It's really real

A major advantage of this mini break in Canada is the opportunity to buy travel gear in English stores and in reasonable sizes. I went to MEC today and bought a beautiful backpack that will take me all around SE Asia. I also bough some lulu crop pants (reversible so really it's like 2 pairs) which will be my outfit for 3 months straight. 

Traveling SEA now feels very real and very exciting!

Snow!

That's right, snow is falling and on the ground in Victoria. It's at the pretty stage, clean, white and quiet. Very winter wonderland.

I <3 Ferries

I went to Vancouver this week, which meant I got to ride the BC ferries again, which is always a plus in my book. 

A. from MTA is now at UBC in T.'s old program. It was really great to catch up even if it was only for a night (I inconveniently arrived in the middle of exam season for students). We hadn't crossed paths since graduation more than a year and a half ago. Suddenly a year and a half seems to pass really quickly and I'm pretty sure that's a sign of getting old. We made plans to hopefully cross again in Europe next summer. Ah to be part of a globalized world...

Inevitable Post

As a general rule I don't like comparing Canada and my current country of residence. It was true for DK and it's true for SK. I tend to find the exercise pointless and almost always biased toward your current audience. That said, with the opportunity to return to Canada three quarters of the way through my stint in Korea, I am particularly aware of the differences these first few days back on Canadian soil.  In an effort to stop talking about Korea in every conversation, a common/annoying problem for people returning from abroad, here is a concise list of my observations.

• Seeing white people everywhere is weird. I feel like I should know them. Seeing white babies and old people is also pretty novel.

• Not feeling moderately guilty every time I flush toilet paper is quite nice.

• Being able to eavesdrop on conversations in the street or on the bus is fun -sort of like being let out of a bubble.

• Eating all foreign (aka not Korean) food all the time feels decadent.

• Tax is a pain.

• My suspicions are confirmed, my English has gone down hill, I said "big size" in a Canadian store.

• Traffic is stupidly calm here. The cars actually stop for yellow lights.

Typically, I can't remember half the things I want to now that I'm writing them down.

Two Wednesdays

I'm in Canada! What a shock to return so suddenly. But I'm very excited. I think it finally dawned on me aboard the BC ferry passing through active pass (~20 hours after leaving Busan). Also, man it's a beautiful country.

I'm pretending that I'm not tired and that I have simply lived two Wednesdays where most people only lived one. I left Busan on Wednesday morning and caught a flight Wednesday night. Fell asleep and woke up and it happened to be Wednesday morning... again. That's my strategy and I'm sticking to it.

Live from Incheon Int'l Airport

Just because I can. 

I am fairly impressed with Incheon (Seoul's airport). It's very big, bright and clean. There are helpful people stationed literally every 20 feet with huge banners tied around their bodies reading: "CAN I HELP YOU?" 

The five hour bus ride here was pretty good too. The driver was pretty good but prone to all too exciting sudden stops on the highway. I met a bunch of Uzbeks (or Uzbekis?) at the Nopodong bus station which I thought was pretty cool. Unfortunately they thought I was Russian. Which from a sketchy Korean would not be cool or exotic; its often used as a euphemism for how shall I say... woman of ill-repute. I've learnt to be very clear about being from Ca-na-da!

I arrived pretty famished and my main mission after passing security was to locate food. I'm giving Incheon minus points for only providing one "AmJoe" with crummy sandwiches stuck amid a myriad of designer shops. Who buys $1000 purses at an airport anyway?

Now to kill time before my flight. Maybe I'll peruse the Chanel bags...

It's a Beautiful Day

Today was stunning. I'll admit my mood was boosted substantially by the prospect of going home for xmas tomorrow but it was seriously nice out too. I had a very pleasing morning bagel set (latté incl) with J down at my favorite JavaCity. The balmy weather afforded us warm, sun-soaked seats on the beachy patio. Not bad for December 2nd. 

I think going home will do wonders for my appreciation of Korea. I must admit my enthusiasm has been waning in the past couple months. I know I am extremely lucky to have my sketchy school close in time for a month long xmas vacation. Though this reward is hardly without its price (months of job insecurity, multiple bosses...). I am leaving the country not 100% certain of a job in the new year and definitely with my fingers crossed. I feel better that B will be here the whole time and can keep me informed. 

Tomorrow morning I head off to Nopodong bus station to catch a five hour express to Incheon Airport. My flight leaves at a comfortable dinnertime hour and delivers me to Vancouver magically many hours before I left. Then a bus/ferry combo will take me all the way to Victoria. I think it's going to be a long day. Thanks Mor, the book arrived just in time!