Burning the Midnight Oil

I always knew that this blog was in existence - forever immortalized in the incomprehensible depth of internet space. But until now, that fact was just in the back of my mind. As I muse through the few posts of questionable grammatical construction and puerile humor, which are significantly less in count than I had imagined at the inception of this blog, I chuckle and reminisce. In this act, this blog seems to have served its purpose of amusing the few readers and enabling me to look back in nostalgia. However, I'm left with a feeling of emptiness that I can't shake. I looked over my old tumblr in another nostalgia invoking exercise. Same feeling.

When I started writing this post, I intended to provide this blog with a sense of closure that it lacked due to my complacency - sort of an overdue final post about how Korea was awesome and other reflective musings. But I think now, as I reminisce about the events that the posts described, I also reminisce the act of recording these events and the seemingly immutable utility it gave me. It is not the satisfaction I get from people actually reading and talking to me about them, but a weird mental release I am granted as I go through the creative process of writing - deep reflection and forging words and sentences to transcribe feelings and thoughts trapped within the confines of my mind.

So, follow me on tumblr! http://mynameisdanyo.tumblr.com

...I talk to taxi drivers

In almost 99% of the time that we go out in Seoul, we take the cab for many reasons. First of all, the fare is extremely cheap here, and at about 4~15 bucks divided among 4 people a ride, I wonder how drivers make a living. Secondly, the subways close around midnight, which means that while we may be able to get to wherever we choose to go out that night by subway (except Hongdae), we will take the cab back home either because its convenient or we're too drunk.

I always take the front passenger seat because my Korean is more natural than most and I started making small talks with the drivers after getting ripped off couple times. Although my friends make fun of me for "sucking the drivers dick," it actually works.

After many many taxi rides, I've come to really enjoy talking with them because some drivers share interesting stories and give me some cultural insights from a native Korean. Provided that not all drivers are super enthused to talk with their customers, still with some who are eager to share lifestories, I have pretty good conversations. I miss the States alot, but I wish I can stay here for a little bit more.

...bloggers are too lazy to post

I know it's been a while and I blame it on being busy and lazy, but probably the latter is the bigger culprit. It's been almost 2 weeks (as of this writing) in Korea and I can't express how great it is coming back to the country where I spent my childhood in. I spent my first week in Jinju(진주), a bigger city half an hour from where I lived, Sacheon(사천). Granted that the place where I grew up was almost unrecognizable, (I forgot how much development can happen in 10 years) just standing in the nest of apartments where I ran around as a kid, exploring the wilderness and scraping my knees, gave me the chills.

Well now I'm in Seoul and although Sacheon was great, there is a reason why Seoul is the capital of the country. The nightlife is amazing here in Seoul and you don't have to be 21 to enjoy its offerings. A night entails any or all of the following: bars, fried chicken, 삼겹살(korean bbq), bars, clubs, 노래방(karaoke), and even more bars. Admittedly there are some who can't handle the alcohol, but most people seems to be having a good time.

Some highlights of the summer - not one but two fire extinguishers thrown out of the 10th floor of a hotel, a cokehead telling us its safer than weed, a night of booking, hookers in white vans who frequent the 6th floor, pregaming at G25, punched holes, darts, the true fourth meal, working our ass off to burn off last nights, verbally sucking taxi driver dicks so that we don't get gipped, im a hobar member, dancing in the bar, getting kicked out of the bar, bouncers, carnival game person, conversing with random foreigners, beautiful girls, free club nights for foreigners, cutting class, puking out of the taxi, and many more. Definitely coming back for more.

...McDonald's is the only thing American Part I

Obviously the title is sarcastically misleading, but here are some quick little things that I've noticed about Korea: things and practices that may seem very peculiar to a Western observer and considered "barbaric."

1. For some reason there are no conventional F-150-like pickup trucks. Trucks are very oddly shaped. Pictures I'll post will explain better than I can.

2. Cigarettes are everywhere. You think you may find them alot in the streets of New York City, but cigarettes in Korea have become an integral part of life in Korea, as have StarCraft, pisswater beer, soju, and permed men's hair. You'll find them in the mouths of high schoolers, strewn all over in bathrooms, and pretty much anywhere you can expect a cockroach to be. A walk through a crowded street will affect you more than probably smoking a pack a day yourself.

3. If you know anything about me, you know I tend to sweat more than normal people. I know it's disgusting, but I can't help it. The weather is so damn hot here that I can rarely do something without breaking a light sweat outside. The weather is pretty much New Jersey, except hotter and more humid if you can imagine that.

4. I love Korean dramas, but here save for StarCraft TV (yes a TV soley dedicated to rerunning tournament matches 24/7 with always loud and passionate announcers) and reruns of subtitled CSI, there is NOTHING on.

5. The food is unbelievably good here. I'll have a post wholly dedicated on it but I must tell you it's amazing. Since my hosts (old friends' families) insist on taking me out to eat everywhere, I've gotten to eat an array of Korean food ranging from fresh sushi to duck meat nonexistent in the states. The streets are also full of "Po Jang Ma Chas," mobile eateries that serve authentic and scrumptuous Korean fastfood(?).

6. City planning is awful in big provincial cities. Roads are cramped to an extent where you can only drive one way and sidewalks are fair game for cars to drive on or park on for that matter. To decorate, there are too many big signs for stores per building. I'll have to post a picture to really convey what I mean. Oh and these signs are usually advertising for PC bangs (internet cafe with hardcore gamers AND smokers) or eateries.

The Flight

I am usually not the one for 14 hour flights in cramped seats with crappy movies, but this flight was different. Why? Because my dad "knew" someone in the airline. That's right people, forget having friends who are doctors or lawyers, but people in the airline industry.

My seat was changed to an emergency exit seat, which meant no seating row in front. Booyah
This guy actually was on duty so he came to see me off and as an added kicker...
"Hey have fun in Korea. You can use the First Class Lounge in the terminal. Do you drink?"
*flustered* "No sir I'm only 19. That would be illegal."
"It's OK. Tell them you're 23" *wink*

I've always seen the signs that welcome the super exclusive group of travelers who frequent the first class seats into the lounges, but never have been in one. Well if you haven't either, let me describe it for you. A nice big furnished room with comfy chairs and computer desks and flat screen TV's and best of all, free food.

There was a long counter full of oreos, peanuts, muffins, and etc. Underneath, row of refrigerators packed with sodas.

I started to scan the counter for the alcohol that the guy mentioned earlier. Only the remote thing that related to alcohol was a sign that reminded me and others that people under 21 couldn't drink. When I lost all hope...

"Excuse me, if you're looking for beer, they're in the other room."

I walked over and saw a plate full of Budweisers entrenched in ice. As I went to grab one though, another attendant sitting next to the alcohol spoke up.

"Hey you have to be 21 to drink. How old are you?"
"I'm 23."
....
"Alright go ahead."

Airport beer tasted awesome. I took a victory photo and went for another one.

"Hey are you REALLY 23?" *look of disbelief*
"Yeah I am"
"Alright."

The second was as good as the first, but I knew she was getting suspicious of me so I snuck the third one and called it a day.
--
The actual flight was awesome too. I guess it's been a while since I went on an international flight, but as mentioned the seats were awesome, food was deliciously edible, and the movie selection was phenomenal. I had the chance to watch some movies that I missed -Yes Man, Mall Cop, Taken, and Valkyrie- which made the trip all the more bearable.

I'm taking this as a sign for more fantastic things to come.



PS. I bet a friend I saw at the airport that the Arab guy with the headwear and the gown(?) would be "randomly" seached at security. Guess who's 5 dollars richer? What should I spend it on?



I would also like to say the Christine Jung was THE most integral factor of the pleasantries of the flight KE086. It totally went over my head. I was not forced or coerced to include this in the postscript.

Welcome

If you are reading this, thanks and get ready for a month long of awesome adventures. But first, you must have some questions...

Q1. Who are you and what the hell is this?
I'm Dan, a rising college freshman from New Jersey and this is going to be a travel blog where I can write about whatever blogworthy - couple of my friends have done this and I thought it was a fun read. Hopefully it will entertain you on a slow summer day or let you know what I'm up to. I can also look back 10 years later and laugh at myself.

Q2. Fine. Where are you going?
South Korea

Q3. But you've lived there before. What's going to be different?
This is my first time back in 9 years and from what I've heard, the country's changed. I am also going to be in Seoul by myself, the capital city and not to the countryside where all I saw growing up were rice paddies.

Q4. What are you doing there by yourself for more than a month there?
I'm taking some classes to relearn my now terrible Korean. Since I'm only taking 2 classes, I'll have plenty of time to explore and come back with a beer fueled story or two.

Q5. Why should I read this?
Hopefully it'll give you a different perspective not only about Korea but the States and maybe even a chuckle. It's also for me to jot down some things to remind myself later in the future. Who doesn't like reading their journals from 3rd grade?

I am leaving Saturday night so please check back in a week or so. If you have any other questions or want to be a douchebag, feel free to leave a comment here or on fbook. =)