Leaving, Dubai Adventure and Hello Korea!

Hello my dear bloggers, I apologise that it has been a while. I am safely in Korea but will only have my own internet and mobile once I receive my alien registration card which could take up to a month to get. For now, I am making use of a Internet Cafe whcih works out to about R7 an hour, nice!

This will be an abnormally long post as I am very excited to relate to you my experience in much detail! The following posts will probably not be as long. So brace yourself...

As most of you who know me would expect that my trip would not commence without some drama. Yes, my suitcase was overloaded which caused it to break down the escalator. However, a very nice salesman sold me a nice Celini suitcase and even repacked my suitcase for me! I was so close to giving him a hug. I then was left with only a few minutes to say a few sad goodbyes to my loved ones.

On landing in Dubai, I was tired (I had not had any sleep on the flight) and also quite scared as the airport is huge and there are not great signs. No offense any arabs reading this, but the airport staff were not the most helpful. It also did not calm my nerves to see some medics attend to a woman who seemed to be dying and rushed her off somewhere to get further help.

After about an hour and a half, and with the help of a friendly local man, I finally made it to the airport hotel where the staff were much friendlier. It was now around 07:30 and I decided to have a hot bath and just over three hours sleep. I then headed down for lunch which included the most yellow and tasty banana I have ever had (this is of no relevance, I am aware). I then booked a tour through Dubai from 17:00-21:00.

I was happy to make a very nice Indian-American friend who later handed me his business card so that we could stay in touch through facebook. Aw. We saw the tallest building in Dubai and passed someone's palace (I do apologise for not paying closer attention to the bad english accent of the guide). We also stopped at a beach and I could not help staring at some of the arabs dressed in their white cloaks. They look quite intimidating, seriously. We then went to a mall in Dubai where an Arab salesman seemed quite intrigued in tying silk scarves around my neck. "Look, look mirror, you like? Come I show you 'nother place!" He took my picture, begged me to ivite him on facebook on handing me his business card, and the proceeded to kiss me on my cheek which I tried hard to duck. I then decided it would be a good time to make a run for it!

We then headed off to see the singing fountains. The fountains do not sing, people on loudspeakers do. But the fountains are breathtaking and kind of dance in the water and jump in the sky. Yes, this is quite tough to explain. I will try to upload the video as soon as, um (Mom, do not read this part) I get my camera fixed which I dropped and broke, but I am sure I can get it fixed!!!

Next was a viewing of gold jewelry in some shops which did not excite me much. Instead I befriended three very nice Koreans and a very lovely Indian-American lady, more Indian than American really, who told me in her lovely singsong accent how lovely it was to meet me.

All in all I think I would prefer to spend a weekend partying it up in Dubai than staying for a longer period. Dubai has an exciting nightlife (80% of Dubai are foreigners) which I am sad I did not get to experience.

Back at the hotel I had dinner with my three new Korean friends who promised that they would wait at the exit of the plane at Seoul and make sure I get to arrivals safely. How sweet!

I then headed off for a hot bath (I think I may have broken the shower, oops) and then tried to sleep for an hour, but to no avail. Instead I got ready and got an earlier bus back to the airport where I met a so-called African-American who has never been to Africa, but insisted on calling me his African siesta! I would not call myself European-African just because I have European decent, but hey! Whatever floats your boat! He also insisted on handing me his business card so that he has a South African friend when he comes to visit. Well, I hope I can return the favour of playing tour guide after all the help and support I have received!

And guess what! On landing in beautiful snowy Seoul (capital of Korea) my three loyal Korean friends were waiting patiently for me and stuck by my side until I met Mr. Kang who stood holding a big sign with my name. And yes, I then got three more business cards, you know, just in case I need any further help!

Mr Kang then proceeded to chuck me on a bus, hand me a piece of paper with a telephone number of the teacher to fetch me at the bus station in Yeongin (my new hometown. He stood and waved goodbye with a big grin. Ah, dear Mr. Kang. Lucky me, after laying out my paper with my bus station destination written in Korean by Mr. Kang and a confused look I strategically placed on my face, it turned out the girl next to me could talk english. It might have been easier to ask her instead of putting on a stupid facial expression. Anyhow, an hour and a half later I was waiting (as patiently as I could whilst almost reaching freeze point in the bitter cold snow) next to a highway waiting for my teacher to pick me up. Strangely, I did not feel one bit scared and only moments later I was greeted by my heated apartment which happens to be right opposite my school!

My apartment is very old! And my toilet and basin area is my shower all in one! At least it has a microwave and stove and fridge and a bed with a duvet and pillow. Also, I have some basic cutlery. My kettle is awesome. It is old and sings when the water reaches boiling point. This makes me smile every time! After unpacking, the other ESL teachers came to greet me. The one is from New Zeland, one from U.S.A and three from Canada. However, I was too tired to join them on a night out in town as I had only three hours sleep the past three days.

School is great so far! A lot to take in but hey, the kiindergartens are SO adorable I might just bring one home! I only had school Monday and Tuesday. The rest of the week I am off due to Lunar year (Korean New Year). This week and next I am merely observing. From the 14th I will begin to teach. In the mornings I will teach Kindergartens and afternoons elementary.

Teaching the kindergartens is so awesome. I get paid to play! We sing songs, read stories and teach words using flash cards! It is all too cute! I wish I was able to post pictures of my students and apartment and the snow, I will try to get my camera fixed tomorrow! Sigh.

I did get to teach a bit today, well, play with the kiddies. I tried to play hangman, um, I don't think it went to well. I never thought I would say this, but I need to practice playing!

I am really excited, my mom's friend who also teaches will visit me tomorrow. I have never met her but she has been an angel of support and is bringing me a phone!!!! I will upload my new pone number on my info page on facebook a.s.a.p!

My fingers need rest,and I need to go and drink wine with my new english friends (who all live in the same block!), also my internet time is almost up...

Goodbye for now, much love!