The first time I used it was out of pure desperation. I had bought a last-minute birthday gift and realized the post office was already closed. A coworker casually said, “Just send it from GS25,” like this was common knowledge.

Ten minutes later, I was printing a shipping label at a kiosk next to a ramen display.

The biggest advantage? Convenience stores are everywhere and open late. I’ve shipped packages at 11 p.m. in sweatpants. That alone deserves serious respect.

Getting to Gapyeong from Seoul is super convenient — you can take the subway to Gapyeong Station (가평역) and then grab a taxi to wherever you’re staying or exploring next. From Seoul it’s usually about an 80-minute subway ride with a couple of transfers, and the occasional ITX train can be quicker but it really depends on timing so I would recommend the subway any day. We found a traditional hanok on Airbnb not too far from the station, which ended up being the highlight of the whole trip.

My weekdays quickly settled into a familiar rhythm. Life as a teacher revolved around lesson planning, teaching enthusiastic students, and grabbing quick coffees from convenience stores found on nearly every corner. Teaching English abroad can be demanding, but the energy of my students made every day rewarding.

Once the final bell rang, however, the real adventure began. Living in Seoul means there’s always something new to explore, and I made it my mission to experience as much of the city as possible after work.

Travel time from Seoul: ~2 hours 20 minutes (bus only)

Sokcho is a charming coastal city on Korea’s east coast, known for its history, food, and access to nature. The city has deep roots in the Korean War, especially at Abai Village, a small island settled by North Korean refugees. It remains a meaningful and unique place to visit today.

Sokcho is also famous for:

• Beautiful beaches

• Hiking trails in Seoraksan National Park

• Local specialties you won’t find elsewhere

Must-Try Foods in Sokcho

• 술빵 (Makgeolli bread)

• 홍게 (Red snow crab)

• 오징어순대 (Stuffed squid)

• 닭강정 (Sweet and sour fried chicken)

• 물회 (Cold raw fish soup)

Where to stay: Sokcho Hutte Guest House — the host is incredibly kind and even makes egg-and-cheese sandwiches in the morning.

E-World Daegu offers a wide range of thrill rides and family-friendly attractions. We purchased day passes for around 49,000₩ (about $36 USD), which gave us unlimited access for the entire day.

Some of the rides we enjoyed included:

• Camel Back – A long roller coaster with two big drops

• Boomerang – A high-speed coaster with forward and backward motion

• Top Spin – Spins riders in multiple directions

• Viking (Pirate Ship) – A classic swinging ship ride

• Megaswing 360 – A massive pendulum that rotates a full 360°

• Tambourine – A spinning and bouncing flat ride

• Hurricane – Fast seat rotations with strong centrifugal force

• Sky Drop – A tall free-fall drop near the iconic 83 Tower
  (Pro tip: don’t eat right before this one!)

In addition to thrill rides, E-World also has many kid-friendly and family attractions, such as a merry-go-round, flume ride, bumper cars, and other gentler rides—making it a great amusement park for all ages.

Our trip began in Daegu, where we took the subway to the bus terminal, then a bus toward the mountains, followed by an Uber. A car would have been easier, but since this was our first spontaneous trip outside Daegu without the KTX, we made it work- and it added to the adventure!

I joined a one-hour surfing class for 50,000 KRW (around $36 USD), which included a wetsuit, surfboard, and bottled water — a great deal, especially in the summer heat. Prices may vary depending on the class type and duration.

In Seoul, silence is rare. The streets are always alive – people heading to work, restaurants staying open past midnight, and cafés buzzing with quiet conversations.

Back in Virginia, I stepped outside and heard… nothing. Just the hum of cicadas. The peace was jarring. After being surrounded by neon lights, 24-hour convenience stores, and jam-packed subways, even a simple Target run felt like an event.

If you’re arriving internationally, you’ll most likely land at Incheon International Airport (ICN).

• Terminal 1: Head to the first floor to find ticket machines and bus stops.

• Terminal 2: Go down to the basement level (B1) for ticketing and boarding.

Both terminals have clear English signage. If you get confused, airport staff are friendly and usually speak enough English to help you out.

Nami Island, located northeast of Seoul, is one of the most popular day trips from the city.

• Best time to visit: Fall, when the leaves burst into warm autumn colors, or spring, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

• How to get there: Take a short ferry ride on the Han River, or—if you’re feeling adventurous—zipline across the river for a thrilling entrance.

Nami Island is a photographer’s dream and the perfect escape from city life.