So I had the last two days off from school, as the semester doesn’t start until tomorrow (September 1st). As I’m new to the city, I took the opportunity to explore the area.
Yesterday, I wandered through Pukyong University, which is right by my house, and continued on to Gwangalli Beach. Pukyong’s campus is fairly dull, though some of the architecture is quite modern and cool. There is also a really nice garden type area with a running stream (not sure where it goes) and lots of plant life. There is a sitting area that is best described (Editor’s Note: by me, not someone who is actually good at describing things) as a Korean gazebo. It’s just like an American gazebo, though the pillars are engraved with Buddhist designs and the roof is the classic “upward half circle, downward half circle” (I believe that’s the technical term) Asian roofing pattern. I decided that I’m going to learn ukulele in that garden, as I recently claimed one that had been left behind by a previous EPIK teacher.
From the garden I went to check out the campus gym, as I was thinking of joining one. Unfortunately, Pukyong’s gym is crap. It’s probably no more than 500 sq feet, and filling sweating, grunting students. No thanks. But nearby is a small, enclosed Astroturf soccer field that’s open to the public. Perfect size for some 4 v 4. Hopefully I’ll be able to organize some games there; it’s too close to not take advantage of.
From Pukyong I walked to Gwangalli beach, which took 20 minutes or so. The walk was nice, and the beach is stunning. From the shore you’ve got an incredible view of the Gwangan Daegyo Bridge and downtown Busan. I think I’ll be spending a lot of time there, too, especially because drinking is legal and, according to wikitravel, “fireworks are tolerated.” Schwing!
Once Max was off work, he and I shopped at MegaMart, which is a superstore chain in Korea. And they’ve got everything. Think Costco, but not as cheap and with more reasonable portions. I got a bunch of frozen stuff, all of which has proven to be delicious.
Today, I started by checking out Kyungsung University, mainly to see the gym. The gym is absolutely gorgeous, but pricey. I’m still debating joining, as it would cost around $41/month and I’d be limited to a 3 hour window (6-9pm) that I could come each day. If I decide to join a gym this will likely be the one I go with, but there is a Tae Kwon Do studio right by apartment that I may join instead. That would probably be more fun, too, so I just gotta check the studio and prices.
After seeing meandering through Kyungsung, I decided to take a practice run to school. When I went in on Monday, my co Teacher Su Jong met me and we took the bus together. However, that was to be in by 10am. If I’m gunning for 8:40, it will be rush hour. And the bus will take over an hour. So I’ll need to take the subway and then transfer to a bus.
Su Jong had given me directions of what to do, but since I lack foresight I neglected to bring them. So once I got off at my subway stop, I was lost looking for my bus stop. It took over an hour and help from three very nice people (only the last person, a kind old man who spoke pretty good English and who approached me because I looked lost, ultimately got me where I needed to be) to find the bus stop. So thank goodness I decided to practice.
But the best moment of the day undoubtedly occurred as I was walking back into the subway station to return home. As I was descending down the crowded staircase, I made eye contact with a Korean guy, who smiled. I smiled back. As we passed, he put his fist out. I bumped it. Turns out he was just checking his watch. Awkward stares ensued.
Now, in my defense, I’ve never seen a person reach across as far as he did to check the time. I just thought he was being friendly and hip to the scene of American first bumping protocol (as I am). But I predict this defense would fall upon deaf ears, and the jury would convict me of being an ugly stupidbrain.
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