Sometimes you just need some greasy fast food in your diet. And sometimes, you are not in an English speaking country.
I've only ordered meals (sets). This is more for reference for you all who want to brave the fast food scene in Korea.
The below all takes place in Korean. If you don't speak Korean, sometimes the workers gesture like "For here?" they point down indicating eating in the restaurant:
Me: One (Insert Set Menu item) please.
Worker: Is cola okay for your drink?
Me: Yes (If it's not, just say what you want)
Worker: For here? (If not say "Take-out". I've not had good luck with saying "to-go". Maybe do that thumb-over-the-shoulder gestures as well)
Me: Yes
Worker: (Insert Price) (If you blankly stare at them, they'll probably point to the price)
Me: (Hands over the money)
Worker: Do you need a receipt? (Probably the last question they ask so just answer yes/no)
Me: Nope
Worker: Wait on the right for your food - they will call out the food when the order is all there, just listen
Me: (Nods head)
Just a quick post but I'll have more details coming up in my next series of posts, "My Korean Autumn".
~
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
잘 했어요! (Good job!)
I requested that my transcript from my summer Korean class be sent to my parents' house as I was kind of in the middle of a move when I left the USA. I finally had the opportunity to get my transcript from my parents this past weekend!
As promised a sealed copy and a regular copy were delivered! I'm sure you are all dying to know how well I did...
Elementary Korean: A+
Korean Language & Culture - Beginner: A0
..."A0" what is that? I affectionately call it "A-naught". They probably put a digit after the "A" so crafty students can't add "+" signs or anything else to their transcript.
So with that being said, it looks like I passed my summer courses with flying colors!
Now you may be saying, "Wow, you must be so good at Korean now."
DENG!
Haha, I am not all that good. I did, however, do well in the class. I heard via one of the advisors that the summer course I did was abbreviated compared to what they do in the normal quarter schedule of their Korean program. I am ok with that though. I am much more comfortable with my elementary understanding of Korean than I ever was. I also got to practice a ton with classmates, teachers, and other Koreans daily. It's completely different than any western language so while many Koreans speak or understand some English...I highly advise knowing at least some Korean if you travel over there.
For instance, you may be able to get away with saying "toilet? bathroom? I GOTTA GO!!!" but it's just easier to know the Korean. And then if they have to give you directions (because many times the toilets are not always inside the restaurant/bar/etc...you are out of luck...again...there will be a lot of gesturing.
Anyway, I'm headed back to the motherland soon so I hope to do more blogging during or after.
As always, safe travels.
~
As promised a sealed copy and a regular copy were delivered! I'm sure you are all dying to know how well I did...
Elementary Korean: A+
Korean Language & Culture - Beginner: A0
..."A0" what is that? I affectionately call it "A-naught". They probably put a digit after the "A" so crafty students can't add "+" signs or anything else to their transcript.
So with that being said, it looks like I passed my summer courses with flying colors!
Now you may be saying, "Wow, you must be so good at Korean now."
DENG!
Haha, I am not all that good. I did, however, do well in the class. I heard via one of the advisors that the summer course I did was abbreviated compared to what they do in the normal quarter schedule of their Korean program. I am ok with that though. I am much more comfortable with my elementary understanding of Korean than I ever was. I also got to practice a ton with classmates, teachers, and other Koreans daily. It's completely different than any western language so while many Koreans speak or understand some English...I highly advise knowing at least some Korean if you travel over there.
For instance, you may be able to get away with saying "toilet? bathroom? I GOTTA GO!!!" but it's just easier to know the Korean. And then if they have to give you directions (because many times the toilets are not always inside the restaurant/bar/etc...you are out of luck...again...there will be a lot of gesturing.
Anyway, I'm headed back to the motherland soon so I hope to do more blogging during or after.
As always, safe travels.
~
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn South Bend
Unfortunately, this most recent trip of mine was a whirlwind so I didn't get a chance to snap any decent pictures (or video for that matter) of the hotel room. As you may (or may not) know by now, I'm fairly loyal to Marriott brands but a) this was a block of hotel rooms for a friend's wedding and b) the hotel was attached to the reception venue.
I haven't really experienced many Hilton Garden Inns but this one was quite nice. The lobby and restaurant area were well lit with lots of natural light in front. The check-in counter was easy to locate and the elevators were about where you expected them to be (I walked right in and took a wild guess).
The breakfast available was decently priced ($9.99) and included a hot station where you could get made-to-order eggs, pancakes, or french toast. There were other hot items available as well as yogurt, cereal, breads, etc.
My friends and I were sharing a Queen room (2 Queen beds, desk, microwave, mini-fridge). It was nicely appointed, I liked the comforter. I do, however, have a couple of gripes about the room. Yes it was clean, the AC worked great, nice to have the fridge and microwave...BUT...you would think they would have fitted sheets that actually fit the mattresses. Both beds had fitted sheets that barely fit...in fact, in the middle of the night the one on my bed just pulled off. The whole corner of the mattress was exposed. One other little complaint was that the bathtub did not drain very quickly. It could not keep up with the shower head (which was great by the way).
I had a horribly early fight the day I left so I had the front desk arrange a taxi. This was all fine, the taxi was there on time but they had arranged for me and some other random guest to share without asking either of us...I was alright with this but I wish they had asked me before hand. It saved me about $10 but still...it was a weird ride to the airport.
Overall, my small gripes with the hotel wouldn't prevent me from trying it or another Hilton Garden Inn again. I guess I should be explicit in that I want my own taxi next time? Oh, and sheets that fit...
~
I haven't really experienced many Hilton Garden Inns but this one was quite nice. The lobby and restaurant area were well lit with lots of natural light in front. The check-in counter was easy to locate and the elevators were about where you expected them to be (I walked right in and took a wild guess).
The breakfast available was decently priced ($9.99) and included a hot station where you could get made-to-order eggs, pancakes, or french toast. There were other hot items available as well as yogurt, cereal, breads, etc.
My friends and I were sharing a Queen room (2 Queen beds, desk, microwave, mini-fridge). It was nicely appointed, I liked the comforter. I do, however, have a couple of gripes about the room. Yes it was clean, the AC worked great, nice to have the fridge and microwave...BUT...you would think they would have fitted sheets that actually fit the mattresses. Both beds had fitted sheets that barely fit...in fact, in the middle of the night the one on my bed just pulled off. The whole corner of the mattress was exposed. One other little complaint was that the bathtub did not drain very quickly. It could not keep up with the shower head (which was great by the way).
I had a horribly early fight the day I left so I had the front desk arrange a taxi. This was all fine, the taxi was there on time but they had arranged for me and some other random guest to share without asking either of us...I was alright with this but I wish they had asked me before hand. It saved me about $10 but still...it was a weird ride to the airport.
Overall, my small gripes with the hotel wouldn't prevent me from trying it or another Hilton Garden Inn again. I guess I should be explicit in that I want my own taxi next time? Oh, and sheets that fit...
~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)