My initial wanderings around Busan...

10 September 2010

I’m starting to get a feel for Busan and become familiar with the subways and my neighborhood. The subways are such a treat compared to NYC. The stations are clean, modern and air conditioned! The subways themselves have upholstered seats, which New Yorkers would sadly destroy in a day. I definitely don’t miss the rats and stench of NY subways! Although, the sewers do have a sulfur stench for some reason.

After sleeping 13 hours straight and a few more my first night (day) I was up for some exploring yesterday. First I went to a restaurant the hostel recommended because my diet for the previous 30 hours had been a bag of some kind of peanut snack. I got a lot of food for about $3! The food was good although I don’t know what it was – I just pointed at a picture. No kimchi though, which I know my former colleague would have order. For those who don’t know it, it is a fragrant cabbage dish.

Then it was off to get a cell phone. I bought one in NYC with a SIM card, but apparently they don’t use SIM cards here. The phone should work in other destinations because the traveler’s that recommended it for me didn’t come to Korea. Anyway, finding the cell phone store was quite an experience. In Busan (maybe all of SK) you cannot find a place based on its address. Addresses were just given out in the order they were requested so they have no geographical bearing. I don’t know how that brilliant idea was thought up. So instead landmarks and stations are used (and the equivalent of google maps). The woman at the hostel was helpful in pointing me in the right direction and looking up the internet map. I also was comforted that she said they’ll likely speak English because it’s the only place to get prepaid phones.

So I take two subways and hit the pavement. I followed what on the map looked to be right, but had no luck. I asked people on the street (pointing to the name of the store in Korean that the woman had written for me along with their phone number) and they didn’t know of it, but would nicely call. But since they didn’t speak English I could never get good directions. I’m not sure they even knew where I should go. I then got what seemed like good directions, but still didn’t see the store. Finally, one man took me back to his store and looked online and then called. He then personally escorted me to the store, which I had walked by once! People have been very helpful when I’m lost and I’ve tried to say thank you, hello and goodbye in Korean. I made a cheat sheet and have to fumble to get it to say the Korean words. You’d think after having to ask so many people for help and having other interactions that I’d have at least one word memorized. Nope. But maybe today is the day! I was never blessed with an aptitude for languages.

So, the real adventure began when “I found” the store. The place was empty except for the 3 workers, none of whom spoke English well. We stumbled through communicating what I was looking for, but hit a block when we got to the details of payments and adding money to the phone. The called some translator, I think it was a general service because they didn’t seem to know anything about the phone plans. We talked to translators at least four different times until we go things squared away. At one point I thought we were done and they gave me the phone, but no charger. So I asked for one and it cost 5,000W extra. Not much money, but confusing because what good is a cell phone without a charger. Why wouldn’t it be included? We called the translator again and his English wasn’t that great either so I didn’t fully understand the “why” just that it “is” separate. Since 5,000W is only about $4 I didn’t push the matter. Two hours later, viola, I had my phone. We all clapped and had big smiles when everything was done. Thank goodness I have gained more patience as the years have passed.

After all the errands and chores of the first part of the day, I treated myself to a temple visit. Beomeo-sa is a Buddhist temple on a mountain and some of the structures dated back to the 7th century. I’ve included some photos. There wasn’t much info provided, but there seemed to be a main temple and then several others of different sizes. They all had Buddha as the central focus, of course, but some had one central Buddha and then thousands of shiny 3” high Buddha’s lining the walls. I saw several people praying. The photo you see of the inside of the temple I took because it was the only one no one was praying in. But I still got reprimanded so apparently there are to be no pictures of the inside. You can pay to stay at the temple and go through the rituals with the monks. If I can afford it I would love to do that before I go. We’ll see if I have the endurance to do 108 deep bows! There is supposed to be great hiking for the day, but it was late and I was hungry and sleepy again. So I’ll save that for another day.

I’ve met some nice traveler’s at the hostel. They headed to the beach yesterday, but I kept my focus and did my chores (yes, a pat on the back thank you). Maybe I’ll sneak to the beach for a bit today. Who knows maybe I’ll find someone who wants to learn English. One woman said she was offered a job while walking around! So apparently, I need to be a more avid street walker! I have a potential lead for a room to rent in an apartment so cross your fingers!