Today, I am leaving Japan. I will take a ferry from Hakata (Fukuoka) to Busan, Korea. The price is $140 for the 3.5 hour ride, but it’s cheaper than flying. I had my last meal of raw fish, seasoned beef and onions over rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and hot tea. I spoke my last words of Japanese to the lovely guesthouse workers, and ventured to the port. With immigration and customs documents completed, I boarded the sporty vessel. It was a nice, easy ride with very comfortable seats. Most of the Japanese slept, or watched baseball (the nations favorite pastime) but I was engrossed by my novel, ‘Cloud Atlas’. I’m happy I’ve finally found the time to read. Even better, I brought my last bottle of Japanese sake aboard… Better believe I savored every sip. I’ve grown to enjoy drinking alone, as I have on numerous occasions since James headed back to the states. It’s easy to be entertained by life. I’d take brief glances out the window between chapters, only to see nothing but sky and ocean. A blank horizon. It was peaceful. Nice calm colours. Once our boat pulled into port, I got another visa stamp added to my seasoned passport. I gave them my fingerprints, and exchanged my money from Yen to Won, grabbed a map of the city, and set out into this new world.

My first observation was the cars. Lots of Kias, Hyaundis, and Daewoos, with a couple american cars sprinkled in the mix. I tracked down the metro station, and was amused by my process of figuring out how to buy a ticket, what track to go to, and what station to transfer at. I always feel like a child figuring out how the world operates when I go through this process abroad. The cost was 1400 Won. I had no idea how much this was, because I was completely unaware of the exchange rate, but whatever, I’ll pay it, I have to get to my destination at the guesthouse on the popular beach called Haeundae. It seemed like a hot spot among the Koreans, so I assumed it would be a good place to people watch. (The metro ride ended up costing $1.26 and I went halfway across this bustling, vibrant city).

On the subway car, a cute thing happened. I offered my seat up to a vivacious elder, with decades of smile lines. The woman next to me, in her 30s, motioned for me to take her seat, and she stood. But then, an older gentleman across from us gave up his seat, so the old woman could sit next to her friends, so I moved back to my original seat, the woman next to me in her 30s retook her seat. Once happily seated, we all looked at each other not speaking a word, but smiling to each other as if realizing how funny our little display of musical chairs was. The woman next to me pulled out a Red Ginsing Candy, and passed it over to me, as if to reward my respectful act. It was cute. Happy grins were swapped between us when I got up to transfer stations minutes later. I like interactions like this. It warms my heart to connect with locals without speaking a syllables… As if I could…

The vibe of Korea is much different than Japan. It seems looser. More liberated. I notice more trash laying around, and more cigarette on the ground. It seems a little more grungy than Japan. I still can’t believe the amount of smokers out here! They are everywhere! Mostly men. You know the Korean sensation Psy who sang Gygnam Style? A lot of the kids, and young adults dress like that – in outrageous pop fashions. No worse than the Harajuku kids in Tokyo. The nerd glasses are a hot trend over here as well. A lot off the glasses are lenseless, they are just going for the look. One thing that I’ve found surprising is the active elders. As with Japan, the Senior Citizens are far more alive and kicking out here. (Is it the fish?) The clothes they sport are on trend. Everyone has modern kicks. The most up to date Nikes, Converse, New Balance, and Adidas. It’s hard to find a Korean with the same pair of shoes. Many of them have hiking boots on. I don’t know if they plan on hiking or whether they just like the strength of the shoe. But I can’t get over how modern the old people are! Many of the grannies rock smart phones and ear buds. I wonder what’s on their playlists? They are all so trendy!

I’m not seeing a whole lot of customs. Very little bowing. A stark contrast coming from Japan. These people are just like Americans, but with different eye shapes, and a bit more respect for each other. The tech industry seems to be booming out here, but this is just my first days observations. They drive on the right side of the road, just like in the states. Funny how this country is in such a close approximation to Japan, but they are worlds apart.

I arrive at my guesthouse, but no one is around to check me in. I peak around a bit, this place is new and modern. The layout and design is my dream home. I instantly feel comfortable. I’m hungry, only eating my last meal in Japan, so I leave my bag near the front desk and venture out for some authentic Korean food. I felt like my backpack would be safe. I really wouldn’t care if it disappeared, less to carry. I have my passport and bank cards with me, that’s really all I need. But I knew it would be safe. I wandered around by the beach, listened to the young kids play their instruments and belt American music with no ‘Rs’, and admired the skyline full of modern buildings just beyond the beaches shores. When in search of food, I realize the Koreans love their BBQ, so that is what I would be tasting for my first meal.

I nestled down in a corner booth and observed the happenings around me. Shortly after I sit down, in comes a group of Russians. Obnoxious Russians. Ignorant of their ignorance. I really hope I don’t come off to the locals (of any country) as pompous and oblivious as they do. Most of the tourists in these countries abroad are on a vacation, out to drink themselves into a stupor. Bloody tourists… Some of them give travelers a bad name. I like to think of myself as a temporary local… More like a citizen of the world. I really try hard to adapt to the customs and ways of the people and their county. I hate feeling like a foreigner. I probably do silly tourist things every now and then, oblivious of my distant actions, but I do respect a countries ways. These Russians just storm up in the place, making demands, acting like they are VIP. What rubs me the wrong way is that i’m not not seeing a single act of gratitude. I question why this bothers me?… I guess it’s because I too am a foreigner and I don’t want to be given a bad name. You meet one opinionated Jewish person, or one ghetto black person, and it’s easy to judge them all that way. I guess I don’t like the locals of these countries looking at me like a disrespectful white person. Most people think I’m European until they hear me speak, then it’s obvious I’m American.

Perhaps, I feel too much, and have too many opinions myself?…

The Russians at the dinner table has quadrupled in size. Continuous cheersing, dish after dish of food being delivered to their table now full of 15 Russians. I was sitting at a table nearby with enough food for 3 meals, and a whole bottle of soju to myself (again, my eyes were bigger than my stomach, this happens daily – but indeed I won’t waste) I kept sneaking glances at them in between, eating, writing, and reading a book on my tablet that I’ve become addicted to.

READER! … A dramatic turn of events happens…

I’ve been blasting these Russians, and their cold behaviour in my eyes. Then, I eventually notice they are all taking turns exchanging glances at me… I flash them a, ‘What’s the deal?!’ type expression. One member of their party gets up, sits down next to me, and invites me to sit with their large group, because they don’t want me eating or drinking alone….

Damn. A moment of redemption. I feel shitty for blasting them now. Turns out they are a yachting crew that got 12th out of 23 in a competition today, and they are drinking to forget about their loss. I contemplate joining them, but I’m tired from my journey from Japan, and would prefer the solitude. I do enjoy my own company. They seemed to understand my desire to not be social.

As I was getting up to pay my bill and leave, I went over to their table and wished them an enjoyable yacht ride home. They told me to come down to the marina the next day, and they would give me a tour of their boat. I smiled and thanked them, and went along my way. Probably won’t do that, but I’m bothered I still hold a prejudice.

I’m still not sure what to make of that experience. I guess I shouldn’t have been judging, but their boisterous actions made me question their sincerity. Perhaps I’m not as good of judge of character as I thought? I wonder what the locals around us thought. They didn’t seem to be bothered… After all we are in a party spot. They are probably use to the belligerence?

I wander back to my guesthouse. Make friends with the precious lady running the place, shower, and settle into bed. I slept like a baby.

Welcome to Korea.