KOREA

Korea, "Land of the Morning Calm," or, according to many expatriates, "Land of the Not Quite Right." To foreigners who live in Korea and see how chaotic life can be there, it is amazing that anything gets done. Construction workers wear bathroom slippers while working on skyscrapers, currency exchange policies depend on who's currently working at the bank, and contrary to stereotypes, college students spend their school days ditching class and drinking. Then again, Koreans are often helpful to strangers who are lost, you may be spontaneously invited to someone's house for dinner, and if you're an adventurous eater, this country must have the highest per-capita rate of hole-in-the-walls on Earth. You'll most likely end up in Seoul first, a noisy megapolis resplendent in nightclubs, shopping, and it's all linked with an impressive subway and bus system. Korea is very easy to travel around: the trains and buses are excellent (take the luxurious Excellent Express liners!), and domestic air travel is timely and cheap. There are countless temples to visit, and beautiful national parks if you like to hike--and you'll be hiking with half of Seoul if you go on a weekend. The country is one adventure after another, and my three plus years there have given me countless memories that span several lifetimes.

• Seoul

• Pusan

• National Parks

• Seok-ch'o and the East Coast

• Cheju-do and other Islands

• TRAVEL TIPS

• More Photos of Korea

• Activities in Korea
  

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Questions? You can ask me at leonkaye@yahoo.com