Week Uno in Seoul!

What a great first start to the beginning of a new adventure! I have only been here 6 days, but have settled in so smoothly, that it seems like I've been here for longer!

My flight was pretty smooth going, I arrived on the evening of Wednesday the 5th, and I can't say I've fully beat the jetleg syndrome, as I find many sleepless 5ams. I was picked up by the personal manager of Rainbow International School, and he took me to my new apartment. First impressions? Well, smaller than I was expecting, but after talking with so many other foreigners, this is what 95% of the single apartments are like. I made it homey as possible with all of my pictures from home (I even hung the pillow cases my family made for me with iron-on pictures, on the wall). I've done my best to make it "my space" and I already feel a sense of comfort in it.

A new Kindergarten teacher, from Nova Scotia, arrived the same day as I did, and lives in the same building! We spent our first Friday night trying a Korean dish (Bibimbap), which is a rice dish with veggies. Good thing Erin knew a bit about Korean food, the rice is still cooking in the hot, black dish they serve it in, so you have to stir it right away or it'll stick to the dish. Most Korean dishes come with little side dishes, called Banchan; mostly veggies or soups. The most popular is Kimchi, spicy cabbage (mom said cabbage is good for my digestive system, so eat it) ha ha. Then we ventured out to Emart (like a Walmart) to get some household goods.

The rest of my first weekend in Seoul was spent exploring. There is an beautiful running trail long a small river right by my place. It is all light up nicely at night time, and so many people are always walking, running or biking on it (the odd time there are random trucks on it, kind of like city workers…but they don’t really warn you, they just kind of side swipe you ha ha). Which reminds me of the copious amounts of motorbikes on the sidewalks, that too swipe beside you! In general, traffic is pretty crazy. When walking, pedestrians never have the right of way, and you wouldn’t dare of jay walking. When in cabs, don’t be a backseat driver, because you’d be harping the whole time. There is so much darting in and out, and cabs go freaking fast too! Seems like a rollercoaster ride at times!

…weekend, where did I leave off? I found some cute vendors who sell fruit and some other interesting food that I haven’t been venturous enough to try…one being silk work larvae. No comment. I met up with a university friend, Poly, who took me to my first Korean BBQ experience. The meat is cooked right in front of you on a little stove in the middle of the table. Then you can eat the meat on lettuce leaves, again with lots of side dishes. Poly introduced me to a bunch of his friends and we had some social drinks of the Korean Soju. Soju is a clear, tasteless liquor; most often compared to vodka. We went to a dank little hip hop bar called Slang. I left that night feeling like I was back in Canada, since we were with so many foreigners (interesting to dub myself that now).

Sunday, another friend of mine (through Kelly and Ian), Ian took me to another Korean BBQ,, but a different meat. In fact, eating out is cheaper than grocery shopping, which is the opposite to home. I haven’t paid more than 10 000 Won for a full meal (which is $10), and best yet no tipping! In fact they look at you like you’ve made a mistake if you even try. We went to a night market and some department stores. Yes, me likely the shopping here! That’s for sure! Heaps of cheap DVDs too (4 for $10).

I started at Rainbow International School on Monday. So far so good! The school consists of several Kindergarten classes and a class for each grade from 1 to 5. All of the elementary school teachers are from Canada or the states. Nicole , grade 1; Myself, grade 2; Lee, grade 3; Jill, grade 4 and Marcia grade 5. They are all awesome. Great coworkers, we have a great team. But they are also so friendly, helpful and outgoing! The administration is excellent too! The school is a Turkish run school, and the Turkish bosses have the mentality to treat their staff like family. There is a lot of autonomy at the school too, in that it’s only 2 years running, and they look to us to help with the curriculum and implement our own practices from home to find a pedagogy that fits best. My kids are darlings. In fact, I only have 5 students right now. With it being a growing school, they expect more to join by the end of the year. All of my students are from Saudi Arabia, and their parents are here working as engineers. Because I work for an international school, my students are not actually Korean. I have the best of both worlds in my opinion. I get to experience both Korean and middle eastern culture! The school also provides lunch each day, which is usually some mix of Korean, Turkish or North American food. Either way, I’m so happy not to have to brown bag it each day! I’m teaching only 4 of 10 subjects; Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Art. So I am only teaching for 18 of 30 classes. Not a bad deal at all! Overall, the school is excellent, and I’m happy to be part of such a great institution!

Fun Facts:
***Laundry-Washer in my place, but can’t read a darn thing—just start pressing button and hope to hear water running

***Ordering Coffee-Harder than what you’d think. After many attempts at charades at Starbucks, she asked “Drip?” BINGO!~btw it's pricy here $3.00!

***Subway-Excellent system, can get you anywhere in Seoul and for only about a $1 a ride

***Parking, lack there of-Every stinking place you look, sidewalk, parking garages there are cars every which way. You wonder how they’d ever get out, because they block each other in…solution: They all have their cell phone #s in the front windshield (like engraved in a plate) to call if you need out!