South East Asia. Taxi drivers pulling us physically by our carts and bags, yelling 40 man wan. I was glad we could argue back with their language. They attempted to ask an absurd amount of money from us, since we looked like tourists. We said "No that's too expensive" in Korean and found the one guy who gave us the real price for such a trip. Following this debacle, it happened once again as we left our hotel room. Throwing all of our luggage into the taxi we set off. Quickly realizing that the meter wasn't on, we let the driver know. He ignored us grumbled in Korean and we continued on our way. We knew it was base fare since it was a hop skip and a jump away from our hotel. But, when we arrived, our driver tried to argue it was 5 dollars. Alex gave him 2 and shut the door as we walked away. It's amazing how much people will try to take advantage of you as a tourist.
Our travels to Seoul made me ready to head back to the states for sure. Our taxi driver got lost and could not find the hotel. Mind you he had a map, IN KOREAN. He attempted to tell us the map was wrong, when in actuality it was his inability to read it properly. KOREA YOU NEED TO START USING ADDRESSES!
Upon arriving at the hotel, where we HAD A RESERVATION, they said no no when I handed them the printed reservation confirmation. They said check in 9pm. You see this was a classy yoegwan. Really nice rooms, even recommended by lonely planet. MINOR DETAIL FAILED TO BE CONVEYED was a late check in time. The reason for the late check in times is due to the hotels attempt to make as much money as possible through the one hour reservations. You have no clue how many couples come in for an hour....jaunt....whatever you want to call it. So in order to check in early we were forced to pay 30 extra dollars. Frustrating to say the least.
Following some last minute shopping and a meet up with Rafiq, we hit up the final dinner for Fulbright. Here I learned I was published in the Fulbright Review-which was pretty exciting. We all said our goodbyes and set out for the evening.
Our plan to stay up all night and rock Seoul proved successful. Unfortunately the second part of this plan, the part where we sleep on the plane at the appropriate time to adjust back to U.S. time zones, did not happen. Our flight was 10 hours and we experienced turbulence for a majority of it. I was also extremely unimpressed by the service of the United Airlines attendants. Korean Airlines has impeccable service with regal, put together, friendly and helpful flight attendants. United Airlines has slovenly, rude women. Its also interesting that in Korea, Flight attendants usually retire from the profession around age 30, whereas in America many are over 30.
BUT I AM Back. The goodbyes were hard. My host family sent me on my way with a goodbye slide show of pictures taken throughout the year. English captions were provided by my host sister. It was an emotional night. I was so fortunate to have had such a kind, welcoming and positive home stay experience.
Now I'm Massachusetts bound. I arrive at 8:30 and have 3 free days before starting grad school classes Thursday. I give myself very little downtime. My body will not be too happy with that decision I am sure.
GOD I LOVE DIET COKE AND SOUP IN BREAD BOWLS.
Apparently the title of this blog no longer prove relevent. Therefore, I will change it to suit my upcoming adventures. NEW NAME: CHAOS IN CALI
Leaving Seoul was quite the adventure. I departed the Jeju Airport saying goodbye to all of my co teachers, host family, host cousins and aunts and friends from Jeju. Alex and I arrived in Seoul, a year worth of luggage in tow. I had never traveled to Seoul with luggage that made me look like a real deal tourist. And, from our experience I am glad for this. It felt a little bit like my times in South East Asia. Taxi drivers pulling us physically by our carts and bags, yelling 40 man wan. I was glad we could argue back with their language. They attempted to ask an absurd amount of money from us, since we looked like tourists. We said "No that's too expensive" in Korean and found the one guy who gave us the real price for such a trip. Following this debacle, it happened once again as we left our hotel room. Throwing all of our luggage into the taxi we set off. Quickly realizing that the meter wasn't on, we let the driver know. He ignored us grumbled in Korean and we continued on our way. We knew it was base fare since it was a hop skip and a jump away from our hotel. But, when we arrived, our driver tried to argue it was 5 dollars. Alex gave him 2 and shut the door as we walked away. It's amazing how much people will try to take advantage of you as a tourist.
Our travels to Seoul made me ready to head back to the states for sure. Our taxi driver got lost and could not find the hotel. Mind you he had a map, IN KOREAN. He attempted to tell us the map was wrong, when in actuality it was his inability to read it properly. KOREA YOU NEED TO START USING ADDRESSES!
Upon arriving at the hotel, where we HAD A RESERVATION, they said no no when I handed them the printed reservation confirmation. They said check in 9pm. You see this was a classy yoegwan. Really nice rooms, even recommended by lonely planet. MINOR DETAIL FAILED TO BE CONVEYED was a late check in time. The reason for the late check in times is due to the hotels attempt to make as much money as possible through the one hour reservations. You have no clue how many couples come in for an hour....jaunt....whatever you want to call it. So in order to check in early we were forced to pay 30 extra dollars. Frustrating to say the least.
Following some last minute shopping and a meet up with Rafiq, we hit up the final dinner for Fulbright. Here I learned I was published in the Fulbright Review-which was pretty exciting. We all said our goodbyes and set out for the evening.
Our plan to stay up all night and rock Seoul proved successful. Unfortunately the second part of this plan, the part where we sleep on the plane at the appropriate time to adjust back to U.S. time zones, did not happen. Our flight was 10 hours and we experienced turbulence for a majority of it. I was also extremely unimpressed by the service of the United Airlines attendants. Korean Airlines has impeccable service with regal, put together, friendly and helpful flight attendants. United Airlines has slovenly, rude women. Its also interesting that in Korea, Flight attendants usually retire from the profession around age 30, whereas in America many are over 30.
BUT I AM Back. The goodbyes were hard. My host family sent me on my way with a goodbye slide show of pictures taken throughout the year. English captions were provided by my host sister. It was an emotional night. I was so fortunate to have had such a kind, welcoming and positive home stay experience.
Now I'm Massachusetts bound. I arrive at 8:30 and have 3 free days before starting grad school classes Thursday. I give myself very little downtime. My body will not be too happy with that decision I am sure.
GOD I LOVE DIET COKE AND SOUP IN BREAD BOWLS.
Apparently the title of this blog no longer prove relevent. Therefore, I will change it to suit my upcoming adventures. NEW NAME: CHAOS IN CALI
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