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Published: November 19th 2007
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My dresser
At the warehouse of my uncle's store. There's some pretty sweet stuff here! Seoul was amazing! I got in late on Friday night and met my aunt (my mom's youngest sister) and uncle (my mom's younger brother) at the KTX station. It was freezing. I think it was about 15 degrees colder in Seoul than Daegu. My uncle had just got into Seoul that morning from China. He and his wife moved there about 4 years ago to start a business and he comes back to Seoul every month for work. I stayed the night at his house in Bundang and got up early Saturday morning to go with him and my aunt to their work. My uncle buys antique Chinese furniture and sends them to Korea and sells them in the city. My aunt works for him, doing Sales and Marketing. The warehouse was freezing but cool. I fell in love with a turquoise dresser.
My uncle was a big help in trying to figure out my current situation. He introduced me to his childhood friend, who I found out works for the company that I am hoping to start working for in the next few months. My uncle told me that since he's in China and it can be difficult for
New Town in Bundang
The dogs were cute. him to help me out, to call Uncle Timothy with any concerns and he can help. Best part is that his English is excellent, he studied at Princeton back in the states and is teaching English in Seoul now.
That night I went to my aunt’s and we had dinner with her roommate and walked around New Town in Bundang. It was so cute. The streets resembled a Euro style chic environment and I fell in love with the area. Every other store was a cute little cafe with couples snuggled under blankets and heating lamps drinking their espresso or wine. It looked like something out of a movie. I tried to take pictures, but didn't want to feel like a tourist and ruin the mood for the cute little couples.
My aunt lives with her best guy friend, something that appears to be uncommon for Koreans, living with the opposite sex outside of marriage. She told me that my uncle doesn't know and that she wants to tell him when the time is right. I admire my aunt. She has been through a lot in the last ten years: a divorce, career change and just trying to
Shil Unni
The owner and designer at my favorite store.
Her name: Shil (means thread) Unni (big sister)
She's signing my journal. find her identity and true happiness in life. She used to be a journalist for the newspaper and my mom tells me that she's an amazing writer, I'm so sad that I don't know Korean well enough to read and understand her writings.
Sunday morning my aunt and I went into Seoul to sight see, shop and meet up with her friend (who is amazing! After getting dumped by her boyfriend of 8 years to her good friend, she quit her job and travelled to Russia. She came back to Seoul and went back to school for photography and opened her own studio in Seoul.) Seoul is amazing and I am determined to live there before coming back to the states, even if that means staying another year. Yes, you heard me correctly. I am seriously thinking of staying another year. Which means I'm giving you all more time to save money and visit me!
We spent most of the day shopping in this cute little area, which I can't for the life of me remember. It looked like something you'd find on a fall walk somewhere in Manhattan. Everyone was walking around with these huge cameras, I thought there might have been an art school somewhere close, but my aunt's friend said that it was just a fad. Korea has the cutest accessories and clothes. I wish I could have bought everything I saw. Everything is unique and handmade. We went into this odd store which I had no interest in, until I met the girl that owned the store. I was nothing like the other stores; it was quietly tucked behind the main roads but made a loud statement once you walked into the little store. My aunt bought me a journal which I got signed by the owner that made it.
Later that evening my oldest aunt called and wanted to take us out to dinner. We went out with her entourage and it was quite an experience. My aunt runs a Buddhist Academy in Korea. I guess it's kind of a big deal, which I don't know much about since it clashes with my parent's strong Christian belief. Yet I was so intrigued by her and wanted to know more about her and what she does. She wrote three books on what I believe are the Buddhist teachings. She said she'd give me the books but I told her that I couldn't read them and once again felt embarrassment, shame and sorrow that I couldn't get to know my family better. I'm not sure about everything that she does, but I'm eager to know more about her and her life.
Dinner was entertaining, the restaurant had sliding doors to make it more private if you want, we were sitting (on the floor, as usual) having dinner when all the sudden the lady working at the restaurant slides the door open to show the whole restaurant a guy passed out on top of the table. She freaked out and kicked him out. I wanted to snap a photo, but didn't think it would be appropriate.
The other day I was walking down the street and could have sworn I smelled weed, which I thought was odd since it is absolutely not tolerated here in Korea. Well my aunt's friend that came to dinner was telling us about Ssook, it’s a plant that they made into a cigarette that doesn't have nicotine in it which he is trying to market. It is supposedly suppose to help you quit smoking. The dialogue was a bit over my head and I couldn't follow but I looked it up and found that ssook is mugwort.
My weekend to Seoul was different from what I expected, but what I had wanted: to spend time with my family and try to get to know them a little better.
I'll leave you with some more things I've learned about Korea!
-If you go out and get drunk, you can call someone to drive your car home for a fee. It’s like using a cab but you have your car the next morning. I told my friend I'm going to market that in the states!
-You get cell phone reception on the subway! There's probably nowhere in Korea that doesn't have cell phone reception. It's weird to Koreans that we lose reception at times.
-Koreans love the emergency break. At a red light, they'll pull their emergency break and wait.
-Koreans don't stop at red lights. My cousin said, "No cop, no stop."
-Taxi doors do not open on the left side to avoid accidents from oncoming traffic.
-Writing on the whiteboard with a red marker is a big deal. Especially the kids name.
-Koreans seriously do not wash their hands after using the restroom.
-Mandarin oranges are always given to you in pairs.
-Water is self service at most restaurants
-Leftovers are hardly ever taken home
-I miss carpet!
-I miss sitting at a table when I go out to eat.
Peace and love.
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Erica
non-member comment
WOWzer!
Hey Susan, It sounds like I'll definitely need to be saving up my money! Seoul sounds amazing, and it also sounds like you have any amazing family. Take care, and I hope everything works out for you with "Uncle Timothy" and finding a new place to work. MWAH! Erica