There are big differences between Seoul people and Beijing people.
They are much more polite, all deep nods and smiles. Twice on the bus this afternoon on the way back to City Guest House people gestured and asked if I wanted to sit down. So polite. Give your seat to the elderley. I just said Gamsa Hamnida and shook my head. (Yet another thankyou learned)
They don't fight for seats on the underground either; in Beijing it was all an arms and elbows battle as soon as the doors opened, here it's wait til everybody gets off and patiently and gently get on. Nice.
Toilets. I'm English. Toilets are important. Toilets in Beijing are scarce and nasty. Here in Seoul they are everywhere (especially in museums) and incredibly clean. No charge either.
I am reminded how foreign this all is. And how foreign I am. Went into Holly's Cafe (it's a chain) this afternoon for tea. The young lady waitress looked blank at me. Tea.. Chay.. Chai.. Still blank. Cappacino? Americano? No... chai, tea, chay... we spent a couple of minutes stuttering, nodding, smiling and looking blankly at each other until I saw a menu and had to point. All they had was roibos. Even in the supermarkets all I can get is green, jasmine or honey. Oh for a packet of PG!!
Changing my plans tomorrow. Am bottling the templestay and going straight to Busan. Dont fancy 5am start and have the rumbleguts.. (am on stoppers) Ooh er!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment