Getting around 탁시

So yes, I'm well aware that it's been nearly two months since my last blog post. Sorry about that. January was intensive month, so we were working OT. This month I feel like I've just been catching my breath and trying to make friends! Oh, and I went to the DMZ on Sunday.

So anyway, today I will discuss public transportation. For my readers who are not from metropolitan areas like New York or LA (that would be most of you), I'm talking about relying on taxis, buses and the subway to get around. Since I don't have a car (though I've been talking about getting one some friends are selling), and since I live out in the sticks, I have to use public transportation to get anywhere. I mean, I could walk, but it takes most of an hour to get to work and it is COLD, so I'm not currently interested. I have no idea how long it would take to walk to the subway, but I'm guessing it would take over an hour since the cab ride is 10-15 minutes. The cab to work is only about 3 minutes and that is a 40 minute walk!

When I go to work, I *could* catch the bus, but we only have two or three buses that stop where I live (most places have dozens that come every couple of minutes) and the schedule is kind of fluid. I really don't know when the bus comes here. I've only caught it maybe 5 times. I've also realized that as an American, I am very impatient. I want what I want and I want it now. I don't want to wait 20 minutes for a bus to come, even if it is cheaper than a cab. It's too cold to stand and wait, and I'm type A and always in a hurry anyway.
Public transportation wiki
Now, do I always go to work? No. I go to Cheonan and find my other foreign friends, go shopping for clothes or groceries, go to the movies, go to the Language Exchange (learning Korean from Koreans and English from Westerners), and so on. Now, I COULD take a cab to the subway, wait for the train to come, arrive in Cheonan, and then take another cab to the shopping area, but that would really wind up costing more and taking more time in the end. I know most people use the subway, but it really isn't logical for me to use it when I'm traveling locally. I have also learned that using the call van (calling for a ride) is cheaper than a taxi. A taxi to Cheonan costs between 10-14,000 won (about $12), while using a call van is always between 8-9,000 (about $7). It's also more reliable and faster.

So do I ever use the subway?

Well, sometimes I have to because I have to meet someone at a specific stop. But usually, I only use the subway to go to Seoul. I've also gone to Daegu and I'm going again this weekend. It's about 15 bucks to go to Seoul and about 20 to go to Daegu on the KTX, so you know it's farther. It's cheaper to use the regular subway, but it also takes about double the time. The KTX is the bullet train and it only stops in certain cities. I am fortunate enough to live in one of those cities, even though it no more than a blip on the map. haha (If you want to check out the rail system, select English after going to www.korail.com).
The subway is this confusing mess and you have to change lines multiple times and I really just don't understand it. I'm sure it would be easier if I lived closer to it, but I don't, so it's not. I was nice enough to find an English subway map for you, but most of them are in Hangul (written Korean). http://www.smrt.co.kr/program/cyberStation/main2.jsp?lang=e If you look at the bottom center of the map on line 1, you will see Asan is the 4th stop. Then you will see how far I am from everything else. Hmm.. I think I should print this map for myself. However, it appears interactive. Maybe I can use it once I get a smart phone (only 2 more weeks until I do!).

There's also the option of getting a bike. Many people have them, but I don't know where they get them and I don't really feel safe riding one through traffic and down steep hills with erratic taxi drivers.

So what is my favorite thing about public transportation? It has to be the cab drivers. Not all of them are nice (for instance, last night my driver backed into something, kept the meter running while he looked at his bumper, and made me pay extra even though I was just sitting there / another guy refused to drive us up the hill and made us pay 3000 when it should have only been 2300, which is only like 70 cents, but that's not the point), but most of them want to talk to me. Two Sundays ago, I shared a cab with a Korean lady headed my direction. The driver didn't say a word until he dropped her off, and then he just chattered away with me using all the English he knew. Sometimes, the drivers hit on me and ask if I'm single. My driver yesterday was a repeat driver. He was so happy to give the English teacher a ride again. He wanted to know if the guy with me was just my friend. lol... Then last week, my driver got really excited and said, "America in my car!!!" It was sooo funny. Many times, they try to teach me some Korean words and phrases and often ask me to read signs. I think most of them like me as much as I like them. :)

Anyway, it's time to get ready for work. It's 12:41 now and the shower is calling. I need to call the call van in about an hour.

Hopefully the next update will come sooner, but I can guarantee it won't be until March. Happy leap day!