Greetings from South Korea!

Boarding the plane for S. Korea!

Yesterday we took a short hour and twenty minute flight from Osaka to Busan, S. Korea.

We were a bit perplexed when we first arrived, which is probably the feeling we will have when we land in every new country.

We found it! Shin Shin Hotel 

Looking out our hotel room window

Thanks to Google maps though, we were able to scout our hotel for the next week. We seem to be right in the heart of Busan, among street vendors, markets, and locals.

Yesterday we set out for the streets, wandering aimlessly around and in awe of our new surroundings. It turns out we were in the Bujeon-dong district and there didn't seem to be anyone over the age of 35.

An Asian couple approached us and the guy asked us (in English) if we knew of any pool halls around (the girl really only spoke Korean). Kiel and I looked at one another and laughed and basically told the guy we were new here. After a bit of banter, they recommended we go to Okkudak, a restaurant known for their oven baked chicken. As they were showing us the directions via Google maps, the guy asked me if I could read Korean. When I replied no, the two of them joked, "what kind of Korean are you?!"

Surprisingly, we found our way to the restaurant and it did not disappoint! Chicken and beer seems to be the way to go here.

There's a Busan Giants baseball team here

Some of the restaurant names are funny

Our observations so far:

South Korea isn't as clean or friendly as Japan. Their sewer system stinks (literally), and often smells like a hundred dirty diapers. Often see/hear loogie hawking and spitting.

On certain busy streets, we have to go underground in order to cross to the other side.

There's TONS of shopping and a lot of cafes and coffee shops.

A bit noisier than Japan; a bunch of the restaurants are blasting music.

A lot of middle aged women with the same hairdo and wearing tracksuits (me in 20 years?!)

1,000 Korean won is equal to $0.89 USD whereas 1,000 Japanese yen was equal to $8.98 USD.

Overall the food and beverage is cheaper.

A lot of people staring at me/us. 😳