Today was a day of many firsts. I began my morning with a run alongside the river in which I can never rememeber the name of. I then took a different way home than normal, explored more of the many side streets in my hood, showered, and ate some oatmeal. I then nervously hopped into a taxi and headed to E-Mart. E-Mart is also like a walmart turned department store where I can buy other things than basic staples from my local 7-11. I roamed the many different floors in attempt to gain some familiarity and people were shouting things to me in Korean behind their counters. I eventually purchased a few items for my apt. as well as some groceries and trekked back home with my 2 canvas bags (go green!). Then at last I stumbled upon the infamous Korean street vendor. Now I should mention I have been looking for fresh produce EVERY DAY since my arrival and have been quite unsuccessful. So you could only imagine my delight as I approached the cart full of fruits, beans, and veggies!! Luckily there were signs with prices so I picked up a bag of mandarin oranges and paid my 2,000 won. I'm not ready to bargin with the vendor quite yet, but soon enough!
The walk was lovely but 40 mins later, I really wished I had taken a cab back home. Finally after 55 mins I arrived home safe and sound, dumped my new things on the floor, and picked up my material for work - I was about to be late! So by the time 10pm rolled around, I was starving! After work I decided that my Korean was good enough to go to a kimbop I found on one of my many journeys home. The woman I see there daily is very nice to me and happens to speak NO english whatsoever (bummer for me). But I manage to order some dumplings accompanied by sides of kimchi, radishes, and soup and scarf them all down as soon as they land on the table. I then played charades with the woman and she shows me what I ordered on the menu and I named some other food items and she pointed to the words so I know for next time. She must think I'm completely insane - but I'm okay with it!
I then walked home yet again, and upacked my groceries from the afternoon. Oh! I forgot to mention that for days, well since my arrival, that I have been sitting home in COMPLETE silence. I have a TV, but no channels, no radio , no computer, no nothing! And for those who know me well - it's been TORTURE!! So I bought a DVD player off a girl from work and yes the first thing I watched was my favorite episode from Sex and the City - I heart NY. I couldn't think of a more glorious moment. lol
So in my eyes, today was a HUGE SUCCESS!!
1. I took a taxi and managed to get to the right place
2. I traveled to E-mart
3. I bought produce from a street vendor
4. I made it home from E-Mart without getting lost
5. I ordered dinner in Korean and got what I wanted (that's huge!)
6. Watched Sex and the City in Korea
Hooray! I am thinking life couldn't get any better.
Next step - learning how to take out the trash, and that's no joke! ;)
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