Greetings from Korea

Aloreth

Aloreth

Aloreth

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Joined
16 Aug 2005
Posts
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Pretty much what the thread title says!

I havnt met a single caucasian yet - its kinda scary. no one speaks any english what so ever so my limited Korean and sign language are the only way of getting by. Food is the worst I have ever tasted (and I have been to a lot of countries) but the people are amoung the friendliest.

Just wanted to stop by and say hi!

Mike
 
North or south?

I have heard that North Korea is a very weird place, sort of like going back in time 50 years.
 
Scuzi said:
North or south?

I have heard that North Korea is a very weird place, sort of like going back in time 50 years.
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South, presumably, since the North has had severe travel restrictions in place for at least twenty years and is probably the second least desirable place to visit after downtown Baghdad
 
I could handle the lack of caucasians, but the language barrier would seriously do my head in.
 
Evangelion said:
Wow, no caucasians? And yet you're in Korea? How surprising!
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Absolutely no need for the sarcasm.
It's very rare to go to a country and not see people of different races. I walk through Cairo and Alexandria on a regular basis and you can't go 5 minutes without seeing someone who is clearly not an Arab. I would be surprised if I went anywhere and didn't see someone with an England top and burned skin.
 
robmiller said:
South, presumably, since the North has had severe travel restrictions in place for at least twenty years and is probably the second least desirable place to visit after downtown Baghdad
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You can still get trips there as long as you arrange far in advance and have a guide.

I'd love to go see North Korea. There were a few blogs of people who have been to NK, with pictures and all.

Would be a good trip I think!
 
Bigstan said:
Absolutely no need for the sarcasm.
It's very rare to go to a country and not see people of different races. I walk through Cairo and Alexandria on a regular basis and you can't go 5 minutes without seeing someone who is clearly not an Arab. I would be surprised if I went anywhere and didn't see someone with an England top and burned skin.
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I am merely surprised to find that someone was surprised to find that South Korea does not have a significant white population. Unlike the other places you mention, it is not multicultural and/or a popular tourist mecca.

I assumed this was common knowledge. Wrong assumption, perhaps?
 
It is highly unusual to find absolutely no incomers at all - regardless of whether there is a "significant white population" or not. It may not be a "popular tourist mecca" but there are some tourists and there are other reasons for white people to be there e.g. commerce, diplomats etc.
For example, South Korea has a healthy oil and gas industry and wherever you find oil and gas, you find white people.
 
Bigstan said:
It is highly unusual to find absolutely no incomers at all - regardless of whether there is a "significant white population" or not. It may not be a "popular tourist mecca" but there are some tourists and there are other reasons for white people to be there e.g. commerce, diplomats etc.
For example, South Korea has a healthy oil and gas industry and wherever you find oil and gas, you find white people.
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....and a huge american army base
 
What the hell? No caucasians AT ALL? Where are you in Korea?

And the food is simply amazing....! Seriously. Also, every teenager you see should speak English to a basic basic conversational level.
 
Korea seems to be a pretty interesting place and I'd like to go there at some point, have fun :) how long are you there for?

Evangelion said:
Wow, no caucasians? And yet you're in Korea? How surprising!
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I think you probably got the wrong end of the stick, I think the OP meant it as an off the cuff comment to let us know about his experience rather than his surprise.
 
Where abouts are you?

I've been to South Korea with work. Seoul is quite multicultural (by Korean standards!) but small kids stopped and stared at me in the south of the country. Usually I found people's written English to be better than their spoken English. Between my very limited Korean and writing stuff down, I got by OK.

I agree about the people. They're really friendly and you get great service everywhere.

The food was a mixed bag for me. There was some very nice stuff (bulgogi is amazing) but I'm not a fan of seafood, which limited my choices. Soju is drinkable enough and I didn't find the beer too bad either.

Enjoy the rest of your trip. :)
 
Hi! awesome post :)

what took you to korea, just travel or is it some sort of work? i can't even imagine what it's like and the culture shock must be pretty intense, i bet its exciting, what have you been up to? i imagine 'net access isn't widely available so asking questions might be a bit dumb but still, well done, wish i was there :D
 
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