Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

Akemi and I made a trip to Pusan, Korea (aka Busan) for four days and four nights. We wanted to spend some time together and eat some delicious Korean food. And, that's what we did.

On our first day, we took a cab to the hotel and then headed straight for the beach. Pusan has quite a few beaches which are, for better or for worse, very popular. But, they're big enough to support the crowds and they have a fun atmosphere. We took a short dip in the sea water, which was clean enough to be considered safe, but definitely not crystal clear. Then, we just hung out on the beach.

At first, we started to set up camp under one of the umbrellas. Then a fellow came by demanding about $5 for its use. No thanks. Consider that I pay about $3 per DAY for my ENTIRE APARTMENT in Japan.

Akemi took this blackmail photo while I was sound asleep. Oh well. So much for the blackmail value.

After our horsing around at the beach, we were ready to get down to business. A quick stop at the hotel, and then we were looking for dinner. The hotel manager was kind enough to walk us down the road to the restaurant of our choosing and place an order for us. I should add that there was no sense of a kick-back happening. Just a genuinely nice guy. And, it was totally unnecessary, given the $40/night price we were paying, cheap for Korea, cheap for the neighborhood, cheap for any passable hotel in any major city.

First, the typical Korean layout of all kinds of pickled vegetables and seafood. (Somehow, I can't remember how to spell kim chi in English at the moment. Maybe it will come to me later.)

Spicy, salty, pickled raw eel strips. Had you told me 10 years ago that I'd be eating such a thing.... uhh.... I've definitely changed in the last year or so.

And, on to the main course, an undeniably delicous soup with beef and vegetables. Like so much food I've eat in Korea and Japan, it's made right in front of you on a burner in the middle of your table.

One little nasty thing is maybe worth mentioning at the bottom of this page. On our way to the hotel, I think the taxi driver cheated us for a couple bucks. He gave us the price, about $17. I gave him $20. Instead of giving us the change, he said he was keeping the change to cover the highway toll. Trouble is that I saw him do something with the meter when we went through the toll and I saw the price jump up appropriately. I think he double-charged us for it. No big deal. But, after paying it, I wished I had argued with him.

Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

8/12/2005, Korea trip day 1: Arrive, swim