Lost in Translation

We've arrived!!!

After a 24 hour travel day, including three flights and me forgetting a carry on bag at the airport in my exhausted state (thank you South Korea for having an honest and friendly population!), we have landed in South Korea and begun settling into our new home. Unfortunately, our home at the moment is a sketchy motel called "motel prince" until September 1st when we can move into our apartments.

We've spent our first three days getting acclimated by relaxing in the motel, eating anything and everything served to us, walking around the neighborhood and enjoying the quirks of South Korea (including superstition of the number 4. There is no 4th floor, no room 104, no packets of anything in 4s and amusing misspellings and English mistakes such as wapples instead of waffles). The food has been very good, especially considering my fear of all things spicy or hailing from the sea. Up until this afternoon we had eaten nothing but traditional Korean and Japanese food but sadly, when we spotted a TGI Friday's, our stomachs wouldn't let us ignore our cravings for a good juicy burger.

Every time we step foot out of the motel it has been an adventure. A day hasn't gone by where we haven't committed some faux pas like forgetting to take off our shoes when entering a restaurant. Even though most people know at least a few words of English (especially young people) almost every interaction has been filled with confusion and a combination of awkwardly scanning our Korean phrase book, gestures and pointing which makes me thankful for every game of charades I've ever played. Luckily everyone has been extremely patient with us and we haven't had any huge problems. The biggest miscommunication so far has been Lauren trying to order tea and getting sake instead, but really that turned out for the better anyway.

That's all for now. We'll write more and get some pictures up once we get moved into our apartment. If you want to write to us or send us care packages (hint hint) please send them to:
YBM ECC Daegu 6F, Wonboong Bld.,
1344-5 Maeho-dong, Suseong-gu,
Daegu 706-140
Telephone # 053-767-0509 (give this number to the courier company)

We miss you all and hope everyone is doing well.

Love from abroad,
Kagan & Lauren

---

---