First impressions of Seoul

The flight over here wasn't AS bad as I had prepped myself for although I was pretty exhausted after finally arriving at the airport at 1:30 a.m. Toronto time. The director of the schools nephew picked me up and told me that we would be going directly from the airport to the school so I could meet everyone. Smelly and exhausted this wasn't what I wanted to hear but I didn't have much say :)

The traffic pulling into the city was insane and I don't know why anyone would even bother driving here. We were around the corner from the school and as the director's nephew talked away on his phone in Korean a small dog ran out into the street right in front of us. There was no time for either of them to react and he ran right over the poor little guy. He dropped his phone, cursed (I am assuming) and pulled over to the side of the road. In the rear view we could see that he wasn't moving and we were naturally both a pretty shaken up. I reassured him that there wasn't anything he could have done however had he not been speeding and on his phone, who knows? Hope this isn't a bad omen for the rest of my trip! It certainly was a lesson that I need to be extremely careful when walking around. No one J walks here (although the lights take several minutes to change) and the intersections huge and complicated so caution is a must. The school was modern and clean and everyone was VERY welcoming and understanding that I probably wanted to get a hot shower and some rest.

From the school, the nephew took me to the hotel that I will be staying at for the next 3 days. It is very nice and in the touristy part of Seoul. Think Yonge and Dundas times 5. After showering at the hotel I went for my first exploration and to have some dinner. Deciding what to eat was difficult because very few of the restaurants have signs in English and there are places to eat everywhere! Not to mention all of the people selling food out of stands on the road. After walking for about an hour I was too hungry and tired not to stop so I picked a place that said 'chicken and beer' on the sign. No one in the restaurant spoke English but the food was great!

It is extremely hot and humid here and although most places are air conditioned, I don't think I have stopped sweating. After an early night last night I woke up at 5 a.m. this morning and decided to go for a jog and to explore before the sun came up. I found a great park with exercise facilities after jogging for about a half hour and I had a great and much needed workout. The strange sights and smells were giving me a bit of sensory over load so it was really great to workout in a park that was tucked away from the craziness that is Seoul. On my way back from the park the streets were getting busier with commuters and as I walked in my sweat drenched tank top, I felt a bit like a Martian. Just about everyone I passed had a second and third look at me which was a new experience. Everyone here however is extremely friendly and seem to be very content. I have yet to smile at an 'on looker' who hasn't returned a smile back!

I am getting ready for my first day at the school now! Looking forward to meeting those who I didn't meet yesterday as well as the students!! I just hope they don't send the nephew to pick me up :)

So long until my next post!

Getting ready for take off

T-minus 5 days till departure! I am just about packed and the reality of leaving is really setting in. It is a strange mix of excitement and nerves along with some anxiety over just how much I will miss home and everyone here. No turning back now though :)

My next post will be from the other side!!

1st Post

Not much to report at this point. I plan to make weekly updates with pictures and what not once I get to Korea and get settled. Thanks for checking it out and hopefully my future blogs will be entertaining! Or I'm coming home :)