Mailing packages, getting a subway card, and getting birth control

This is the second post I consider part of my "how to" series (the first was the smartphone post). I want to make my blog more informative and helpful - something that will assist new foreigners in adjusting to life in Korea. I hope its useful to some readers, without being a hindrance to my friends and family back in the states.

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If there is one thing I never get sick of, it is mailing and receiving letters and packages. The Korean postal service is pretty spectacular. It's much cheaper to mail things from Korea to the States than vice versa.

The offices sell boxes of varying sizes.

The boxes are cheap! For those in the states, it's about 30 cents to a dollar and change.

Even better, they have tape, scissors, markers, and so on - everything you need.

To answer the basic questions - yes, they place to and from addresses in the traditional places; yes, they will have you fill out a customs form listing everything inside along with its quantity, weight, and price. They accept cash or cards. You can mail surface, air, or express. Surface is the cheapest but can take one to three months. Some locations are open Saturday mornings, but not all are. I've had the best luck with English speakers early in the morning on weekdays, for some reason.

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In Daegu, you can buy one of two subway cards. The top one is called Toppass, and can be used in Daegu, Busan, Seoul, and some other cities. The bottom is only for Daegu. They both cost 2,000 Won, and when you buy it, they will put credit on it if you give them cash.

One of the most beneficial aspects of having the card is that you have free transfers from bus to bus or bus to subway. There are some time limits on this, such as the fact that you cannot take one bus somewhere, and the same bus going the opposite direction for free. When you exit the bus, simply swipe your card on the card reader by the exit door (if you forget to do this, it will charge you for the next fare).

** When I was in Seoul in December 2011, I could use my card, but I couldn't recharge it. Make sure you put on enough money to last your trip to Seoul!

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Getting birth control in Korea is easy and affordable. You do not need a prescription. Just go to the pharmacist and ask for it by brand name; Mercilon is pictured and only costs 7,000 Won per month. There are pharmacies all over Daegu; you can identify them by the traditional red cross symbol in the window. You can buy more than one month at a time if you ask for it.

As a side note, I am a big advocate in regular gynecological exams and believe that living in a foreign country is no excuse to not go. This is a extremely helpful blog post about Hyosung Women's Hospital in Daegu, and I recommend the hospital personally. It coordinates with US military bases and is accustomed to having foreigners as patients. I can tell you that Ms. Ku (the woman who will help you set up an appointment and ensure that you fully understand the doctor) is kind and helpful, even better, her English is phenomenal.

If you're outside of Daegu or looking for a doctor outside of the OBGYN field, this site has a list of medical services with English speakers of all types from around the country.

Nesting

It is official - I have been in Korea for 6 months. I am happy to say I still love it. My house is very much my home, and I still adore my students. Its been difficult at times, most of all when my family had a crisis and I was not able to go and be there for them. It is hard to be away when you're missing people, but its harder to be away when something like that happens. Nevertheless, I am trying to focus on the positives, the places I love, the great people I have met, the new cultural experiences.

Packages from home really, really make me happy. I'm blessed to receive them from a lot of wonderful people in my life. David sent me a Michigan T-shirt; Tom sent me a ring and an ornament. I've gotten candy and letters, cards and postcards. Its been amazing. I love writing letters and sending little packages, so its nice to have so many great pen pals in my life. Of course, no one can send a better package than my mother. She recently sent me one with a scrapbook to work on, a Cannon Rebel I bought myself for Christmas, lots of cotton socks, strawberry carmex, and lots of other things I've been missing.

Every morning the sun from my kitchen warms my living room ,and Trenton sits quietly on the rug. She rotates slowly throughout the hour or so I get ready for work. Its nice to see our two routines continue.

This is hanging in my bedroom. Stephanie made it for me and mailed it months ago. I love it.

My mom sent these to me, my cousins Kelly and Jade painted them for me. They are abstract, and have awesome colors.

I bought a T-shirt in Thailand that was awkwardly cut. So, I cut out the print - a map of Thailand with labels written in Thai - and then cut out a pillow case. I had to hand sew it, since I don't have a sewing machine, but I love the way it turned out. I even added a hidden velcro opening so I can fold it up small and bring it back when I leave Korea.

Another thing that reminds me of my trip, some amazing postcards I bought there. They feature Thai monks and buddhist sites. They are partly in black and white and have mostly yellows and oranges. I was going to mail them out to friends, but loved them too much (sorry guys!)

Twenty-two little paper cranes strung up above my door frame. I thought my apartment could use a little more color.

I love having so much free time here, its nice to be able to create things, to read, and so on, just for the sheer pleasure of it. Now I am planning on working on a scrap book of my time in Korea. Since its quite cold now I am spending less weeknights meeting friends downtown for dinner, etc, and more time at home. Its nice to have something productive to work on.

Tricia arrives tomorrow. Two weeks together. I can't wait.