The things you see in Korea
Just another 10 days until I can get on a plane and head back to all of you. Just 10 more days. It’s felt like a lifetime in the 25 days that I’ve been gone now. But I know why I’m here, and I know what it’s gained me being here and how it’s benefited our family in the end. Still sucks in truth.
One thing I wanted to share was the various odd things in Korea that I’ve noticed. The way people act, the way things are different from what you’d see at home and so on.
A very weird one for me was seeing a large, nationwide store being closed on a Sunday. Just not something you’d expect to see in the US, pretty much anywhere, including the religious areas. It doesn’t appear to be about religion either, as much as trying to make sure families have a day together, uninterrupted.
Convivence stores are everywhere… At least one per block it seems, if not two. And they vary greatly on what they carry and look like, all depending on the area. They all have one thing in common … Gimbap. Some are shaped like a sushi roll, others triangle (Samgak Gimbap), but all are seaweed with rice inside and stuffed with something else inside of that. Everything from crab to pork and chicken. They’re cheap too, which makes them enticing for me since I’d like to spend as little as possible being here.
On top of convenience stores, there is a chicken and beer place on every block. And they’re all delicious too. But they’re not meant for a person to go in alone… they’re all meant for groups. That’s the next one
Group serving size is everywhere in restaurant here. You pay a similar amount that you would in most places for a nice meal in the US, but it’s enough to be shared for two people. One time, it was around $58 for 4 of us to eat and each have a beer. Can’t imagine finding that in many places in the US.
Food carts/street food is everywhere too. This is tough, not knowing Korean, but it’s delicious if you can find either someone who speaks English there, or you’re just willing to try anything like I am. Unfortunately, a lot of it is made with a fish paste of some sort, and that I don’t seem to like. Hot dogs and corn dogs and hot dog potato tornadoes and hash brown hot dogs are interesting when you can find them. But they all usually have some other meats and seafoods you can try.
Sushi isn’t as common out here in the way it is back home. Most are Nigiri style, though you can find Sashimi as well, but rolls are nearly nonexistent, and the same goes for hand wraps.
The people are generally all nice. They will go out of their way to help, and they’re all well-meaning. Getting places is easy with Subways and buses and trains covering the whole country. And taxis that aren’t a complete rip off, though the rip off ones do exist too. But the people don’t try and walk through you like many places, and they don’t get offended when you walk around them.
It’s an interesting place. It’d probably be more interesting if I had my family with me, or even just Mom for the trip. Maybe we’ll come back on a vacation someday.
I miss you all so very much
Love, Papa