Samsan-dong Weekend

My first weekend in Ulsan brought much needed respite from academic thought.

On Saturday, I met up with Kaela.  Kaela is a friend from home sweet Minnesota, and it’s only a lucky stroke of fate that we are both in Ulsan.  6000 odd miles away and we are placed in the same city.  It’s lovely.

At any rate, Kaela helped me navigate the Samsan-dong district, Ulsan’s “New Downtown.”  I had my first kimbap in Korea and I bought a few things for my pathetically underfurbished home.  Perhaps most importantly, Kaela pointed out to me the location of the H&M, which is one of the few stores here that carries clothing in my size.

In the late afternoon, I parted ways with Kaela and Rudy (her boyfriend, who joined us later on) and caught a bus towards Daun-dong.  I missed the bus stop and tacked an extra 30 minutes to my walk home, but the weather was nice so I took a few photos.

Later on, Soo and I took the bus to the Taewha-dong district and ate noodles, kimchi, and dumplings.  Soo brought me to the path alongside the Taewha river and we walked it all the way back to Daun-dong.  Even though the night was quite dark, I was happy to see so many people out and about.  Ulsan feels very alive.

On Sunday, Soo and her friend Y brought me to Samsan-dong to meet with H, another migook (American).  The four of us had a good old time eating Korean pizza (at a place called “DR PIZZZA...” I wanted to laugh out loud at that superfluous third “z”) and ice cream.  We also stopped at H&M, where I expanded my wardrobe by two dresses and one skirt.  It was hilarious having Soo and Y advise me on my outfit choices.  In Korea, cleavage is known as “glamour” and any hint of it is considered vulgar.  This particularly sucks for me, because I seem to glam it up whether I want to or not.  It’s just how I’m built.  At any rate, I tried on one dress that concealed the glamour but was rather clingy.  “Is this okay for work?” I asked, remembering what an orientation leader had said about tight clothes being acceptable in Korea.  “For middle school work?  Oh no, no, Rosa.  You know middle school boys.”  Soo and Y mimed drooling adolescents.  “Ah, okay.  Back on the rack then!”  (Pun semi-intended).

With Soo in Samsan-dong.  I'm so lucky to have such a sweet friend!

We explored other parts of the mall and I discovered that Yankee Candle is a hot commodity in Korea.  (I may ask you to send me some candles, Mom!).  Finally, we said goodbye to Y and H.  Soo and I stayed in Samsan-dong for awhile, indulging in the glory of used books and street food before going back to Daun-dong.  Visiting Samsan-dong made me realize just how little of Ulsan I have seen.  I'm definitely looking forward to exploring more!