The first weekend

Songtan, E-Mart and Suwon

Getting to know my area, with the help of some awesome new friends!

You can count friday as the weekend if you want, but nothing exciting really happened. Friday I went back to the shops and got more supplies, had a really good wander around my area and eventually went to bed after a dinner of noodles and a cup of tea (I finally got a kettle - I was desperate for a cuppa).

I wouldn't say it was super early when I went to bed. I was pretty wired from my day of wandering, I had made my first solo purchase at the shops and was excited after unpacking my stuff and putting my pics from home up. This was also the last of my skyping, my battery had died on my Mac and I had left my plug adaptor at home. This also meant that my hair was in complete disarray - a big no no for women in Korea. They ALWAYS do their hair and makeup. I was at a disadvantage.

Saturday

I couldn't sleep in... I woke up just after 7 and couldn't get back to sleep. The sun was out so I figured I would get up. I was meeting my co-teacher around 1:30 to go into the E-Mart in Pyeongtaek. I needed to get a plug before I went crazy, and only the bigger stores stock this type of thing. Plus, all the homewear things are cheaper at the boggier places. And he wanted to show me how to catch the bus. On the way, the bus ran up some car's ass which was funny, we bailed off the bus. You can use what's called a T Money card on all the public transport in Korea. You pay 25,000won for the card, and then you can just top it up whenever you run out of money. The public transport is really cheap, it was only a few dollars to go into Pyeongtaek, and when I went into Suwon on the Sunday it was only 1500won or something.

Anyway, I finally got back into Songtan in time to catch Amelia and Tyler who were coming in to 

Songtan to meet me in person and to hang out. It ended up being an awesome night!

I won't go into too much detail, but in summary:

We ate mexican

I got my first taste of shoji (google it - its potent)

Went to a country bar and a soldier taught me to two-step (no, he wasn't hot, but was very polite)

Went to a club, which was full of black people (mainly military guys, but also randoms)

All this and I was home by 12.

Side note - 

MASSIVE shout out to Mia and Tyson. But especially Mia, you have been super awesome and I hope its ok that I make you my new bff.

Sunday

I woke up with a mild hangover on Sunday, but I maintain it was worth it. My night was mild compared to Mia and Tyler, who had an epic story of finally getting home at some stupid hour and finding a super awesome couch. I'll let her tell it...

I finally got my plug to work, so a fair bit of the day was spent playing on FB and uploading some pics. i also thought it would be a good idea to do a practice walk to the school, as I wasn't completely sure I remembered where to go. Lucky I did, I went the wrong way and ended up walking around for nearly n hour trying to find the freaking place. My school is called Songshin Elementary, and has under 400 students. But I will tell you about the school in another blog. ( I have been there 2 days now, and there isn't too much to tell so I think it can wait)

After finding the school I was starving, so I wandered up to the strip and bought some food from a street vendor. Now, I don't do this sort of thing because as I have said in the past I have Crohns and its asking for trouble to eat weird things. But, I am in a new country and feeling awesome, and have been told the food is safe so just give it a go. So I got a spicy chicken stick and it was so tasty! I Will totally go back and get another one sometime! 

Main strip in Songtan, just down from Osan Air Base. I took this pic while my chicken stick cooked :)

After that I went home (via the shops for more supplies - I swear im done for this week) and had a nap. I was pooped!

Then about 6 I jumped on the train and headed into Suwon to meet up with Mia and Tyler again and have some Indian food. The rain started as i got off the train so I brought a super cute umbrella. Then we had dins, and then went fro a stroll down the strip in Suwon. Now, Suwon is what I expected Korea to look like - flashing signs, hundreds of people (mostly Koreans) and sounds and smells coming from all directions! I loved it completely. Apparently there are awesome bars and clubs here, so i am looking forward to coming into here more often. There is a huge number of foreign teachers here, and they all get together fairly often or so I hear. So i am looking forward to meeting them too :)

We went to a bar where they know the owner, had a glass of pineapple juice then headed back the the station. I caught the train home without too many hassles (I did accidentally sit in the old person seat, but didn't realise until I was nearly at my stop).

Then went to bed. I had a big day the next day as it was my first day of school.

I will fill you in on school tomorrow :)

Now its bedtime, and I am sooo sleepy...

So far, still loving Korea <3

xoxo