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third day

third day of my exchange here in Korea and mm... in summary, i am growing more and more in love with this city. it is a simple yet complicated city in that the lifestyle and accessibility is so simple, yet the culture and experience is still somewhat complicated.

i have encountered many things to be thankful for and although there are few dangers, i feel the scale tipping heavier towards the dangers during my time here..

but firstly, what did i do today?
today was the first time i met up with my fellow exchange students who are staying at the off-campus housing nearby. we met up at the station to go for lunch ($3 bibimbap).. oh it was so good. sometimes i think i am gaining money from this exchange program. 

the nearby main road

subway!!

her name is Ainu, taken at a dessert cafe after lunch

this is Malte, he's from Germany.


after lunch + dessert, we decided to meet some of the other students in Namdaemun; another popular suburb for tourists because of the markets (you will soon see why). we took a train there ($1 fare... gosh. ripoff Sydney) and hung around for a few minutes because we could not find the others haha.... but it was enough for me to take some footage/photos.

i can never get bored of the subway system.

this is the markets... it's like an outdoor Paddy's but with awesome stuff... including kiwis on a stick for $1.

sooo packed...


after this, we went home to relax before heading out together for dinner + karaoke (WOO!). we met up at the student residence hall (off campus housing) and walked together to a nearby korean barbeque place that costed me $15 for HEAPS of food and alcohol... which would've costed $40 for an equivalent in Sydney...

the next 3 pictures are dedicated to Ed Han, Ryan Chung, Vic Au, Hemi and all those who are curious what the car scene is like in Korea.... not impressive.




YEUH.

this is Lauren (French) and the restaurant where we ate.




crazy guy on the right is Eero.. he is one wild guy! but very funny and nice!


on the way to Karaoke (at Hyehwa), we decided to catch a taxi ($6 altogether.. so cheap..) and i managed to snap a few shots of the nightlife in Korea... the pictures don't do it justice.. it is amazing... it reminded me of Jakarta but at the same time, it looked like a new world.







here we are at Karaoke!



Overall a VERY fun day... awesome bunch and definitely very outgoing! they love drinking and i don't think i can keep up with them.. [ONE DANGER].

when i arrived back at my hostel.. i received a message from my mentor who will be taking care of me while i am on exchange... it is a one on one mentorship program.. and it is a girl. i'm not usually comfortable with one on one's with girls and moreso because i must guard my heart during my time here. i am glad however that she plans to ask her friend to come along to our first meeting next week... not sure if it's because i made a bad first impression and she has grown awkward, or because she thinks i'm awesome (pretty sure it's the latter).... but either way, it is better this way. 
she is a Christian, but doesn't go to church often... i've been able to share a little bit of my Christian life with her already, and i hope to keep it up.. not for my sake, but perhaps so she could be encouraged.
to avoid confusion; i do not want to start anything romantic, nor do i intend to with anyone here... i've recently been very careful with one on one situations with girls and i will not make exceptions here in Korea.

it is 3.22am now.. and i am exhausted... i still miss the comfort of Sydney and my friends + family back home... but i am growing more and more comfortable with this city. i have also begun to speak more Korean and not being afraid to speak it.. i am getting my vocabulary back day by day and i hope for more positive experiences.

God has been very good to me the past few days.. and also thank you for your ongoing support, those who are reading this blog. 

Thankful: Meeting a lively but interesting bunch of fellow exchange students and being able to spend time with them.

Prayerful: A careful heart, a straight mindset and ongoing courage.

Dangers: Temptation in BGR's over here due to youthful impulse and peer pressure (I have been warned that very often people get together during exchange).