Busan…a big city or a small town? March 29, 2008

Busan, city of over 3 million people.  Big city right?  Or is it?

Yes there are many subway stops and suburbs and lots of people.  Yes, there are hundreds of apartment buildings, shops, restaurants and countless cars.   Yes there are numerous noraebangs, bars and movie theatres.

But…

there is also a small town aspect to Busan if you are daring.

I walk Gwangali beach every morning.  It is very popular with some Koreans for exercise.  To me, the views are breathtaking.  I can’t get enough.  I remember one morning, one of the two times we had any resemblance of snow here, and the snow was falling in big clumps, the bridge disappeared.  It was so awe-inspiring when as the snow slowed, the bridge appeared like a mirage in a desert.  Anyways..I digress.

Every morning, and some nights i walk the beach.  Now my presence is a bit awkward for some because of course, I am a foreigner.  Some Koreans pretend I don’t exist, some just stare, some try to speak english.  I smile.  I bow my head to them in respect for their culture.  And you know what happens?  Most of the time they will smile and nod back or even say hello or anneyo haseyo.  This is not something you read in Lonely Planet.  This is something I have discovered on my own.  It brings me such joy to be acknowledged in a country dominated by Koreans.   So many people have written about being ignored.  You’re only ignored if you ignore back.

On the subway, nod and smile at any Korean that looks at you, instead of saying some snide english remark or just staring back.

In big city North America, we have become accustomed to not acknowledging each other.  But in small towns, where everyone knows your name, its expected for you to acknowledge each other.  It is not such a bad thing.  Try it, and see how it feels.