In Korea this week. My thoughts so far (transcribing from low-tech notepad I’m keeping in my pocket since internet access is so-so).
Seeing some signs in Korean and Japanese, I can tell the character types apart now.
Driving
Very modern big roads, high-speed train, crowded streets when driving or walking.
Two different drivers in automatic cars put it in neutral and use the handbrake when waiting at stoplights.
Handsfree built in phone system in cars (it is illegal to drive and hold phone) with built-in microphone above the driver and audio through the stereo system.
Saw mostly Hyundai and only a few Kia makes.
Gas seems to be WON 1,800 which is about $1.80. I assume that is per liter. So 3.75 * 1.80 = $6.75 a gallon.
Cities
Policemen with white gloves.
Older women with big visor hats and scarfs around their face.
Very fast train (basically like TGV). I flew to Daegu from Seoul in 1 hour and the train taking us back was about 2 hours, that’s pretty good.
Homeless men sleeping on flattened cardboard outside KTX train station in Seoul.
Food
Eating all sorts of strange food. Have tried more things that start with “Fermented…” than I ever would have. Some things really good, others I don’t know. Lots of beef dishes as well many interesting soybean and fish dishes. KimChee all around.
Anthony Bordain, you have emboldened me in more ways than I realized, you really brought out the inner foodie in me. Fermented fish is NOT my favorite though, Ammonia a bit too strong for me. Everyone seems surprised that I can use chopsticks — and these are harder to use metal ones. Slippery noodles make for funny faces.
Money
Reimbursed for conference travel in cash handed to me in an envelope.
It’s weird when things cost 50,000 of anything and you can pay for it with a few bills. Reminds me of Italy.
Meeting people
Do I bow when someone bows to me?
I forgot to get business cards printed so I have nothing to reciprocate when someone hands me their card and bows.
