A month passed by || Day+26

I'm really sorry for not updating this blog regularly. >< The problem during the last weeks was or still is that I've caught a severe cold half a week after arriving in Korea. After a feverish night and day I started to cough and I still am coughing until today.

What I've learned from that experience though? Never. Trust. Korean. Pharmacies.
Sure, medication is cheap. But one gets a lot of that and in the end it's a drug poisoning because you have to take 5 pills 3 times per day. Nope, thanks. I rather suffer because of the damn cough than poison myself.

So classes have started and it's really difficult to get up at 6.45AM every morning but since I'm a turtle I need about an hour to get ready for class. I'm slow, I know that. It's okay.

In my neighborhood near Ewha, hidden in a small alley is a really cute café I went to with friends a few times named Alice in Cupcake. The prices are okay for Korean standards, the wifi is of course free and it's really a comfortable atmosphere.

Also, I went to Sinchon with my friends to have bingsu! Yes, it looks different from some other types of bingsu but this is more like a cake. Crushed ice, strawberries underneath, then a sweet cake base. It's a little more expensive than other types of bingsu but I really loved it.

March 14th was White Day in Korea. White Day is, as some of you might know, similar to Valentine's Day. In Korea it's just that girls give candy to boys on Valentine's Day and the boys return the favor actually on White Day. Black Day is the 3rd day in this collection but I will tell you more about it next month since it's coming up on April 14th.
Since Eva and I went out the day before White Day with a friend of hers and another girl, her male friend got flowers with some chocolate for all of us. That was really too kind and too sweet!

On March 17th the EWHA PEACE Buddy group hosted a movie day. We watched a movie called Jeon Woochi about a Taoist wizard and well.. snacks were free. The strawberry soda didn't taste like strawberries tho. Everything else was just different from what I'm used to in Germany but I actually liked the snacks.

And there is one thing I've been doing regularly... partying! Mostly in Hongdae. So far there are two clubs I like even though the other clubs we've been to so far weren't bad either. Club Zen, whatsoever, seems to be more like a club for desperate guys trying to hook up with (foreign) girls but the music and the atmosphere are pretty awesome. Mike's Cabin is more of a latin music club where lots of foreigners gather. Nothing against non-Asian foreigners in Korea, I myself am one of them, but that's what actually bothers me the most. I like to realize that I am in Korea and not in Germany (where I could party with lots of non-Asians obviously) but it's fun to hang out there.

Hongdae Station on a Saturday night

So what will I do this week? I know about Saturday and that's already annoying enough. A historical sightseeing tour that starts in the Museum of History in Seoul. Sightseeing is okay but why of all places a museum again? Either way, I'll have to go.
I only know I have class during the weekdays and sometimes I really don't want to get up. The ability to wake up early in the morning disappeared with my high school diploma.

Either way, I guess another entry will be coming up either on Saturday or on Sunday so maybe in a few days. If something exciting happens I will of course write about it but I doubt anything will happen during the week..

Welcoming events and party || Day 2+3

So I'm back within just a matter of seconds and need to tell you of a really long and stressful day yesterday.
As some might be able to imagine I was still exhausted after the long flight and everything but I hadn't had a jetlag so I was doing pretty much fine.

In the morning I woke up at 8AM to get ready for the welcoming stuff. And actually my friend and I didn't know the exact way so we felt kinda lost at first but actually walking to university is safe - I feel like each and every idiot would manage to find the way, and it's like 5 minutes by walking and so easy to find.

Sadly I hadn't had much time to turn on the tourist mode but I definitely will do that later - it's just kinda crowded there because of the graduation ceremonies taking place today so I'll have to wait a little. But I will show you the one photo I took.

After starting the welcoming event at 10AM there was a lunch break with various things like kimbap, mandu, chicken and various salads. It was really nice to eat with new friends. In the morning I've already met two Canadians, a French, a Swiss and some other Germans and some people whose names and nationalities I probably forgot (I'm so sorry guys!). In total there are 429 students from 221 universities in 38 countries. So yes... we're an international group.

After that we had a campus tour but I still think I'll get lost no matter what I do.. luckily there's a map. Just for the record, I'm not used to having a campus. In Tübingen the whole town is our campus. And now I have one and it's pretty but so much walking is annoying as well - in Tübingen we just go by bus.

Eva and I went home as soon as everything was finished but shortly after that my dear buddy texted me if I could come over again - since it wasn't far Eva and I got changed and went back again to meet a girl from Sweden who missed the events because of a tuberculosis test. So we went to a small, cute café with some of the Korean buddies and got back to university just in time to buy tickets for the party that started at 7PM. But because we had still such a long time left until the party started (~ 2 hours) the Swedish girl, Isabel, Eva and I went to get some ice cream. (Yes, it's February but it's always a good time for ice cream). On our way back to the meeting point we met a friend of Isabel and some other guys and just decided to go and have dinner together, albap. It was really nice and reminded me so much of the times back in Fukuoka were I went out to eat with a group of international students near Tenjin. I literally realized how much I missed these times and now it seems like I can get them back up to some point. And it feels simply great.
We also went to the party together, a group of 8 people in total, and actually I've been only following them because they knew the way.

Just to summarize everything. Dancing, party, alcohol. I wasn't completely drunk but oh well - drunk enough to do stupid things (that were in fact not too bad but I really feel bad about it.)

Went to sleep around 1AM and I was dead.. but had to get up at 8.15 on Friday as well.. because of Course Registration!
Yay for Ewha not opening the higher level courses and yay for the politics course that was literally full. But that's okay, I mean there's still the drag-and-drop period and if I really can't get into the courses my home university cannot do anything about it.

Ironically, I went back to sleep after the registration and managed to get up at 2PM and actually went out to a convenience store to get some food and some coke but because I was tired this is or most likely was a lazy Friday and I'm gonna take a shower and probably watch TV or study a little later.
I know that I still need to get a prepaid sim card but I will get some help I think.


See you again soon!

Welcome back! D+1

Okay, regarding the post title - please don't ask. I've been awake for 26 hours and I'm pretty sure my language skills as well as my creativity will be weird today. Weirder than normal.

So where am I this time and what's the occasion?
I had to go. To South Korea for my studies because all Korean studies major students at Tuebingen University have to go. Sounds fun? Nah, we're supposed to study. At least we can choose the university which, in my case, was Ewha Woman's University.

Packing was as stressful as always. But this time the flight was horrible.
I've read a lot of things about British Airways' Boeing 787-8 (just google it, you'll find things) but I always thought people were exaggerating and it couldn't be that bad.
Guess who just learned a lesson today.Speaking of me, I'm 162cm short, around~ 60kg (don't comment on this.. let me tell you that actually working out caused this weight). That means that to most people I'm compact. I rarely complain about seating either - even when the airline places me between two rather strong men. But this was too much. I could barely move. My knee still hurts, even 8 hours after landing.

I should rather speak about the things that were good. For example the food in general. I mean, sure, there were things I didn't like, but it's not their fault. Same goes for the entertainment. It was good but nothing more or less.
When it comes to the things I really loved, I'm not sure whether it was British Airways or the weather. Almost clear, sunny, a perfect blue sky. And a really beautiful yet short night.
And yes, of course I did take some photos~

After arriving in Incheon the stress continued - but I don't want to go into detail, let's just say that it took me longer than expected to arrive in Seoul and then there was a small problem with the Livingtel I'm staying in with my friend. However, we fixed it. We're staying in smaller rooms than we expected for a week and will then get the rooms we reserved. But a week is okay, it's small but bearable.

Except for all of that nothing really exciting happened. It's just weird to watch K-drama without English subtitles nowadays because I'm not used to doing that but it's actually fun!

I'll report back to you soon!

Finally some news!

I know it seems as if I've just disappeared and abandoned this blog but I didn't! I promise all of you, I honestly planned on continuing this blog but sadly - travelling is expensive.

However, to all of those who are seriously interested in South Korea: I've got some great news!

I will go to Seoul in February 2016 again. Not for a holiday but to study at Ewha Womans University until January 2017!
Exciting, huh? Since I'll be free for 10 weeks in summer I'm planning to travel around a bit within Korea but also to Japan and maybe Taiwan as well. Of course that is only my wish and depends on how much money I can spend.

So I guess I'll be writing for you next year!

P.S.: 100 Days! Yeeeees!

Day 17 to 20 - I don't know any title lalalaala

One can say I lack creativity now. It's not even wrong.
You see, I'm in this very comfortable hotel. If it's raining (or sprinkling which I hate more than anything, so uncomfortable outside..) I don't need to go out sightseeing.
Maybe it's because I've been here last year. I feel comfortable and though people keep looking at me - I know that I'm not like a typical tourist anymore and I don't need to run around taking photos of everything. Paparazzi cam is turned off a littl lately. Should I feel sorry? God damn it, I'm finally on my holiday! I deserved resting. hahaha

So the weather is kind of moody this year. Which isn't bad, I mean I do have a reason to take some days off.
Yesterday it wasn't raining at least but quite cloudy so I decided to go out in the morning without sun protection. Looking at the first photos and the sky you might understand how surprised I was when I suddenly noticed that I got sunburnt a few hours later. What.. I still don't geeet it.
After being out for a long time yesterday (no, I won't say what I did and with whom - those who need to know already know about it) I was quite tired today and decided to do some grocery shopping but that it'd be better to stay inside today. Sprinkling rain and wind.. naaaa, uncomfortable. >_< The weather dislikes me this year.

Tomorrow will be more exciting - going back to my school from last year, Genki Jacs. I'm really excited and wonder if some teachers still remember me.. and I don't know if I'll upload photos tomorrow but this will be interesting, I'm sure.

One more thing: HAVE YOU EVER SEEN PLANES THIS CLOSE?!?!?!
When being in Maizuru Park / Fukuoka Castle Ruins you might have the opportunity to see them flying above your head.. closer than usually because Fukuoka Airport is actually in Fukuoka and not like most airports just close to the city.

Day 15 & 16 - Whyyyy?

Yeah, WHY is it raining again?
Heavy raining yesterday, though it sometimes stopped. Thunderstorm today.
But well, as you might notice.. I'm not the sightseeing tourist any more. I've seen so much last year and just plan to relax now. After being in Seoul for two weeks I'm kind of tired. My only trips here so far were to the convenience store to get some foor and drinks (and omg, my Milk Tea! My beloved Milk Tea! Ah, so happy ;; ♡)

But yeah, there's a small park in front of the hotel basically, and this magic house thing looked.. interesting. :D

Day 14 - Monday

Do you really want to hear something about Incheon Airport? It took us almost two hours to get there. Which is good compared to four hours going from ICN to Seoul. Improvement. (Y)

Because my friend was leaving for Helsinki around 9.30AM or something I had to wait for about 4 hours until boarding started. I was tired, annoyed, and people were yelling in Chinese in the waiting area. Excuse me but my mood didn't get better.

When boarding started - I don't know what happened but suddenly I had a seat in business class. Oo
I won't complain. But I'm curious what happened anyways, I was only told that I had a seat in business class now. Okay, why not. That's why I had sushi for breakfast in the plane.
And an apple slice. Seeing how others ate the apple with chopsticks.. maybe I'm too German but it's not hot nor too cold and not toxic. Why in the world would I eat an apple with chopsticks..?

Well, yeah.. when I arrived in Fukuoka I was close to crying. Why? I don't really know. It has been a little more than a year (one year and one week to be exact) since I left and coming back.. I guess it made me realize how much I've missed Japan and especially Fukuoka.
A fun fact? I found the hotel at the first try. Just guessing where I needed to go. The subway, Tenjin station.. I still remember everything clearly so it wasnt hard for me to find out where to go.
It's really weird but I just love this place a lot though I've had both, good and bad experiences.

I haven't taken any photos. But I guess it's good to be back. Best for me.