I’m now back in New York and already miss Korea. Didn’t know how good I had it…

The last night I was there, I went out with a few friends to Hongdae. I wanted to see the “other” nightlife area of Korea besides Itaewon. Differences? Lots more Koreans, a lot more places to dance, but also a lot of empty or near-empty clubs (or maybe we just picked unpopular places). We went to Sensation (cool bar, cool DJ, no cover) and one other place that I forgot the name of.

Even though we weren’t in packed places, we still had a good time. Hookah and drinks at Sensation while watching my friends dance to trippy hip hop/techno. More techno at the other place; I liked it.

Street carts line the blocks up and down in the wee hours of the morning. After dancing we ate at a kabob cart but it’s more like a gyro. Good eats.

After being back in New York I can truly appreciate how nice Korea is. I am seriously considering teaching English there now.

What I miss about Korea:
- The cleanliness of their streets and subways
- Cheap food and cost of living
- My extremely nice relatives who took care of me and gave me $$
- The great friends I made during my short stay there (most of them are English teachers from Canada or the US)
- Inexpensive nights out and cheap cabs
- Looking at cute girls with their cute outfits, dressed to the nines
- Flavorful fruits and vegetables (getting back to NY, none of the produce I’ve eaten was as tasty as in Korea… probably cuz we use massive amounts of hormones to grow such big veggies)
- Having a guaranteed, easy job with my uncle
- Cheap subway fares

What I missed about New York:
- Authentic NY pizza (though when I recently had a slice, I was wondering if it was always this greasy)
- Vietnamese and Malaysian food, and take-out Chinese
- Cleavage baring! No one did it in Korea; just bare legs up to the crotch
- Seeing people of all different colors and sizes

Yeah I think Korea wins for now.

I’m going home on August 8th. Home is on the horizon.

And yet, I know that once I’m gone, I’ll be missing this crazy place. 3-for-chun won ($0.80) boong-uh ppang (fish-shaped pastries filled with red bean filling… yum). $3 soon tofu. $1 kimbap. $2-3 earrings that look damned good, $4 graphic tees. Cheap everything, really, except for fruit (paid about $9 for 2 pounds of grapes, eesh).

Maybe this should’ve been a food blog. Oh well, too late now. I am seriously craving some New York style pizza… thin crust with piping hot cheese and sauce… mmm. And  a few other home comforts like my canine companion and pals.

To make the most out of my stay here, I’ll be trying to do the following in the few days I have left:

• Visit some family on my mom’s side and see my adorable 2 girl cousins… haven’t seen them since they were 4 and 6
• Get new luggage and gifts for friends
• Go to Hongdae and check out their nightlife and dance clubs
• Wrap up all leftover work at the office including translations and convention details

I think that’s doable.

My time here has been insightful, filled with a lot of fun but also loneliness,  constructive, and rewarding. I haven’t achieved nearly all the things I’ve wanted to (becoming fluent in Korean and figuring out what I want to do with my life) but it has lead me on a direction towards that.

Random fact about Korean people: They think it’s weird to sit side-by-side when at a table/seating area. And my 13-year old male cousin is afraid of cats.

I have no more. Will update with my Hongdae experience in a few days :)