Settling In

We arrived in Korea a week ago Thursday but our apartment wasn't going to be available to us until the following day. We stayed w/my Korean friend I met in Guam (Sophie & husband, Joe) the first night and then she took us around some the next day. There are several nice stores which have almost everything from clothing to furniture to bedding to groceries. Since we didn't bring much w/us besides clothes, I, Jen, was anxious to start finding some things to make our apartment a home.












Our apartment is in an awesome location. As a newly married couple w/no kids, we couldn't ask for more. We are in the center of the city and right outside our window is one of the nicest shopping areas in town. LaFesta is the 2-3 blocks to our right and to our left is a block of restaurants. Both areas are bricked streets for walking only - no cars. At night our apartment is lit up by all the street signs outside. Noise is only a problem w/the windows open - but so far we've only done that occasionally. It's cool enough most days for windows, but during the weekends it's too noisy.

There are so many American chains here - you'll see more later (we've been exploring Seoul already) - but in our immediate area are multiple Baskin Robbins, Starbucks, Pizza Huts, as well as a Dominoes, Papa Johns, Uno's, Bennigan's, and more I can't remember. So when in need, there's plenty of American food around. Most of those restaurants have an asian twist, but the pepperoni pizza at Dominoes tasted great!

Back to the house - after shopping around we've found some bedding, although sheets here are almost impossible to find. I almost called Guam and asked for someone to hit Ross for me! :) (We managed to find a fitted sheet at a place in La Festa - just across the street.) We've picked up a few odds and ends like pillows and a bamboo plant and our friends Sophie & Joe have been very gracious. Joe brought us a gum tree that's about 4 feet tall that improves the view in our apt as well.













All in all - it's coming along. We are gradually getting unpacked, but are both very happy with our new place. As time goes by we hope to add some furniture to what the school provided us with. Our "American" home in Korea is coming along well! But we do have the traditional Korean-style slippers right by the door!

Although we've been working and teaching all week tomorrow we are off to another city for Orientation. They put us up in a hotel and we have meetings Mon - Fri. It should be fun to meet some other English-speaking people/teachers. We'll try to update more often - there's lots to tell!

-Jen