Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Feeling more Singaporean for a day

I must begin by mentioning how friendly and helpful people in Busan are! I'm not saying Seoulites are unfriendly, but they always seem to be rushing somewhere, and don't really stop to help. I'm saying this coz i was lugging my 20kg worth of luggage from my hostel to Gwanghwamun to take the shuttle bus, up and down all the stairs and stuff, and nobody in Seoul bothered to help. =/ But once I reached Busan, I was trying to carry my luggage down the first flight of stairs into the subway (Those who have been to Korea would know that most subways here have stairs instead of escalators. More on that next time), and a kind lady came to help immediately! She just happened to be walking down the stairs too, and hurried over with a "같이 할래" (let's do it together) or something along those lines. She even helped carry it all the way to the gate! Then yesterday I happened to buy quite a bit of fruits back for my homestay family, and there were no seats on the subway. The ahjumma seated in front of me gestured to help carry by putting them on her lap~ :D

Staying here alone has been pretty awesome so far, being able to do whatever I want, whenever I like. My usual itinerary for a day consists of visiting some touristy place in the morning, finding a new cafe in the afternoon and just sit down and read my korean stuff with my trusty iriver (: then i'll come back home for dinner and teach the kids some english (:

Last 2 days have been interesting though, coz I met 2 different groups of Singaporeans! I was browsing through the Korean books section in YP bookstore (I keep doing this when I pass by ANY bookstore! =/) when this group of 3 ladies came by, trying to ask the assistant for some help. (and we all know how distinctive Singaporean english is HAHA) so I approached them and chatted with them for a while, asking about their trip and advising on where they should go, coz they were heading to Jeju and Seoul after Busan (: Then I met my friend at the subway station today! It was really random, as I was heading to Haeundae Beach for the day and I saw someone waving as I was walking down the stairs to the platform. I then realized that someone was actually waving at me and I actually know him! Turns out he just arrived in Busan that morning with his friend, and were heading to their hotel in Haeundae too. hahaha, so we went for 부대찌개 lunch together ^^

I'm glad to have this time to travel around, coz I know I probably won't have such a chance ever again. Or at least until I retire haha.

Laying on the sand, watching the clouds go by.
@ Gwangalli Beach


12 comments:

  1. Hello Weixin,


    This is Stefanie, a singaporean student here.
    I came across your blog and happen to get your email from there. Sorry about that.
    I read that you will be heading back to Singapore during June and i was wondering if you could do me a very big favour and help me buy an iriver electronic dictionary (D7 Basic - White ) back to Singapore.

    I know you might not trust me, but i will be willing to transfer the money over to your Singapore account if that makes you feel more at ease.

    I tried to get it from gmarket korea, but its horribly expensive. The shipping itself cost 40 over dollars and i thought it was not worth it. Do you think it is possible for you to help me bring over to Singapore?

    Would be extremely thankful if you can do me this Big favour.



    Thanks!

    Regards,
    Stefanie Chua
    Singapore Management University

    ReplyDelete
  2. hey stefanie,

    sure i could do that (: could you give me the gmarket link? then i'll just order it from there and send it to my place (: i understand regarding gmarket, coz i got it from there too haha. but i managed to buy other stuff and share shipping with my friends too so it wasn't too bad (:

    btw, i didn't get an email from you? it might have gone into my junk mail and i didn't realize =/ anyway do send the link to my mail if possible! then i'll let you know my acct number (:

    cheers,
    weixin (:

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi,

    Erm, do you mean send it to your place in Singapore or where you are living now? haha.
    Because i m intending to escape the shipping cost =X
    Haha and yes my email might have landed up in your junk mail

    stef

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  4. hi stef,

    i'm gonna send it to busan so don't worry (: i still didn't get your mail though! anyway i do need you to transfer first before i can purchase it coz i don't have enough cash in my bank =/

    it's posb savings 121-54351-6. drop me an email/msg here after it's done, but you need to do it asap coz i'll be leaving this place in a week or two, and delivery takes time k (:

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, i was wondering if i should convert the USD to SGD or WON TO SGD? Nevertheless, before i wait for your reply, I will be transferring 172 SGD to your account, is it okie? I ve used the exchange rate of 1.24 based on my credit card. I am not sure of your credit card exchange rate. =) i will transfer them in the evening later because i forgot to bring my ibanking dongle out today =(

    The link is http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=189846512

    I am not sure why you are not receiving my emails . haha so in case you havent receive. ive pasted my link here.

    I am getting WHITE!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey... I ve just checked gmarket korea again and TADA..they have discounts promotion for shipping charges!!!!!!!!! I am so glad! =)

    This would means that you dont have to go through the xtra trouble and buy for me... =)
    THnak you so much for your help thus far =) Really appreaciate it

    ReplyDelete
  7. ok sure! no prob (: enjoy your iriver, it'll be super useful and much more convenient haha ^^

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  8. I hope it will reach singapore soon =( cant wait to finish my new yonsei workbook i bought from korea =)
    BTW do you need to use a voltage converter for your iriver?

    ReplyDelete
  9. haha it'll probably take a week or so! nope, it comes with a usb cable charger, so i just use my laptop to charge it (:

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you so much for all your help. keep updating your blog. ill be following =).

    ReplyDelete
  11. how long is the iriver d7 charging time?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Around 2-3 hours with a usb cable plugged to my computer ^^

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