Friday, June 11, 2010

I Heart Korea

Just another reason why I love Korea.  Coolest, hippest fashion in the world!

Seoul Searchin

When you first get to Korea, things can be really intimidating.  I know I wanted to try to take the bus to Seoul for a while, but it seemed pretty complicated.  Well, it couldn't be any simpler!  Going to Seoul is so easy and so much fun!  As you can see in the picture above, there's a bus to Seoul from the Gohyeon Bus Terminal leaving about every 20 minutes from 05:40 until 24:00.  The ticket is 31,200 won one way, you will buy your ticket back to Gohyeon at the bus terminal in Seoul.  The trip takes approximately 4 hours with just one stop midway through, so if you even think you may need to visit a toilet, it is highly recommended you do so before your departure.  Once you get to Seoul, you will be arriving at the Nambu Bus Terminal.  There are several express bus terminals in Seoul, but only the Nambu Bus Terminal will get you back to Geoje.  There is a convenient subway stop right outside the terminal or you can use one of the many taxis lined up outside to take you where you want to go.
On a side note, if you're like us, and craving Mexican, then be sure to visit On the Border in Seoul.  There are locations at the following subway stations: line 2 #240, line 2 #219 and line 1 #139.  So delicious!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Okpo Korea Laundry Service


Living in Okpo Korea and need laundry service? Turn right on Tree Street from 58 then turn left beside Baskin Robbins and the best laundry service in town is about 100 yards down on the right. Shirts are 2,000₩ and pants are 3,000₩ with regular pick up and delivery at your door for no extra charge . Just go by and make sure to have your Korean agent on the phone ready to translate and take your green card because it has your address in Korean on it. With my Korean agent on the phone, it took about 10 minutes of translation to arrange regular pick up and drop off. I just add up how much, put the money in an envelope with the clothes in a bag and set them outside the door on Tuesday and then she drops them back off while my maid is here on Thursday. I have had this service going for about a month now and it has been smooth sailing!

Charity Concert Geoje Art Center


Tuesday, June 15, 7:30 p.m., Charity Concert Geoje Art Center in Jangseungpo for orphanages, homes for the elderly and other populations in need. Much of the music will be familiar to westerners. Tickets are 10,000 won. If you are interested, you may contact Eun Kyong at 010-8526-6310. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Monday, June 7, 2010

10 Magazine

Wondering how to find out about all the latest festivals, restaurant reviews, concerts, sporting events and just about anything else you can name in all corners of Korea? Then check out http://10magazine.asia/ You can browse the site or have the latest issue delivered to your door. It's 29,000₩ for a year or 15,000₩ for six months. I read it cover to cover every month and it's absolutely worth it. I only wish I had subscribed sooner!

Books

If you're addicted to the written word, like me, and were not smart enough to buy a kindle before coming to Korea, like me, then you may be freaking out right about now. Unfortunately, English language bookstores in Geoje, to my knowledge, don't exist. So, I have found salvation at http://www.whatthebook.com/ What the Book is a small English language bookstore in Seoul that can ship virtually any English language book to your door within 10 days at a pretty reasonable price. Truly, a lifesaver for me!

If you don't want to bother with ordering online, there is a pretty good selection of English language books at the book exchange in the Foreigner's Club in Okpo. If you're facing the kitchen, look right and go behind the screens. There's a hidden stash of books that have been passed around. All you have to do is pick a few up, and hopefully drop some off while you're at it. To me, this was one of the coolest finds in Okpo!

P.S.  A friend shared this tidbit with me: I found a fairly large selection of English books at Shinsegae Department Store in Busan when we had a bus excursion there with the Ladies' Coffee Morning. Sorry I don't remember which floor it was on-just remember it being near the escalator as I went up. Such a good selection I think I brought about 8 books back, if not 10.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Social Activities

Living in Okpo, Gohyeon, Jangseungpo or parts in between in Geoje Korea and thinking, "I am so bored I could scream?" Well you don't have to be! There is a TON of stuff to keep those of any and all tastes occupied. Check it out!

Yoga: M & F 15:00-16:00 Okpo Comm. Ctr. 10,000₩/mo (tel: 055-639-4390)

Yoga: M & W 11:00-12:00 Jangpyeong Comm. Ctr. 40,000₩/2 mo (tel: 055-639-4089)

Dance: M thru F 09:30-10:30, 10:30-11:30, 19:10-20:10, 20:10-21:10 Yoo-Young Dance Academy Okpo 80,000₩/mo (tel: 055-687-8978)

Dance: M thru F 08:30-09:30, 09:30-10:30, 19:30-20:30 Kim Young Dance Okpo 65,000₩/mo for day 75,000₩/mo for evening

Dance: M, W, Th 20:30-21:20 Ji-Ji Dance Okpo 50,000₩/mo (tel: 055-688-1962)

Art (Oils): M thru F 10:00-12:30 & 19:00-21:00 Gallery AA Okpo 20,000₩/day (tel: 055-687-8763)

Art (Korean Watercolors): F 09:00-12:00 & 13:00-16:00 Foreigner’s Club Okpo 100,000₩/4 lessons (tel: 016-555-5953)

Ceramic Painting: M thru F 11:00-20:00 Pink Sands Okpo 20,000₩/piece beginner 30,000₩/piece intermediate 40,000₩/piece advanced (tel: 055-687-3383)

Music (Guitar, Drum, Sax): M, T, Th, F 19:00-21:30 Adonai Music Academy Okpo 150,000₩/mo Lesson: 2 days/wk, 40 min/day (tel: 055-687-5504)

Taekwondo: M thru F 14:00-21:30 Duksan 2 Taekwondo Academy Okpo 100,000₩/mo (tel: 055-688-1011)

Taekwondo: M, W, F 09:00-2100 Wooho 3 Taekwondo Academy Okpo 100,000₩/mo (tel: 055-688-1117)

Taekwondo: M thru F 11:00-20:00 Gyeongnam Taekwondo Academy Jangpyeong 100,000₩/mo (tel: 055-635-5477)

Table Tennis: Sat 17:30-18:30 Sumgim Church Okpo FREE (tel: 017-577-3096)

Chocolate Making: M thru F 15:00-18:00 CafĂ© The Cacao Gohyeon 50,000₩/day min 2 max 4 persons (tel: 055-634-2505)

Mahjong: W 13:00-16:00 Foreigner’s Club Okpo FREE

Ladies Coffee Morning: T 10:30 Starbucks Gohyeon

Ladies Coffee Morning W 10:00 Foreigner’s Club Okpo

Origami: M thru F 10:00-15:00 Korea Paper Culture Ctr. 60,000₩/2 lessons/wk (tel: 010-7560-0708)

Ladies Bible Study: T 10:30-11:45 Sumgim Church Okpo FREE (tel: 017-577-3096)

Horse Riding: T thru F 09:00-21:00 Geoje Riding Club 450,000₩/mo or 350,000₩/11 coupons or 35,000₩/day (tel: 055-632-3366)

Flower Arrangement: T 14:00-16:00 Rishian Flower Shop Okpo 400,000₩/8 wks limit 4-6 persons (tel: 055-687-3732)

If you see this post at a later date and would like a more updated list, please visit the Ladies Morning Coffee on Wednesdays to get an updated copy.

Movies

Many people who just move to Geoje wonder, how to find out what's playing in English at the CGV movie theater in Gohyeon (6th floor of the Tesco Home Plus Bldg)? Well look no further! Maho and the kind ladies at Coens update the CGV movie schedule in English on their website every Friday. Just go to http://coens.com/eng/business/business0303.php  It is such a great and useful service and is perhaps one of my most visited sites!