So you’re moving to Korea…buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy (but fun) ride!!
Ahhh…Korea…the Land of the Morning Calm…and monsoon rains, crazy traffic, soju and kimchi. Korea is not your run-of-the-mill orders. Sometimes people call up branch and beg for Korea, sometimes people call up branch crying because they got Korea. Either way, orders to this far East country evoke a strong reaction! Here’s what you need to know if you’re heading east!
Getting there
The flight is long…like really long. Most people reading this are likely well-traveled, so you know what to expect on a long flight. If you are traveling by Korean Air, congratulations, it will be a great flight! If you’re on the rotator out of Seattle…it’s a doozy. You’ll likely spend the night at the USO vying for a recliner so you can get a couple hours of sleep before you wait in the endless line to check in for your flight. Then you fly nine and a half hours with little leg room and probably an exhausted crying toddler and his exhausted, possibly also crying, parents. Be kind…they would not be there if the government didn’t make them.
Then, after what seems like 12 days, you land at Yokota AFB in Japan where you will likely grab a snack at the make-shift Exchange in the terminal before heading back to the plane for the short flight to Osan AFB, South Korea. There you are briefed on how to fill out a customs card and informed that poppy seeds are indeed illegal to bring into Korea, so keep your everything bagel spice CONUS. Then, you grab your bags, hit customs and get on the bus for your new duty station. Turns out, although it seems like the worst thing in the world to be at an airport at 3:00 am to catch a 6:00 am rotator to the other side of the planet, the timing is actually perfect. By the time you hit your hotel room that evening, you’ll be ready for bed and, hopefully, sleep through the night!
What to Eat
Now that you’re rested…it’s time to try the food, which will be better than you expected. Is meat your jam? Hit up a beef and leaf restaurant. You grill your own seasoned meat right there at your table and then put it in a lettuce leaf and basically make a Korean taco. Head to a local market for street food…you may not know what you’re eating, but it will likely be tasty. However, avoid bundgi…it’s silk warm larva. You’re welcome.
There are spicy stews, kimchi pancakes, fried pork cutlets, tofu and so much more. Nearly all meals come with sticky rice and sides like kimchi, pickled radishes, bean sprouts and bean paste. It is healthier than the States, so you can feel good about everything you just ate. And if you are craving American food, don’t worry, there is a Chili’s on Osan AFB and a Texas Roadhouse at Camp Humphreys.
Technology
The technology in Korea is next level. They have 4D movies, bullet trains and it’s not uncommon to have heated floors and toilet seats in homes…and all of this has been around for decades there. There are smart bus stops where you can sit on a heated seat and use a touchscreen to get real-time bus and weather updates, all with free wi-fi. South Korea is a global leader in innovation and it’s easy to see why.
Driving
Driving in Korea is an adventure like no other. Buses are not concerned with running you or your vehicles over, so put that phone down! If driving is not your forte, taxis are readily available and cheap and trains are reliable and comfortable. What’s not reliable and comfortable is parking. Everyone backs into spots there, so if you don’t know how to do that…it’s time to learn. Cars tend to be smaller there than in the States, but even in a small car, the parking spots are tiny! Parking spots are such a hot commodity that some places ask you to leave your vehicle in neutral so they can push it out of the way if need be. Once you get the hang of driving and/or parking in South Korea, you will feel like an absolute superhero!
So now that you know a little about what to expect, go ahead and enjoy all the things that make Korea an amazing assignment like no other!