Well, here I am !!The long awaited and yet unexpected visit to Korea. Since I first, somehow, got the job as a server at Joa Korean restaurant, I've wanted to come to this land far, far away. Now my dreams that I never anticipated to become a reality, have come true. But somehow, I am still a little sad. Even though I am here with my best friend and experiencing relatively new things and discovering new places, I have found myself missing Turkey. Did I leave too early? Feeling as if I did not finish my tour of Turkey, I feel cut short. As one of my dear Turkish friends put it: I've been jipped. But I will return next year, hopefully having a stronger appreciation and better knowledge of the language.
Moving on... upon arriving in Seoul three weeks ago, still with an uncertainty as to where I would be sleeping that evening and with whom I would be sharing said roof with, I struggled with my luggage to the busy streets of Itaewon. I managed to contact my supposed host and waited for his arrival. My first impressions of Korea were relatively disappointing. The streets were flooded with foreigners; Americans, Europeans, and hundreds of CANADIANS. Seoul reminded me all too much of New York City; Flushings in particular but with less Koreans. Western chains bordered the sidewalks and lights brightly littered the sky. Perhaps I became accustomed to the rustic, ancient lifestyle of Turkey that made Seoul slightly obnoxious. Don't get me wrong. I had an amazing time in Seoul. The weekend was epic and will forever be remembered. Perhaps it's what I wanted. It was fourth of July weekend, and I did ask for some American nostalgia. So I admit Seoul satisfied my taste for the US for the fourth. We ate at Subway, and Hooters. We drank lots of beer and jager and sang the Star-spangled Banner rooftop. It actually was magical. Singing the song with other Americans (and some CANADIANS) was really great and if I was any drunker (yes. drunker), it would have brought me to tears.
