Welcome to my Neighborhood - Ingye-dong, Suwon

A short video I took on my new smartphone, it's the first time I used it so its not that great. I had the phone up the wrong way. I think it would be better on it's side next time.

Anyway this is my neighborhood, just after my apartment building and walking along the street for a little way. You can see the big Cinepark building toward the end of the video, it's a big building that houses lots of shops and restaurants along with a cinema.

Also at the very end you can see a great example of 'couple culture'. Korea is very focused on couples, they like to advertise the fact that they are in a relationship. This can be something simple like having the same phone or things like having matching phone charms or other accessories. Or you can get the 'Couple T'shirts' like in this video, the couple at the very end are wearing matching T's.

Only in Korea!

Good to know. . . . . I think?

Created by: Medical Transcription

Confessions of a Picky Eater

I am probably one of the most picky eaters you will ever come across (although I have actually met worse).  So you can imagine the surprise of my family and friends when I announced that I was going to Korea.  The most common first question out of every one's mouth was 'What will you eat?'.  That's because most of my close family and friends who have had the joy of dining with me on repeated occasions and the added joy of finding a restaurant where I will be able to eat, know only to well that I don't really eat much 'non-western' food and of that it's also pretty limited.

I had however already addressed this issue, its one of the first things that I have to think of when I am going somewhere.  I did my research and found that Seoul and much of the more metropolitan areas of Korea cater to many western tastes and that there were an abundance of 'western chains' available. I have found that it is true there are a lot of western foods so I am able to find enough to live on.

On the other hand I have found recently that I am getting bored with eating the same foods, there is a limit to what is available and to be honest a lot of it is stuff that's not really that healthy.  What I really miss are the snack foods like chips (I know also not healthy) that are readily available in New Zealand - Burger Rings anyone?  Lucky for me I have a great Mum who sends me over care packages with things like Vegemite to keep me going.

I do find myself constantly wishing that I liked more foods (and yes I do try new things - I like to try something before I say I don't like it). At this stage in my life I'm pretty good at judging if it's something that I'm going to like, if I know I don't like a certain flavour and that is in the dish then there is a very good chance that I'm not going to like it. It does annoy me when people are like 'go on try it', 'you don't know until you try it'.  While that is sometimes true, its not always the case.  I really can't eat spicy foods, I'm a baby when it comes to spice so 'no' I'm not going to like it if its super hot - I know that I don't need to test the theory.

I always feel a bit embarrassed when eating out and I don't like anything, I don't really care if there is nothing I like - that's my issue and not anyone else's problem.  What I don't like is when other people make a fuss, I'd rather just get something to drink be social and then I'll make myself a sandwich when I get home. Sometimes they are just trying to be nice and that's fine but you get the people who are like - 'You should have said you didn't like Chinese food!', however when you are in a group and everyone else agrees on Chinese food then what are you going to do - make everyone change just because you don't like it? Well I don't, I just go and try and find something that I might be able to eat, if all else fails I like rice so I'll just eat that :)

Introducing Gmarket

About Gmarket

Gmarket is the most popular online shopping site in Korea, it has an English site which was launched in 2006 and in 2009 itwas bought by eBay. It works in a similar way to sites like eBay where the main site provides a place for many individual sellers to market their wares. This means that you are not really buying from Gmarket rather Gmarket is the intermediary between you and the seller.

There is a wide range of products available from, clothes, books, toys, food, electronics and much more. Because there are lots of different sellers often selling the same or similar goods the prices on Gmarket are very competitive

If you are buying from overseas what Gmarket does is combine the shipping and then send it out to you in one package. So the sellers sends the products to the Gmarket warehouse, if you have more than one item, then Gmarket will then put them all together in one box and send that to you. It means you can combine postage to make shipping the goods a bit cheaper as they only send by EMS (courier) internationally and it can get a bit pricey.

Kiwigirl and Gmarket

So I mentioned in my last post that one of my favorite things about Korea is Gmarket, this is very true and I have to say I am a little addicted.

I love shopping anyway and the ease and convenience of shopping online really appeals to me, I’ve bought so many things off there so far – sofa, printer, shoes, cosmetics, clothes and other accessories to name but a few.

So I thought I might make a start on some posts concerning this great site. Hopefully if you have not discovered the wonderment that is Gmarket or have been hesitant because it looks a bit daunting this will help you find your way.

Gmarket has a couple of sites, the main one is in Korean http://www.gmarket.co.kr which is fine if you read Korean. There is also a Singapore version http://www.gmarket.com.sg and of course the one that most of us will be interested in, the English version of the main Korean site http://english.gmarket.co.kr. The English language version of the site is pretty good once you get to know it, it can be a bit confusing when you first look at it as there is a lot going on. Most of the instructions are in English but there is still a lot of Korean on the actual merchandise. In saying that its usually not too much of a problem as there are always heaps of pictures so you can usually figure out what the product is and does, you can also use Google translate to help you out if you really need it.

If you are living in Korea Gmarket is a great resource for furnishing your apartment cheaply and for any other bits and pieces you might need. If you live overseas don’t worry as you can still enjoy Gmarket, lots of the sellers ship overseas. The seller page will have if they ship worldwide marked on it so you can easily see if it is something you can purchase. There are many things that obviously cannot be shipped but there are still heaps of cool things that can.

Likes and Dislikes

Things I like about Korea:
(In no particular order)

Mandoo/Mandu a very yummy street food, its basically a kind of dumpling and you can get various kinds like Kimchi or Goggi (meat).  I like the meat one, it has minced up meat, some veges like spring onion and some noodles in it.  Very tasty and you can get it cooked all different ways, steamed, fried, deep fried or even in a soup.  All are very delicious, its my favourite Korean food.

Internet its soooooo much faster over here than it is in New Zealand.  New Zealand for some reason has third world Internet. I am going to get very frustrated when I go back home and have to actually wait to view something.

Gmarket online shopping market, its basically a lot of different sellers all on one site (recently bought by eBay).  They have everything you could ever want, its really cheap and it usually ships in a few days.  Sometimes you can even get things the next day.  If you are from New Zealand and know what the postal system is like you will appreciate that fact.



Things I dislike about Korea:
(Again in no particular order)

Elevator Etiquette for some reason Korean people are in such a rush to get on the elevator that they don't wait for everyone to get out of it first. I mean really people its not going to go any quicker just because you get on it a few seconds faster.

Spitting Koreans spit on the sidewalk, its common practice for them but its not really very nice if you are not used to it.

The mobile phone system its really hard for a foreigner on an e2 visa to get a contract phone and their prepaid method is not much better. With PPS which is their equivalent to prepaid you have to put money on it every month and if you don't for a while eventually it stops receiving calls and texts - why when the other person is paying for it?

Suwon Immigration Office (Gyeonggi-do)

The Suwon Immigration Office in Gyeonggi-do covers the areas of:

Gunpo, Uiwang, Suwon, Yongin, Osan, Icheon, Anseong, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Gwangju, Yangpyeonggun, Yeojugun

If you are a resident in one of these areas then this is the immigration office that you will need to visit.

The Address of Suwon Immigration Office is:

1012-6, Yeong-tong dong, Yeong-tong gu, Suwon

(in front of Bandal Park and next to the Yeongtong Social Welfare Center)

Directions to Suwon Immigration Office:
 
The Suwon Immigration is located beside Bandal Park in Yeong-tong. Please note it is nowhere near any of the train stations so if you get the subway in you will need to get a bus over to Yeong-tong from the station.

From Suwon station (outside AK Plaza go to the bus stop on the right as you come out of the station) take bus 5, 7, 7-2, 9, 310 or 900. Get off at 'Yeongiljung' (about 12 stops or so) start walking in the direction of the bus that you just got off for a couple of minutes and you will see Yeong-il Middle School (its a really big school so you can't miss it). Walk in the direction so that you go around the back of the school. The immigration office is to the left of the Culture Centre(?) beside Bandal Park.

Suwon Immigration Office

Further Information:

If you need any information about documents, visas or directions you should call 1345, This is the Immigration office helpline for all immigration offices in Korea and they have various languages available.

Process once you are at the Immigration Office:
(For re-newing your E-2 Visa)

1. Go to the 'Resident' Section of the first floor (its the biggest area)
2. As soon as you arrive, get a queue number (ticket) from the dispenser
3. Get an application form if you don't already have one, at the top tick 'Extension of Sojourn Period', and fill it out while you are waiting
4. Buy your 'Revenue Stamps', they cost 10,000KRW per stamp and you will need three (this is why you have to bring 30,000KRW with you).  At Suwon Immigration Office you can buy them from the small desk located behind the waiting area for the 'Resident' section.
5. When you ticket number finally comes up on the TV screen go to the desk that is showing your number and present all of your documentation.

Note: You will most probably need a copy of your school’s business registration ID number.  It will be a copy of a form in Korean that your school should provide you with. This is what my school did not give me the first time around, they then gave me two pieces of paper.  Not sure what they were exactly as it was all in Korean but this is why its a good idea to make sure you or your manager rings the hot line number 1345 to ensure that you have everything before you go.

Further Note: Take a book with you - I made a decent start on 'The Girl who Played with Fire' during my wait.

My Trip to the Immigration Office

Recently I re-signed for another year teaching in Suwon, South Korea.  As such I had to make a visit to the Immigration Office to renew my visa. I was re-signing at the same school so I did not have to make a visa run to another country.

It was the first time I had had to do it as my school took care of this when I first arrived.  Once you have been here awhile however they need to take your fingerprints which means you have to do it yourself.

The first thing I would advise is to make sure you have the right documentation, even if your school says its correct, check for yourself.  Especially if you are having to make a long trip to your local Immigration Office, you don't want to get there and not have everything in order so have to come back another day.

The second thing is to arrive early, these offices see hundreds of people every day and the line gets big quick.  For me it was not too big of a deal as the Suwon Immigration Office is not too far from my school. The first time I went was just after lunch and I soon realised that I would not be able to get seen that day.  I had to be at work at 4 o'clock, I spoke with a girl who had a ticket in the 400 region and they were only up to about 200 and something. It turned out to be a good thing as my school had not checked with the Immigration Office and had not given me all the documentation that they should have.

All Immigration Offices are different so you really should check with the one that you are going to visit.  Any time you need information about documents, visas or directions you should call the number 1345. Its the helpline and it has English (and other language) speaking operators that can help you out. I called them to check what I needed to take with me and they were very good.

At the very least you will need:
-Your Passport
-Your Arc Card
-30,000 won
-Your original job contract and a copy of it (You keep the original and they take the copy but they want to see both)
-Application Form (You get from the Office when you get there)

Your best bet is to go as early as you can, go straight to the ticket machine and get your ticket.  That way you are already in line, after that you can get the application form and fill it in while you wait.  You will also need to buy stamps (that's what the 30,000 won fee is for) there will be a counter selling these close by. I got there about 9:30 the second time I went and my ticket was already about 240 something.  I had to wait about 4 or 5 hours to finally get to see someone.

Once you do get there if you have all your documents ready then its really quick.  She checked everything was there, took my fingerprints on the digital reader they have there on the desk and then wrote a new date on the back of my ARC card.  It took about 5 minutes, I was lucky that I was speaking to some other people during the epic wait and they clued me into buying the stamps - if you have not done that you have to run over and do it while they wait which would be pretty annoying.