I arrived in Seoul last night and have now been here for a full day. The other SMOE teachers and myself are being put up in dorms at the National Institute for International Education. Given that I'm still living out of a duffel bag, it hasn't really sunken in that I've committed myself to living in Seoul for a year.
What I am most surprised by is how foreign Seoul doesn't feel. It seems pretty much like any big city - lots of people, traffic, loud noises and restaurants.
Except one thing.
In America, we tend to associate the 'clean bathroom' smell with pine or lemon scent. I never questioned those smells being completely normal as indicators of cleanliness. However, it seems that most Koreans associate a clean bathroom with smelling like mothballs. It's odd to walk into a dormitory bathroom and suddenly feel like I'm at my grandparents' house.
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ReplyDeleteMothballs = grandparents' house. You made me laugh, Brooke! I like your style. I know you'll be a great teacher.
ReplyDeletep.s. I forgot to mention that I HATE THAT SMELL!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletecultural differences: we can boil em down to bathroom odor
ReplyDelete