Settling into Ulsan

We wanted to go to church Sunday, so Justin wrote down directions in Korean to give the taxi drivers - to get to church and to get back. We are encountering almost no English, so we joke about whether we have our information with us about where we live. There is a English-language service at just one church. There were about 40 people there. Their pastor has just recently departed, so in the mean time a couple of men are sharing preaching responsibilities. There was a lot of singing with a band. They had snacks afterwards, and we talked to several people. Michael ate enough of the rolled-style sushi (but with vegs. inside) that he called it lunch. Everyone was very friendly and a few had us write down phone numbers in case we needed any help. Several of the people teach at English language schools where many children go after their regular school day.

We are living the city life of walking a few blocks to catch a bus or taxi. Buses and taxis are very reasonably priced. The prices for apartment items and some food was surprisingly high - 2 to 3 times that of the States (e.g., a simple coffee maker $40; flimsy bath towel $12, basic pedestal fan $50, watermelon $15; $5 box of cereal; $4 1/2 gallon of milk .. but the prices do include taxes!!) Within short walking distance is a small grocery store and bakery. I think because people do not have ovens that there are very good bakeries. Investment tip: buy Paris Baguette stock. It is a bakery/coffee shop/prepared sandwich place. Michael might keep it in business!! They are all over town, and we have one at the corner of the main street that it is our landmark for how to get to our apartment.

We've have been taking everything in and like things that are new to us. A favorite is the scooters that deliver food - including McDonald's. The drivers are wild - sometimes they are on sidewalks and they do not always obey traffic lights. There is a lot of traffic with a large round about nearby. I cannot figure out how people drive through there. There are signs all over buildings - pretty much if there are 10 floors, there will be 10 signs up the side of the building. The buses are always coming and going and seem to have near misses with car drivers who are fearless. The city just seems to go on and on. Prof. Jang has taken us around so many parts, and there seem to be endless little shops on the first floor. The tall apartment buildings are all around town (most units are actually owned vs. rented). There are cell phone stores everywhere - KT, LG, and SK.

God bless!