Korean Toilets...

So thankfully not too much has shocked me since I arrived in Korea due to speaking to people that have already visited and reading up on the internet prior to travelling. Apart from one thing; the toilets. Now I understand Korea is famous for its technology and small gadgets (the buttons on tables in restaurants to place an order and get refills being a personal favourite) but having quite so many buttons on a toilet is quite a novelty.

So imagine my shock a couple of days ago when I pressed what appeared to be the flush button, only to be greeted by water spraying out from the top of the toilet! Thankfully I wasn’t in the line of fire but it was still powerful enough to spray the back of the door, run down and cause quite a sizable puddle on the floor :| luckily my Korean buddy was next in line or it could have been quite disastrous as even closing the toilet lid didn’t seem to stop it’s flow. I later learnt, between fits of laughter, that these sorts of toilets also function as bidets for both parts (is that really necessary in a pizza restaurant?!) and thankfully the water sprayed out is clean.

After vowing never to touch another button on a Korean toilet again, I was once again surprised this afternoon when I sat down on a toilet seat that felt like it had been in the sun all day. Yes, a heated toilet seat. Who would have thought it? They even have buttons that change the temperature and the angle of the toilet seat. I mean, how long do they expect us to spend in there? It’s a public toilet!

I have just realised this is probably my longest post yet and it’s all about Korean toilets. On a brighter note I’m currently on the KTX heading to Seoul for the weekend!

Until next time,
EmJ x

Karaoke, Korean Style!

Well Korean's certainly know how to have a good time! After more Korean lessons and a pretty horrific yet interesting film based on the true story of a Korean serial killer who still hasn't been caught (eep!) we went for pizza and then karaoke for Kerry's birthday. For those of you who don't already know, karaoke is really popular in Korea and after tonight I can see why!

After being upgraded to the VIP room for free in a pretty snazzy Karaoke club, we then spent the evening belting out classic tunes (both in English and Korean) before heading back to halls for an early night before we travel to Seoul tomorrow :)

Hope you had a great Birthday Kerry!!

EmJ x

P.S: Apologies for the picture quality, will get a better one up soon once I've pinched them off someone else. Too busy dancing to keep in focus :P

We ♥ to BBQ!

So today we had our first Korean lesson, and I read my first few words! And oh boy is it difficult, my head hurt after just two hours :| not only do we need to learn the translation but also how to read and write it using an entirely different alphabet. In three weeks I'll be happy if I can just put a simple sentence together! It seems so strange being in a country where I can only say two words and cannot read anything (and a bit daunting at times)!

However in the evening we decided to hit the town (or should I say enormous city) for the well-deserved Korean BBQ! Another shoes off, sitting on the floor event, the raw meat was brought to the table and we got to cook it to perfection :) we also got to show the Koreans the delights of fried onions haha.

Pictures to be posted on facebook as soon as I get the chance (probably on the 2h30 long train journey to Seoul at the weekend) but for now, much needed sleep.

Nos da!

EmJ x

Nowt like a nice cup of tea to cool you down!

So yesterday we were lucky enough to visit Busan Girls' University to learn about and practice 다례, a traditional Korean tea ceremony that has been around for thousands of years. It seemed bizzare sitting on the floor with no shoes on and only being allowed to touch the utensils with certain hands as well as remembering their positioning on the tray. It was definitely interesting, but I'm not going to lie, it was a lot of effort for two of three sips of green tea from a miniature cup and saucer, which I wasn't even that fussed for by the time we got to the drinking part! Twinings in a mug it wasn't, but at least I've finally managed to buy myself some English Breakfast tea and chocolate digestives and show my Korean buddy our own British tea ceremony. The biscuit dunk and sip. Heathens the lot of us!

EmJ

Happy 4th July American Folks!

Ahn nyeong ha se yo from Korea and Happy Independence Day!

So we've finally had our 'orientation day' at the university and the program looks amazing! So far we have temple visits, dressing up in traditional clothes, cooking, Korean 'tea-parties' (Dado), playing Korean drums, calligraphy and taekwondo to look forward to! I've also met some amazing people from all over the world who I got to spend the evening with on the beach lighting sparklers to celebrate Independence day in America!

Will write more when I get the chance, now I finally have the internet in my room it makes things a lot easier. Who knew trying to find a wifi hotspot in a Korean coffee shop would be so difficult...

Until next time,

EmJ x

Happy Birthday to me...?

Okay, so apparently in Korea when you're born you're already one year old, which technically makes me 21! Which also means I haved already failed my challenge over here... boo! On a brighter note, my Korean 'buddy' for the exchange (2nd right in the photo below) is amazing and the halls (especially the views from the 17th floor) are putting the whole of Ffridd site to shame. Have also met some lovely American, Spanish and Australian girls on the course too who also love shopping as much as me, just a shame all of the shoe shops we've entered so far only stock up to UK size 5! Hoping to make it to Seoul this weekend though so who knows :)

But for now, time for bed. All these bright lights and big city life is making me constantly sleepy. As if I'm ever anything else!

Modu gusnais (goodnight all)
EmJ x

I'm in Busan Baby!

Ahhh, after over 24hours of travelling and some interesting plane food later I am finally in Busan, and what a place! Already tried the local delicacy, pigs' trotters broth, some funky vegetables and an oversized pot noodle, but more importantly, I've completed another challenge! Yup, have attended my first proper football match at Asiad Main Stadium to watch Busan I'Park beat Seongnam 1-0!

Jokbal soup - the result of entering a Korean restaurant and ordering two of whatever the person sitting next to you is having. Pig's trotters, lovely!

But now, I'm severely in need of sleep and am meeting my Korean 'Buddy' tomorrow so will add more updates as and when they occur :)

Nos da pawb,

EmJx