Candice in Korea
 
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With the Soccer World Cup being in South Africa this year and well, with me not being there, it's made me really proud, but also sad hearing about all the spirit and festive activities happening in my country. I decided I would have to do something that would be just as good as being in SA. So Busan was the answer!

I got permission from my school to leave early on Friday so that I could make the great trek down to Busan. It takes just about 6 hours. A 30 minute bus to Jecheon, a 2 hour 40 minute train to Daejeon, a 2 hour KTX to Busan and then of course a taxi to a motel, which could take quite a while because of all the night time traffic and even longer if you have a difficult driver!

Arriving in Haeundae at about 22h40, we rushed to find a motel to offload our bags and then raced off to a local bar that was showing the game. Amazingly we made it in time for kick off! 
Seeing SA on tv gave me goosebumps and I was 100 % behind the team. Although Bafana Bafana didn't win, they scored a great goal, and also the opening goal of the WC. It was Truely a 'Proudly South African' moment.

Saturday morning we made an early start with a Starbucks breakfast (my first Starbucks ever- definitely a milestone) and then headed off to Nampo-dong for a bit of shopping and lunch.

The rest of the afternoon we spent lazing on the beach in true Cape Tonian style. Swimming was not for me...the water was way too cold, but the others enjoyed it, clothes and all. Many people swim in their clothes here, it's totally acceptably. For me it was just so good to be close to the ocean again! Busan reminds me so much of home.

That evening the streets were pumping with Korean Spirit. All dressed in red screaming Dae-Han-Min-Gook..... and we joined in. Kick off was at 20h30 and only a few minutes before the clouds broke into showers. Our plan to watch the game on the beach, and we hadn't thought of another option. Most fans rushed off to any available bars, and a few people still opted for the beach. We ended up in a very overcrowded bar for the first half of the game and then hit the beach for the second half once the rain had stop. With the whole Nation behind the team it was impossible for them to lose. Korea's victory led to celebrations until all hours of the night. It was so wonderful to be part of it.
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My 'Proudly Korean' friend, Eomji
Busan has become my favourite city in Korea and I can't wait to go back and see more of it!