Please remind me of this in 5 months when I'm homesick and lonely, craving Mequon Taco Bell and have gotten sick of rice.
About a month ago, I bought a one-way ticket and hopped on a plane, traveling over 30 hours to get here. I'd never been to Korea before, I don't speak or read the language, and I knew a grand total of four people in a country of 50 million.
 |
| Officially the last photograph of me in the USA. |
I haven't had a chance to truly sit down and study the language yet, but I now know a handful of phrases and am able to (slowly) read and write. In the span of a week my circle of friends and family has expanded to eighteen. In Korean culture, friends are made by being "introduced" by a mutual friend. Striking up a casual conversation with a stranger is strange and uncomfortable, but with an introduction, people are quick to be friendly and keep in touch on KakaoTalk*. For example: my friend from college, CJ, introduced me to his friend D on Sunday. D brought along another friend, B, who I ended up grabbing lunch and hanging out with on Tuesday when my other friends were busy.
