Some of my most memorable — and certainly most exciting — travel memories are tied to motorbikes. Whether that be my first ride across the Mongolian steppes, riding around both islands of Samoa with my friend Melissa, or my multi-day scoot to Taroko Gorge and back, I’ve had some truly epic adventures. But one thing …
Korea
Getting a Pension Refund in South Korea
South Korea has a national pension scheme where employers and employees each make a monthly contribution toward a pension fund, which is managed by the National Pension Service. Foreigners — depending on the agreement their government has worked out with South Korea — contribute as well, which makes for a nice little nest egg of …
Jukdo Market in Pohang
Before Pohang was a steel town, it was a fishing town. Its proximity to the fishing grounds of the East Sea makes it a perfect harbor for grizzled fishermen and their bounties. A huge variety of fish and shellfish are found in these waters, including the Pacific herring used to make gwamegi — a Pohang …
Hiking Sinbulsan in the Yeongnam Alps
Whenever I’m away from mountains, I feel their absence. For those drawn to them, they are irreplaceable in our souls. It’s not just their beauty that draws us, but also the challenge they represent. An anvil to strike ourselves against to see the strength of our mettle. It has been far too long since I …
Motorcycle Ride to Okgye Valley
Sleipnir had languished, relegated to being a beast of labor and nothing more. Back and forth, the same old routes every week — work, work, work. The whole point of owning a motorcycle is the feeling of freedom that it brings, and I was only using mine as a commuter vehicle. So when my friends …
My Grandfather’s Coins
Travel is many things to many people. It is many things to me. But perhaps the thing I cherish most about travel is its ability to imbue meaning into other things. For memories of it to link to those of people and experiences, for it to entwine itself around the roots of who we are. …
Temple Stay at Golgulsa
The monk’s bones appeared to melt, turning him into a rag doll instead of an actual person. He wrapped his legs into a pretzel and pushed himself onto his fingertips. The crowd hooted and hollered as they took photo after photo, enthralled by the spectacle. I was at Golgulsa (골굴사) for the weekend, and we were …
Getting Your Alien Registration Card in South Korea
So, you’ve gotten a job teaching English in South Korea, and you might’ve even just touched down after doing a visa run to Fukuoka. Regardless, you’re stepping into a new world, but there are still a few things you’ll need to do before you can really settle in. The most critical thing is to apply …
Getting Your Alien Registration Card in South KoreaRead More
Doing a Visa Run from South Korea to Fukuoka
Sometimes, getting all your paperwork together to teach English in South Korea can take just a little too long. Or, you may already be in the country when you secure a job and need to head overseas to swap your visa over to an E2. Whatever the reason, visa runs are an inconvenience, but luckily …
Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Korea
You’ve completed the most important part of the process by merely making the decision to go. You’ve decided to take the leap and move to another country (Korea, in this case!) to teach students your native language of English. What next? How do you make the transition from living at home to teaching English as …