We've arrived!!

Well, we got here on Monday morning Korea time and it is now Friday afternoon. Today is really the first day that we seem to be on Korea time. We went downtown and it is actually not as small as we thought. There are tons of places to shop, a really cool market with food, clothes, household stuff, etc.  There are movie theatres with current, english movies and the tickets are about $4 each. You can also get a large popcorn and drink for $3 or $4 (as well as a side of squid). There are tons of bars, clubs, restaurants, you name it in the downtown area, but also a lot where we live.  There's a bus right outside the apartment complex which costs 1000 won (less than a dollar).  It's a less than 10min ride and you're already downtown so you could walk it in about 30mins.  

Today for lunch we went to a very traditional Korean restaurant where you have to sit on the floor and take your shoes off.  Unfortunately, MaryAnne had to go to the bathroom in her bare feet (there were however slippers by the bathroom entrance you put on).  We're trying everything offered although we definitely like some things more than others.  The kimchi is VERY spicy and not like anything back at home at the sushi restaurants.  Then there was a large bowl of soup with noodles that had a grated type of seaweed on the top.  The noodles had a very gelatin like texture to them and I have to say, it was definitely NOT my favourite! There was a "korean pizza" that was pretty good however.  It was basically spring onions and squid in dough and then fried.  Everyone shares from the "pizza" with their chopsticks.  It will definitely take some getting used to, that's for sure!

There's an "E-Mart" next to our apartment complex which is essentially like a really fancy Wal-Mart.  They have pretty much anything you could need and so we do have some comforts of home (last night was a peanut butter and jam sandwich for dinner).

We start teaching in two days so tomorrow we will go in and set up our classrooms.  We will teach everything from little kids to adults, some in groups no bigger than 15 and some one-on-one.  

We've started taking pictures and videos and plan on uploading some today so check back soon.

In general, the Koreans are some of the friendliest, most polite people we've ever met although a woman did push me off the bus this morning and I almost fell down the stairs (this was my true initiation into Korean culture although we have yet to experience someone spitting near us).  After we got off the bus, the same woman put her arm around MaryAnne and said several things to her in Korean.

Well, there are lots of things to say, but not enough time, but please download Skype (even if you don't have a webcam) and we can talk for free.  Our username is lamashere...we basically leave our Skype on all the time and the best time to  call us would be at your night time so from 6pm onwards. Hope to talk to you soon!!