Holidays can educate us about many stuff – approximately a vacation spot, about different humans, and approximately ourselves
United Sagapolutele
Traveling abroad can educate you on many things, particularly traveling in your personal. I became fortunate sufficient to journey lately to consider one of my dream destinations – Seoul, South Korea. Before this ride, I had in no way traveled on my own, and it certainly became one of my fears. So I decided to close minute to tour and face my worry head-on.
Of all my trips, this one surely became the fine and maximum reawakening I had skilled. I discovered that despite traveling to a foreign country where they speak minimum English, I could communicate via body language and a frequent language – track.
If you are wondering, I am one of these folks who has experienced K-Pop and appreciate Korean pop culture. Although there has been a large language barrier, I became capable of making new pals via our shared love for song and dance.
I learned a big difference between Korean and Western ways of life, such as hierarchy, while talking to older and more youthful people than me. I also discovered how Korean people are so typing and respectful, making me appreciate them even more. Being capable of triumphing over one of my fears via visiting overseas by myself became an accomplishment and one I am pleased with.
If you’re trying to travel to Seoul, mainly using yourself, I would recommend a few matters:
• Learn fundamental Korean such as howdy (annyeong haseyo), thanks (gamsahamnida), goodbye (annyeonghi geese), and bow as a sign of courtesy when announcing these things.
• In our short-paced world, apps are convenient and make lifestyles much less complicated. Download Naver Map and Kakao Map. I swear these apps stored my life visiting around Seoul and even paintings offline, which became first-rate. I would also suggest downloading a translation app while talking with someone who may not understand what you are pronouncing.
• Take a transportable charger. I made certain I had this on me 24/7 because there is nothing worse than being stranded someplace and not having a telephone to help you return to where you are staying.
• Make positive to have cash and a creditor journey card on you. You by no means recognize when you can need one or the other. It’s better to have both alternatives instead of simply one.
• Purchase a Timoney card. It’s an ATHop card but is used for more matters, including the bus, teaching, and taxi, and can also be bought in numerous locations within Seoul. It stored me plenty of cash after I used public shipping, and they have ever had an excellent general delivery device.
I had a loopy experience arriving in Seoul – behind schedule flight, unable to speak, no internet, misplaced trying to find my homestay and spraining my ankle all on the primary day. So it turned into loopy, and at that factor, I turned geared up to leap on an aircraft lower back to Aotearoa.
But I became capable of persevering, and through this revel, I found to be more resilient and realized that I am a strong and effective wahine.
Suppose you have ever desired to tour to find out more about yourself but have been too afraid. Just do it and do so wholeheartedly! I’ll be cheering you on.
United Sagapolutele is a choreographer and dancer, debuting her new work TRIP on June 14 at Mangere Arts Centre as a part of the 2019 Pacific Dance Festival. Tickets are available now from Eventfinda.
