One week in...

So we told everyone that we would post today about our experience teaching as we just finished up our first week at work; however, there isn't much to say. Its a job. We go, we work, we go home. Its really not different from the US other than corporal punishment is allowed (yippee!) and our computers are in hangul. Other than that...you go to work and then go home.

Instead, we wanted to share things that we have either left off or wanted to tell you all about, which is why we drafted a list of things we love (more than America) and have learned to accept about Korea.

Things we love: (these are in no particular order)


1. Drinking at the 7-11. Everyone does it...its perfectly acceptable. You go into 7-11, buy a beer and sit on the folding chairs provided right outside the door.

2. Walking around at 3am and feeling extremely safe. In Korea...there is basically no crime.

3. Sharing meals - most meals are completely shared so you get one dish and everyone digs in. They are very cheap (around $5) and you get PLENTY of food. There isn't a whole lot of variety, depending where you go, so it isn't hard to decide. The variety is in the type of restaurant you go too, not the menu. Here is a picture of us with Bryn (our American co-worker) at a restaurant where you get to sit on the floor! So fun! Just take off your shoes at the door, grab an apron and a mat and have a seat. Very exciting!

4. No tipping - so if the meal is $5...that's all you pay! Its amazing how much you save and how truely cheap food is here.

5. The call button! Some restaurants have a little button that you hit to get a server and they come over IMMEDIATELY! It's a great invention! Otherwise, people yell to them "yeogi yo" which means - come here (sort of). Please refer to #4 if you are not sure why this feature is so great.

6. Everyone is friendly. Everytime you walk into a store - please say hi or Annyeong hasayo.

7. Soju Juice - its like a combination of jungle juice with a frozen margarita, but awesome! Its obviously made up of soju, but we don't know what that is. It comes in a variety of flavors.

8. Beer coolers in tables - we referred to this in the last post, but this time we took pictures!

9. Appetizers at every meal! (Except when its fish and bugs). :)

Things we find acceptable:

1. No stop signs - seriously - none. Everyone just kind of goes and hopes no one is in their way.

2. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way, so it is important to cross in the cross walk. The lights take forever, but its worth it! Even when you wait at the lights, there is a chance you can get hit - so watch out and look both ways.

3. Their recycling program

4. The awful humidity and constant rain

5. Our apartment

That's about it for now. We'll keep you posted. Next week we are starting intensives, so we will be really busy for the next four weeks. Hope you are all doing well! We love your comments so keep them coming!