I forgot to mention that there's a Ben's Cookies in Dubai Airport! Am I the only one that finds that incredible?!
AND literally as I was writing this post, I've found out that there is a Ben's Cookies in Seoul!! You must be kidding me!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Week One!
Monday 20th February
Travelled down to Heathrow from Nottingham on Monday morning. Jen came with us and Karl met us at the airport so that was nice to see them before the flight. After Krispy Kremes and a brew it was time to go through to Departures. My plan had been to buy a camera from the Departures Lounge. Instead, I opted to sit at the gate with tears streaming uncontrollably down my face, as you do. Quite embarrassing. But lucky I was in Britain where people just leave you to it, haha.
The first leg of the journey was the Emirates flight to Dubai. This was about 8 hours and there was loads to watch - they even had wifi! I did have to pay for it, but still! So after emotional goodbyes and warning people I wouldn't be in contact for a while, I then started Whatsapp-ing people about 30 mins into the flight, haha.
Tuesday 21st February
Arrived in Dubai after midnight (UAE time). Whilst looking completely lost, started talking to a fellow passenger who turned out be going out to do exactly the same thing for the same company! Freaky - in a good way!
We sat in Dubai Airport chatting for 4 hours and then it was time for our second flight to Incheon. This flight was just unbearable! The plane was full and I just couldn't settle. But after 7 hours we arrived in South Korea!
Our luggage was already out by the time we got through immigration. Then as we walked out into South Korea, feeling a little startled by the whole experience, I then hear a broad English accent shouting my name - Luke had come to meet me! Bless him.
Then it was time to get a bus from Incheon to Suyu. This was pretty long, but I met two of the other new teachers from my school so that was really good. Was taken to our "Love Motel" where we'll be staying until are apartments are available.We then went for Jjimdak (I hope that's right!). It was chicken and vegetable stew-type thing. It was all marinated in a sauce of some description... I should really learn what it was. Was pretty fit to be honest!
Wednesday 22nd February
First day of training! Pretty long day of training but there was quite a big group of us and everybody seems lovely. Was my first experience of the subway too. Pretty much just like the London underground! I even have a T-money card which works just like an Oyster card. Although the T-money card is better - you can even pay for taxis with it! Mental.
After training, a few of us went for a meal in the Suyu area. We had something that was nice! No idea what it was. It was rings of something (maybe squid?!) on a bbq-type thing in the middle. One of the girls had a dish that came with a glove for her to mash it all together in her hand! As you do...
A couple of us then went for some drinkies. Went to a place where they apparently don't let in Raccoons... Random!
Thursday 23rd February
Second day of training! Afterwards, went to a Japanese restaurant with a few people from training. There was no English on the menu at all so it really was just pointing to something and hoping for the best! Was nice though. They forgot to put my order through so I just pointed to one near me that looked nice and got one of those, ha.
Friday 24th February
Last day of training! And I overslept! Thank god there are other new teachers staying in this motel. They woke me up! Never got ready so quickly.
Had to give a 20 minute lesson. Good job it wasn't with real kids as I had totally run out of things to do after the first 15 mins! A little cringey but never mind.
At night we went for Korean food - I think it was Galbi? Raw meet cooked over a flame on the table. The great thing about the Korean food is that they tend to come with a load of side dishes which are FREE. Amazeballs!
After a few drinks we ended up in a Noraebang! For those of you that don't know, this is karaoke. And I can see why they love it so much. It was so much fun!
Saturday 25th February
This was the day of sleep, sleep and more sleep. The orginial plan had been to go to this extra training day but my days did I need to sleep!
The night time was then Luke's leaving do in Hongdae! Went to an Irish bar. Had fish and chips. Then drank a lot. Went to a club and drank some more! And you know it's been a good night when you end up at McDonalds at the end of the night and they're already serving breakfast...
Sunday 26th February
Sleep, sleep, wander, more Japanese food, PC bang (internet cafe without the cafe), sleep.
Travelled down to Heathrow from Nottingham on Monday morning. Jen came with us and Karl met us at the airport so that was nice to see them before the flight. After Krispy Kremes and a brew it was time to go through to Departures. My plan had been to buy a camera from the Departures Lounge. Instead, I opted to sit at the gate with tears streaming uncontrollably down my face, as you do. Quite embarrassing. But lucky I was in Britain where people just leave you to it, haha.
The first leg of the journey was the Emirates flight to Dubai. This was about 8 hours and there was loads to watch - they even had wifi! I did have to pay for it, but still! So after emotional goodbyes and warning people I wouldn't be in contact for a while, I then started Whatsapp-ing people about 30 mins into the flight, haha.
Tuesday 21st February
Arrived in Dubai after midnight (UAE time). Whilst looking completely lost, started talking to a fellow passenger who turned out be going out to do exactly the same thing for the same company! Freaky - in a good way!
We sat in Dubai Airport chatting for 4 hours and then it was time for our second flight to Incheon. This flight was just unbearable! The plane was full and I just couldn't settle. But after 7 hours we arrived in South Korea!
Our luggage was already out by the time we got through immigration. Then as we walked out into South Korea, feeling a little startled by the whole experience, I then hear a broad English accent shouting my name - Luke had come to meet me! Bless him.
Then it was time to get a bus from Incheon to Suyu. This was pretty long, but I met two of the other new teachers from my school so that was really good. Was taken to our "Love Motel" where we'll be staying until are apartments are available.We then went for Jjimdak (I hope that's right!). It was chicken and vegetable stew-type thing. It was all marinated in a sauce of some description... I should really learn what it was. Was pretty fit to be honest!
Wednesday 22nd February
First day of training! Pretty long day of training but there was quite a big group of us and everybody seems lovely. Was my first experience of the subway too. Pretty much just like the London underground! I even have a T-money card which works just like an Oyster card. Although the T-money card is better - you can even pay for taxis with it! Mental.
After training, a few of us went for a meal in the Suyu area. We had something that was nice! No idea what it was. It was rings of something (maybe squid?!) on a bbq-type thing in the middle. One of the girls had a dish that came with a glove for her to mash it all together in her hand! As you do...
A couple of us then went for some drinkies. Went to a place where they apparently don't let in Raccoons... Random!
Thursday 23rd February
Second day of training! Afterwards, went to a Japanese restaurant with a few people from training. There was no English on the menu at all so it really was just pointing to something and hoping for the best! Was nice though. They forgot to put my order through so I just pointed to one near me that looked nice and got one of those, ha.
Friday 24th February
Last day of training! And I overslept! Thank god there are other new teachers staying in this motel. They woke me up! Never got ready so quickly.
Had to give a 20 minute lesson. Good job it wasn't with real kids as I had totally run out of things to do after the first 15 mins! A little cringey but never mind.
At night we went for Korean food - I think it was Galbi? Raw meet cooked over a flame on the table. The great thing about the Korean food is that they tend to come with a load of side dishes which are FREE. Amazeballs!
After a few drinks we ended up in a Noraebang! For those of you that don't know, this is karaoke. And I can see why they love it so much. It was so much fun!
Saturday 25th February
This was the day of sleep, sleep and more sleep. The orginial plan had been to go to this extra training day but my days did I need to sleep!
The night time was then Luke's leaving do in Hongdae! Went to an Irish bar. Had fish and chips. Then drank a lot. Went to a club and drank some more! And you know it's been a good night when you end up at McDonalds at the end of the night and they're already serving breakfast...
Sunday 26th February
Sleep, sleep, wander, more Japanese food, PC bang (internet cafe without the cafe), sleep.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Hello! My name is Lucy...
Just a quick intro to begin with. I am Lucy. About 2 years ago I made a list of 100 things I wanted to do in my life. I haven't been very active in this at all. Over the past 2 years I have crossed off:
13. Go to Glastonbury - went to Glasonbury 2011. Headliners were U2 (didn't bother), Coldplay (amazing) and Beyonce (flipping incredible!) Probably one of the best weekends of my life!
83. Be a bridesmaid - was a bridesmaid in August for my lovely friend Sam.
84. Drink in an ice bar - went to an ice bar in Benalmadena for the lovely Sam's hen do.
That's really not much in 2 years... But I have tried to complete the following:
3. Learn a langauge - I was learning to speak Mandarin Chinese.
5. Learn to play the guitar - I had a guitar. I never learnt to play it. I bought a Ukelele. I never learnt to play it.
29. Learn to juggle - bought a juggling set and I can actually juggle with 3 balls for a couple of second. Not mastered it though.
30. Be in a TV programme - I applied to be on Deal or Not Deal. I got through the application stage, and the telephone interview. Had the audition and failed at the last hurdle - they didn't want me!
76. Learn origami - I have an origami app. I need to get on this!
So anyway, I decided I should do these things so I applied to teach abroad (number 43) in South Korea for a year (number 2)...
13. Go to Glastonbury - went to Glasonbury 2011. Headliners were U2 (didn't bother), Coldplay (amazing) and Beyonce (flipping incredible!) Probably one of the best weekends of my life!
83. Be a bridesmaid - was a bridesmaid in August for my lovely friend Sam.
84. Drink in an ice bar - went to an ice bar in Benalmadena for the lovely Sam's hen do.
That's really not much in 2 years... But I have tried to complete the following:
3. Learn a langauge - I was learning to speak Mandarin Chinese.
5. Learn to play the guitar - I had a guitar. I never learnt to play it. I bought a Ukelele. I never learnt to play it.
29. Learn to juggle - bought a juggling set and I can actually juggle with 3 balls for a couple of second. Not mastered it though.
30. Be in a TV programme - I applied to be on Deal or Not Deal. I got through the application stage, and the telephone interview. Had the audition and failed at the last hurdle - they didn't want me!
76. Learn origami - I have an origami app. I need to get on this!
So anyway, I decided I should do these things so I applied to teach abroad (number 43) in South Korea for a year (number 2)...
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