I mentioned in last week's column that I was going to Korea for a holiday. I have just arrived back with very happy and unforgettable memories - and an extra box of souvenirs.
I went to Korea with six of my classmates and, to be economical, we joined the cheapest tour. Since we went there after the Christmas and New Year holidays, there were neither many people in our tour nor many tourists in Korea.
During the five-day trip, because we had taken the cheapest tour, we did not visit many famous tourist spots. Instead we did some shopping, we went to the old emperor's house and the government building, and we went skiing.
Although it was only a simple itinerary when compared to the others on offer, it did not mean that I gained a lesser understanding about the culture or history of the country. Since we had free time at night and for one whole day, we were able to explore the country ourselves. We took the subway, travelled by bus, bargained with the local sellers and found our own way using a street map. And it was through these explorations that I felt we got to know the real Korea.
In fact, I prefer not to join tours when I travel. You are surrounded by other Cantonese speakers, and you often end up feeling like you have not experienced a foreign country. To me, this means getting the chance to experience what day-to-day life is like in the country. I'm not so interested in shopping, but just jumping on the subway and heading wherever the train takes me can be exciting. Luckily, I had the chance to take the subway train and to try some local leisure activities.
Besides experiencing day-to-day life, interacting with the local people is a must. Of course we should learn to speak a few sentences in their language. Not only did I enjoy speaking simple Korean to the locals, the people I spoke to were also happy.
