| Author | Message | ||
     Swampy |
My youngest is graduating this May and his classmate, an exchange student from Korea has asked if my youngest could return home with him for 3-4 weeks after graduation. Has anybody had any experience with traveling in Korea? I am assuming that they will spend most of their time together at his home in Seol. Do our cell phones work over there? Is it safe? What is there to see/do? Is this going to be too much of a culture shock for the son of a hickabilly? Thanks, I really appreciate your imput, you guys were dead on a few years ago when my daughter gave me two weeks notice that she was getting married to a stranger. | ||
| Torquemonster |
pm'd ya | ||
| Odie |
Swampy- I was in Korea from 2000-2001. Seoul is a HUGE city. The fastest, most efficient way to get around is by subway. Have him pick up a couple subway maps. Extremely helpful. Taxi is next but you better put your seatbelt on and hang on. Lots of American themed places as far as bars, clubs and restaurants. When I was getting ready to leave the younger generation of Koreans were feeling a little "hostile" towards Americans. I would be semi-cautious about where I go. If all else fails in a time of trouble there is always a GI within yelling distance. They're easy to pick out. It may be easier to exchange money over here before he goes but that would depend on exchange rate at the time and I'm not sure how much Won you can bring into the country. Cellphones, as far as I know, will not work unless he has one of those high-speed international models. I wanted to bring mine back to the states but they told me here it wouldn't work. They are light years ahead of us in that department. There is a ton of things to do (especially shop). A lot of history and old things to see. A trip up to the top of the Needle for dinner in the revolving diner would be great. Get to see everything from there. Olympic stadium is pretty cool also. Don't drink the water! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
My Dad travelled a lot out there, said it was colder than a witches tit in the winter. But it was a long time ago, & he was driving a Tank Transporter.  | ||
| Mikemax |
They rent cell phones at the airport or you can get SIM cards if you have the right phone. The subway is great and cheap around Seoul, everything is numbered by line and stop so you don't need to know Korean (most signs have enough English to get by, too). You can walk around and be lost, find a subway stop and easily find your way back once you know your home stop. Worst case you go one stop in the wrong direction, see the numbers going the wrong way, and turn around. Incheon airport is way out of town but they have buses to the Seoul hotels that can be utilized. When I was there last year the exchange rates were best at the airport surprisingly, but lots of "helpful" people hanging around to watch out for. Use the black (premium) cabs for best results, slightly more expensive but they usually have credit card capability and better drivers. Bring addresses in Korean (business cards, etc., and all of the cabs have GPS units they can program from the info even if they don't speak English at all. They have cell phones they will use to find out where to go if you at least have a phone number. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
+1 for ChinHae  the most fun an American can have and still not get arrested, bounced on the street, or end up in the clinic. If you are really lucky and can score the invite Cheje-Do off the south coast is incredible. Eat everything in front of you, dont ask what it is , only how to pronounce it ;) Have fun, bring back some pics. | ||
| Buelltoys |
I have traveled to seoul many times during the last few years. Spent about 1 wk a month there in 2003. Seoul is a nice place many things to see and do. Outside of Seoul I have been with others, always taken to and from by my coworkers there. The country is very interesting to see with all the little villages. I am going back in Oct. for 3 weeks with Hyundai for training. We stay in Namyang which is outside of Seoul. Your son would have a very good time and safe I am sure. | ||
| X1glider |
I was e-mailed and asked to chime in about S. Korea since I worked there for a year. But, I was in Pusan. Never made it to Seoul. But I will say, "Go!" I believe everyone should get a passport and go somewhere outside the USA. Your son will be safe, especially with a native as his guide/guardian. Never turn down offers like these. 16 years ago, I was offered a chance to go to Bangladesh with a friend who was here as an exchange student. I was worried about keeping my job and apartment. I regret not going. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
 Stay out of North Korea?  | ||
| Damnut |
I travel all over and use this website for all of my subway maps. I am scheduled to travel to Korea soon and have no worries about going there. Here is the link for Seoul http://www.amadeus.net/home/new/subwaymaps/en/seou l.htm | ||
| Mathen001 |
In 1988 I went to Korea a 17 year old boy and returned a 18 year old man. tell your son to seperate his pictures, ones Mom can see and ones Dad wants to see!  also don't eat kay-go-gee | ||
| Swampy |
Thanks for the info! The tickets are purchased, he is leaving towards the end of May. The passport came in 10 days! I think that they are outsourced to a private company. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
my cousin was stationed there in the early 90's. when he came home he brought a wife with him. the funny part was the first year or so she hated the states and wanted him to move back to S. Korea with her. 15 plus years later, she's the poster child for the US soccer mom. |
