almost a fortnight into the Republic of Korea adventure....
a brief synopsis on some of the subtle differences I've noticed thus far.
every appliance sings, beeps, hums and whirls after the completion of a task.
a few examples:
-cell phones play a four minute promotional trailer every time you turn them on or off.
- most apartments have punch codes for the building entrance and each apartment. They produce a delightful jingle every time they're touched.
-the washing machine sounds like an ice cream truck after the load is finished.
side note: dryers are uncommon, every house has a drying rack either affixed to the ceiling, hanging from a wall or folded in the porch corner. the first load I washed took three days to dry, albeit the clothes were hanging in a room with no sunlight and no cross breeze. Three days. So much for the warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment the washing machine's jingle gave me.
Grandma, my appreciation for your clothesline in the full Florida sun is wholly renewed.
eggs are sold in groups of ten not twelve.
red traffic lights are a suggestion. you only have to stop for a little while then feel free to proceed as you fit. no need to worry about the police, they cruise with their lights on. all the time.
taxi rides are generally inexpensive. 5,000 won (roughly 5 USD) tops.
a rice cake is not a light crispy snack. it is a chewy cylindrical food item that is spicy.
everything is spicy.
things that are the same in Korea and the States and quite possibly the all over the world.
little children love to sing.
taxis drivers are fearless.