International Driving License in Korea

Should I get one or shouldn't I?
Nandida encourages me to get one cause I could drive her car in Jinbu and ehem..maybe I could go snowboarding again to Phoenix Ski Resort later..kekeke..

Well, according to Elly's Senses it is not that hard to get an IDP (International Driving Permit).

Malaysia v/s South Korea : Part 1

*This is purely my own opinion. PERIOD.*

1. 2/4 coach train v/s 10 -14 coach subway

Kudos to LRT (Light Rapid Train) for increasing the coaches. I am no longer a sardine in a fishing net. ^^

The reason why South Korea has 10-14 coaches train running in the subway is because they forecast the usage for another 50 to 100 years. What about Malaysia? 20 years until 2020? Nah..we aren't we that stupid are we?

2. walking speed of 20 feet/minute v/s 40 feet/minute

Some people like the laid back lifestyle in Malaysia and some people like it the Korean way. I love both style. I know when to race and when to relax. Love being in both countries. The image of rushing Koreans, pull me up from my laziness and the laid back image of Malaysians stops my crazy pace.

3. flat terrain v/s hiking terrain

hmm, God is fair, cause Malaysia is humid.
if hills + humid weather? = madness
flat + humid = Malaysia
hills + 4 seasons = south Korea.

Thank God!

4. not safe after 10pm v/s generally safe anytime (for women alone)

Is Malaysia becoming dangerous ? where it is not safe anymore for women or even anyone to walk alone after 10 at night? Hmmm..Who could we trust nowadays? The police? I doubt that.
It is safe in South Korea but..what happened to the police? They have no work..hahah. Even if there is a fight happening, the locals seem stronger..haha, cause all men need to enter military service.

5. fatty food v/s fiber food

Imagine this in Malaysia..
5 dishes = fish, chicken, beef, prawn + shy amount of green leaves

In South Korea
6 to 10 dishes dishes = soup, kimchi, green, green and endless green again + seafood/chicken/beef

6. all sizes v/s one size - stick

bad lifestyle = fat + sugar + very little fiber + less body workout = numerous body size

crazy lifestyle = less fat,sugar + huge amount of fiber + crazy diet regime + crazy body workout + never stop working attitude + competitive environment + society's expectation = one size (stick)


7. lazy opportunist v/s hardworking opportunist

if there is time to rest = do your work slowly
there is no time to rest = do your work, unless others will do your work

8. whatever races v/s one race

Malaysia = malays, chinese, indians, minorities,legal foreigners and neverending illegal immigrants

South Korea = Korean + limited number of foreigners (it's increasing because South Korea going global?)

But...
I love both countries..I do.

Shopping in Korea

I don't adore shopping or even window-shopping per se. Really hate to dilly-dally and waste my time (sorry shopaholics, cause I am not in that group, definitely). Do I sound so nerdy? Hahaha..I am half a guy here.

But, here I am telling you about my shopping experience in Korea for autumn and winter. I hope I don't sound too boring though. Verdict: I had two coats prepared for winter but after getting some advice from my korean friends, it would be better if I shop once I reach Seoul.

When I came around end of September, the weather was temperate and warm like in Malaysia so if you're coming in to Korea around this time, you don't have to bring thick clothes. If you feel cold, cardigan or thin jumper will do. You could layer your clothes if you are prone to cold weather. Sneakers are fine but bring more socks. Your feet will be smelly because you will walk a lot. Trust me on this one. Korea's landscape is 70-80% mountains so you could imagine. You can't escape fatigue!!

However for middle-October, you may need thicker jumper. My two cents - just bring one good jumper and layer. The rest, buy the clothes in Korea. Due to global warming, autumn span is shorter than winter and the weather drastically change unknowingly. minus 2 degree is normal but if there's wind, you gonna die in the cold. Yikes! Buy a good pair of gloves. They sell it almost everywhere, on the street side and don't forget to bargain the price!!

November and December are cold ranging from 10 to minus 10 degrees. On some days it would be colder depending on the region you are in - Gangwondo, Seorak mountain are will be colder compared to the southern part. Maybe, you could buy cheap winter clothes in bundle shops in Malaysia and buy a better one in Korea.

Why? Because you're gonna be green in envy when you see Korean are so stylish in winter. They wear fashionable clothes, pretty scarves, winter boots. Arghh..they have SALE almost everywhere! If you look around in Migliore, Doota, APM and Lotte shopping complexes, they have huge price slashes for autumn and winter clothes!!

My case - we bought winter clothes from Basic House, where Hyun Bin and Yoon Eun Hye are the ambassador for 50,000 won.

Later when we walked into Young Plaza (next to AvenueL)in Myeongdong - we saw a very stylish winter coat for 29,000 won because they had SALE there. Darn!

Clothes are cheaper in Dongdaemun (compared to Malaysia) and you could haggle the price (in most of the shops). Just try your luck!

How? (if you don't know Korean..it's ok!)
1. Smile
2. Greet anyonghaseyo
3. Ask - olmayeyo
4. If you find the price is too ridiculous - haggle/bargain - kakka juseyo
5. If the price cut is reasonable - buy. If not, just walk over to the next shop. There's loads of shops selling similar stuffs. Don't worry!
6. Don't forget to say - Kamsahamnida.

Learn the basics

1- il
2- i
3- sam
4- sa
5- o
6- yuk
7- chil
8- pal
9- ku
10- ship

baek - hundred
chon - thousand
man - 10 thousand

eg. 100 won - baek won
1000 won - chon won
10,000 won - man won

varieties:
200 - i baek won
300 - sam baek won
the rest follows

2,000 - i chon won
3,000 - sam chon won
the rest follows

20,000 - i man won
30,000 - sam man won
the rest follows

For example, if the price is:
8,500 - pal chon o baek won
60,250 - yuk man i baek o ship won
9,700 - ku chon chil baek won

Interesting?

Listen to FREE podcast from KoreanClass101 before you travel. Life will be a lot easier. Trust me! ^_^

Korean clothes


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SOLD

Hi Malaysians, anyone interested to buy korean t-shirt?
Each is only RM45, not inclusive of postal.
Postal -RM5
Once sold is not refundable.
Items sold on first come first serve basis.
abcs