It's been some time since I last updated. It's amazing that although I don't really have a job in Korea, my days are quite occupied. I might not be doing anything that's of any significance in the eyes of strangers but I am doing a lot of things.
But I choose this topic to write about because Tako, a girl from Hong Kong who is pretty much like me- came to Korea to try out something new, to experience a different lifestyle or maybe simply to be out of Hong Kong for a while, said this to me last Saturday:
"I think I'm going through the same thing that you are going through when I first met you at Kimchi."
I met Tako at Kimchi Hostel. I believe at that time, I was at my one-month mark since arriving in Korea. The guests and even the staff sometimes do not get why I stay at the hostel all the time. They are always asking me to go out. But at that point in time, I have just decided that I was going to stay till the end of my visa and I just wanted to experience "growing roots" at a place. But at Kimchi, I have found my home in Korea so it's almost like getting used to the fact that I have a permanent place here.
Tako has since moved out of Kimchi Hostel. First she moved to her friend's Korean friend's place (complicated right?) but now she's renting a studio apartment (one-room apartment). And she made the remark. I believe she is settling down and changing gear. Since she has a working holiday visa, she is now getting her ARC (Alien Registration Card) done. The 'traveler' status is now being changed to a 'semi-resident' status. The feeling is very different.
I have moved beyond the settling down stage and am probably in the 'LIVING HERE' stage. I go to the shops in my area. The ahjummah at 김밥천국 (Kimbap Heaven-a franchise that serves Korean food at affordable prices [below 6000won]) and Pizza School probably can recognise me by now. The ahjummah at Kimbap Heaven told me once when I bought Coke to the restaurant that I'd put on weight if I drink Coke. The baristas at Maple Coffee (Suzy and Yoon) are on first-name basis with me. I am taking free Korean lessons at the Yeonnam Global Village which is like a few streets away from Kimchi. Tako joined the class last week so after class, we went to Maple Coffee to revise and do our homework. Suzy sat down with us last Thursday after her shift and helped us with Korean while we help her with English. And we made arrangement to do the same thing each week.
Tako and I also went to another free Korean language class run by kongbubang.wordpress.com. This class is near Sook Myung Womens' University which is on the same line as Myeong Dong. After class last week, we went to Myeong Dong for dinner. Myeong Dong is like Orchard Road or City Hall to me now. So now we have a weekend hangout place too.
Today (16th May), I was going to do something different - expand my social circle to environment beyond 1 kilometers around Kimchi. I wanted to go for Language Cast, a gathering for people learning languages organised by the people who runs "Talk to Me in Korean" and actually registered saying I'd go. I did go. I was at the venue but just before it started, I chickened out and left the cafe.
Maybe I'm not ready yet. Or maybe I don't want to have even more 'connections' in Korea. Already thinking about the fact that I might have to leave one day, leaving my 'family' in Kimchi behind is not something I look forward to. If I start to know MORE people, it might get worse.
Whatever the reason is, I have to try to move on to the next stage. And seriously, life in Korea is full of strange and wonderful happenings. Read my next entry to find out why~
Showing posts with label Kimchi Hostel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kimchi Hostel. Show all posts
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Life in Korea: Buying Plus Size Clothes in Korea
Where to buy clothes that fits me is always a big question mark, even in Singapore. The problem becomes more glaring when I'm in Korea. It is difficult to find clothes that fit me. So in the end, I turned to the only source that I'm familiar with - Google and searched for plus-size clothes for women. And from a forum, I saw a recommendation for OKBT in Itaewon so I decided to try my luck. I was getting tired of seeing myself in just jeans. So I thought if I could get some legging it would be great.
So I left Kimchi Hostel and went to take the subway train to Itaewon. I couldn't find the shop in the first round of walking around with the limited instruction that was posted in the forum and I can't remember the shop name as well. I took a rest in Starbucks then walked back towards the station on the other side of the road. I was about to give up hope when I finally saw the sign!! So I went up and I found the shop.
The shop is not fanciful but it serves its purpose which was to provide clothes for plus-sized women. I asked if she had leggings (which was my goal) and when she said yes, I was so relieved. She found the leggings, and I tried them on and it fits!! So I bought 2 of those and walked around a bit more. I didn't see anything I fancy at the moment but I wasn't really looking for anything to buy at the moment.
At least now I know if I were looking for something to wear, I know where to look for it!
So I left Kimchi Hostel and went to take the subway train to Itaewon. I couldn't find the shop in the first round of walking around with the limited instruction that was posted in the forum and I can't remember the shop name as well. I took a rest in Starbucks then walked back towards the station on the other side of the road. I was about to give up hope when I finally saw the sign!! So I went up and I found the shop.
New World Plaza
2F Itaewon-dong 119-26
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Subway: Itaewon Station, Exit 1.
Walk in the direction AWAY from Hamilton Shopping Center
The shop is not fanciful but it serves its purpose which was to provide clothes for plus-sized women. I asked if she had leggings (which was my goal) and when she said yes, I was so relieved. She found the leggings, and I tried them on and it fits!! So I bought 2 of those and walked around a bit more. I didn't see anything I fancy at the moment but I wasn't really looking for anything to buy at the moment.
At least now I know if I were looking for something to wear, I know where to look for it!
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Life in Korea: the famous Lamb
I love coffee. A few people had gone for coffee sessions with me back in Singapore (yes, Lynda, I'm talking about you!) In Korea, I got to know Yoon unnie (who I will introduce in a separate entry) and she brought me to this coffee joint, the famous Lamb that is near to both Kimchi Hostel and Hong Guesthouse. It's nearer to Kimchi actually, like 2 streets away and on the way to Hongik University Subway station.
the famous Lamb is one of the many coffee joints other than the main commercial brands that you can find in Seoul. But what I like about this place is
1. the coffee isn't too expensive,
2. free refills (select from their hand-drip coffee menu and Americano) after ordering the first drink,
3. free WiFi,
4. friendly staff
5. near to Kimchi Hostel where I'm staying so I don't have to walk too far away.
So today, I came to the famous Lamb with Danny to study Korean after lunch. Didn't really manage to study a lot since I had to do other stuff as well. But I'm reminded of the days back in Singapore where I would just pack my laptop and go to Starbucks for a cup of coffee and get some writing done. Maybe I would make this a daily routine instead of just staying at Kimchi the whole day. It's becoming a joke that I'm there longer than the staff who works there.
No, I didn't get a free cup of coffee for writing this. It's a nice and cozy place and since this is all about my life in Korea, I have to write it down.
the famous Lamb
Seoul, Mapo-gu
Donggyo-dong
203-30
the famous Lamb is one of the many coffee joints other than the main commercial brands that you can find in Seoul. But what I like about this place is
1. the coffee isn't too expensive,
2. free refills (select from their hand-drip coffee menu and Americano) after ordering the first drink,
3. free WiFi,
4. friendly staff
5. near to Kimchi Hostel where I'm staying so I don't have to walk too far away.
So today, I came to the famous Lamb with Danny to study Korean after lunch. Didn't really manage to study a lot since I had to do other stuff as well. But I'm reminded of the days back in Singapore where I would just pack my laptop and go to Starbucks for a cup of coffee and get some writing done. Maybe I would make this a daily routine instead of just staying at Kimchi the whole day. It's becoming a joke that I'm there longer than the staff who works there.
No, I didn't get a free cup of coffee for writing this. It's a nice and cozy place and since this is all about my life in Korea, I have to write it down.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Life in Korea: Meeting New People - The Taiwanese Ladies!
Since I traveled alone to Korea this time, if I wanted to have someone to talk to, I would actually have to take the first step in talking to other people. So this would be a series of stories of people I met at Kimchi Hostel and where I went with these people. I have to emphasize that they are not necessarily in the order I met them.
SO! I think this occurred after David moved me back to Kimchi Hostel. There were 3 ladies from Taiwan and I got to know them when they first arrived. Since I spoke Chinese and they spoke Chinese, I became the bridging gap when they can't really speak English to the staff or when they don't really understand the staff. But we only got closer when they had to buy tickets for Park Jung Min's birthday fan meeting and they got Daniel to help them with it since it's all in Korean.
I tagged along for the last few days of their trip here. To be honest, without them, I probably won't have visited some of the places myself. While I acted as the guide on some occasions, they were the ones with the guidebooks. The two boys from Singapore, Shi Hao and Jason came along as well.
I shall talk about our trip to Myeong Dong-Seoul Tower. Basically we decide to go to Myeong Dong because the CD shop that I know of sells CD at cheaper and more reasonable prices than the other shops we saw. We went on the day the Big Bang Special Edition came out.
Here's a tip on getting to Myeong Dong. Because Kimchi and Hong Guesthouse are both located near Hong Dae area, we are on Line 2 of the Seoul Metro. By right, if we want to go to Myeong Dong, we would have to transfer to Line 4 at Seoul Station. That's a VERY LONG walk. So from Hongik Univ. Station, take the subway to Euljiro 1-ga, walk towards Exit 5. You will see a shop selling socks/accessories. Climb the staircase that's next to the store. When you exit, you should see Starbucks to your left and Outback Steakhouse in front of you. Make a right turn and walk straight. After probably 3 minutes, you would probably see Coffee Beans. Continue walking straight, you should see MLB. Once you reach MLB, you are in Myeong Dong. :)
Anyway, since our main motive for going to Myeong Dong was to get the albums and then take the bus to the Seoul Tower, we didn't spend a lot of time in Myeong Dong itself. To put it very simply, Myeong Dong is the mecca of Korean cosmetic brands. You can find probably every Korean brands there, with more than one outlets most of the time.
Getting to Seoul Tower by bus. I know most people would want to do the cable car because it looked so romantic in dramas. I have not tried it myself but I have people telling me that they have to walk quite a distance. So to me, taking the bus is 1. cheaper (900won) and 2. it takes me to the foot of the tower. I have to climb up a very steep slope to reach the tower but that's fine.
To get to the bus, get out at Exit 4 of Myeong Dong Station. Walk towards the bus stop. You should walk past Paris Baguette. Wait for Bus no. 5. It's a special bus that travels from Myeong Dong to Seoul Tower. If you have T-Money card, just tap. If you have to pay cash, it should not be more than 1000won.
I have gone to the Seoul Tower on my own during the day but the view at night was really great. So my advice if you want to go to the Seoul Tower would be to do it when the sun is setting. The setting sun view is gorgeous as well. And then when the city landscape is lit up by the lights, it is really nice!
The highlight of Seoul Tower, other than the observatory is the locks left behind by lovers. We have seen it done on We Got Married (Khuntoria) and Si Ying was actually going to try looking for the Khuntoria lock. No, she was not successful.
I think more than the scenary, it was the company that matters. People who likes the same things as you, people who opened their arms to a stranger when there isn't a need to. So I really have to thank the 3 lovely ladies for a lovely time I had with them.
SO! I think this occurred after David moved me back to Kimchi Hostel. There were 3 ladies from Taiwan and I got to know them when they first arrived. Since I spoke Chinese and they spoke Chinese, I became the bridging gap when they can't really speak English to the staff or when they don't really understand the staff. But we only got closer when they had to buy tickets for Park Jung Min's birthday fan meeting and they got Daniel to help them with it since it's all in Korean.
Introducing my traveling partners from Taiwan: Xiao Mi, Yu Yun and Si Ying
I tagged along for the last few days of their trip here. To be honest, without them, I probably won't have visited some of the places myself. While I acted as the guide on some occasions, they were the ones with the guidebooks. The two boys from Singapore, Shi Hao and Jason came along as well.
I shall talk about our trip to Myeong Dong-Seoul Tower. Basically we decide to go to Myeong Dong because the CD shop that I know of sells CD at cheaper and more reasonable prices than the other shops we saw. We went on the day the Big Bang Special Edition came out.
Here's a tip on getting to Myeong Dong. Because Kimchi and Hong Guesthouse are both located near Hong Dae area, we are on Line 2 of the Seoul Metro. By right, if we want to go to Myeong Dong, we would have to transfer to Line 4 at Seoul Station. That's a VERY LONG walk. So from Hongik Univ. Station, take the subway to Euljiro 1-ga, walk towards Exit 5. You will see a shop selling socks/accessories. Climb the staircase that's next to the store. When you exit, you should see Starbucks to your left and Outback Steakhouse in front of you. Make a right turn and walk straight. After probably 3 minutes, you would probably see Coffee Beans. Continue walking straight, you should see MLB. Once you reach MLB, you are in Myeong Dong. :)
Anyway, since our main motive for going to Myeong Dong was to get the albums and then take the bus to the Seoul Tower, we didn't spend a lot of time in Myeong Dong itself. To put it very simply, Myeong Dong is the mecca of Korean cosmetic brands. You can find probably every Korean brands there, with more than one outlets most of the time.
Getting to Seoul Tower by bus. I know most people would want to do the cable car because it looked so romantic in dramas. I have not tried it myself but I have people telling me that they have to walk quite a distance. So to me, taking the bus is 1. cheaper (900won) and 2. it takes me to the foot of the tower. I have to climb up a very steep slope to reach the tower but that's fine.
To get to the bus, get out at Exit 4 of Myeong Dong Station. Walk towards the bus stop. You should walk past Paris Baguette. Wait for Bus no. 5. It's a special bus that travels from Myeong Dong to Seoul Tower. If you have T-Money card, just tap. If you have to pay cash, it should not be more than 1000won.
I have gone to the Seoul Tower on my own during the day but the view at night was really great. So my advice if you want to go to the Seoul Tower would be to do it when the sun is setting. The setting sun view is gorgeous as well. And then when the city landscape is lit up by the lights, it is really nice!
The highlight of Seoul Tower, other than the observatory is the locks left behind by lovers. We have seen it done on We Got Married (Khuntoria) and Si Ying was actually going to try looking for the Khuntoria lock. No, she was not successful.
I think more than the scenary, it was the company that matters. People who likes the same things as you, people who opened their arms to a stranger when there isn't a need to. So I really have to thank the 3 lovely ladies for a lovely time I had with them.
Monday, 18 April 2011
A New Beginning: New Home and Family-Kimchi Hostel
People who have been reading this blog knows about my decision to come to Korea, how I missed my flight (wait, I didn't write about that YET but I think I would include that in a 'Incheon Internation Airport MUST-KNOWs' post), and eventually how I decide to stay in Korea. I really have to thank the good people at Hong Guesthouse and Kimchi Hostel for providing a shelter and lots of hospitality towards someone who was pretty much lost and left stranded in a foreign land.
So from today onwards, I will be writing on my life in Korea, from the perspective of a tourist, the difficulties faced, the places I have visited or visiting etc. And if you have any questions, do feel free to comment. If I have an answer, I will let you know. If I don't, I would ask around.
And I am going to write in Chinese too. Do help me spread the word around. :)
I have stayed in both Hong Guesthouse and Kimchi Hostel but now I'm pretty much settled in Kimchi Hostel. So I'd introduce my family in Kimchi Hostel first. The pictures will come a little later, have to give the guys some advance notice so they can put on their best shirt.
David: The man who runs both Hong Guesthouse and Kimchi Hostel. He shuffles between the two, organises dinner and weekend parties for the guests in both guesthouses. He's around most of the time and speaks really good English since he grew up in Vancouver.
Day Staff
There's a total of 3 daytime staff at Kimchi Hostel
Jun (Monday-Wednesday)
Daniel (Thursday-Friday)
Steve (Saturday-Sunday)
Night Staff
Danny
Danny is also my Korean language studying partner. So we spent the evening from 9 to 12 studying Korea while he looks after the reception desk. I might start a section on "What I have learnt today" about Korean language on this blog, so keep a lookout for that too.
I hang out at the 'living room' a lot since that's where the TV is. Steve is my TV watching partner when I'm around during the weekend. He'd ask me if I want lunch/dinner when he wants to order delivery.
So all in all, I'm very happy. Now I can spend my days exploring, writing and learning about Korea. I would say I'm at the best place right now.
About the author:
Singaporean who decided to pay Korea a visit after 2 long years of simply talking about it. Due to unforeseen circumstances, ended up staying in Korea.
Currently residing in Seoul, South Korea and staying at Kimchi Hostel.
So from today onwards, I will be writing on my life in Korea, from the perspective of a tourist, the difficulties faced, the places I have visited or visiting etc. And if you have any questions, do feel free to comment. If I have an answer, I will let you know. If I don't, I would ask around.
And I am going to write in Chinese too. Do help me spread the word around. :)
I have stayed in both Hong Guesthouse and Kimchi Hostel but now I'm pretty much settled in Kimchi Hostel. So I'd introduce my family in Kimchi Hostel first. The pictures will come a little later, have to give the guys some advance notice so they can put on their best shirt.
David: The man who runs both Hong Guesthouse and Kimchi Hostel. He shuffles between the two, organises dinner and weekend parties for the guests in both guesthouses. He's around most of the time and speaks really good English since he grew up in Vancouver.
Day Staff
There's a total of 3 daytime staff at Kimchi Hostel
Jun (Monday-Wednesday)
Daniel (Thursday-Friday)
Steve (Saturday-Sunday)
Night Staff
Danny
Danny is also my Korean language studying partner. So we spent the evening from 9 to 12 studying Korea while he looks after the reception desk. I might start a section on "What I have learnt today" about Korean language on this blog, so keep a lookout for that too.
I hang out at the 'living room' a lot since that's where the TV is. Steve is my TV watching partner when I'm around during the weekend. He'd ask me if I want lunch/dinner when he wants to order delivery.
So all in all, I'm very happy. Now I can spend my days exploring, writing and learning about Korea. I would say I'm at the best place right now.
About the author:
Singaporean who decided to pay Korea a visit after 2 long years of simply talking about it. Due to unforeseen circumstances, ended up staying in Korea.
Currently residing in Seoul, South Korea and staying at Kimchi Hostel.
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