Home Sweet Home

Driveway to Okdong Middle School

On Sunday we arrived in our new, TWO-ROOM, third floor, bright and breezy, mold-free apartment with kimchi grins and excitement for the ten months ahead of us. Moving in Korea is nothing short of bizarre, at least our experience was. About A month ago we put in a request for a new apartment. We were told when we arrived that we would be placed in “couples housing” meaning a one or two bedroom apartment. This wasn’t the case so we politely began the necessary procedures to hunt for a new pad. Last week our school told us that they had found an apartment next door to ours that we were sure to like more than our windowless box, so eagerly we went on our lunch break to check it out….Along with an administrative staff member from my school, one from Matt’s school and the landlord (none of whom spoke a word of English) we were shown apartment #1, about half the size of our old place… Shaking our heads and playing charades to convey our desire for a LARGER apartment they took us to apartment #2…3/4 the size of our old apartment… Time to get out the phrase book and we were able to say “Dul Bang” “Two-Room.” The reaction was utter shock from our team of househunters and they whispered the words back and forth to one another.

At this point we began to walk the streets of our neighborhood looking for signs and called on the first nice building boasting two rooms for rent that we saw. Two minutes later the landlord of the new building had shown up to let us take a peak at the room. She marched us to the third floor, punched in the door code and opened the apartment…right onto a TENANT who had just gotten out of the shower. Matt and I began to leave thinking we would come back at a better time, but no, the landlord insisted that we go into this woman’s apartment and see if we like it! We took a quick peak, smelled fresh air, saw bright light and a roomy bedroom and said “we’ll take it.” A contract was signed standing in the hallway whereby the landlord fished around in her purse for a pen and I tore out a piece of paper from my notebook, signed the bottom corner and forked over some cash. The biggest problem I foresee in our return to the States will be getting frequently conned because we have become SO trusting here in Korea.

Moving Day

Move in day was not anymore typical of what we would expect back in the USA, and started at 10am when Matt’s co-teacher, her entire family, ten middle school students and a moving truck showed up to transport our things down the street. This is when we realized that in Korea you do not only move you personal items, you move: The refrigerator, the washing machine, the air conditioner, and the furniture that comes with the house. We were completely moved into the new place in under two hours thanks to the efforts of our community here in Ulsan and these efforts were more than deserving of a Mexican lunch, compliments to our Costco trip last week (tortillas, cheese, salsa Oh my!). All in all it was a really fun day and probably one of the more memorable moving experiences we will have.

Break time

We wake up now to the sound of the market, kids walking to school, bright sunshine and fresh air in our roomy bedroom. It is amazing how just one simple request could grant us SO much happiness. Matt is able to play his guitar on our balcony without elbowing me while I read a book or cook in the next room and my walk home is now completely lit and on a main street so we both feel really safe. Best part is that two of our friends we have made here in Ulsan live right next door! Our neighborhood is becoming more and more like home. I found a community food co-op a block away and our students have started inviting us to dinner which turns into an entire evening of piano concerts and charades, it’s fantastic! We have also welcomed the newest member of our family to our lovely apartment, a sweet little bunny who remains at the moment nameless. He was rescued from a nearby park and then from a middle school, and seems to be adapting very well to living on our enclosed balcony.

We are doing really well here, still homesick for some boundary brew, a Pacific Northwest sunset, the smell of the bay and the ease of calling our loved one’s whenever we feel the urge (not at 3am there time.) Traveling is at once addictive in its ever changing and unknown nature, and heartbreaking for the same reason. Having a home during this year has made all the difference just in one week of feeling settled and relaxed. I urge travelers to stay put from time to time: instead of 8 countries in two weeks try 2 and get to know these places that you visit. Just a thought for all of us who love to wander, being “home” somewhere is an irreplaceable feeling.

Bunny

If you are living, or planning to live in South Korea and would like to find a house try this new link: http://www.sublet.com/city_rentals/Ulsan_rentals.asp It gives sub-let options in most major cities and some smaller ones in Korea. Also your best bet may be to go to a real estate agent, found in practically every neighborhood.

That’s all for now, thanks for any questions or comments.

Matt and Emily

First Homeade Korean Meal