I am ashamed. I lasted THREE DAYS in Korea without eating meat. But last night, I caved in. It is very difficult to be a vegetarian here - much harder than I ever imagined. And anything I order which I think is vegetarian ALWAYS has some sort of meat in it. For example, I ordered vegetables and fried rice for lunch yesterday at the Kimbop. Well to my surprise when it arrived, it was white rice and veggies, laced with ham wrapped in egg whites (almost like an omelet) and then covered with two kinds of sauces. It was also served with soup that looked (and tasted like chicken broth) as well as vegetable dumplings - which had pork all throughout. I have a hard enough time trying to order and when it does arrive, I can't just not it eat - I have to eat! Ugh. Such a bummer! So yes, it is official. I am now eating meat and I'm not too crazy about the idea. But it's meat or starve! So at dinner I had my first bite of pork and I chewed it forever because I didn't want to swallow it. Every bite I took, I wanted to spit it out. But I had a few more pieces and had enough for one day. The texture is terrible!! I also had bacon with my eggs at breakfast this morning. UGH!! This is all soo crazy to me! But one of my fellow teachers came here as a vegetarian as well and didn't last too long. Even the veggies they do serve has been soaking in meat sauces - its virtually impossible.
But enough about meat - and me hating it lol. I took my first bus to Suwon to visit Paulie and Sionna. It was actually quite simple and it only took me 30 mins which I was quite pleased with!! Much closer than I imagined - and by cab, Sionna told me it took 20 mins. So it depends on traffic really. Sionna also took a bus to see me and it was a 45 min drive. BUT - the best part is that it only costs 18,000 won which is the equivalent to $1.80. FANTASTIC!!! We visited for a while and I got to see their school and both of their apartments. They took me to Home Plus, which is AMAZING by the way, to help me purchase a few items like laundry detergent and bath towels. Its like a huge walmart that is sky high with many floors of different items. Later that evening, I made my first trip into Seoul. It was so beautiful with all of the neon lights and the millions of people. It's like NYC on steroids!! We ate dinner and then went to two clubs. They were both enormous, filled with smoke and crazy strobe lights, and played western music - all hiphop I know and sang along too!
Now something I don't think I will ever understand is men's fashion in Korea at nightclubs. They are VERY fashionable - some of the most materialistic people I've ever seen. But the club is full of hundreds of people, shoulder to shoulder dancing, and the men are all wearing hoodies with scarves and winter hats or jackets with scarves, etc. Really - just a lot of layers. I walked in and was dying of heat right away. I just don't know how they do it! I also have to admit, I find a good handful of Korean men quite handsome. I think I may be in trouble here!! ;)
But I made it home safely. I'm looking forward to vegging out today and preparing for my lesson plans tomorrow. It's my first big day of teaching!!! I'm nervous and stressed - but it will just take some time to get into my groove! So by the next time you read this, I might be a teacher!!! :) Hooray!
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