Korea

[Kings Ranger]

Originally Posted by MAtheBanker

I have a brother who has lived in Korea on and off for the last 8 years. He's only had one visitor the whole time--our mom.

Today, during a conversation online, he asked me when I was coming to visit, and added he wasn't kidding.

Has anyone here been to Korea before? What's it like? How long did you go there for and how long would you suggest a newbie stay?

I'm seriously debating on going. Flights are less than $1,000 r/t which is a heck of a lot less than I was thinking.

This could be my chance to FINALLY get a stamp in my passport!

Yes please post pictures if you do go, haven't thought much about what its like there...

South Korea...right?
I hear there's a granny up north that tends to get cranky, if that goes down, get the h*ll outta dodge

[jtur88]

Koreans are very gentle, patient and civilized people. You can wander around Korea freely, and nothing will happen to you. Very few people speak English, compared to most other countries, and a lot of them who can speak English a little will be too shy to do so. But school children will be very friendly, and I mean that in a good sort of way. (None of that 'Hello, Mister, give me money') Get used to eating tofu, meat is very expensive. Also, learn to like Kimchi. Although it's a densely populated country, there is plenty of rural countryside and lots of very rugged wilderness and great coastlines and offshore islands. More than any other country in the world, they consider their nationality to be "pure". It is very insulting to them to be regarded as just like the Japanese or the Chinese. It is cheaper than the US, but a bit more expensive than Mexico. The winter can be very bitterly cold, like New England.

[MAK802]

The best part of going to Korea, or anywhere else for that matter, is to eat! Bulgogi, kimchi, galbi...I love Korean food.

[LightningMcQueen]

Originally Posted by MAtheBanker

I'm seriously debating on going. Flights are less than $1,000 r/t which is a heck of a lot less than I was thinking.

Where are you flying from? That's a great price if that is from the east coast of the US.

[MAtheBanker]

Originally Posted by LightningMcQueen

Where are you flying from? That's a great price if that is from the east coast of the US.

Phoenix.

[MAK802]

Originally Posted by MAtheBanker

I'm seriously debating on going. Flights are less than $1,000 r/t which is a heck of a lot less than I was thinking.

This could be my chance to FINALLY get a stamp in my passport!

I found flights to Australia from LAX for $798 rt, which is really cheap. You should just come there with me since D said I can go if I find someone willing to sit on a plane for 14 hours!

And I haven't gotten a passport stamp in years! 16 countries in the last 2 years and I think I only have 4..all from the US airports I entered on the way back! Even then, not all of them do it!

[Oildog]

Why not go, traveling when single is great. Korean BBQ is fantastic, and you get little samples of a bunch of foods with each meal. Koreans (in the South) feels positively toward Americans.

If you want to get some easy stamps, take a 4 day jaunt to Playa Del Carmen, MX or Banff (via Calgary) in the summer.

[Crew Chief]

I sometimes wonder how many Americans who are stationed in South Korea in the U.S. military come home and later regret that they didn't see more of the "Land of the Morning Calm" than the area adjacent to their post or base... I know I'm glad every day that I got to see some of the country besides the local areas where I was stationed.