I’ve been thinking about the differences in my life since I moved to Korea. Mainly I have been reflecting on how my daily life has changed and the things that I do regularly here that I wouldn’t have done back home. Obviously living in a different country is bound to change you a bit, but I didn’t realize that the things I do often in Korea are things I would never do back home!
So here are the 5 things I do in Korea that I wouldn’t do in London.
1. Get my nails done on a regular bases
I’ve always been a fan of doing my nails, but when I was back home I would do them myself. My lovely sister had purchased a gel nail kit and so I had long lasting nail varnish at no cost! When I moved to Korea, I couldn’t bring her kit with me, and I am too lazy to buy my own! So, I never used to do my nails, they became weak and they looked so ugly. After about two years of being here, I decided to get my nails done, and I have not looked back ever since! I found a nail artist who does my nails perfectly everytime, so I go there monthly to get my nails done… I know, that’s often! But my nails have become stronger and I am definetly addicted to getting my nails done.
2. Hair treatment and perm
I have extremely frizzy and curly natural hair and because I don’t know how to manage my hair when it’s curly, I have been straightening it (with my trusty GHDs) since I was in secondary school. However, straightening it every day for over 10 years has led to a lot of damage and my hair not growing past the top of my shoulders. So after about 2 years of living in Korea, someone recommended that I get a straight perm instead of damaging my hair with heat. Usually, I am against chemical treatments, but Korean summers are so humid!!!! Humidity and curly hair are not friends. So I gave it a try. Now I can’t stop getting it done.
Reason why I do it: My hair has gotten longer, mornings are easier, it’s reasonably priced.
Reasons why I wouldn’t do it in London:
Again, it’s expensive. Also, I have had really bad luck with hair dressers in London. I haven’t found someone who knows how to do my hair well.
If you guys are interested in straight perm and my experience with it, let me know in the comments!
3. Taking taxis
This is one that I wish I didn’t do. However, I live in a new city and the transport connection to other cities is not very good.
Reasons why I do it:
While there is a way to get places without taking a taxi, it takes twice as long and multiple forms of transport. Also, although taxi fees have gone up since I first came to Korea, taxi’s are relatively cheap, especially if you are traveling with a friend.
Reasons why I wouldn’t in London:
Transport for London (TFL) is amazing! The only time I have used a taxi in London was when I had multiple pieces of luggage and wasn’t able to walk from the bus stop to my house!
4. Eating out on a regular basis
Now, I have cut down on this one as I am trying to lose weight, but before this year I did it often. Eating out or ordering in is so easy and affordable in Korea. The biggest problem I have with Korea is how expensive produce is. Any fresh food costs way more than it should.
Reasons why I do it:
I can eat delicious foods like 겁창 and other Korean foods easily. Eating out is usually cheaper than buying food and making it at home.
Reasons why I wouldn’t do it in London:
I lived at home with my family, so if my mum didn’t cook, my grandma would have cooked something. Also, vegetables are way cheaper in London than in Korea.
5. PC room
I am currently in one, and most of the blog posts I have done in Korea have been produced in a PC room. In the first 4 years that I lived in Korea, I never went to a PC room. I guess in England they call them internet cafes, but reagardless, I had never been to one before. A few years ago, my best friend started gaming and so I thought I should go with him to see what the hype was about, I am glad I came!
Reasons why I do it:
Comfortable seats, big screens, nice keyboards (I love the sound of typing), snacks, drinks, good quality headphones, my laptop died, R.I.P. my baby!
Reasons why I wouldn’t in London:
Internet cafes in London look a bit run down, my laptop was still alive (R.I.P. my baby).
So there you have it! 5 things I do in Korea that I would never do in London.
If you are reading this post in Korea, is there something you do here that you would never do back home?
Also, if you are reading from your home country, what do you think about the things I do here that I wouldn’t do back home? Do you do some of them in your home country/city?
Let me know in the comments below!
Dina Daily 