WWOOF Food Boxes

In Daegu there are many lovely markets you can peruse if you are in search of fruit and vegetables but unfortunately a lot of the time you have to buy it in bulk to make it worth it. If you don’t think you can eat 20 potatoes in a week then there is a great new site...

I read about this great site from the fantastic blogger and fellow teacher Katherine Kirk

The website www.wwoofcsa.com is a health food website that provides people with weekly organic and fresh fruit and vegetables (as well as eggs, spices, home-made breads and cookies)

As you can see the cookies didn't even last long enough for a photo. They were so good!

The site prides itself on providing local farmers with help to keep small businesses going in Korea as well as creating sustainable environments for the farms to be able to expand their businesses.

The goods you receive are also seasonal and harvested just prior to delivery. They were fresh fresh fresh. 

Since we don’t all speak Korean if you are worried about pesticides or GMO’s being used on your salads this website can guarantee that everything you are eating is free of horrible chemicals.I'm not normally to worried about all this kind of thing, I realise I should be but I haven't watched enough horrible documenterys yet, but I am lazy so this sounded like an amazing option.

A taster box is available for 30,000 won and will arrive within the week. The pictures below are a couple’s taster box with bread.

It was all fresh and delicious.I still have a bag of red pepper herbs to use but i'll need to research what I can do with that.

The company also provides family boxes as well as gift boxes to encourage friends and family to join that could make the perfect gift for a foodie’s birthday.I know a few people I'd have loved to have sent them to.

Once you decide this is the route for you, you can sign up to receive a box every week for a month or even longer if you are blown away.

The box not only contains your produce and a detailed list of what you have received but lots of information about where it was grown and also recipes that ideally suit the vegetables and fruit you have received. There are also workshops and programs you can join to visit the farms yourself and have hands on experience of the countryside around you.

More recipes and information can be found on the website as well as the order forms:

www.wwoofcsa.com

I have to say I may not order it again but not because it wasn't amazing but because I am only one person and wouldn't eat it fast enough plus I like to choose what I get.

Discovery of the week: Delivery Men

Last week we ordered a bed. We have been sleeping on the floor or in the tiny single bed for so long that it forced us to use the terrifying site that is G-market. As far as websites go it is a confusing mess. We navigated our way around it very slowly and took the plunge.

We ordered the bed on the Saturday and hoped it wouldn’t arrive two sizes too small.

We transferred the money on the Sunday (yes you don’t use cards on this site) and waited to see when it would arrive. To our surprise the very next day we received a text message saying it was on its way. At 9pm that night the bed would be arriving. We hadn’t a clue how to get rid of the old bed but who cared! We could finally have a mattress to sleep on.

Unfortunately 60 mins after the set arrival time there was still no sign of the delivery and we were starting to lose hope. That was until a tiny man turned up in his truck.

This man seemed to possess super powers. He refused help and carried an entire flat packed double bed upstairs. We saw him with 4 boxes on his back which he left at the door and went back for the rest. Trying to be helpful we attempted to move these inside the flat but it’s safe to say we failed. This tiny man had carried four of these up 3 flights of stairs and we couldn’t even pick up one. We were impressed. We were even more impressed when he next appeared carrying a double mattress all by himself. He really was super human.

The two of us were happy to have a new bed in our room and were talking among ourselves about the tools we might need to require to build this contraption when suddenly this small hero started stripping off the sheets from our old bed. We were slightly confused but too excited that he might be helping us get rid of the old piece of rubbish that we didn’t say anything. Within 10 minutes he had disassembled and moved our old single bed down and out of the apartment building.

We knew we had to pay this guy 20,000 won for delivery and that price had never seen like such a good deal that was until the crescendo of this delivery service. Just when we were getting to low bow and give our broken Korean ‘thank you’s’ a small Stanly knife was whipped out. I knew it had been too good to be true. He was going to bring us a bed and then rob us of everything we owned. Instead he swiftly turned and started opening up the flat packs. Now as a person who is use to lugging boxes around IKEA on trolleys that never work and then someone who spends hours after working out which screw is 6B and which is 8E seeing someone assemble my flat pack bed with such ease was a beautiful thing. Almost like art.

Instantly my British brain kicked in. If this guy was in my house for more than 30 seconds he needed a cup of tea (or coffee since we are in Korea). Despite my best Mrs. Doyle impressions the delivery man gave a curt ‘no thank you’ without even looking up, and carried on. I went to the kitchen to make myself a drink, not because I was thirsty but because the awkwardness of just watch a man build something without helping was taking over. I swear I was gone for about 2 minutes before I turned and this wondrous man was bowing to me, putting on his shoes and carrying out all of the boxes (which he took with him)

Lee and I looked at each other stunned and unbelieving of what had just happened. 10 minutes ago we had been watching Archer episodes and now we had a brand new (really nice) double bed and side table….oh he assembled that too.

Although a little late this magical man has made it a certainty that we will be ordering furniture online again.

The only thing left for us to do was buy a 10,000 won sticker from our local Dong office (government office) and stick it on the bed outside. Within one hour it was taken away and out of our lives.

Long live the Korean Delivery service. 

Thing I wish I had known in my first month in Korea

 This article is probably a fraction too late for you guys just arriving into the EPIK program but just incase there are a few lost lambs out there or for the new intake in August (Yes Alex I’m writing this for you) here is some info I wish I’d know.

Banks

Banking in Korea is HARD. It is a complicated mission of no English and endless signature all just to get a tiny task done. I am currently with NH and although I have had a lot of problems with them, like them leaving me stranded in Bangkok with a overseas card that doesn’t work, they have overall been helpful.

If you are going to be able to choose I would always go with KEB or KB. KEB is the best bank for transferring money home by far, their online system doesn’t charge a lot of the fee’s most banks do and there is a myth that it’s open on weekends. I am going to find out if this myth is true this weekend. KB is worth joining because your card can be used on all subway systems in Korea. You just swipe it when you get on or off any transport and on the 15^th and 30^th of the month it deducts it from your bill. Lee has one of these and it’s the most helpful things to have when traveling.

The internet system on all Korean banks is abysmal and requires you to download about 5 security packages every time. Also be aware that it will download a file to your computer when you first sign up to internet banking. You will then only be able to use that computer to sign in, unless you get the file onto a usb and carry it with you.

When you get a new account be sure to ask for:

. A card you can use in shops and at an ATM (I was given a card only for ATM’s which baffled me)

. A card you can use online to buy things (this requires a VISA or MASTERCARD)

. Internet banking

. And internet banking password (I kid you not, if you don’t ask for the password you will have to return to the bank and get one even though you’ve signed up and received authorization codes, also be aware that after you sign up you must log in within 48 hours or you will have to go back to the bank)

. Ability to transfer money abroad

. Ability to transfer money abroad on the internet

. A card that will work over seas. (this is the card I paid for and was reassured would work only to arrive in Bangkok and be as worthless as a Kit Kat wrapper.)

. The English phone line number.

. How to use the bill paying machine. (very simple luckily and something I’ll film in the near future)

That’s all I can think of now but after a year there are still some of these things I need to get sorted. Each of these bullet points is unfortunately a different bank trip for me. If you can sit down and get them all done at once your arm will hurt from the 20 signatures for every bullet point but you will be ready to go.

*In regards to using your cards outside of Korea. I believe the way it works is Korean VISA will let you take money out of the ATM’s and Korean Mastercards will allow you to charge money to it in shops, but this may only be my bank NH.

Travel

A travel card is really helpful and will save you a lot of money over time. You can get these from the tiny (and I mean tiny) stalls next to bus stops and subways. They normally look like they only sell drinks, cigarettes and candy but you can top up and buy travel cards here.

The name of the cards are:

대경교통카드 or Dae-kyeong gyo-tong card-uh

You can use the blue machines in subways or these stall to top them up but they require cash. I have an awful memory but I think it was 2,000 won to get the card.

If you spend a little extra and get a ‘T’ mobile travel card (can be found in the small stalls or 7-11’s) then you can also use these in Seoul and Busan.

Bus stations

If you want to travel by bus somewhere, it is really easy and really cheap. The amazing leg room and space found on the luxury buses that go on long journeys also make it a great way to travel. The main bus station for Seoul and Busan is at DongDaegu. You can get a subway here. Depending where you are headed will determine which station you go to . Currently we are still working out which is which but they are all very close together. You don’t seem to be able to buy these tickets online but you can check how many seats are left on coaches at this site:

http://www.kobus.co.kr/web/eng/02_service/service01.jsp

KTX

If you are trying to get to Seoul or Busan in a hurry then the KTX is for you. You may have already tried this great form of transport but if not its easy and simple to navigate.

You can order tickets for the KTX or slow trains here:

http://www.korail.com/en/

The KTX will be booked up extremely fast on busy days and its always smart to pre order.

As a Brit, trains come and go vaguely based on times listed. That is not the case here. The ktx will leave the station at the exact time listed. Make sure you have a seat and don’t let Ajummas (old Korean ladies) kick you out of them or confuse you as has been known to happen. I’ve heard many a tale of people getting off trains thinking it’s the wrong one but actually have been seat-jacked.

Don’t be tempted to treat yourself on the slow or fast trains to first class. There is no noticeable difference what so ever in these carriages apart from people aren’t allowed to stand in them.

*Important information*

Make sure to take your passport if you have booked tickets. The ticket desk uses your passport to confirm your order and you will need it to receive your purchase.

Phones

Unfortunately I can’t help you too much with this one as I only obtained my phone in the 5^th month of being here due to bringing an unlocked iPhone with me. What I will say is if you are bring one from home make sure you contact the provider it use to be with and you have it officially unlocked. I used many ones online that claimed to work but unfortunately none did. It costs about $40 to get an iPhone unlocked officially.

I currently pay 60,000 won a month which includes unlimited internet which is a savior in a country that does have great Wi-Fi but only if you already have a SK or Olleh account to enter a specific code.

You can find Wi-Fi in places such as Lotteria, Starbucks and holly’s coffee but you normally only get about half hour with it.

My biggest advice when getting a phone is find a Korean person to help you. The nuances of the contracts and the general information needed will leave you feeling a little over your head. There are people that speak English but they are few and far between. In Daegu there is phone alley which has endless phone shops you can try.

To get to this street, leave Banwoldang from exit 10. Walk straight and make a left at the Burger bar in front of you. There will be a small alley, when you come out of the alley you will be on phone alley. (If you know the way to Traveler’s bar, it is the exact same way but the road you cross before turning left to Traveler’s street)

Internet

The internet in Korea comes on varying plans. I have free internet in my house but other people I know had to pay monthly. My boyfriend’s co teacher set his up for him and it was about 30,000 won a month. Unfortunately when he left his flat this year they wanted 400,000 won disconnection fee. This was due to his co teacher signing him up for a 3 year deal (?) she had very good intentions as it made it cheaper through out the year but over all was not worth it. Make sure to check the disconnection policy incase your school wants to cut it off before you leave or you change flats in your second year.

If you have any questions or more experiences to share please let me know.

Traveling is daunting and the only way we survived at the beginning was with helpful advice from people that had already dragged themselves up the mountain and made it to the top.

PLEASE note that all of this is just opinion and not 100% accurate, its just my experiences. I hope it helps just a little. Welcome to Daegu J

You know you’ve been in Korea a Year When...

You know you’ve been in Korea a Year When:

.Getting naked in front of  twenty old ajummas (ladies) is nothing. In fact you look forward to your Jimjilbang experiences.

.You can’t speak fluent Korean but you can order food and drink like a pro. 

. You throw the posh ‘aschimnica’ hellos at your principal. 

.Not only are you not scared of buses but they seem easier than subways. 

.요간리드타스 

.Being shoved doesn’t annoy you. 

. You also know that the above statement is 100% a lie. 

.You’ve told the tales of the extreme heat/cold to everyone back home. 

. You fear going through both again.

.Mr Bean is your new hero. 

.You reminisce about the days you didn’t know your way around Downtown (or just reminisce about the fountain if you are a Daeguein) 

. You do know your way around Downtown but bars are still your main reference. 

.You have seen more temples than you thought possible. 

.Bowing is not only natural to you but you feel rude not doing it when you meet westerners. 

.You can never pour a drink or take money without holding your arm. It’s ingrained now. 

.If a café doesn’t have a dog or cat wandering around it, it feels wrong. 

.You’ve forgotten what real beer tastes like. 

. When you hear bars back home shut at 11pm you are shocked and appalled. Your nights normally go until 6am.

.You actually want to own something in the Korean infomercials.

.You’ve tried over 50% of the Kim Pasa menu.

.You don’t even notice yourself doing impressions of the Korea accents anymore.

.Finding Cheese on sale brings a tear to your eyes.

.You finally understand the dangers of Gogo’s/Soju/Makgollie.

.You still ignore the dangers of Gogo’s/Soju/Makgollie and drink it anyway.

.Everything you own is from Daiso or Homeplus

.You still don’t like KimChi

.You finally love red bean

.You aren’t sure how you will be able to survive life after Korea without Mando.

.You know the second that the long 20 minute infomercial  starts its time to turn the tv over.

. Korean driving still scares you.

. The unusual doesn't phase you.

.When you realise it doesn't phase you, you feel at home.