expat life

We had seen the sea parting once, not knowing it would part two more times again by sundown.  Some of us (self included) were a little worried about getting seasick on the boat out to Modo Island, so instead of braving the sea we actually ended up having a leisurely morning getting ready (after a well-deserved, post-parting nap!) before heading down the cherry-blossom lined paths and street over to the festival.

On the eve of the home opener in Seoul, I figured a good Throwback Thursday would be to good times at the ol’ ball-game in Busan.  I’ve been an avid Blue Jays fan ever since I can remember.  I have fragmented memories of sitting in my Aunt’s and Uncle’s living room watching a big game snuggled up with my parents.  I also remember being down by the SkyDome (yes, it was still the SkyDome in those days and will forever be called the SkyDome in my vernacular) where I think my Mom and Dad bought a few sweatshirts celebrating the victories of 1992/1993 back to back World Series Champs.  I wear one of those sweatshirts just about every Sunday night when I Skype my parents.

By Iwazaru

At 2 a.m. on a cold night in late December, I finally decided to enter the Suseo Hyundai Ventureville building, which is attached to Suseo Subway Station and has, among other things, banks, a 24-hour convenience store and sauna, restaurants and shops. I had put myself in this situation by leaving a social engagement in central Seoul a bit late and riding the subway until it stopped, at which point I felt confident that I’d just hail a taxi for the 30-mile ride to my apartment in the bucolic outskirts.

Alas, my plans fell apart.

Busan is like a former NBA basketball player named Scott Pippen. Do you know who he is? If your a basketball fan from the 1990s then you will know who I’m referring to, otherwise you probably have no idea.

That’s because Pippen was the SECOND best player on a team called the Chicago Bulls. His famous teammate was Michael Jordan. Yes, everybody knows who he is! But, Scott Pippen…not so much. He was actually known as “Scottie Pippen” but I was just trying to make a point.

That’s Busan and Seoul in a nutshell. Everybody knows Seoul because it’s the capital, has the largest population, and is good for those looking for a concrete jungle.

Busan on the other hand, is better for those looking for more variety in landscape and activities. Busan has mountains on one side, beaches on the other. It’s a mix of big city feel and small town vibe. Busan is juxtaposed with the old and new country more vividly than Seoul.

Tomorrow marks my last day as an English teacher with EPIK. Without a doubt, this year was full of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced, but also the greatest adventures and people. As Avicii says in this video’s song: “All this time I was finding myself, and I didn’t know I was lost.”