Guess who’s back, back again?

So I’m renewing my contract and will be here for one more year. People have been asking why I like it so much. So here’s a half-baked attempt to explain (man I hate making posts on this thing).

A couple of days back and I've already been reminded so much why I love korea. Not that being home wasn’t great. It was really, really great. But some things will just not compare. Let’s talk about this weekend. I got a dorm room in the heart of a busy district in Seoul for 21 bucks a night. Took subway using my T-card, changing lines with ease, wait time at each station: 5 minutes max, Cost: about $1 for a 30 minute journey. Went shopping with super friendly and welcoming staff. Went out after dinner with friends, made some new ones, everyone young, friendly happy. Then the next day took a bus to a totally different city to leave my stuff at a friends’ to travel some more. Even though I haven’t talked much with this person before, everyone here is close and will pull together to help out. Not wanting to inconvenience anybody, plus most people are out of town, I got myself a nice motel room, with internet for 40 bucks. Late at night, I was hungry and I just walked downstairs, alone through the dark urban backstreets, to a 24 hour convenience store (they are everywhere) to get cup noodles, Twix and a banana milk, for 3 bucks, free chopsticks, and went back to my room (which has a hot and cold water filter machine), never feeling anything but safe.

What this weekend might have looked like back home:
Paid $3.50 for a 20 minute journey. Trains and buses would’ve been late, would’ve had to wait 20minutes for the next one. Gotten there and had to pay a 20 dollar cover charge to stand amongst people looking to impress rather than just be themselves. Some macho, drunk git would’ve started a fight and glassed or king hit some random woman. Getting a private room of this quality, you'd pay over 100 bucks, or you’d have to line up for 15minutes to get a taxi to get home (here never wait if you know where to flag one down, you never have to call for one that may or may not come ‘within 40 minutes’), or get the nightride then get mugged on the way walking home.

Then I went back to my town and saw some familiar faces on the bus. Got to school and the nightwatchman was concerned for my car. Was amazed to see my car started no problems, 6 weeks in hibernation. It feels good to be back.