Getting used to urban living has been a bit of an adjustment for me. In some ways, it's like any other big city--bright lights and loud noises compete for one's attention anywhere you look, and the driving laws seem to be more ambiguous suggestions than hard and fast rules. The biggest difference is, of course, the language barrier. I can say 'hello' and 'thank you' in Korean, but after that, I break into comically primitive sign language. Interestingly, I suddenly remember every word I ever learned of high school Spanish. As I stare helplessly at the cashier in the market who's holding up four oranges without a price tag, I think, "Cuatro naranjas cuestan dos dolares y cincuenta centavos!" Unless I come across a cashier with exceptionally broad linguistic skills, this is useless here.

Still, all is not lost. Four days in, I am hailing cabs like a true city girl, and have acquired at least minimal proficiency with chopsticks, which I consider a great personal victory. Tomorrow I get to move into an actual apartment and I'm looking forward to setting up some semblance of a home here in Korea.

written by  alli_ockinga on February 5, 2009 from Inch'on, South Korea
from the travel blog: I go Korea!
Send a Compliment

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Yahoo, Alli!
What a great email...I am so happy for you: you are there and getting settled in. By the time you read this, you must be in your apartment. How is that? Will you Americanize it or remain Koreanizable during your time there so the culture is Alli?
I'll bet your apartment will be a very interesting place.
Are you planning on weekly blogs, then? I hope so. I would love to read your weekly journal, as with today's entry, because it adds insight not only into Alli and her world but into a culture that,to many of us, will remain foreign our entire lives.
I have not looked around your blog much yet, but roll in the photos, sister, for your visual friends!
Happy day.
Congratulations, you wild girl!
Love,
Wendy

written by  Wendy on February 5, 2009

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I am going to look forward to every blog you post lady! :) Makes me feel like I'm right there with you! I am VERY happy to hear that as of now, your situation is MUCH better than good ol' Caldwell :). Sounds like you're rocking Korea just as I expected! and can i just say
what to the Love Motel.... hahah:) miss you

written by  Nikki on February 5, 2009

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I'm sure your high school Spanish teacher would be proud! Holy crap, I can't send you enough kudos for braving the world! I'm glad things are going well so far and I look forward to reading more about your experiences there. I'm living vicariously through you - no pressure, though. Miss you!

written by  Lindsay Egginton on February 5, 2009

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Alli,

So excited you survived your initial week.Are you going to room with your friend there?
I am taking my first writing class on line.Thought you'd be proud.I can see you are a writer with your humor and creative descriptions. Maybe you can learn a few Korean jokes and passthem our way.

Love,

your favorite Godmother

written by  Godmother on February 5, 2009

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Alli,
So great to get a report from Korea! I loved working with ESL students in Seattle--and classroom games were key. If they're anything like my students, there's no motivator like team games and competition. Shame them into learning English. I'm very happy for you that you're abroad--how exciting. Will look forward to further posts--
Jeff

written by  Jeff J on February 5, 2009

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Woo-hoo, she lives! I love that I can completely hear your voice when I read your writing. It makes me feel like I'm right there with you. I'm so glad you're starting ot get settled and that you also tend to remember Spanish in awkward linguistic situations (but heaven forbid if you're in Mexico or Spain and then you can't conjugate a verb to save your life . . . What is that about?!). PS I'll be linking your blog to mine so that any readers I may have (doubtful, but they might exist) can share in this adventure as well.

Love and dinosaurs,

Ryan

written by  Ryan W. on February 9, 2009

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