Apartment Woes

 

    Korean apartments are interesting!  I live in a studio apartment, in a nice little subarb, right near the city.  It has great security.  I have to enter a code to get into the building and another to get into my apartment.I actually have a brand new apartment. My apartment is one the top floor. No elevator. It is about 4 flights of stairs, so I am definetly getting my excersize. It is very modern, according to Korean standards.  The kitchen is a pretty good size, with a washing machine (lol), a one range stove (no oven), and a minature refridgerator and freezer (pictures will be posted soon).  The freezer/refridgerator is so small, that they come up to about the middle of my chest.  At least I have no problem reaching the top!

     Currently, I just have a minuture futon for a bed.  That's it!  The other furniture (including a real bed) will arrive on Sept 2, when the other teacher that I am replacing leaves.  I guess in Korea they do not plan ahead very well.  At least I got brand new dishes, pots and pans, a pink bedspread (new)

     The bathroom is another story.  At first glance, it is really modern.  Then, you wonder where the shower is.  Yes, there is no shower stall.  Just a shower head.  Surprisingly the water sprays on just the bathroom door.  However, the entire floor gets soaked.  At least I don't have to worry about washing the bathroom floor. lol. One of the teachers came over to put together my closet and show me around the area.  I showed him the bathroom and he laughed.  He statted that this is an average Korean bathroom.  Most single apartments do not have a shower stall.  He then statted, "At least yours is not in front of the toilet, like mine."  

     I do not live in the same apartment as the other teachers.  Actually, we all over the city.  Some of the teachers live in a really nice building in the school.  They joked, and said that I live in the ghetto, with the other teachers.  Three of the teachers live 2 blocks away from me.  We walked to school together this morning (8 minutes) and they showed me around. 

     There is a mini market for groceries right near my apartment and a pizza restaurant with an english menu!  Also, quiznos and starbucks is right near the school.  To top it all, the school provides organic korean food for lunch and its free!