oneweirddude34

Can’t. Stop. Bowing!

So the first visit to a shopping centre after three months in Korea and my wife noticed it first: I’m bowing to EVERYONE.

And sometimes I even expect them to bow back! Yeah… it’s going to be a weird first week.

Anyway, it was an almost surreal experience to be back in Jem, a shopping centre near our place. It’s like we never left and that Busan was just a dream.

Nobody put up banners welcoming me back or anything!

The last time I had a burger was before we’d left Singapore.

Oh yea and we wanted to get new pillows too. You know how no matter how hard you try to identify a pillow is like with your hands, it always feels differently when you’re lying on it at home?

Tomorrow’s Monday. That means a week of job-hunting and returning to the gym. Just eight more months left until we’re back in Busan! I hope!

February 19, 2017 0

After the long flight back, during which the Littlest Dictator peed all over my pants (therefore making me look like I peed) during boarding time for the final connecting flight. Ended up with pee all over me for final two hours. That… that’s gotta be a sign, right?

And the moment you step out of the airport. The very moment, no matter how brief… it gets you. The. Heat.

But it’s really not that bad. Check out the temperature today.

It’s like being in a sauna. All the time! GREAT.

We haven’t melted yet or anything! I already miss days likes these, though.

Notice the lack of people in coats passed out from heat stroke.

Anyway, we’re back. Time to rejoin the workforce, and research toddler gyms and day care centres.

The countdown to the end of this year has begun. One final trip to Busan.

February 18, 2017 0

Saying Goodbye to Haeundae Beach and the First Signs of Spring

Just one full day left and you know what’s funny? After three whole months, it feels like we’ve only just arrived.

A lot of people tend to focus on Seoul when it comes to Korea but I’m telling you man, you’re missing out if you don’t give Busan a try, especially in winter.

From the clear blue skies to the mix of evergreen and bare trees dotting the landscape, interrupted by inviting mountains, surrounded by the vast sea.

I’ve heard that the locals in Seoul can be as cold as the weather there, but here in Busan, they are incredibly friendly and helpful and kind.

Yesterday we said our goodbyes to Haeundae Beach.

I am going to miss strolling on the beach under the bright sun and not sweating from, like, everywhere.

And all around us, the first signs of spring.

Leaves have begun to grow, and here and there flowers are starting to make a comeback, as well as birds I hadn’t seen during the coldest months in December and January.

Tomorrow we leave early in the morning, well before the Littlest Dictator usually wakes up. It’s going to be a very long flight.

And it just hit me. We have our own family tradition. Every year we visit Korea and my wife’s mom in winter. And now the Littlest Dictator is a part of that. I never did have something like this as a kid. It’s pretty cool. I think.

Yea, I’ll definitely miss Busan.

February 16, 2017 0

Two More Days

It’s a beautiful Wednesday morning, and sun is shining. Well, it’s literally shining directly onto my face.

*squints* I’m still gonna miss you! *squints*

I was heading back from the gym last night and met a mom and her son in the apartment lift.

As soon as the kid saw me, he began glancing at me with an expression of nervousness and excitement.

I’m almost used to this and it reminds me of one of the more adorable things I’ll miss about this place: the Korean kids (and some adults!) who are dying just to practise their English!

It’s one of the cutest things ever haha.

Anyway, we’ll be heading down to the beach later today and maybe spend the whole day at home and spend some time with my wife’s mom on the eve of the flight.

February 14, 2017 0

Five Days Left

Here we are, at the tail-end of our epic three-month stay. And you know what? I miss Busan already!

I’m especially going to miss waking up to this view after an afternoon nap:

It’s been almost surreal. Living by the sea, with ever-changing breathtaking scenery beckoning to me just outside the window each morning.

Now sure, there are some things that I miss about Singapore. But you know what I don’t? The freakin’ heat!

What the hell, Singapore? Even at 3am? COME ON.

It’ll be like waking up from a dream once we’re back. I’ll get a regular job again, and adjust to the standard weekday schedule most people in my line of work have.

And that’s OK. It’ll be good to stretch my legs again, you know?

Oh and I’ve got a bit in the way of motivation. Looks like my mother-in-law is delaying the move to France by one more year.

That’s right, one last trip to Busan at the end of the year, baby!

WooHoo!!

February 12, 2017 1

Korean Donald Trump Parody with Bad Subtitles

So a Korean loan agency had a cartoon Donald Trump in their ad, which I decided to add bad subtitles to bah hahahahahah!

You can view the video on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa_y3dqZ5Dk

#donaldtrump #parody #koreancommercial #badsubtitles #oneweirddude

February 6, 2017 0

Dalmaji Hill

13 days left before we return to Singapore, and I’m already missing Busan!

I’ll especially miss the peacefulness of Haeundae, along with the pleasant strolls we’d take in the cool weather.

Finally got round to walking the entire stretch of Dalmagi Hill, which is touted as the best place to view the moon. And we did it with a stroller.

Great for when hiking up the side of a mountain isn’t tiring enough for you.

It was very nice, but just be aware that near the middle, you’d have to cross the road because for some insane reason, the smooth path stops, and gets replaced by dirt paths with flat stones. Not stroller-friendly.

There’s several ways to go through, but we decided on the boardwalk for convenience.
And if you decide to check it out, you’ll be greeted with incredible views.

There’s also a lot of cafes along the way which makes it a fantastic place to take pictures for Instagram to make your friends jealous like the annoying hipster that they know and love.

Keep going and you’ll finally hit the bridge that was only recently completed.

As we made our descent, the first drops of rain began to fall.

Have you ever tried running down a mountain with a stroller in the cold of winter? IT’S FUN. TRY IT.

Lungs burning and legs screaming, we arrived home just in time!

February 5, 2017 0

Empty Shops

I’ve really enjoyed my time here in Busan and am quite lucky to be able to stay in Haeundae, near the beach.

One sad thing I’ve noticed is dying and recently-closed businesses. Not big ones, but small, family-run stores.

Like this bakery:

Last year I bought something from them, but they kept trying to get me to buy more stuff. It was a little annoying but I think they were desperate.

It makes me a little sad to think of their hopes and dreams when they first made that big leap. The fear and excitement when they finally opened the bakery. And how depressing the end must’ve been.

Then there’s the dying cluster of shops nearby:

The furniture places are probably going to be fine, but everyone else… probably not.

I see this a lot. New, small businesses opening up near larger, more established competitors… selling the same damn things. Is it a lack of planning? Unscrupulous landlords who don’t reveal the truth about the area? Probably a combination of those things and more.

I still love it here, but this aspect of the area does get me down from time to time.

Think I’ll go for a walk later.

January 27, 2017 0

Morning Walk + Snow!!

Got up a little bit earlier today (OK fine I actually had to go to the bathroom and then couldn’t sleep afterwards) and went for a walk. A leisurely stroll, if you will.

Here’s the thing though. Without a downpadded coat in minus two degrees Celsius, the ‘leisurely’ bit tends to get left behind. Too lazy to head back up, I kept going.

Beautiful view while freezing my little kimchi off.

The cold has not yet lost its novelty for me. In fact, I’ll probably miss it (and not sweating like, everywhere all the damn time) once I’m back in Singapore.

The moment I finished that last sentence, my brother-in-law came out of the room and told me “It’s snowing!”

I rushed back out like my life depended on it along with a stupid grin on my face. And I made it! It was the first time I ever stood outside while it snowed.

It’s gearing up to be a really good day. I’m definitely going to miss this.

January 22, 2017 0

One Weird Dude's Busan Blog

Busan in Three Months

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