Journey to unfamiliar grounds

It's great to take advantage of the jet lag-- waking up at 6 a.m. in the morning to figure out where the KAIST swimming pool is located. The Koreans should definitely be recognized for their clean environment, even if it is at the pool. A friend and I forgot our swimming gear -- goggles and swim caps-- but figured it would be fine for a couple of minutes at the pool. As soon as we know it a man with "swimming instructor" printed on his shirt came to our lane, chattered in Korean, and made an "X" sign with his arms. It's mandatory to wear swim caps. "Oh.. sorry we don't have any." It was very nice of him to bring us two caps, albeit a little loose on our heads. Never mind that, at least we received all the attention from the men swimmers as soon as we randomly decided to free style and breast stroke half way as our warm up. It seems that our strokes were much more defined than theirs?

Unaware of a famous Korean custom, I found myself quickly snatching my towel, gathering my shampoo, and bolting out of the women's showers as two or three young ladies entered the curtain-less showers completely naked. It took me by surprise, until I learned that it is common for Korean nudity in places like "Jjimjilbang" (spas, saunas, etc.) ... but I'm not used to it since I personally don't like others to see my body.

As soon as our REU introduction meeting was over after swimming we were up and about, walking to the take bus number 108: our transportation to O-World. Ever been to the Daejeon Zoo? You're in for very unfamiliar grounds. Not only was the thirty minute bus ride full of busy, streets with people selling everything you can imagine right outside the window; but also, two sweet old ladies speaking Korean to you, hoping for some understanding on your part, and using the little English they know to communicate simply "why you go to 'chuu'?" I didn't understand why she would ask this, since visiting the zoo is a fun all-day kind of event. I just figured she questioned why we would want to go to the last bus stop.


Once we arrived and walked up to the entrance, I suppose became more obvious for her concern. The entrance was full of cute animated animals, with very kid-like designs, on top of the ticket boothes. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed being excited for what awaited us. Penguins, sleeping Polar bear, playful black bears, and two Aldabra Tortouise. What more? Oh, once you're done with O World, there is still Flower world. Good place to take pictures, but after 45 minutes I was ready to head out, get on the 108 bus back, listen to Korean music on the radio, and dine out at a Korean McDonalds near the Galleria.


mmm mmm how I've missed those Big Macs...

-Allie R.

Sunday, or as the Koreans call it, "ilyeo-il"

Well, first off Korea has amazed me ever since I set foot on this country. Even though I am a well traveler - born in Peru, visited Australia, Europe, and all over North America - there is so much in Korean culture for the American mind to ponder and admire. Luckily for me I feel like I can get the hang of things. Hopefully I will go back to the states with a loss of a few pounds due to so many healthy Korean dishes and all of the walking about the city.

Currently I am stationed in KAIST located in Daejeon, about 2:30 hours from Incheon and Seoul. A group of us are here for an REU (research experience for undergraduates) in Smart Structures (Structural Control and Structural Health Monitoring, Civil Engineering). This university is well known for their engineering program. The classes are held in English, and many of the students here have good English accents. Still, almost every sign, food descriptions, hour notices, etc. are written in Korea with no English subtitles. I asked a Korean student today what the differences in the milk color cartons were - blue meant "plain milk" and green meant "whole whole milk."

For a non-Asian descent it is literally impossible to "blend in," which makes all of the traveling experience great! Not only will you find yourself being stared at from the dark-shaded windows of every car that passes by you, but you might get lucky to find a youngster point at you to single you out of a crowd. I am thoroughly entertained to find how another culture reacts to my presence. Even with the fact that I am not White, nor Black, but Hispanic and therefore mildly tanned, it appears that even I am an interesting observation to many Koreans.

The talking barrier? Not a problem. Luckily, there are at least two picture by the restaurant / food stand where you can point at and bargain with the Korean lady trying to understand you ... of course after you politely say "Ahn nyeong hasehyo" as a formal hello.

The culture is more than enough to arouse so much interest in how Koreans live, act, and enjoy life. Wherever you are walking you might see a Korean woman taking care of herself by wearing long sleeves, pants, gloves, and sun caps, and possibly an umbrella to protect her skin from tanning, especially if the temperature outside is 80 degrees!

Enough for now, I am out and about to explore the rest of the city! .. well after figuring out which button in korean means "save" - blue or orange?

-Allie R.