Crazy, crazy... I have been at the Busan Film Festival for the whole day, mainly chasing after tickets. Because the 5+1 combo that I bought yesterday, are just plastic cards where you have to scratch some kind of code like the one you use for charging your 'pay and go' cell phone... Just I could not find out how to use it through the internet, although I tried several buttons on the referred site - ALL IN KOREAN.
It's really crazy because I am getting the wrong information all over how to purchase a ticket. Althought the website of the festival does have an English section, still it's not always that clear how the ticketing system is working. I do understand that you can book online, by cell phone and even at a bank. Have not tried it yet.
I almost panicked today, because at the ticket booth of the cinema, they told me I could only use my pre bought cards for the outside screenings, which are running only in the afternoon... And I am only staying here untill tomorrow evening, I think.
Anyway, to make a long story shorter, I finally purchased a ticket for the first screening around 10 in the morning but not for the movie that I wanted to see - everything was sold out - so I just payed with cash at the ticket exchanging boot where people want to get rid of the tickets they are not planning to see... It was a Malaysian animation movie 'Budak Lapok' that I really enjoyed a lot.
For the screening around noon everything was sold out, so I just bought randomly 2 tickets for the late afternoon and evening screening - ANYTHING - would be fine, as long as I had my movies to watch... And this time I could use my plastic code cards to pay.
Because I had some time in between, I decided to go back to the beach, have some lunch, and relax, because the morning chasing after tickets was quite stressful... hahaha, who am I to talk about stress anyway ;p.
My afternoon at the beach was really THE MAX and I enjoyed the sun on my skin, as maybe the only Asian girl around who wants to get a sun tan. Crazy, crazy, they would call me. And I would not have been to the sea if I did not plunge my feet into the ocean blue water... Hmmmm.. I was happy on my golden beach.... with at least of 1.000 people surrounding me.
By late afternoon I went back to the same cinema, where I watched a movie about the Korean Olympic Female Handball Team in Athens 2004 'Forever the moment'. Sounds boring, a movie about sports, but actually it was not all about sports...It was about team spirit, female bonding, hope and not giving up. Women territory : the director was a woman who held a small press conference after the movie together with 2 of the main actresses... Hahaha, I finally met some famous Korean actresses and I was actually standing in the front line, because I had my own English translator next to me. Glad I raised my hand when some lady asked if someone needed Englis translation on which I could stand in the front line next to her, at less than 10 meters from the celebreties, actually I was standing at the doorway, so I say all of them coming in... Actually I could have touched them, theoretically, but that would be a bit too crazy. I am exagerating.
Before the last screening I looked for my dinner and watched a Thai animated movie about Buddha, called *Buddha* - of course. Very colorful cartoon but a little bit too long, because more than half of the dialogues preached Buddha's life filosophy.
What did I learn? Desire and possession are the main cause of suffering...
Time is running out. I am going to try to purchase my ticket at some night shops... My last chance for tomorrows screenings and then I am leaving Busan for some remoted island I think...
pictures will be posted later.... I know it's boring to read without pictures.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Change of hiking policy
(pictures will be updated later...)
Today was the first day for the Pusan International Film Festival. I wanted to get up early in the morning but eventually I opened my eyes not earlier than 9am, because I fell asleep very late at night, because I was not sure what I was going to do today. And reading in my Lonely Planet guide as well. And a little bit scared in my room, so I slept with the light on, because I suddenly was thinking about those scary Korean - and Japanese - horror movies when I heard some noise under my room... BWEEEK.
I wanted to try to get to the ticketboot at Haeundae Beach where you have one of Korea's finest beaches. Actually coming unprepared for the film festival is not really smart, but as nothing was really planned with this trip, it's once more an exciting adventure when hopping from one place to another. Especially with nice weather like today, the ocean colored tropical blue, like the ones you have when you see pictures of a tropical paradise with palm trees. I wonder if the weather in Busan is a bit nicer than in Seoul, because it's located more southwards...
Haeundae is actually a nice place to hang out, with the gold colored sandy beach, the nice promenade, the yacht harbor, ... people where playing on the beach, suntanning - the foreigners of course, not the Koreans ;p. I arrived at the information stand of the PIFF at the beach, but they told me to go to another ticket booth at about 30 minutes by foot to the yacht harbor. So in the heat of the noon - I did loose a lot of time because I got a bit lost again - I finally found the right ticket booth and people were already in line waiting till it opened. Today's opening film would be the world premiere of 'The gift to Stalin', but you had to reservate the ticket in advance, somewhere in September; there were only 300 seats left for today's premiere, but I did not feel to stand in line for that. So I just went up to the information counter next to the ticket booth, to ask if I just can buy some 5+1 combo ticket for the normal 'screening' in the next few days, but the people told me there that I had to come back within 2 hours, because they were not really open yet. With very sad puppy eyes I looked at the youngster and told them that I will not be back by evening because I wanted to go hiking today. A friendly youngster gave her boss a call to ask if she could make an exeption for me - because I am foreigner - to buy the combo ticket before opening time. Luckily I had enough cash too, so I was set :)). And of I went to my next destination of the day : Beomeosa Temple and Geumjeong Mountain in the north of Busan.
It was a long ride by subway to the surroundings of the temple, because it's located somewhere in the mountains. Bought 3 rolls of kimbab on my way and was running to the local bus to the temple that was about to drive off the parking lot. Lucky me :).
Beomeosa is a Buddhist Temple complex up hill to Geumjeong Mountain. Surrounded by nature, it's a very popular place to visit, especially during weekends. I was lucky as well there was some kind of festival going on there, with life traditional music and sing performances. It's the biggest temple complex I have seen up to know in Korea. And most beautiful one too up to now.
As an outsider it's possible to stay in the temple as well, experiencing the daily life of the monks living here, cleansing your soul or just to medidate and reflect about your life. Too bad that's it's only in the weekends and you have to make a reservation in advance as well.
I don't know what it really is, I always find the atmosphere around a buddhist temple very serene and inspiring. I also like the colorful lanterns and lillies as well, hanging cheerfully along the way towards the temple complex gate.
As I am not a practising buddhist, but my mum is, I don't always bow in front of Buddha's statue. My mother would kille me if she found out. I just don't always feel comfortable doing it. Sometimes it doesn't make sense. I think, you have to feel it, to believe or to surrender.
But last time that I was at a buddhist temple in Korea, during a road trip with friends to Andong, Donghae and Seoraksan National Park, somewhere along we visited a temple complex too. I remembered, that time, I felt a bit lonely and sad. Maybe because I have been gone so long, that far from LJ and my family. Although I was surrounded with friends, I just really needed a little space and time on my own, so I just entered the temple, to be quiet. And reflect. I got all emotional up there, feeling that I was complety transparent towards the 'one' that is all mightier than all of us and can see everything, who ever that might be or what name he or she is called. God, Buddha, Allah, THE FORCE ;p. At that very moment, I just felt very tired and I just wanted to let it all go. Don't ask me why. Some ghosts from the past maybe, hahaha.
Today I felt okay. And I had another destination too : to go up to the mountain top :). The trail led towards the northern gate of a fortress wall, a medium streneous hike in my opinion, not as hard as Dobongsan or Bukhansan in Seoul. But 'damn' I always get out of breath during the first 20 minutes, wondering again why I am challenging myself always like this.
Actually it was quite late - passed 3 afternoon - as well when I started to go up, due to my inefficient use of time at Haeundae Beach. Arriving at the northern gate it was already passed 4 pm, wondering if I still should climb up to make sure I would not end up in the dark on my way back. Eventually I did go and actually I am glad I did.
There were not many people at that time to go up, so I was kind of on my own. Most people were going down, giving me those 'faces' again : 'why is that agasshi - young lady - going up all by herself?'... I do get that impression a lot, and even some people ask me if I am travelling on my own. To be honest, I really don't like those faces, because it feels like they are pitying me that I own my own, having no friends, hahaha... But actually, yeah I AM alone now. Getting more and more used to it, I am afraid.
I arrived at the top when the sun was setting. WaaaaAAAW, I am always amazed every time I am standing somewhere on a summit, with view on all the surroundings : beautiful nature, a city in miniature, the sun setting. It sight of today could not be more perfect.
At the top, there was only a very friendly middle aged old man, whom I asked to take a picture of me. I asked him if it was wise to continue my hike towards the eastern and southern gate of the fortress wall, but he advised me not to because it would take me too long and I would end up in dark by the end. He even proposed to go together with me if I wanted to, because that would be much safer than alone. For once I let my ambition for what it was and chose for the 'safer' way. Just the same road back down.
Because I had some time left, I stayed at the top for about 30 or 45 minutes, enjoying one of the most magnificent views I have ever experienced : sitting at a top, my face towards the west, looking the sun setting, nobody around, enjoying my lunch-dinner rolls of kimbab... I changed my policy of hiking from 'banana-chocolate-bread' to 'kimbab' at a mountain top, at least in Korea ;p. Took a lot of pictures; while the sun was setting, the granite rocks texture and color palet changed from bright to deep dark gold.
I had the feeling, just for that moment, that beautiful piece of nature, the surroundings, the views belonged to me :). Could not enough of it. I would stay forever like that if I could.
Every dream has its ending so eventually I had to go down. On my way down I met another man, who told me to go down slowly because I might fall. I was rushing, because half my way down, the sun was already behind the mountain and from that moment one, it would get dark quickly. As some know, I am night blind... something I have experienced not so long time ago during an unbelievably EXCITING AND ADVENTUROUS hike on our way down somewhere in Yosemite National Park, with my friends from Belgium.
Today, I came back safe and sound, before everything turned black in my eyes. Satisfied and still impressed, I took the bus and subway back to my motel to freshen up myself and bought myself a delicious 'black bean' Jajang cup noodle. Today I did not feel to eat by myself. Around 9 pm I got out again to another area of Busan - Seomyeon. The eternally flashing neon signs, the crowdy atmosphere was giving me the impression again that the city is nothing but shops. It could have been Seoul or anywhere else in Korea. Completely incontrast with the serene mountain atmosphere I experienced earlier today.
Anyway, I got myself a nice kiwi smoothie and headed back home after one hour, now, sitting here at the 'pc-hub' again, still having 23 minutes left before my credit is used.
Don't know where I am heading to tomorrow, nor if I am going to stay the whole weekend here in the South... I really would like to, but I kind of want to go back to. I just packed for 3 days of clothes, socks and undies... We will see. Tomorrow is a new day. I am looking forward to it :)).
Today was the first day for the Pusan International Film Festival. I wanted to get up early in the morning but eventually I opened my eyes not earlier than 9am, because I fell asleep very late at night, because I was not sure what I was going to do today. And reading in my Lonely Planet guide as well. And a little bit scared in my room, so I slept with the light on, because I suddenly was thinking about those scary Korean - and Japanese - horror movies when I heard some noise under my room... BWEEEK.
I wanted to try to get to the ticketboot at Haeundae Beach where you have one of Korea's finest beaches. Actually coming unprepared for the film festival is not really smart, but as nothing was really planned with this trip, it's once more an exciting adventure when hopping from one place to another. Especially with nice weather like today, the ocean colored tropical blue, like the ones you have when you see pictures of a tropical paradise with palm trees. I wonder if the weather in Busan is a bit nicer than in Seoul, because it's located more southwards...
Haeundae is actually a nice place to hang out, with the gold colored sandy beach, the nice promenade, the yacht harbor, ... people where playing on the beach, suntanning - the foreigners of course, not the Koreans ;p. I arrived at the information stand of the PIFF at the beach, but they told me to go to another ticket booth at about 30 minutes by foot to the yacht harbor. So in the heat of the noon - I did loose a lot of time because I got a bit lost again - I finally found the right ticket booth and people were already in line waiting till it opened. Today's opening film would be the world premiere of 'The gift to Stalin', but you had to reservate the ticket in advance, somewhere in September; there were only 300 seats left for today's premiere, but I did not feel to stand in line for that. So I just went up to the information counter next to the ticket booth, to ask if I just can buy some 5+1 combo ticket for the normal 'screening' in the next few days, but the people told me there that I had to come back within 2 hours, because they were not really open yet. With very sad puppy eyes I looked at the youngster and told them that I will not be back by evening because I wanted to go hiking today. A friendly youngster gave her boss a call to ask if she could make an exeption for me - because I am foreigner - to buy the combo ticket before opening time. Luckily I had enough cash too, so I was set :)). And of I went to my next destination of the day : Beomeosa Temple and Geumjeong Mountain in the north of Busan.
It was a long ride by subway to the surroundings of the temple, because it's located somewhere in the mountains. Bought 3 rolls of kimbab on my way and was running to the local bus to the temple that was about to drive off the parking lot. Lucky me :).
Beomeosa is a Buddhist Temple complex up hill to Geumjeong Mountain. Surrounded by nature, it's a very popular place to visit, especially during weekends. I was lucky as well there was some kind of festival going on there, with life traditional music and sing performances. It's the biggest temple complex I have seen up to know in Korea. And most beautiful one too up to now.
As an outsider it's possible to stay in the temple as well, experiencing the daily life of the monks living here, cleansing your soul or just to medidate and reflect about your life. Too bad that's it's only in the weekends and you have to make a reservation in advance as well.
I don't know what it really is, I always find the atmosphere around a buddhist temple very serene and inspiring. I also like the colorful lanterns and lillies as well, hanging cheerfully along the way towards the temple complex gate.
As I am not a practising buddhist, but my mum is, I don't always bow in front of Buddha's statue. My mother would kille me if she found out. I just don't always feel comfortable doing it. Sometimes it doesn't make sense. I think, you have to feel it, to believe or to surrender.
But last time that I was at a buddhist temple in Korea, during a road trip with friends to Andong, Donghae and Seoraksan National Park, somewhere along we visited a temple complex too. I remembered, that time, I felt a bit lonely and sad. Maybe because I have been gone so long, that far from LJ and my family. Although I was surrounded with friends, I just really needed a little space and time on my own, so I just entered the temple, to be quiet. And reflect. I got all emotional up there, feeling that I was complety transparent towards the 'one' that is all mightier than all of us and can see everything, who ever that might be or what name he or she is called. God, Buddha, Allah, THE FORCE ;p. At that very moment, I just felt very tired and I just wanted to let it all go. Don't ask me why. Some ghosts from the past maybe, hahaha.
Today I felt okay. And I had another destination too : to go up to the mountain top :). The trail led towards the northern gate of a fortress wall, a medium streneous hike in my opinion, not as hard as Dobongsan or Bukhansan in Seoul. But 'damn' I always get out of breath during the first 20 minutes, wondering again why I am challenging myself always like this.
Actually it was quite late - passed 3 afternoon - as well when I started to go up, due to my inefficient use of time at Haeundae Beach. Arriving at the northern gate it was already passed 4 pm, wondering if I still should climb up to make sure I would not end up in the dark on my way back. Eventually I did go and actually I am glad I did.
There were not many people at that time to go up, so I was kind of on my own. Most people were going down, giving me those 'faces' again : 'why is that agasshi - young lady - going up all by herself?'... I do get that impression a lot, and even some people ask me if I am travelling on my own. To be honest, I really don't like those faces, because it feels like they are pitying me that I own my own, having no friends, hahaha... But actually, yeah I AM alone now. Getting more and more used to it, I am afraid.
I arrived at the top when the sun was setting. WaaaaAAAW, I am always amazed every time I am standing somewhere on a summit, with view on all the surroundings : beautiful nature, a city in miniature, the sun setting. It sight of today could not be more perfect.
At the top, there was only a very friendly middle aged old man, whom I asked to take a picture of me. I asked him if it was wise to continue my hike towards the eastern and southern gate of the fortress wall, but he advised me not to because it would take me too long and I would end up in dark by the end. He even proposed to go together with me if I wanted to, because that would be much safer than alone. For once I let my ambition for what it was and chose for the 'safer' way. Just the same road back down.
Because I had some time left, I stayed at the top for about 30 or 45 minutes, enjoying one of the most magnificent views I have ever experienced : sitting at a top, my face towards the west, looking the sun setting, nobody around, enjoying my lunch-dinner rolls of kimbab... I changed my policy of hiking from 'banana-chocolate-bread' to 'kimbab' at a mountain top, at least in Korea ;p. Took a lot of pictures; while the sun was setting, the granite rocks texture and color palet changed from bright to deep dark gold.
I had the feeling, just for that moment, that beautiful piece of nature, the surroundings, the views belonged to me :). Could not enough of it. I would stay forever like that if I could.
Every dream has its ending so eventually I had to go down. On my way down I met another man, who told me to go down slowly because I might fall. I was rushing, because half my way down, the sun was already behind the mountain and from that moment one, it would get dark quickly. As some know, I am night blind... something I have experienced not so long time ago during an unbelievably EXCITING AND ADVENTUROUS hike on our way down somewhere in Yosemite National Park, with my friends from Belgium.
Today, I came back safe and sound, before everything turned black in my eyes. Satisfied and still impressed, I took the bus and subway back to my motel to freshen up myself and bought myself a delicious 'black bean' Jajang cup noodle. Today I did not feel to eat by myself. Around 9 pm I got out again to another area of Busan - Seomyeon. The eternally flashing neon signs, the crowdy atmosphere was giving me the impression again that the city is nothing but shops. It could have been Seoul or anywhere else in Korea. Completely incontrast with the serene mountain atmosphere I experienced earlier today.
Anyway, I got myself a nice kiwi smoothie and headed back home after one hour, now, sitting here at the 'pc-hub' again, still having 23 minutes left before my credit is used.
Don't know where I am heading to tomorrow, nor if I am going to stay the whole weekend here in the South... I really would like to, but I kind of want to go back to. I just packed for 3 days of clothes, socks and undies... We will see. Tomorrow is a new day. I am looking forward to it :)).
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Trippin' on my own :)
WaaaaHAAAAW. Never experienced a supersize computerscreen like the one currently in front of me and sitting in a very nice leather chear with comfortable head cushion. I really feel like the president of some company sitting lazy behind HER desk - my thoughts are alway emancipated ;p - leaning backwards while typing. NO, I am not at my small room at Crimson House in Seoul. I am at some internet room, somewhere in Busan. Actually, today I suddenly decided to do a trip on my own to the South of Korea... because I felt like it. And it goes like this...
This morning I had my Korean level test at Korea University. Since I came back to Korea 2 weeks ago, I have been studying and from time to time did some exploring around Seoul and met some friends as well. But not very much. My main focus was still studying, because this will be the last time that I will be here and I wanted to at least enter at intermediate level 3. Last spring semester I started level '1.5' meaning that I graduated at level '2.5' in June. But because there are no half levels anylonger at the language center of Korea University starting from this semester, people from '2,5' have to follow 2 in the next semester. The same with my classmates who continued in summer semester : they graduated with level 3,5 in September but this semester they have to drop back to level '3'... anyway... My point is : back in the US and here I have been studying on myself in order to get to level '3'. Studying a language on yourself is nice, but if you don't really have someone to talk to but yourself, you don't really notice weather you have made progress or not. Luckily I did... at least a lot better than my level test in March.
So today in the morning I did my written level test and had my interview. Everything went quite smoothly and the examinator told me I could start without problem at level 3. YES. YES. My efforts really paid off :)). The sun was shining, autumn at his best, not too cold, not too hold. I headed home afterwards but I did not really know what I was going to do the next few days, now I can really take some time 'off' from my books.
So, I called LJ, and asked him what I should do... I really felt like going away for a while, because I have been in Seoul too long time and I really have to grab the opportunity to travel while the weather is still warm and they did not forecast rain at all this week.
So while talking to my husband online, I packed my backpack with the most necessary stuff I would be needing for the coming 3 days : a new set of clothes, underwear, jacket, pocket knife, toothbrush and paste, towel, adapter for my camera, two bottles of water, and... actually that's about it. And my Lonely Planet guide and my diary of course... I never have packed this light and went on a travel with only a small backpack. And for the first time really ON MY OWN... If you don't count in Vancouver. I did not even take my handbag with me. Put on my light hiking shoes - they are feather light and unbelievably comfortable - and off I was to Seoul Station, destination : Busan.
The moment I walked out of the door of my dormitory, I really felt FREE. Free to go and stand where I want to. Actually travelling on your own is not that hard, as long as you keep open minded and not being afraid all the time. Having a positive attitude is helping a lot too, and of course I try to be carefull and not to do stupid things like going out at night at the Russian quarter in Busan.
I arrived at Seoul Station around 2pm...just in time to catch the high speed KTX train to Busan of 2.15pm. I was lucky. The trip was very comfortable, the higs speed train travels silently and there were not too many people on the train either.
A trip of almost three hours took me from the north to the south of Korea : green mountains, yellow colored ricefields, small villages, the nature preparing for autumn colors. The sky was clear with just a few white clouds, gold colored sunshine throught the train windows on my arms, on my face, I felt blessed to be on my way :).
It's not my first time in Busan, I was here as well last time with LJ on our way to Jeju Island. Arriving at Busan station, I went to the tourist information counter to get me a map and asked if they could contact one of the motels - bit outside of downtown - I had in mind to stay. I was lucky, there was still a room free for 2 nights. An old lady '할머니' showed me the way to the room and I was not disappointed at all : I got an 'ondol 언얼' room, which means a traditional Korean room where you have to sleep on the ground on a mat. The room is actually even bigger then my room at my student house. The bathroom was very clean as well and it even had a bath. In the hall way there was some free tea and instant coffee. The room was actually way much better than I expected, although my Lonely Planet guide was not really enthousiastic about this place. I still don't get why...
I noticed that my motel is in a quite 'safe' area, surrounded by a lot of embassies and banks. A lot of small convenience stores, small eateries coffee shops as well, supplying the office workers by daytime. And just at 1 minute walk from my motel, there is this 'PC 방' where I pay only 1 doller per hour internet. I am glad I did not take my laptop along.
After unloading my backpack I walked to downtown. It was dawn and the city was preparing for its night life. On of the reason I came to Busan again was because of the Pusan International Film Festival, hoping to still get some tickets for some of the performances. It officially starts tomorrow, but actually tonight I already witnessed the opening ceremony at the festival square. There were a few famous directors and actors attending the ceremony, but to be honest I did not know any of them. I better look it up and brag about this afterwards - me having seen some Korean celebreties, hahaha ;p.
After the ceremony, I went to a small pastry house, where I knew they had very delicious espresso and pastries. Hmmm... although I am traveling on my own, I do enjoy every moment of the trip. I had some kind of berry-chocolate mousse cake. YUM YUM. And I did not even had dinner before.
BUT dinner, was actually even better. I was thinking of having a simple meal like soup with rice and side dishes, then I suddenly passed an eatery where they had a combo '영양돌솥비빔밥 + 해물찌개' - a traditional purple colored rice in a sizzling stone pot with spicy seafood soup... and top of the top, I got 10 - yes TEN - side dishes all for myself among which one whole fried fish. Having such a royal meal I really felt being the Queen of the world. Hahaha. I did not even have to share my food :).
Busan with its big harbor it THE place to have fresh seafood of all kinds... Last time in June I ate live octopus with LJ : tentakels still moving in your mouth while eating. Exquisite, delicious and irreplaceble experience... really.
Because it was already late when I came out of the eatery, I decided to head 'homewards' passing Busan Tower where I had a magnificent night view from the top observatory. Of course, I was the only person being there on my own, because at this time this is the romantic hang out place for couples. At the observatory I met a Chinese lady talking Korean and a Korean man talking Chinese and took some pictures with them.
My first day on my own here in Busan has been really nice. Travelling on your own has its pros and cons. Actually I do like it a lot too. Otherwise I would not be here. Because being on your own, you don't have to divide your attention making the impressions on your way deeper and intenser. Of course, if you want to share some thoughts at a very moment, there's nobody who's listening.
So luckily for me, I found this internet place where I can trash my thoughts. After being silent for the whole day. I still don't know what's on the menu for the next few days. If I don't get any tickets to the Film Festival, I will just go around Busan to hike or visit some temples or islands.
Anyway, for those at home. Don't worry. I will be careful while on the road. I always believe there's someone watching over me.
This morning I had my Korean level test at Korea University. Since I came back to Korea 2 weeks ago, I have been studying and from time to time did some exploring around Seoul and met some friends as well. But not very much. My main focus was still studying, because this will be the last time that I will be here and I wanted to at least enter at intermediate level 3. Last spring semester I started level '1.5' meaning that I graduated at level '2.5' in June. But because there are no half levels anylonger at the language center of Korea University starting from this semester, people from '2,5' have to follow 2 in the next semester. The same with my classmates who continued in summer semester : they graduated with level 3,5 in September but this semester they have to drop back to level '3'... anyway... My point is : back in the US and here I have been studying on myself in order to get to level '3'. Studying a language on yourself is nice, but if you don't really have someone to talk to but yourself, you don't really notice weather you have made progress or not. Luckily I did... at least a lot better than my level test in March.
So today in the morning I did my written level test and had my interview. Everything went quite smoothly and the examinator told me I could start without problem at level 3. YES. YES. My efforts really paid off :)). The sun was shining, autumn at his best, not too cold, not too hold. I headed home afterwards but I did not really know what I was going to do the next few days, now I can really take some time 'off' from my books.
So, I called LJ, and asked him what I should do... I really felt like going away for a while, because I have been in Seoul too long time and I really have to grab the opportunity to travel while the weather is still warm and they did not forecast rain at all this week.
So while talking to my husband online, I packed my backpack with the most necessary stuff I would be needing for the coming 3 days : a new set of clothes, underwear, jacket, pocket knife, toothbrush and paste, towel, adapter for my camera, two bottles of water, and... actually that's about it. And my Lonely Planet guide and my diary of course... I never have packed this light and went on a travel with only a small backpack. And for the first time really ON MY OWN... If you don't count in Vancouver. I did not even take my handbag with me. Put on my light hiking shoes - they are feather light and unbelievably comfortable - and off I was to Seoul Station, destination : Busan.
The moment I walked out of the door of my dormitory, I really felt FREE. Free to go and stand where I want to. Actually travelling on your own is not that hard, as long as you keep open minded and not being afraid all the time. Having a positive attitude is helping a lot too, and of course I try to be carefull and not to do stupid things like going out at night at the Russian quarter in Busan.
I arrived at Seoul Station around 2pm...just in time to catch the high speed KTX train to Busan of 2.15pm. I was lucky. The trip was very comfortable, the higs speed train travels silently and there were not too many people on the train either.
A trip of almost three hours took me from the north to the south of Korea : green mountains, yellow colored ricefields, small villages, the nature preparing for autumn colors. The sky was clear with just a few white clouds, gold colored sunshine throught the train windows on my arms, on my face, I felt blessed to be on my way :).
It's not my first time in Busan, I was here as well last time with LJ on our way to Jeju Island. Arriving at Busan station, I went to the tourist information counter to get me a map and asked if they could contact one of the motels - bit outside of downtown - I had in mind to stay. I was lucky, there was still a room free for 2 nights. An old lady '할머니' showed me the way to the room and I was not disappointed at all : I got an 'ondol 언얼' room, which means a traditional Korean room where you have to sleep on the ground on a mat. The room is actually even bigger then my room at my student house. The bathroom was very clean as well and it even had a bath. In the hall way there was some free tea and instant coffee. The room was actually way much better than I expected, although my Lonely Planet guide was not really enthousiastic about this place. I still don't get why...
I noticed that my motel is in a quite 'safe' area, surrounded by a lot of embassies and banks. A lot of small convenience stores, small eateries coffee shops as well, supplying the office workers by daytime. And just at 1 minute walk from my motel, there is this 'PC 방' where I pay only 1 doller per hour internet. I am glad I did not take my laptop along.
After unloading my backpack I walked to downtown. It was dawn and the city was preparing for its night life. On of the reason I came to Busan again was because of the Pusan International Film Festival, hoping to still get some tickets for some of the performances. It officially starts tomorrow, but actually tonight I already witnessed the opening ceremony at the festival square. There were a few famous directors and actors attending the ceremony, but to be honest I did not know any of them. I better look it up and brag about this afterwards - me having seen some Korean celebreties, hahaha ;p.
After the ceremony, I went to a small pastry house, where I knew they had very delicious espresso and pastries. Hmmm... although I am traveling on my own, I do enjoy every moment of the trip. I had some kind of berry-chocolate mousse cake. YUM YUM. And I did not even had dinner before.
BUT dinner, was actually even better. I was thinking of having a simple meal like soup with rice and side dishes, then I suddenly passed an eatery where they had a combo '영양돌솥비빔밥 + 해물찌개' - a traditional purple colored rice in a sizzling stone pot with spicy seafood soup... and top of the top, I got 10 - yes TEN - side dishes all for myself among which one whole fried fish. Having such a royal meal I really felt being the Queen of the world. Hahaha. I did not even have to share my food :).
Busan with its big harbor it THE place to have fresh seafood of all kinds... Last time in June I ate live octopus with LJ : tentakels still moving in your mouth while eating. Exquisite, delicious and irreplaceble experience... really.
Because it was already late when I came out of the eatery, I decided to head 'homewards' passing Busan Tower where I had a magnificent night view from the top observatory. Of course, I was the only person being there on my own, because at this time this is the romantic hang out place for couples. At the observatory I met a Chinese lady talking Korean and a Korean man talking Chinese and took some pictures with them.
My first day on my own here in Busan has been really nice. Travelling on your own has its pros and cons. Actually I do like it a lot too. Otherwise I would not be here. Because being on your own, you don't have to divide your attention making the impressions on your way deeper and intenser. Of course, if you want to share some thoughts at a very moment, there's nobody who's listening.
So luckily for me, I found this internet place where I can trash my thoughts. After being silent for the whole day. I still don't know what's on the menu for the next few days. If I don't get any tickets to the Film Festival, I will just go around Busan to hike or visit some temples or islands.
Anyway, for those at home. Don't worry. I will be careful while on the road. I always believe there's someone watching over me.
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