Okay, so I wasn't actually in the country....I was in Busan, which is actually the second largest city in Korea, but the thing is, when you're in Busan, it doesn't feel like the city. There's not as much of the hustle-bustle, pushy-shovey, hurried atmosphere of Seoul. I've come to the conclusion that people who leave near the ocean are just happier more laid back people....and the weather couldn't have been more amazing!
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| Seoul Station |
This isn't just street food....it's a street bar! This guy set up a couple bottles of alcohol and some speakers on a plastic fold-out table and he's in business. If this isn't a laid-back city, I don't know what is...
Another thing I love about Korea? No one will ever turn you down if you need a drinking buddy...we literally just met these people on the beach and started playing drinking games with them. They didn't even mind us joining, and it was one of the best memories I've had in Seoul. One of the games we just called "the screaming game" -basically you try to scream not just louder, but at a higher pitch than the person next to you, and if you can't- you drink! Definitely, these guys were a good time.
The beach in Busan was gorgeous! Definitely beats Seoul's dirty streets...
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| I have no idea what this fish is called, but it is seriously the creepiest, most disgusting thing I've ever seen |
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| these ladies are hard core fisherwomen! |
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| would you like to buy an octopus? |
One of Busan's best contributions? Sashimi center: the freshest and widest variety of fish in Korea...but don't be fooled by the humble appearances- it comes at a price (25,000-50,000 W/person.... a fortune in Korean standards!)
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| the Koreans love their movie stars! |
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| roll out the red carpet... |
One of our final stops in Busan was the aquarium....definitely worth stopping by if you have the time. They have a great variety of different species of fish, some of which I've never seen before....and they have a live shark feeding show every day.
All in all, I really loved Busan.... even with the five hour bus ride, it was totally worth the trip. I'm enjoying venturing to other areas of Korea and finding how different they are from Seoul, if Busan and Seoul were brothers, Seoul would be the hard-working, serious, dedicated older brother, and Busan would be the fun little brother everyone loves to hang out with, but always gets told...why can't you be more like your big brother Seoul? But both are great cities, each with its own personality.
I really love your blog! I stayed in Seoul this summmer and I agree that Seoul has a very fast and serious personality! I want to study abroad in South Korea again but for an Academic Year. But I can't choose betwee Chung Ang or Keimyung University in Daegu.Can you tell me more about what it is like at Chung Ang? Is it easy to make Korean friends and get involved?
ReplyDeleteHi pinkybre!
ReplyDeleteI can't make a comparison between Chung Ang and Keimyung, but I will tell you that Chung-Ang is a great place to get involved and get to know Seoul. For one thing, it's strategically placed so it's ever so close to the city, but you still feel secluded from city life. Also, there are a ton of clubs and cultural events for study abroad students, so you'll never be at a loss for things to do. Finally, if you are from the United States and are a native English speaker, ask your university if you are eligible for the Global Leaders Scholarship, it's a wonderful way to get to know Korean people and culture, as well as to make some money on the side! If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at kytti@zoominternet.net.... I'd be happy to tell you anything you want to know :)
-Morgan