Well, it’s finally time to move on from Korea to Japan. The past two weeks have been, let’s say, interesting, as I tried to finish up all the work and study I wanted to do before switching over to Japan, but it isn’t going to happen. Somewhere along the way, my mindset switched from traveling to living, and I realized that I had become accustomed to living in Korea. As I have started to do a little research into Japan, I am struck with the same sense of panic I had while I was waiting for my ferry from Weihai to Incheon. I never quite reached an easy conversational level in Korean (at least, unless everyone decided to start talking like a textbook), but I have learned a lot of words and grammar, sight reading has been partially automatized, and most importantly, I’ve internalized a lot of the intangibles of life here.
I went to a movie the other day and there was a commercial where the guy was talking extremely fast. But his accent was very standard and he articulated so clearly, I think I got maybe 95%. Then the safety announcement came on in the “airport announcer” voice and all I could make out was blah-blah-blah sumnida. Go figure.
I can’t believe how immediately out of shape I am post-marathon. I took a few days off from training and just lost everything. The marathon in Japan I was eying is full and there are no other targets there to aim for. To rub salt in the wound, I found out yesterday morning that there was a 10km in Busan (where I’ve been staying). An hour before the race starts is a bit late to sign up, not that I would have really wanted to pay 40,000 W for the entry fee. I think I’m just going to have to focus on walking a lot in Japan.
Day 72:
| Hostel | 184 RMB |
| Salads | 3000 |
| Tmoney | 20000 |
| Ramen | 900 |
| Biscuits | 3400 |
| Total: | 349 RMB (USD 52) |
Day 73:
| Daiso (toothpaste + contact solution) | 4000 |
| Hollys Coffee | 5300 |
| Salad | 2640 |
| Gimbap | 3000 |
| Makkoli & Snacks | 4600 |
| Total: | 19540 KRW (118 RMB) (USD 17.6) |
Day 74:
| Kimchi Jjigae | 6000 |
| French Pastry | 3000 |
| Craft Beer (Galmegi) | 11000 |
| Double Cheese Burger + Beer | 20000 |
| Quiz Entry | 2000 |
| Ice Cream | 800 |
| Total: | 42800 KRW (259 RMB) (USD 38.63) |
Day 75:
| Hostel | 160 RMB |
| Salad + Fried Chicken (HomePlus) | 7980 |
| Milmyeon (cold noodles) | 7000 |
| Twix | 1500 |
| Total: | RMB 260 (USD 38.78) |
Day 76:
| Movie (Shazam) | 7000 |
| Lunch: Fried rice cakes and tempura | 8000 |
| BBQ | 33000 |
| Total: | 48000 (290 RMB) (USD 43.26) |
Day 77:
| Coffee | 5000 |
| Coffee | 10000 |
| Fried Chicken | 16000 |
| Beer | 5000 |
| Total: | 36000 (218 RMB) (USD 32.52) |
Running Total: 20562 RMB (USD 3067)
Daily Average: 267 RMB (USD 39.83)