Monday, July 27, 2009

You know you are in Korea when....



You know you are in Korea when you're hiking a mountain and a 75 year old grandmother is passing you.

You know you are in Korea when you eat Kimchi with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and again for a snack.

You know you are in Korea when you are walking on the sidewalk with no one else around for a 10 meter radius and another 75 year grandmother crosschecks you with her purse, even though there is plenty of room to pass one another.

You know you are in Korea when the only good beer is imported.

You know you are in Korea when it's a Saturday or Sunday and construction on the floor above you starts promptly at 6am and does not end until 10pm.

You know you are in Korea when you go bowling and feel under dressed, they equip themselves with all the gear ever invented for bowling and then some, all decked out with terminator wrist guards.

You know you are in Korea when your co-teacher asks for a ridiculous amount of lesson plans, let's say 40 due in two days; oh, and with all your worksheets and activities printed out.

You know you are in Korea when you walk around the local E-Mart and you feel like an exhibit at the wild animal park with all the little children giddy and pointing.

You know you are in Korea when you say to a Korean, ya sure I like to play baseball, and they respond, oh really what's your career bating average?

You know you are in Korea when middle aged men walk down the street holding hands, yet the mass majority of the country is homophobic.

You know you are in Korea when you pour Soju into your beer.

You know you are in Korea when go to the gym to sign up and the manager tells you while laughing that you are a fat ass.

You know you are in Korea when octopus or squid is served at lunch every other day.

You know you are in Korea when you can have a nice cold beer outside the local 7/11.

You know you are in Korea when they pay you too much for such a laid back job.

You know you are in Korea when you are having the time of your life all while saving for the future and seeing the world.

You know you are in Korea when you have a great foreigner community where everyone gets along and hangs out together.

You know you are in Korea when you can walk the streets at night and feel completely safe.

You know you are in Korea when you actually start loving to eat dried squid; it's just like jerky.

You know you are in Korea when your students always seem to make you laugh, even if you may be having a rough day.

You know you are in Korea when everything is within walking distance, or a quick subway ride away.

You know you are in Korea when you walk down the street and random people like to practice their English with you.

You know you are in Korea when you can't get enough of the K-Pop music, that I thought I would not be able to listen to.

You know you are in Korea when you can have a great night with friends and hit up a Naraebong (Karaoke room) and sing your hearts out.

You know you are in Korea when they give you a little doorbell on your table at a restaurant and the server comes right over when you ring it.

You know you are in Korea when the owner of a new restaurant will pay for your whole meal, drinks and all.

You know you are in Korea when you appreciate every second with your wife and enjoy each wonderful new experience that comes our way. Korea has been good to us, is good to us and I can see that it will continue to be good to us, as we live the dream of being abroad in such a wonderful country like Korea.

2 comments:

Lola O. said...

I really liked this post:)...it's nice to hear people saying positive things about the place I am going to in 26 days...too many negative blogs out there.

Keep having fun!

Anonymous said...

WOW...I shared many of your observations when living in Japan. " Dried squid tastes like jerky" is a direct Michelle quote.
So glad you continue to enjoy your life in SK!