Bored! My new findings

Episode 1: Knitting
Place: Busan

I came to Korea in August 2016 and Busan was the first city I lived in. As I was stuck to my dormitory room fearing that I might end up using all my allowance I started watching some videos in youtube and that is when I started my new work. People might think that I am an Ajumma(old or aged lady in Korean) but it gave me lot of happiness. Its nothing other than Knitting.
When I get to know something new I tend to be so excited and sometimes even dream about it. That was how much I was eager to try knitting as I had never tried it. So I started searching for a place where I could get the wool and needles for knitting. People in Busan recommended me to visit the Traditional Market in Guseo(구서).
I went to Guseo and found the shop!! Eureka! But found some Ajumma's sitting there and knitting so I was little hesitant to ask them but I did it. I never thought something good would happen there. The ladies there told me how many rolls of yarn I would need for making a muffler and they also taught me how to knit for free!!! I didn't expect them to be so nice to me. They also told me to come back so that they could show me how to finish making the muffler. Even though I learned how to finish it through watching youtube I still went to those ladies because I felt thankful to them for being so kind to me.

                                                         

                                                 

These are some of my works. I made 6 to 7 mufflers and gave it as presents to people close to me. 

My message to people out there is to find something new to do when you have free time. It gives you at most pleasure and satisfaction. 

Episode 2 is coming soon...

Shall we take the Bus or Subway?

Korea's transport system is super comfy. Why?? Coz you just need a transport card that can be used in buses and subway. And this travel card can also be used as debit card in Convenience stores. But the thing that I would like to focus is how one uses it. Its either the bus or the subway. So this is where an interesting thing happens especially in a city like Seoul where all the areas are well connected by bus routes as well as subway. Most people tend to get used to one of the two. I move with the subway map. If two people having their own comfortable and easy transport system that they follow plan to travel together.. they will end up arguing. This has happened to me sometimes. If one is independent enough to travel alone then choose your own path and move on.

Check the Seoul Subway map and its shocking. Its because there are more than 10 lines crossing each other and its a headache to figure them out which is why I use Kakao Map App. This app is really convenient. And everyone takes time to figure out the routes and that is when they get lost. This is how we learn. I too made mistakes and got lost and felt how stupid I was. But I am still a beginner in bus routes.

 
   I captured the subway map using the App but the whole map was not available on single screen...so here it is in 2 shots!

Using bus to travel around Seoul means that one gets properly oriented with the roads and buildings. (My friend knows what lies where once she is in the city hall square of Seoul) Also we get to know which bus takes us where.
On the other hand subways give us dimension of only the subway routes but it helps us to know what lies immediately next to a subway station. (Most of the famous places are connected via Subway)And as for me, there is a common and short route that I take while moving from North to South of Seoul. (I think this is same for everyone as they have their own favourite route)
Using these two transport systems people in Korea can be divided into two and its always better to travel with a person who also follows the same transport system. If not, one has to give up and follow the other.
But there are times when one is left with nothing but to change from one transport system to another. Can't do anything. Sorry! There is no other way!
But remember Korea is a very advanced country. While changing from Subway to Bus or the other way around the amount for the ticket in the 2nd transport system is reduced by less than half.
So if you are in Korea figure out which mode is comfortable for you to travel and move around and see the beauties of Korea.

This is the travel card that I use. There are different types of cards like Cashbee, T-money etc.. which is available in the convenience stores.

Tips:

* Better not to take the Bus if you feel nauseous.
* Check the timings of buses and subways using the App.
* Remember to recharge travel card before going anywhere!
* Better not to sit on the seats reserved for the old, pregnant.. specially on the subways.