Arrival in Busan

After a 4 hour bus ride from Jeonju, I finally made it to Busan. All the EPIK teachers were taken to Global Village in downtown Busan, where our co-teacher(s) picked us up. I was feeling really nervous before I met my co-teacher. I've been told so many times that first impressions are very important with Koreans.  I was picked up by both my co-teachers and a member of the school administration. My co-teachers showed me the school I'll be teaching at (it was around 6pm by this time so school was over). Then we went to my new apartment, which isn't too far from my school. Apparently, I'm in an area that is close to Gwangan beach and I'm just a subway away from several other attractions. My place is super tiny but I'll make it work.

 After my co-teachers showed me my apartment and I dropped all my luggage off, we went to purchase a mattress cover and blanket from a local store. During this whole process, everyone spoke back and forth in Korean so I felt pretty awkward but I tried not to show it. Thankfully, I brought my own bed sheets because they are not so readily available in Korea. Regardless of their availability I'm glad I brought my own sheets because they remind me of home. In a way, having those familiar pink and green flowers make my Korean home feel like my Canadian home.

To end my first night in Busan, my co-teachers took me to a local restaurant. It was an interesting experience because I'm not accustomed to removing my shoes in public and sitting on the floor to eat. I had some sort of thick flour needles in a broth with spinach among other things. It was good but way too much for me to eat. I feel like my stomach shrank ever since I came to Korea. I get full so fast but I know I have to force myself to eat.

After my co-teachers dropped me home, I unpacked a little but I gave up quickly as I was exhausted! I pretty much unpacked my Babaji picture and prayer book, pictures, tigger, Bobo the Bear, and a few essentials. Now, I'm curled up into a ball in my new bed with the t.v. on to help treat the lonely feeling I have in my stomach. I've complained of feeling alone before in my life but I can honestly say, now I know what loneliness really feels like. I know this feeling will pass in no time but right now I just can't shake it. I'm sure I'll feel a lot better when I have access to the internet and I can communicate with my new EPIK friends that are also in Busan, and all the other important people in my life (right now, I'm just typing my blog on my computer and saving it since I can't actually post it online).

My eyes are closing so this is where I'll end it. Day 1 of my year-long contract is officially over. Good night!