Temporary move-out and alien registration card

The Morning

Well, as mentioned in my last post, I had to move out on the 29th, so I spent the evening of the 28th packing (Agata was leaving for a temple stay, so it didn't really matter to her, except for the packing bit). Anyway, liking to be prepared for things rather than deal with them helter skelter, I arranged to go see Remi in the morning beforehand. So, at 9 am, I left my apartment and went to Remi's place. He wasn't quite ready to wake up yet (he entertained some Chinese exchange student who were locked out of the dorm until 6 am) so he slept while did stuff on my laptop. Around 11:30 or so, we went to have some breakfast/lunch (some noodles in a thick soy sauce, but not a salty soy sauce, so they were quite good) and then decided to do some shopping and apply for my alien registration card. So, we headed to Juan station, took the train to Dong-Incheon, and did some shopping in the underground mall. During the shopping I received a phone call from Mr. Kim, saying that he would like to see me at 3:00. Since it was around 1:00 at the time, I asked whether 5 was alright for him, and he said that was just peachy (not in those words exactly, but you get my drift, right?).

The Afternoon

After shopping, we walked to the alien registration place, which took a good half-hour or so. Once there, we discovered their photo booth was broken, so we had to track down a photographer (the security guy already knew where one was located, so that was convenient!). So, we headed over there, I had some pictures taken, and we headed back to the alien registration place. I filled out the necessary form, took a number and when called up, presented all my stuff to the unilingual clerk. Well, after some language barrier related confusion, I pieced together that I was missing one document (the "certificate of enrollment"), so I couldn't apply for my card today. Ah well!

The Evening

Once that adventure was over, we took a taxi back to the campus (which was actually cheaper than our combined transit fare... figure that one out!) and went to see Mr. Kim. He was very sorry to tell me that the inspection was not complete and that I could not return to my apartment that night ( big deal, right?). He also made it very clear that he felt responsible for this situation as he is the one who introduced me to this real-estate agency, and he thought I should be compensated for my trouble. So he set me up in the guest house for another night (hey, not complaining) and we headed over to the real estate agency to complain. All things told, the real estate agency gave me 50,000 Won for my trouble (about 55$), so I was happy! I also told Mr. Kim about the alien registration card situation, and he said that he would take care of it. So, I got 55$, got my ARC problem solved and spent another very nice night at the guest house. How's that for a happy ending?

Chinatown & Wolmido

On the way to Chinatown - the Bottlecap House!

Today was an eventful day indeed! In the morning, Agata and I received emails saying that we had to pack our stuff and leave the apartment for 1 day, as the inspectors were coming to give the building’s final certification (so we shouldn’t even have been living there…). This was to happen on the 29^th, during the day. Ah well! In the afternoon, I had Agata and Remi over for lunch (crepes again) and then we headed to Juan with plans of going to see the dock district and Chinatown. Since Remi had to go to work, Agata and I were left to figure things out for ourselves. So, we jumped on a train to Dong-Incheon (means West-Incheon if I recall) and shopped in yet another underground mall. After that we headed to Chinatown, asking for directions every ten minutes or so. As you can see in the pictures below, we came across a really cool tunnel/overpass thing and a house covered in bottle caps. Pretty cool!!!

Chinatown

After visiting the bottlecap house, we headed to Chinatown to shop and take some more pictures. Although you find a lot of stuff that you see in every other Chinatown, we also found some very nice sculptures and paintings. Also, Agata taught me that you should always play with the ball that is inside the Chinese lions’ mouths, as the one who removes it (by chance through erosion) is supposed to be very lucky. Although neither of us were lucky, we had fun nonetheless.

Wolmido Wharf, MJ and the Bugs

Following Chinatown, we headed to the Wolmido wharf/nature reserve. Since we were looking lost, a friendly employee of Wolmido (who spoke English) came out to chat with us. He even offered to accompany us to the dock to help us find a restaurant to eat at, which was very kind of him. After further conversation, we found out that his name was MJ (which stands for something my tongue can’t pronounce) and that he studied in Texas for 4 years (which explains why his English was so good). Also, he told us that since he gained a considerable amount of weight while in Texas (bloody Americans), the army said he wasn’t suitable for service, so he was serving at Wolmido instead. Anyway, getting back to topic, we hung around the docks a little (ate some bugs, see video!) and then MJ suggested we take his car to a good restaurant (as Wolmido only has seafood – and I have this thing against seafood, as you all now). So, we then drove back to the edge of Chinatown, where MJ took us to his favorite restaurant in Chinatown. At this point, the opted to return to the Wolmido tourist info cabin, as he was still technically working. So, we thanked him for his help and exchanged contact information. And he was right, the food was really good!

Random little decoration that made me laugh (the dolphin has headphones...)

Agata and MJ

Korean food (including silkworms - yum)

Here are the silkworms!

This is Wolmido's creepy mascot. It's everywhere!!!

...and Blackcat

When we were done eating, we went back to our end and went to Blackcat to meet up with Remi. After being there for an hour or so, we returned to our apartments to play with the registration module (which is a horrible little thing…). One last thing! I also received an email saying that I had to move out of my apartment for a day on the 29th, as the final inspection was occurring that day (and since we weren't technically supposed to be living there yet...). Joy!

Resto in Juan station

Campus pics - Cell Phone Part 2

Didn’t do much today. Went for a walk around the campus and took some pictures and then headed to Juan to have my cell repaired. I decided to take the bus to show me the right direction, then got off the moment I saw some street signs indicating the way, which gave me a nice walk. Once there, the pieces weren’t in yet, so I left the phone with them. After that I returned home and took it easy.

Pictures from my apartment building's rooftop

The (giant) library

The student union building

Building 6 (business building)

The library, a little of the main building and I

Some picture on the grate over the tree's roots.

Agata happily brushing her teeth

Juan, Cell part 1 and Blackcat

Juan Station

Prior to my departure, I had received an email from Remi Daviet and we agreed to meet in the first week of my arrival. Anyway, through MSN we were able to arrange a meeting at 1 in front of the “Cutting Room” (for Men and Women), which is a hairdresser that is located very close to both our apartments. Since neither of us had eaten, we went back to my apartment and made/ate crepes (which were good, as always!). Remi then took Agata and I around the campus for our first real look at it. Although everyone says that it’s small, I disagree. It is really quite large! I guess it’s only small from an Asian perspective (like their “small” cities…). Anyway, we got a little tour, checked-out the library and then hopped on the shuttle bus to Juan station. Since we hadn’t been there yet, Remi took us underground to the shopping mall, which involves dozens of little stalls selling items ranging from knickknacks and clothing to cell phones and internet connections. So, after browsing the mall, we decided to buy cell phones. Agata got a new phone (pretty basic slider) while I chose a used KRZR. However, since the faceplate was scratched, they agreed to replace it. But since they didn’t have the pieces, I had to return the next day. No problem, I thought! Well... I was wrong… Since it was supper at this point, we stopped at Korea’s McDonald’s, Lotteria. Basically the same, except they only speak Korean and have better ice cream.

Agata is very happy with her burger.

A Little Walk...

Anyway, after spending a while underground, we opted to head for the surface. Remi took us for a little walk to the “love motel” district. You notice this as there are little cards with pictures of scantily clad Korean girls on all the windshield whippers. Yea, classy. Basically, what one does there is rent the room with one’s lover and make good use of it, as they are nice rooms with big screen TV’s and many other luxuries, all at the affordable price of 40,000 won. Good deal! Anyway, according to Remi, foreigners often rent out these rooms as an alternative to normal hotels, as they offer nicer rooms for a lesser price! Figure that one out! Then again, other people rent them out by themselves and call the numbers on the picture cards…

The love motel district

Street near the love motel district

Blackcat

Well, after our stroll, we took the bus back to our neighborhood. Remi then suggested we go to a pub called Blackcat, situated maybe 500m from our apartment. En route, we picked up some delicious red bean paste filled dough fishes (if that made sense), which were, as aforementioned, delicious. Finally, we arrive at Blackcat, which is my favourite little pub on the planet. It isn’t all that big; it has 6 tables or so and a little bar, and it happens to be in the basement, but it is very charming. The whole wall behind the bar is covered with vinyls and CD’s, which is pretty cool. Also Alex, the owner, is a really cool guy who speaks English (believe it or not). And old-fashioned, oil-popped popcorn is served!

Anyway, we sat down, ordered drinks and then Eaun and Peter arrived. They’re English teachers hired by INHA, and are both very cool people. All in all, a great night was had by all!

Pictures of the pub

Eaun an I

Agata and Remi

Alex and Eaun

More pics of the bar (and the wall)

Just chilling

I did not do very much at all today! I just familiarized myself with my new surroundings and went to HomEver to pick up some stuff that I had forgotten to buy. There is one thing worth mentioning though! Agatha and I went to a little restaurant and ordered our first meal without really speaking (or rather with speaking only the wrong language). It involved pointing, nodding and smiling. Great fun!

First Day

At the Guesthouse

In the morning, I woke up around 8 and then started playing with the very colourful Korean cash. I separated it into piles of 100,000 KRW (which were mostly in bills of either 5,000 or 10,000, although there were a few 1,000’s) and then stowed it away on my person. At quarter to eleven, I went down to the lobby to meet Mr. Kim. Although he wasn’t there yet, there was an older Caucasian male and a Korean student. I then chatted with the somewhat elderly professor, who initially thought that I was a teacher (this happens quite often, actually…). He asked where I was from, said he knew Montreal well, found out that he was British... all in all, we had a very pleasant conversation.

Anyway, the professor left the building and Agata, the Swedish exchange student, came down with her baggage. Upon hearing our introductions, the Korean student, Hui, presented himself as one of the buddy students. After some chatting, Mr. Kim drove up to the guesthouse and introduced himself. He then suggested that we go to the real estate office to secure our apartments, but since his car wasn’t enormous, we had to leave most of the baggage of the guesthouse. So we put my red bag and backpack in the trunk, got in his car and off we went!

The Apartment

Before going to the real estate office, we went to the Hana bank on the campus to get additional funds, as Agata had no Korean cash. I already had just over a million KRW, but I (wisely) decided to get 400,000 more (I needed it very soon thereafter, so congrats to me!). So, after the visit to the ATM (which had a handy English button), we left the back gates of the University and went a very short ways to the real estate agency. We were very graciously welcomed (in Korean), sat down, and talked to (all in Korean, which Mr. Kim thankfully translated for us). However, the topic of bed sizes did come up, so we had to go to the apartment to make sure that I actually *fit* in the bad. Makes sense, no?Anyway, minutes (if not seconds) after getting into the car, we were at the apartment (which makes me wonder why we took the car at all, but whatever). So, we first went to the fourth floor (room 406 – my room) and tested the bed. Wonderful! An inch or 2 to spare too! However, we were informed that the chairs would only be in a little while later, so no big deal. We also found that I had no toilet… Yea… But that was resolved as well, a little later on. So, with that business concluded, we inspected Agata ’s room to find all in order. Great!

We then headed back to the real estate agency, signed the papers, paid the men (lent Agata 100,000 KRW, since we hadn’t thought of paying the $ for rent right away) and then left. Good thing I had that extra 400,000!!! So, apartments had been acquired!

We returned to the apartments, brought my baggage to my apartment and I then conversed with Agata and Hui while Mr. Kim ferried our luggage from the guesthouse to the apartment (we suggested to help him, but he said that he needed all the space in the car, which is really obvious in retrospect). Once that was done, Mr. Kim suggested we do some shopping to get things for the apartment. Makes the good sense!

HomEver (Walmart *cough* *cough*)

So, as Mr. Kim had previous engagements, he let Agata, Hui and I off at Homever. I must say that Homever is the largest store single store that I have been to since coming to Korea. The first floor is dedicated to clothing (all in somewhat smaller sizes than what you would find at home). A lot of vintage/fifties stuff too... very strange! Anyway, the stuff of interest is all in the basement, so down we went!

First of all, to get downstairs, you have to take this kind of escalator-ramp thing to which the wheels of the shopping carts stick to magnetically. Very cool. Anyway, upon entering the grocery section, a greeter greets us both vocally and by bending herself in half by bowing. On the left we have pretty much everything and on the right we have a grocery section like you would find anywhere else, save for the people. And no, I do not mean that it is crowded. It's the employees that struck me as out of place! in each subsection is some guy or gal trying to get you to buy their product, except that they only speak Korean, obviously. They were all really into it, but some guys went above and beyond the rather energetic standard and were petitioning passerbys in a near yell. Looked tiring, but they all had taste-tests, so I'm not complaining!

Anyway, looked around, bought some stuff, noticed that vegetable are more expensive than back home. Ah well... Eventually we moved through the fruits and veggies to the meat place, then the bakery and then to the dairy section. After that, it was the rest of the store (very much like Walmart, except that there was an ample amount of staff to cover the store - and push products in Korean). Below is a picture of my (overstuffed) cart!

Actually, since we had some much stuff, we had to take two taxis back to the apartment... And it only cost 2,400 KRW! Not bad at all!!!

Dinner

After dropping our stuff at the apartment, Hui suggested dinner, which was really a great idea! So, he took us for a short walk to "where to go?" intersection, and then picked a direction and restaurant (will include picture... eventually). So, we entered a resto, sat down and the waitress/cook set the middle of the table on fire (well, it's a gas-fire-thing, but you get the gist!). Anyway, she then came with this large metal pan full of chicken, veggies, rice roll-thingies and a red sauce and started stirring. Talk about fresh! The Korean staples (Kimchi, white radish stuff, yellow radish stuff, and a few other things, such as a cold soup and a type of noodle salad) soon followed. So, while we waited for the main dish to cook, we had appetizers! Super! Hui then decided that we should taste Soju, so he ordered a bottle the size of a beer-bottle with some shot glasses. After teaching us the proper way to accept drinks (which is different whether you're dealing with an older or younger person), we tried it. Basically, it tastes like decent vodka, except with a less pronounced taste, since it only has about 25% alcohol. Needless to say, I liked it but Agata... didn't.

Anyway, the main dish was ready before long, and it was truly excellent. Everything in there was really good. Here are pictures!

After dinner, which Hui insisted on paying for since he invited us (I later discovered that Koreans DO NOT split the tab... ever... It's a cultural thing!), we went back to the apartment. There we said goodnight to Hui and promised to take him out or at least have him over for dinner at one point, and he said that he would gladly accept. He also gave us his contact info in case we needed anything, which was really nice of him! Following that, we just unpacked and went to bed.

End of first (full) day in Korea!

Onwards! To Korea!!!

Dorval to Detroit

Today was the day of the flight. Mom, Nicki and I left home at 5:15, and picked up Mel along the way. We then arrived at the airport, got to the counter and weighed the baggage, to find that the black luggage was overweight. Problem easily solved: move the maple candies from the luggage to the on board and ditch the travel pillow. In retrospect, I could have left the travel pillow in my normal luggage, but it was early, okay??? Anyway, Mom then proceeded to exchange Canadian dollars for a giant wad of dreadfully colourful Korean money (like 3 inches thick….). After our farewells, I headed through security, which went very well, and then wandered around the airport a little. Since I had nothing better to do, I headed over to the plane 45 minutes early, which was a wise choice as I was one of the last ones on board. The plane even took-off before the leave time, which was nice.

My expectations about what coach would look like were pretty much on-par with what I experienced. This was a small aircraft, composed of two columns that were two chairs in width. So, pretty cosy… As for takeoff, I found it quite fun, like a really pleasant roller-coaster ride. On the plane, I chatted with Maria, the elderly lady I happened to be seated next to. She was visiting family in Montreal (in DDO if I am not mistaken), and I also found out that she has family in all the major Canadian cities, even though she lives in California. After a nice chat, we did our own thing: she read and I watched Xena on my PDA, and read that ridiculous modern-day Joan of Arc book. All in all, the flight went by really quickly. We then landed in Detroit at around 10:30, which is a really, really big airport (like, kilometers long, on only the “A” terminal!). Since I was feeling peckish at the time, I decided to browse the restos. After looking at some family restaurants, a place called “snapshot” and a bar & grill, I finally settled on a breakfast place. I ordered the French toast and hash browns, and as I waited for the food, I read Joe’s letter, which was very nice, by the way. Breakfast arrived quickly, and the French toast was quite good if you didn’t use the fake syrup. However, I had forgotten that the hash-browns were “a l’Americaine”, so they were less than delightful… Ah well, ya win some and ya lose some!

Detroit to Tokyo

After that, I loitered about the airport, and then found an outlet and watched more Xena. When 12:50 (boarding time) rolled around, there was an announcement that boarding would be delayed 20 minutes due to plane cleaning (hey, maybe someone threw-up or something). Then it was finally boarding time (I had been waiting a little while now…). At this point, I was much more impressed with the plane, as it was quite a bit larger and had 2 floors (rows of 3-4-3 on the ground floor). I was advised to sit in the aisle seat so that there would be a little leg room, but to my great fortune, I had the corridor to my left and an empty seat to the right. Super! Also, I was surrounded by very friendly Asian people (mostly Japanese, since we were heading to Tokyo). There was even a family with a small child. I don’t know what Japanese children are made out of, but all in all, they’re bloody quiet! Imagine that!

Anyway, the long flight was long, but not uncomfortably so. Since I had many, many sources of entertainment (like Xena, 24, FMA, two books and writing this), the ride was quite pleasant. Also, the food wasn’t half bad (although it wasn’t quite half good either), but they had Pepsi Light (which is actually just diet Pepsi, re-marketed), so that was cool. Since we were traveling with the sun, the day was really, really long (lol). But I had an abundance of food (cashew… mmmm…. Thx Mel!) and my entertainment, so it was pretty good. That pretty much sums that up. As for the last flight, it very short. I met some international students heading to other universities, but none that were going to INHA (they were American, so doing an *exchange* would be very uneconomical, as they would pay their outrageous American tuition).

Incheon International Airport

Finally, I arrived in Korea at around 10:00. I proceeded through Immigration, which was a cinch, and waited absolutely forever for my baggage to arrive. After that, I sought out the sign with my misspelled name on it (Tosag), and was welcomed to Korea by this very friendly man. He made a quick phone call and brought me to the sidewalk… thing to wait for the driver. It took all of 30 seconds or so. I will take some time now to describe the surroundings: it looks like an airport. Actually, it looks like Dorval. A lot like Dorval (except no snow). Anyway, jumped into the cab and he drove me to the University, which took about 35 minutes. En route, the taxi-van-thing driver gave Mr. Kim a call, who then asked to talk to me, and he said that we should meet at the bottom of the guest house at 11am, which gave me plenty of time to sleep. I happily agreed and bid him good night.

INHA University Guest House

Basically, the Guest House is a very nice hotel room that is right on campus with a kitchenette, a balcony and plenty of space. Below are some pictures! Anyway, I had a shower (which was heavenly), took out my pillow, hooked up the net, sent a *very* brief email and went to bed.

Here are some pics of the guest house!

*Very nice*