Busan is Korea's second largest city on the southern tip, where you can get ferries to Japan, and has a population of 4m compared to Daegu's 3m (which is the 3rd largest city). You can get to Seoul on the high speed train in two and a half hours. Busan is the no.2 choice for foreign teachers after Seoul due to its beachfront hawaiian lifestyle. Busan was also the first place everyone from Daegu went on their first weekend, while I was stuck up in Chilgok trying to figure out where I was!

Busan is trying to assert its identity as a tourist and business destination to rival Seoul and hosts events such as the Busan Intl Film Festival in Sept, Fireworks festival in Oct, and New Years celebrations and first sunrise on the coast, as well as a baseball team and expansion of the three subway lines. It is also an international transport hub with ferries to Japan and Vladivostok Russia, as well as an international airport serving southeast asia.

There is also a massive high rise tower planned for construction on the harbour trying to create a distinctive international look to rejuvenate the skyline with more planned towers. They are also planning a second airport and are bidding to host the 2020 Olympics

The high speed train line runs from Busan to Seoul via Daegu so its an easy 45 min train ride to get down to the coast. This was one of the reasons I chose Daegu over Busan. Its less popular so less competition to get a teaching job, yet still only an hour to get to the beach. Also Daegu was more centrally located to travel to other towns, whereas with Busan I would be on the coast and always having to travel back.

For travel accomodations Korea has 'motels', which although the name is misleading and not designed for cars, is a no frills hotel in a medium rise building. These are usually located around bus and train stations and have distinctive bright neon lights in the nightline. I managed to find one outside Busan station for $30. For this you get a standard private hotel room with cable tv and private bathroom. Rooms can be floor mattress or western style bed so make sure to ask.

Located in other parts of town are 'love motels' which are the same as motels but designed for young couples to get 'privacy' away from large family living arrangements. Love Motels have more 'mood lighting' and 'creative decor'! They also have interesting architecture built like high rise castles with turrets.

My high speed train to busan was only 45 mins, why did I never bother to go before? The final approach into Busan is thru a tunnel so no grand entrance. Busan station was impressive like arriving into a shiny new airport terminal. My motel was barely a minute outside. Came with cable tv (including porn channel), fridge, phone, all toiletries provided (towels, sealed toothbrush, razor, toothpaste, soap, shampoo), for $30/nite. The bed had an electric heated mattress pad which is quite comfy even though you are sleeping on a live electric current!

Decided to wander across the road. From my arrival at the train station it felt like I was somewhere new. This was certainly true as I crossed the road. Everything was written in Russian, and lots of Russians walking around talking, bars playing Russian pop. Suddenly I had left Korea. This area is known as Texas St and the hangout place for Russians. There were older Russian ladies standing outside bars. Also a couple of Filipino restaurants.

Down the street it becomes Chinatown with lots of restaurants. I had a hot sauce seafood noodle for dinner. Returning to my motel I noticed four business cards for hookers by the door but were gone in the morning!

youtube video : Busan Chinatown and Russian Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIx-NT0b e7c

I had a full itinerary planned for my next few days in Busan...