Pros and Cons about leaving South Korea (will add more)

I decided to write a write a list of things I will miss when I leave and things I most definitely won't! I know I will get homesick for South Korea when I leave....

Things I will miss

• Most importantly, my friends. I have met some of my closest friends out here and I will be sad to part from them. Even though we will meet again one day, it won't be for a long time.

Friends <3

• The food! I love Korean food with a passion. Soooo delicious! Street food, BBQ, my school lunch. I will 100% miss my school lunch. It only cost over a pound a day and it has soup, meat, rice and fruit. Wednesday is best because it's junk food day. 

It's not just Korean food I will miss. But the variety of international food sold here too. My favourite is the Greek restaurant in Itaewon.

Very spicy Korean food

• Korean transport - The subway and all trains are on time unlike England. In the UK you will be lucky if you leave on time. The buses are pretty regular too. They are late, but they have a GPS system app, therefore you can check when the next bus is on your phone. Taxis are much cheaper than back home, even in Seoul. In fact, all transport is cheaper over here.

• My job. As much as I complain about it. I think I will miss my friends at work and the kids.

• The location in East Asia. Flights to anywhere in East Asia are all under 8 hours. Plus, flights to China and Japan are only 3 hours max.

• The culture. The UK seems to have lost it's culture. It's nice to visit a country that appreciates their culture and treasures it. South Korea seems eager to teach other about their culture. You can try on traditional clothes and at festivals try crafts and games.

In a Hanbok

• The cafes. there are so many different little cafes out here. I like them better than the chain brands. They are nice to visit and soak up the atmosphere. Plus, the dog and cat cafes are great!

• Having my own apartment. When I go home, I will have to stay with my parents until I find a job. Watch this space....

Korean apartment

• The use of space over here. The government use all free space and make it green for people to go for walks. For instance, Sky park. It used to be garbage and then made it into a eco-land.

Sky park

• Korean fruit. This month is the last of the summer fruit. Fruit in Korea is more tasty. I think it may be because it doesn't travel so far. Plus, my school mainly orders organic fruit.

• The lack of snacks I like. This stops me eating salt and malt vinegar crisp all day...

• Korean birthday cakes. Not too expensive (about a tenner) and ever so tasty! I hate dry Victoria sponge, which I will get back in the UK! Yuck!><

Korean birthday cake! <3

• Cheap postage! It's basically a quarter of the price of the Royal mail. Love it!

• The brilliant healthcare system.

• The fast internet. It's so fast!! My parents live in a small village so their internet is sooo slow.

• Dry cleaning- It cost 11,000 won for three items here. Back home it cost over 15 pounds just for one. 

• The friendly staff in my local post office. I practically live there at the moment

Things I won't miss

• My neighbours. I have had two neighbours next door since moving in. The first was a hooker who liked to make noises until 6am. The second is a student who plays his TV loud next to the thin wall between our apartments. Also, I had a new upstairs neighbour a few months ago and I am sure it is a baby elephant.

• The garage opposite my apartment. About 15 meters away in fact. I never knew garages could be the 8th floor but this one is. They like to drill at midnight and the 8th floor seems to OPEN at 10.30pm. My apartment is never dark!

• The rudeness. I find some people are very rude. Like neighbours who refuses to be quiet even when you ask nicely, or people who push in queues. But, I suppose every country has a few people who ruin it for everyone else.

• The smokers. I'm sorry if you are reading this and you smoke, but smokers smell bad. Sadly for me, a few of these come on my bus everyday. Yuck! Older men seem to smoke everywhere. London is the same. I guess it's a big city thing. 

• Driving on the pavements. In fact going through the traffic lights when people are crossing it. In fact people driving. Driving out here is crazy. They have no rules and the police don't care. The police don't do anything... ever. I was crossing a road once, when a car went around the traffic (even though it was a one lane street), and actually knocked me over. Lucky I was fine, but this is no special instance. This is quite common. Still, they are better than drivers in Rome and Beijing.

• The negative side of the tasty fruit n vegetables in Korea is the price. They are soooo expensive. A large percentage of my pay goes on food.

• Trying to get a signal on Skype so I can speak to my parents.

• This one is my fault. But not being able to speak the language. Again, this is all my fault but I knew I would be leaving (I thought I would not be here for three years).

• Spitting - It's winter here now and all the men are spitting everywhere. They are also making those awful sounds before they spit. Yuck!

• My school toilets - The students seem to miss the actual toilet.......

• Being told everything last minute and expected to be okay with it.

Things I am looking forward to doing back home

• Long walks. my parents live the the countryside now basically. I can get healthy again.
• Fresh air!
• Coconut ice cream! I saw it on the Asda website.... <3 <3
• Free food! Thanks mum and dad.
• Seeing my family. This is my #1 reason for leaving Korea. I miss my grandparents and parents.
• Seeing my friends! Wine night is already penciled in our calenders.
• Making plans to visit Paul in Spain then Sarah in the USA!
• Seeing my dog!
• Being able to speak the language.
• A bath!!! I miss having a relaxing bath!
• Joining the local church (My parents moved after I left). 
• Starting an online course whilst working.
• Going to my cousins wedding in 2014.
• Getting a cat! My dad is half way to agreeing.
• Playing on my PS3.
• Having all my stuff in one country.
• Christmas 2014 with my family