maybe you'll be the one that saves me

[bluelovesorange]

maybe you'll be the one that saves me
Originally uploaded by crush with eyeliner

Oh Seoul. It was the worst of times, it was the best of times. And you took my sweat, my tears and literally, my blood.

I survived training (or hell week) with most of my dignity and facilities intact. I only had to figure out the medical system, the subway system (quite easy actually - on par with London and way better than NY), luggage on escalators, two blood tests, and one break down with tears.

Seoul was described to me as the New York of Asia, and as an lapsed NYer (look, my mom moved me when I was three, I had no choice in the matter, but now I'm Cali for life anyway), I could see the similarities.

Seoul was tough, and it was exhilarating and it was soul crushing and I made friendships that I'm sure will at least endure for this year and I laughed a lot and cried a little and while it's not going to be a city I love, I'm intrigued enough to come back again - not soon, but again.


oh and p.s. I have anemia. I'm sure it's just the normal kind and not the sickle cell kind.

Comments

[uisceros.livejournal.com]

I thought I was going to hate Seoul, but ended up loving it (I think because it reminds me a lot of Boston). I think the NYC of Asia comparison is quite accurate. Except maybe less dirty. I have to say, I hated the damn subways. No escalators?! Are they kidding me? I mean, yeah, I'm lazy, but I was also carrying lots and lots of luggage. I will forever compare all subways to Taiwan, which IMO are the best in the world. Mostly because they have escalators everywhere.

Look on the bright side, if you somehow magically have sickle cell, you'll be immune to malaria. You can visit Africa with no worries!

Sorry your training sucked so badly! But at least it's over now, and you (hopefully) won't get deported.

[wistfulmemory.livejournal.com]

Wow...my training period was definitely way better than yours. The worst I had to deal with was everyone in my orientation group leaving me at the same time to go to their placements (as I was already at the place I was stationed) and then less than an hour later having to teach my first two classes ever.

I enjoyed my short time in Seoul, though I still prefer Tokyo and Yokohama over Seoul, but I think part of that is because I got to know them first.

*hugs*