Friendly Busan

Covid-19 restriction levels have been dropped so cafes, gyms and other businesses are operating normally. The sun is shining and the weather is mild for January. Things have taken a turn for the better.

Being one of the few foreigners in the area, and also being a creature of habit, I am becoming more frequently recognized by people, especially those who work in nearby restaurants and shops.

Over the past week or so, I've had the following interactions with locals that make me feel welcomed and recognized. Also, it's clear that I go to cafes and restaurants too much.

When the cafes first re-opened, I went to my usual spots that I had been missing over the past month. Several times I was told, "Long time, no see." And staff even remembered my drink order, "That's right, you don't like whipping cream."

At another small coffee shop, the staff said they were wondering when I would arrive. Confused, I said, "huh?" They explained that they only work on weekends, and I usually come to their shop on the weekend, so they were waiting all day for "cafe mocha" to arrive. I promised to visit them again next weekend.

This next interaction happened without English at the convenience store near my apartment. I was there for a late-night snack, my usual, a bag of popcorn. The old woman behind the counter made a gesture and smile towards the popcorn and said something like "Wow, you really like this popcorn." At least, that's what I think she said. I suppose I'm eating too much popcorn and need to switch things up.

As part of my contract renewal, I was required to visit the hospital for a comprehensive health check. The staff were very accommodating and did their best to communicate with me in English, although I had my Korean co-teacher with me to interpret everything. As is often the case, the nurses had trouble taking blood from my arms. A crowd of nurses gathered to watch in amazement at the difficulty they were having with my foreign veins. Eventually, they had to give up and take blood from a vein in my hand. 

On the way home from the hospital, I stopped at a restaurant to grab some take-out for lunch. The staff noticed the bandage on my hand and asked about it. Very kind of them to notice and check on me. I explained that I just had a health check, and I think they understood. You don't often expect concern for your health from a take-out restaurant, but it's a good example of the kindness of people here in Busan.

I returned to the hospital the next week to pick up my confidential results. On the way, I ran into a student from my boys school in the subway station. He introduced me to his mother, "This is Derek Teacher." I waved and said, "Hello, nice to meet you" and went on my way. It's nice to get recognized on the street after having arrived in the country not really knowing anyone or anything. It makes you feel important. 

Leaving the hospital, I met another student from my main school with his mother. The boy explained that he was visiting the hospital because his brother had broken his leg running into a tree. He was animated in his story-telling and I could see that his mother was enjoying the conversation and was very proud that her son could speak English with me, a native speaker.

Despite everything, friendly Busan has become my home away from home. I'm gradually connecting with people here and it adds a lot to my experience in Korea.