Every new country you see offers you a new dimension of how the world is. Certainly there’s a lot to learn from this little country called Korea. The attitude of the people towards tourists is so great. A few incidents left me shocked as to what extend people can help you.
On day one, we were searching for our Hotel address, and there were hardly any people on street. So we walked to a dress store and asked the lady there about the address. She dialed the number of Hotel from her cell, talked to the manager for about a minute, took a piece of paper, drew a neat map that guided us to our Hotel.
Also on one of the very chilly evenings at a Busan Subway station, when I was a bit tired, took off my winter cap in the bag and began to eat chocolates that I had. Dad was in a store nearby. An old couple was watching me for a while. After some time they approached me thinking that I didn’t have any winter cap and offered me 10000 won(around 400 rs) note to buy one. I declined saying that I had a cap, and thanked them for offering one. Now who would do that to a stranger.
In general, it’s a very tourism friendly. I-counter is set at every major tourist spot. In remote areas, where people knew little English, we would go to the I-counter, ask the person to write the name of the place we want to visit in Korean Language on a piece of paper. We would show that piece of paper to the Cab- driver to reach the place we want.
Many cabs had free translator service. That is, the cab driver would call a translator, who could speak English and Korean and then a 3-way communication started. If you would rent a mobile, you can call 1330 and use the free translator service to interact with anyone. Infact, that was how we interacted with the Jeju hotel manager.
This country has braved many things. Japan invaded it till 1945, North Korea destroyed entire Seoul city in 1952. 1 US dollar is 1300 WON (Korean currency). Worse ratio than the war hit Japan had to face. But still, it has started fresh and build everything from scratch. Slowly and steadily making itself known to the world.
Infrastructure is great. Incheon airport is the world’s 3rd best Airport. Korean air has been voted Asia’s best airline for third year running. Seoul stadium is Asia’s biggest football stadium. Seoul Metro is so well designed to meet city requirements. Everything is automatic. There’s no chance you travel without a ticket and there’s no chance the machine will let you travel for more than the ticket you brought. Seoul subway image below.
When I look back at Bombay, I see no I-counter, I see the prepaid Taxi counter man offering me rates that are twice the actual. I also see that if I take a private cab, the first question the driver asks me is “Bombay mein naye Ho” and takes me on the longest path if yes is the answer. It really makes me sad. Comparison is bad, but I don’t remember being cheated for a single penny in Korea.
On day one, we were searching for our Hotel address, and there were hardly any people on street. So we walked to a dress store and asked the lady there about the address. She dialed the number of Hotel from her cell, talked to the manager for about a minute, took a piece of paper, drew a neat map that guided us to our Hotel.
Also on one of the very chilly evenings at a Busan Subway station, when I was a bit tired, took off my winter cap in the bag and began to eat chocolates that I had. Dad was in a store nearby. An old couple was watching me for a while. After some time they approached me thinking that I didn’t have any winter cap and offered me 10000 won(around 400 rs) note to buy one. I declined saying that I had a cap, and thanked them for offering one. Now who would do that to a stranger.
In general, it’s a very tourism friendly. I-counter is set at every major tourist spot. In remote areas, where people knew little English, we would go to the I-counter, ask the person to write the name of the place we want to visit in Korean Language on a piece of paper. We would show that piece of paper to the Cab- driver to reach the place we want.
Many cabs had free translator service. That is, the cab driver would call a translator, who could speak English and Korean and then a 3-way communication started. If you would rent a mobile, you can call 1330 and use the free translator service to interact with anyone. Infact, that was how we interacted with the Jeju hotel manager.
This country has braved many things. Japan invaded it till 1945, North Korea destroyed entire Seoul city in 1952. 1 US dollar is 1300 WON (Korean currency). Worse ratio than the war hit Japan had to face. But still, it has started fresh and build everything from scratch. Slowly and steadily making itself known to the world.
Infrastructure is great. Incheon airport is the world’s 3rd best Airport. Korean air has been voted Asia’s best airline for third year running. Seoul stadium is Asia’s biggest football stadium. Seoul Metro is so well designed to meet city requirements. Everything is automatic. There’s no chance you travel without a ticket and there’s no chance the machine will let you travel for more than the ticket you brought. Seoul subway image below.
When I look back at Bombay, I see no I-counter, I see the prepaid Taxi counter man offering me rates that are twice the actual. I also see that if I take a private cab, the first question the driver asks me is “Bombay mein naye Ho” and takes me on the longest path if yes is the answer. It really makes me sad. Comparison is bad, but I don’t remember being cheated for a single penny in Korea.
Not only the country has advanced technologically, but also kept it’s traditional culture intact. They have the system of Ondol floor, i.e. underneath the floor, there are heating water tubes spread. This way the floor remains warm and you can lay a bed on it called Ondol Bed or Korean style bed. Many Korean restaurants serve food sitting on the floor. Some of them also offer a cooking stove for keeping the food heated.
People there brave extreme cold climate to set out to work. Yet everyone’s so perfectly dressed. Right colour combination. All the men with proper coats of black colour. Women very smartly dressed. People always bearing a smile. Not shy to strike a conversation with unknown. Always ready to help. Even in heavy rushtime, nobody touches each other in train. The one who has to get down just puts his hands up indicating he has to get down. The others make way for him.
Discipline is so high that cabs stop at the pedestrian crossing at 7 in the morning when no-one’s on the street. Never heard anyone honk a horn in 9 days of my stay. Didn’t see a plastic wrapper on the streets. Saw the government encouraging local companies to make it big in the International market. Like Daewoo, Hyundai, Kia motors, LG, Samsung etc. There aign’t any Vodafone, no T-mobile, only one local operator, SK telecom.
Just can say that I saw a great country in Korea and somewhere my heart says, one-day my country will be better. For that first I’ll have to learn. Learn to be a more helpful individual from now.
7 comments:
Nice to see you had a great cultural experience in South!
nice to see korea from your perception, also if we hv techies like you, in 10 yrs world would be ours n that i can bet you
also jaagore.com would be starting voters id campaign, i wd like the college to be part of it
let us be the first college to achieve 100% voter id registration
The culture surely sounds great. And frankyl, I'm not surprised by the goodwill of korea. I've heard a lot about it, just that now it comes from you, makes it affirmative. Really good sanket. Envy you man, but as you said..We'd love to see our country grow on its values too. Not impossible.. we just need to take the first step, atleast give the best from our side.
@Brett...yes it was great!South.
@Ricky...Firstly thank you...secondly...dont advertise jaagore.
@Gaurav..
Yes we need to step up.Everyone needs to put in their best.
roger that
hey sanket u've given us a gr8 description korea...really we need to do something from our side to make any tourist's trip to India really memorable...and ur cap lending episode is really touching !!!
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