Let's Play Register the Foreigner
Trip Start
Aug 30, 2005
1
7
49
Trip End
Aug 29, 2006
Dajeaon,
Korea Rep.
Friday, September 2, 2005
Then the afternoon was not uneventful we sped off to the Yongi-Kun Educational office where I was scrutinized by another senior offical who seemed convinced that I could speak Korean. The joke was on him. There is one thing about Korea, whenever you are invited by someone anywhere you apparently must drink something. A short but non-comprehensive list includes:
-red Ginseng juice
-peach juice
-several kinds of Vitamin C drink (super sweet)
-milk (or the Korean version of)
-apple juice
These drinks seem to be more popular, or perhaps they are conducting a scientific experiment to see what foreigners bladder capacities are
Daejeon Block Apartments
. Either way I am lucky because the humidity is so high here it is a bit overwhelming, and the continuous cold drinks keep me from dying; it is a strange note but I don't pee (which ironically means 'rain' in Korean... I laughed at that) much with all the drinks (I know you probably didn't need to know that ;)So after the 'inspection' in which I was directed to learn Korean (no ideas were pro-offered on how to do that). We then proceeded to try to register me as a foreigner, which evidently is not easy - seems to be a trend in Korea. I needed a photo, my passport (which I don't try to carry around at school) and an original copy of my contract. The last part is most difficult as that is in Toronto. So off to Deajeon,
the capital city of Chungcheongnam-do province, without it we go.
Strangely we had no problems. I am a little slow so I didn't expect to see a North American foreigner even though I was going Foreigner Registration office. Duh. I had not seen a foreigner in 3 days and I met one; I must say it was nice to be able to talk fluently to someone. He then told me he was working at Hongki University in Jochiwan city. Now I work in (and out) of Jochiwan which is a small town with what I thought was no foreigners
Daejeon PoPo
. So this was a God send - and he spoke some Korean - score!So this guy, John, got the shaft and had to redo his Visa and also needed his original contract but didn't have it. So he had to go back. Thus we gave him a ride back to Jochiwan rather than make him take the train.
We check out my future apartment, which is a box of sorts - but a damn nice one. Cooking capabilities are limited but it has a air conditioner (essential). It also has internet! Must say I did well here, the building is only 1 year old and very nice.
So I will see what the weekend brings and keep my audience posted...
