SEOUL - OCTOBER 1, 2000
I have just spent my first weekend in Seoul. Completely different place than Pusan in nearly every respect. I feel like I am in a completely different country than Pusan. I have been staying at the home of two friends, Lance and Eric. We hit the bars until the extremely early hours each weekend night so far. I am amazed at the nightlife in this city. First off, it doesn't stop. All bar curfews have been lifted, so our first night I arrived home around 8am. Last night, somehow I made it home by 4am, but it took alot of effort.
Tomorrow, one of my old Pusan friends will be in Seoul for a day. I haven't seen him in about three years, so I am looking forward to that opportunity. Brad has been living in Korea, and mostly Seoul for the the last few years, we were both in Pusan several years ago. At the moment he's on some very extended travels, and in transit through Seoul for the day, and then back towards Southeast Asia again.
Also, I have met quite a few people through Lance already. Since I am really familiar with Pusan, and some of the other people aren't, we are thinking of making a road trip next weekend down there. The 5th International Film Festival of Pusan is taking place next weekend. Its a huge event, and one of the largest Film Festivals in Asia now. I lived and attended the first Film Festival of Pusan back in 1996. I hope to also meet with some of old friends, if we do make the trip - Cathy, Alice, and an old teacher Young-Hee if possible. A picture of Alice is in the Pusan pictures. We were all co-teachers in Pusan back in 1996-97.
This week will be extremely busy. I'll be looking for Ha-Sook (similar to a boarding house) to live in. Hopefully near the University. Another necessary goal is to seach for teaching opportunities. In a few of the bars over the weekend, I took a few numbers down from some advertisements. First I need to get more settled.
Also, it took awhile to find my way around Pusan, a 5.5 million population, Seoul will be much more challenging with its 12+ million population. Without street names, common in Korea, you have to really become familiar with places and just where they are. It takes some time. I will probably be doing more of that this coming week.
Thanks to Lance and Eric for letting me stay in their extra room though. Its been great, and have met alot of really cool people already. Plus great way to get back into Seoul and Korea culture. Believe me, Seoul is SO much different than Pusan. I am really going to enjoy myself here.
(Oh, and a side note. The writing style of these journals are VERY much from the top-of-my-head and unedited. Everything here is written quickly and spontaneously without polish. So basically just take what I've written here as is, and not at the quality of grammar or spelling).
Read the Next Journal Entry 10/4/2000
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Wintermoon2@yahoo.com