Finding a friend to chit-chat with on the train :)

When I was on the train down to Gyeongsan a couple of weeks ago, something strange happened... a Korean person began talking to me... voluntarily!!! It's like pulling teeth usually trying to get a random Korean to answer a question and keep them from running away from you so a Korean striking up a conversation first, of their own accord, is just unheard of! (Visit Korea 2011--> This illustrates perfectly how most Koreans act when they see a foreigner AKA waygookin AKA alien!!! -So funny!)

Although random chit-chat with strangers at home while you're waiting in a queue of some description is usually fleeting, it's nice to be friendly and communicate with people that you come into contact with. The fact it never happens here can add to the feeling of loneliness. Korea would feel a lot less lonely at times if I could chat happily to people on the way to work or while I'm wandering around shopping or in the park or whatever.

But anyway, this particular day was different. I'd not long been on the train when I pulled out my copy of Breaking Dawn to keep me occupied for my four hour journey when I heard from behind, "Hi, do you like Twilight, too?" I turned around in shock to find a young Korean woman looking down at me smiling while clutching her own copy of the first book, and to my complete disbelief, it was the English version! Amazing! I was delighted. We chatted happily, mainly about our love for Twilight and in particular, Edward, for the duration of her journey until she got off the train about forty minutes later.

Before she got off she asked if we could keep in contact and we have which I'm really pleased about. The incident left me smiling long after the train pulled away from her station. I feel like I've been making lots more Korean friends recently which has helped me feel even more settled and given me an even greater love for this country.