Hello world!
For the next three months, I'll be staying in Korea again (at my aunt's house, again) for an internship at The Korea Herald, an English-language Korean newspaper.
It was my first choice 'to-do' for my year off plan, but I did not expect there would be much probability of it actually happening. But it did. I'm very grateful for that.
I'm also going to apply to grad schools while I intern, so it's going to be a very busy three months. So I probably won't be able to blog all that often.
The trip to Korea did not start off that well. Firstly, the day I was to take the plane was the day South Korea happened to be hit by A TYPHOON. To avoid typhoon peak times, my plane was delayed about 13 hours. I headed to the airport at 6AM, along with other bloated, half-awake passengers with dark circles and dull skin.
Probably as a gesture of apology, Korean Air was providing free juice and water to any willing passengers at the airport gate. You heard that right, airport gate. Before we even stepped on the plane.
Despite whatever criticisms I have against my country, I have nothing but admiration for the service ethics of Korean Air. They're simply the best.
 |
| All passengers receive a water bottle, blanket, and a mini package on their seat. |
 |
| Package includes indoor slippers, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Did I mention I sat in Economy Class? |
The best part about Korean Air has to be the plane food. Their stuff is decent!
Note to all potential Korean Air passengers: unless you have allergies and/or super picky about your food, CHOOSE THE KOREAN MENU FOR PLANE MEALS. While Korean Air does offer other options for plane food, the 'beef' or 'pork' are just your regular meh plane food. And why on earth would you want that when you can have THIS:
 |
| Breakfast: Ochazuke (green tea porridge)! Comes with picked radish and fruits. |
So okay, ochazuke is technically Japanese food. But it's still tasty!
 |
| Close up of ochazuke. |
 |
| Dinner: Bibimbap! Comes with pickled cucumbers, seaweed soup, and a roll cake. |
 |
| After everything is mixed up all nicely. |
Asides from food, Korean Air also has quite the variety of movie selections. I'm starting to sound like an advert but bottom line, it's great service.
I arrived in Korea around 1:30 AM, and then it was 2:30 AM after immigrations and baggage pick-up. Due to the time, my uncle came to pick me up to take me to my temporary home, where I unpacked a little bit and fell asleep. At 4AM.
And I've just been chilling since. I have to say hi to people at Korea Herald tomorrow as well as visit my other grandmother's place afterwards.
Extras:
1. We have another typhoon. Not as strong as the first one, but still. Oh joy. Its raining nonstop today.
2. Poor farmers. A year's worth of hard work ruined just before harvest. Just before Chuseok too. Expect produce prices to be jaw-droppingly expensive soon.
3. Korea is an OCD's recycling paradise. I helped my aunt sort out paper, plastic, metal, and Styrofoam today (in the rain). Not featured are glass and one or two more categories I don't remember.
