I've started listening to some Korean language podcasts in the hopes of gleaning some morsel before being thrown to the wolves. I'm terrible at learning languages, so if I can know enough to order a coffee without starting an international incident, I'll be happy.
Spent the day doing some basic research on Korea. I'd rather not be one of those douchebag Americans that can't even tell where Korea is on a map or what language is spoken there (it's Korean!). So here are a few things that've come up:
-The currency, the Korean won, is worth .001021 U.S. dollars (as of 4/14/08).
-South Korea is 38,492 square miles, which is somewhat larger than Maine.
-The land is mostly mountainous, with lowlands only constituting 30% of the total area.
-There are approximately 49,044,790 people there, and it's the 12th densely populated country, although it has the lowest birthrate in the world.
-46.5% of the country claims no religious preference.
-South Korea's economy is the 12th largest in the world and the 3rd largest in Asia (it grew so quickly up through the 90s that it was known as one of the Four Asian Tigers. Grrr).
The area I'll be in, Busan, is the second largest city in Korea, next to Seoul (it's the capital!), 3.65 million people strong, and it's located on the southeast coast of the country, right across from Japan. It's a port city, mainly known for freight and transportation, along with its beaches and seafood. It's divided into 15 gu (districts), and I'll be working in Busanjin-gu (or Jin-gu). It's known for an area called Seomyeon, which is a major business and shopping place. There's also a Free Economic Zone in the area, which sounds intriguing...
Anyways, that's the lowdown so far. Got plenty of time to continue the research, so sally forth!
13 years ago
4 comments:
Economic Free Zones are a lot like red light districts except for buying shit rather than sex. Expect to see the enormous wang of commerce everywhere you go. (or at least they are like this elsewhere in asia)
On a side note, when you Grrr it comes off as slightly erotic...and gay. Just a heads up!
Expect to have more explicit comments as your adventure continues
what is this, some travel blog? Blogs are so 2006, grow up. Now adays, its all about the smellovision broadcast.
i'll send you a jar of smells from korea.
i'm considering screening comments now...
Nick was telling me if you stay in Korea too long, it makes you gay. Something about the water...changing...your...molecules into gay molecules. Ask him for more details.
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