How to be a Cheapskate… Overseas
I once slept here for a night because I was too stingy to get a hostel. But you don't have to be that cheap... I’m a cheapskate. Honestly. For many people, the words cheapskate and traveling have no place beside one another in a sentence, but I’ve made it work, and have made it to four continents without ever having a ‘real job’. Few people are ever exposed to the inner-workings of my cheap mind, as you would be... Read More
Linguistic Lows and Pablo’s Woes
King Sejong, inventor of the Korean alphabet. Oh, if he could see what I'm doing to it now... Sometimes, living overseas really sucks. Every insignificant activity, from ordering another round of drinks, to trying on shoes, becomes a challenge, and it’s exhausting to spend so much time struggling to understand a new language and culture. Not being able to speak Korean has resulted in 90% of my conversations consisting of grunting and... Read More
On Learning to Love America
Stars and stripes and sweet denial I have always resented it- that stupid red, white and blue sticker that I carry around on my forehead, for the entire world to see and judge accordingly. I hate the assumptions that come with my nationality (ignorance, materialism, and falseness, to name a few). I hate knowing what image comes to people’s mind when they find out what I am. For me, being an American is like having a really dirty secret, and... Read More
Culture Shock, Baggage Fees and Coming to Terms with Reality
While it may be overlooked as a travel destination, Korea is full of beauty When I left for South Korea five weeks ago, it was with a smile on my face, looking forward to what I considered to be the year of independence ahead of me. I looked forward to shedding my dependency on the people and material possessions surrounding me and embarking on my journey to the other side of the world. I had been overseas many times before, and would no doubt... Read More
