Author: Eleanor Brow

So no post in a while and that has been because I have been on vacation for the last 2 1/2 weeks.  During the last 2 1/1 weeks I have traveled to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  Each country had something great to offer and it was a truly enriching experience. I would have to say my favorite country was Singapore and my favorite city was Chiang Mai in Thailand.  I really enjoyed how culturally diverse all these countries were.  Being in Korea for five months I didn’t realize how homogenous it was. The food in all three countries were amazing.  I tried to have a coconut everyday.  In Malaysia they  do two things that we do in Jamaica drink black tea with condensed milk and drink milo (iced or hot).  It was great to visit places that had reminders of home.  I will stop writing now and let you enjoy the pictures.

Street Food in Penang

Milo in China Town

View from the top

Breakfast in Penang

Lounging in Phuket

Patong Beach

Karon Beach Phuket

Enjoying the Sunset

Dinner in Phuket

Sunset in Phuket

First Meal in Bangkok

Last meal in Bangkok

Subway stop in Bangkok

Sp 2014 is here; I really can’t believe it.  My 2013 started out okay and ended really great so I can’t wait for what 2014 has in store.  I won’t say too much this post is more about the pictures. I celebrated NYE in the city of Gangneug. Please enjoy.

So I live in a very small town with only 2 banks NH or Shinhan.  Both of these banks are perfectly fine if you only need them for money matters in South Korea.  When I first arrived my handler took me to get a bank account and she of course took me to the place where the school also does their banking so it would be easier for them.  I am getting ready to do my big trip outside of South Korea and I started reading various message boards and come to find out my NH bank card won’t work outside of Korea.  So what is a girl to do.  If I use my American cards  I will get charged international fees. So here is my solution and advice to anyone living abroad, find a bank that is truly international. A bank that has locations in many different countries, not only will that help when you are traveling but certainly when you are trying to transfer money.  I currently get charged roughly 100 USD every time I transfer money, its ridiculous. If I transfer 12 times a year that is $1200.  I would rather keep that money than give it to some bank.  I wish someone would have told me this before arriving so I could have done my research prior to coming here.  Thankfully I found out before I went on vacation and didn’t have access to my funds. For me personally living in Korea and being a resident of the U.S. I decided to got with Citi Bank, not only do they have locations in the U.S. and South Korea, but they also won’t charge me transfer fees and I will have access to Citi Bank ATM’s  across the world.  Hope this helps and happy travels!