"Yes you have a good IQ for language speaking! " /Taxi driver

안녕!(annyong)

2NE1 aka female Big Bang debuting this weekend, 21st C New Evolution ^^
Street Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x95Nm5JDGN8 (3.21 is all I say ;) )

Space Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu5Ld_KnMWA&feature=related

Well I went to the Han river last weekend, beautifully scenery, and hot weather, it has been above 20 degrees for a while now. Many families there having picnic and people on bikes. Da In suggested we rent two bikes, but well I wouldn't say it would be easy to bike in Seoul; even by the Han river which had minor incidents of people knocking into one another with their bikes~~

Today was one of those days that just put a smile on my face. I had to take a taxi home in order to bring home some materials; Im doing a presentation on Sweden for elementary school children at a public library. Anyways, the taxi driver started teaching me Korean, I could grasp about 50% of what he was saying; teaching me big and small, left and right, Im hungry and Im full, and I smiled and tried to mimic and copy. Then he said "You have a good IQ for languages, you will learn quickly if you keep practising !" That made me very happy to hear, he only knew a few words in English but boy was that one awesome taxi ride ! :)

This is what I will miss the most about Korea, the friendliness.

I should brief my readers about Korea and most importantly about Seoul!

Korea and its people are estimated as one of the oldest civilisations in the world.

Seoul, established around 18 BC, is the capital with about 10,6 million people, and surrounding hubs included amounts to 24,1 million ! So YES, SeoulIScrowded!! Subway is always crowded during rush hours, so standing pressed against eachother is just something that you deal with. And being pushed inside by other passengers for more room is also something you deal with. It is not that unsimilar to Japan actually.
Seoul's subway station is divided into various lines of different colours, similar to other metropols. The station names are both in Hangul (Korean alphabet), and Roman. They call out the stations in both Korean and English so no problem there. The problem is that the humidity makes these trains rather warm at times.

Various districts of Seoul:

Jongno-gu,North, where I live. It is also the hub of retired Koreans for some reason ^^ You can often witness two older men quarreling after a couple of sojus..

Jung-gu, the heart, where you can find the Swedish Embassy, Namdaemun market, Seoul station, Namsan Tower etc

Dongdaemun-gu, East side where you can find some good, cheap shopping!

Seodaemun-gu, West side, where Yonsei Uni (part of the SKY, Seoul Nat U,Korea U top three Unis in Korea), EWHA Womens Uni (where Hillary Clinton made a speech during her visit in February this year) are located. This is where the young crowd gather, to drink, to eat, and to enjoy !

Gangnam-gu, south of the river, South-East to be exact. Synonymous with riches since you find high fashion brand stores and big businesses here. Exclusive restaurants as well as the platform for the celebs.

Yongsan, just North of the river, where you can find the massive American base, Yongsan Electronic Market and Itaewon with its many foreign pubs and crowd.

Mapo-gu, next to Yongsan, where Hongik Uni or Hongdae, is situated. This is where the nightlife exists for real. With its many clubs, pubs and noraebang(karaoke's) you are never bored~~

Im starting to sound like a tourist guide som Im gonna stop. Just mention Anguk Station where Insadong lies. AKA Traditional market. Perfect souvenir spot ;)

I will come back with my own photos later, promise!

Koreans tend to hierarchy due to Confucianism thought which means older = wiser = duty to respect them = they are obliged to care for you:

- Oldest pays (drinks, dinner)
- Oldest sits at trains and buses
- Oldest has access to the sidewalks, MOVE IT!
- You bow to your boss, adding a -nimsuffix to his title.

Some words that many Kpop fans have become customed to:
-Oppa,lit meaning older brother, used by females,used as a respect between friends with an age difference. However! Girls often use this word to someone they fancy; meaning if you hear a girl go Oppaaaaah, dragging the word in a cutesy word = she is dating/is in love with the guy!

-Hyung, older brother,used by guys

-Nuna, older sister, used by guys

-Unnie, older sister, used by girls

-dongseng, used for younger sibling, or someone younger than you, who looks up to you, seeks your advice

-sunbae, equivalent to the Japanese sempai, meaning older sibling in terms of someone older than you, or with experience in a field that you both share.

-Aigoo~~, something you often hear from older, used as "Oh my" in frustration, as a deep sigh. Think: your sibling asks to borrow your favorite X for the 100th time, and you decline - Stop asking already !
-AISH!!, used as a aggressive frustration, Think: someone is testing cellphone signals on the bus when everybody else is quiet and tired - that type of frustration.

-Miahne, used between friends, meaning Im sorry

-joayo,to like, something or someone

-Saranghae, To love/ I love you~~

Well, I should get some sleep, I will publish something about Korean food and customs next time~~

Goodnight

Im in love with a fairytale, even though it hurts.
Cause I don't care if I lose my mind, Im already cursed~~