Fabulous Five for South Korea

(and just for fun, they all start with ‘t’)

Technology. I just posted an item back to Australia (an overdue library book, don’t tell the library), and got a text message to say that it departed from the post office at 4pm Tuesday. At 12noon on Thursday I received another message informing me that the package has been delivered (I assume they were still talking about the library book). Amazing. Now I just need to figure out how to get the TV to work on my phone so I can join the swathes of Korean watching free-to-air TV on their phones on the train.

Transport. Integration to the maximum. One card can get you on buses, trains and even let you pay in some taxis. And none of the above will be far away - there always seems to be a station, stop or cab whenever you need one. And all the subway stations have convenient little signs tracking the progress of the train towards your station so you know whether you have time to use that vending machine for a can of coffee. Magic. The best part? You can get by on less than $15 a week easily, including travel for work AND travel for leisure.

Tastebuds. A whole (but small) chicken, stuffed with rice and ginseng, boiled in a pot of goodness that lands direct on your table to be devoured soup and all? Samgyetang, yes please! How about some grilled beef or pork, cooked at the table? Side-dishes? Plenty of those! And the iconic kimchi really is quite delicious. And whatever it is that you fancy, chances are that you can find somewhere to serve it to you 24 hours a day. Which brings me to my next poiint...

Time. On the day I arrived I found out that ‘linen’ at my accommodation didn’t include a bathtowel. I had been travelling for about 20 hours, had to wait about 6 hours to check in, and all I wanted was a shower. It was 10pm on a Sunday night. But that’s not a problem - just head to the massive 24 hour supermarket and department store. Five minute cab ride ($2), grab a towel, shower up and Mr Kim’s your uncle. Hungry at 3am? Don’t feel like venturing out into the snow? Call McDonalds. They deliver. Or pull on the coat and boots and wonder down the road to the 24 hour hot pot place. Even better. Restless, can’t sleep? A trip to the night markets might be in order - spend some money, you’ll feel better. This place happens ALL the time.

Toothbrushes. Koreans seem to brush their teeth three times per day. Every time I go into the bathroom at work there seems to be a different man standing at the basin carefully brushing his teeth. They must carry a toothbrush everywhere with them! Very hygienic, and the perfect cure for kimchi’d cavaties.

Terrific, tremendous, tantalising, and all those other good ‘t’ words too. I'm lovin' it.