Living In Daegu South Korea With The Blerd Explorer

The Blerd Explorer:Nothing really changes like in America I’m seen as black first I’m staying at the big Boogeyman white conservatives I’m big I’m Jewish near black men. Um, the scariest thing on the planet in America right? But like outside Why come out us I’m like I’m just as corny nerdy looking dude who just didn’t know was gonna care about right like that they see me as a man for instance like human being that’s the difference.

[Music]

Zeke: I’d like to welcome everyone to another episode of the Let’s Gather Podcast. I’m your host Zeke. In this episode, I have The Blerd Explorer to speak about living in South Korea, and traveling. You can find more information about his book by clicking the link in the description below. I like to give a content warning for any strong language used in this episode. And I hope you have a nice day and enjoy the show. 

Zeke: So, welcome to the podcast.

The Blerd Explorer:Thank you for having me.

Zeke: No problem thank you for being interested. So firstly, I’d like to do is I ask you what your origin story would be? How’d you like to represent it?

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah, so I’m fill my hand go by the blur Explorer. I’m from South Carolina, but I live in Africa and South Korea delivers may 2016. And at the time reporting on May 15, may 16 2021, I basically hit my fifth year anniversary of living abroad, living in South Korea. Right now I work as an ESL teacher at a public school in South Korea. And this is my first official time teaching in a public school setting. And I also published two books like in what I started the wire called the black trousers guide series, which I these are more of a test drive to see what if Corp will demand erect to the market? Do people would like be interested in this type of look? And if so, then I like to do you know, consider doing more in the future?

Zeke: And how does it represent your origin story? What kind of media we choose, we could deal with books, which are like movies, TV shows.

The Blerd Explorer:Now, I think I’ll start so do two books, but I think I might, you know, start doing your videos in the future to you know, try to like try other avenues as well. Me personally, I have no I just try like to become a big massive celebrity travel youtuber or anything like that not now, if it doesn’t look great, but I know it just like can be like this big, you know, being the camera being the face of everybody, you know, I’m saying like, I really like it. You kind of be in the background like, you know, if people like to great but rather be in the background, you know like, some kind of privacy you know?

Zeke: Yeah, okay. cool with that, let’s go right into the story. So you have a travel guide, and everything like that. So what kind of push you into traveling?

The Blerd Explorer:I know, for me, I’ve always had the like the idea of traveling but I again, you know, as a young black man in America I didn’t know how to do I always thought like traveling to other countries. That’s white people shit, right. That’s usually my mindset. And the only time I personally know what I mean by traveling abroad was using the military so also that was about my only way deal do you go to other countries of course, I was until I got into my last semester of college when I thought about the idea of teaching English abroad and in South Korea and that’s what led me to you know, take a little more since given to delve more into about the whole credit ESL career route and like the idea that you know, living abroad another country or some money use money and also had an opportunity to travel and do my ofttimes to pretty cool but of course preparing them back of course and so that’s what kept that in this ESL lifestyle is attracted me to it and I think it might keep going for a long time.

Zeke: Nice with me I’m somebody who hasn’t travel yet this for other different reasons but I’m working on that.

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah, sure.

Zeke: So with traveling so what kind of since you’re from South Carolina what was like the main differences you felt you learned in your travels?

The Blerd Explorer:One I think traveling is open my eyes It showed me that one you don’t have to always live in where you grew up like where you live like say we go to school we go to college like you should you should move like once you finish high school and college go somewhere else like don’t stay in your same cities state region or even countries go live somewhere else because honestly for me I believe that everybody at one point I should go live in another city you know state country if you ever get if you have the opportunity to go work because I think it’s the fact that people who end up growing in the same area in the same town same city and don’t leave at all except maybe to to one two week vacation you gave in a year to go and do the World War stuff. I mean as far as for some people because I believe is born it helps you expand your mind it shows you that oh my way lifestyle the way I grew up. It’s not always but really isn’t the best. Like for example, you know, growing up like many Americans I grew up believing that mindset oh America, we’re number one. We’re the best at everything right? Like no balloon, unbridled shoving stuff like nom nom there’s a lot of things to do a lot better things very good aspect potion. patients suffer yet other countries like you know, Taiwan. You have, you know, metro system, metro lines, trains and everything. So getting around the country is easier and much more affordable too. And not to mention healthcare for one for sure that we’re not I mean, yeah, we have great health care if you can afford it. So and I really had and I would say for me living abroad especially doing some that most black people typically don’t do you know because how African American music Afro Americans were pretty conservative we don’t do anything because we always have a fear of what if this country x y z is going to be racist blah blah blah? Yeah, there’s gonna be xenophobia between one and two people mostly just because ignorance like a lack of education because obviously you know, being Muslim countries we don’t know much about other culture about black culture so what they see on TV but uh, honestly the way I see don’t I say until people don’t let that scare you because honestly if it is comparison but kind of at ease if it’s like if you’re a black person used to divide in america he can drive anywhere else basically.

Zeke: I got it I definitely felt like that when you come going up into the Americas have a (inaudible) just like so seeing where the cracks in between the systems and everything like that.

The Blerd Explorer:And another mirror there’s nothing wrong loving your country, but I also believe that you shouldn’t be afraid to call on on their bullshit that you should praise your country when it does a great job and then call it How oh are you allowed to curse on your podcast?

Zeke: Yeah,

The Blerd Explorer:Okay it’s on make sure you get your praise your country name is a pretty good country when they do good job good things and call her out on her bullshit I think unfortunate America like we’re still poor whites are so comfortable like you know what I team democrat team and postgame like nah I’m calling your boat I’m calling you ship your shit out I’m calling this ship sign out on their bullshit I thought everybody on the bullshit.

Zeke: Yeah, makes sense. Definitely. Don’t get too complacent.

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah, exactly. I think that’s also a big problem with show me you know traveling living abroad is like never be too complacent. And also put this pin down with somebody that too like don’t be complacent. Don’t try to follow the norm like being norms like you know, housewife is about don’t always try to follow the same trend everybody does. I think kandam really taught me was like, go out and really go out enjoy, like, be appreciative, you know?

Zeke: Yeah, got it. It was like, so what why did you choose South Korea again?

The Blerd Explorer:Is is really the only job I could find after graduation, graduation college, mostly due to the fact that I was leaving and looking through my university job board last semester college senior year, trying to find something anything and decide to do something. So that’s how I came over here.

Zeke: Nice. And I will talk earlier about the time zone difference. How was adjusting to that?

The Blerd Explorer:It can be a bit of a challenge, especially tryna, you know, stay in contact with family and friends. And me of like, you know, trying to get in contact with different like podcast groups and whatnot, just have interviews, so it can be a bit of a challenge for sure. But I think it’s you know, it’s one of the things that makes it worth it.

Zeke: Cool. And then since you since you’re black does your identity as a black person changed since you travel or has it stayed the same?

The Blerd Explorer:Nothing really changes like in America I’m seen as black first I’m staying at the big Boogeyman white conservatives I’m big I’m Jewish near black men. Um, the scariest thing on the planet in America right? But like outside Why come out us I’m like I’m just as corny nerdy looking dude who just didn’t know was gonna care about right like that they see me as a man for instance like human being that’s the difference that’s why I noticed Yes, yeah, I mean my skin tone does make me stand out especially Asia for sure. But again people see me as a man like actual person not some big scary guy. I would be in America where be like so stressed about what’s the policeman to us please gonna do here I got away with the police. I can say Oh, go about business do my thing. Go Go to work go home Do whatever. And it’s also a refreshing feeling

Zeke: I can see that this more was like, I guess they’ll have that prejudice like the American presence of racism is like a different um thought an process of curiosity.

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah.

Zeke: And with that, do you see feel like a kind of relief for that or it just kind of got used to it?

The Blerd Explorer:Honestly, I don’t feel massive relief. It’s just a feeling you know? When you leave a bad situation and go somewhere else right and it’s like hey, I gotta worry about a bad situation no more free I got a real I can relax and just oh I can relax I used to be mean I got like some type of secret face you know fake appearance fake smile fake all that stuff when I was in America right now I did go back to is a family for first time now dammit back in 2019 there between 19 and yeah it was nice to see family everything but being back in America I felt that stress I get no attention I felt all this negative energy like all around me and I don’t think you know what Don’t be merrily living abroad the pros and cons just again yes but I felt happier like I felt less stressed I felt cool. Peace you know? Like I feel comfortable and just live in now personally I don’t see myself removing my to us because of that. Unless I have absolutely no choice because living abroad for me. This works for me like it’s not gonna be the next bet it’s not for everybody. But me it’s fits more.

Zeke: Got it. And did you have to assimilate to the culture or do you continue some of your old like like habits and things you got kept from America? 

The Blerd Explorer:I can sometimes keep the habit it does happen come up all the time, but I do try to simulate you know try to follow the culture upon the norms as best as I can. I’m still not fluent in Korean I’m still trying that I need to learn how to read Korean first I can always say this you interested in coming to Korea is very easy to learn how to read Korean speaking is a whole different ballgame. So that’s the bigger challenge but um you know because also you know here in Korea they have their own trash system you have to buy certain bags at the convenience store the grocery stores and using okay you guys separately trash food but food waste goes it’s own bag. General stuff you know trash doesn’t know there’s another bag too and each city has their own rules for trash bag so not everybody has the same thing so it does can be a hassle sometimes not all the doors but again you know different house different rules right so it’s just like your mom saying really young we go into a friend’s house this is their house this is their rules you gotta follow you know you and I like it but hey their house the rules gotta respect it.

Zeke: Got it. Yeah, thing what’s happening. So what guys they say Korea you say you’re 6 7” right? So do you fee like is like a st everything smaller over there. So it’s like just like clothing?

The Blerd Explorer:Well, to be fair, early ages I was kinda like a you know, small medium sized milk nation. You know, most of the people sitting eating a challenge therapy at home and the people not a stereotype, but it’s kind of true. Now, there are a lot more tall Korean men and some women spit they have had more of a height boom over the years for sure. But uh for me I is buying clothes can be a pain in the ass but even if I went to like say the capital Seoul do some clothes shopping there. There’s probably a good chance I won’t buy anything my size so I just ship myself from Amazon is just so much easier.

Zeke: Yeah, I felt that I’m why I’m like 6 6 2” and even here in the States I have trouble finding like sneakers and clothing. And I’m just like going over there is going to be different.

The Blerd Explorer:Yep, sneakers and shirts. It’s Yeah, I mean, there there’s a good chance because I mean, now there’s a store called ABC Mart. I might have a shot with some shoes. But again, it’s no guarantee. Yeah. Like the way it when it comes to the clothes. I’ll just buy myself Amazon t shirts over here. They’ll take a few weeks, but that’s fine. I can’t wait. Oh, rush.

Zeke: Let’s shift to the ESL teacher. Okay, so have you taught before or just your first time teaching?

The Blerd Explorer:No. Okay, well, I had a ESL job. Mostly I worked in private English Academy called hard ones. But all the time I was here. Most of them a lot of them were pretty terrible bad job bad management and tough. Now I I did get my first public school job in the city of Incheon, South Korea, which is new in the northern part of Korea near the Capitol. And I got that job at the elementary schools English center literally as soon as the pandemic blew up around the world because now in South Korea, the first day of school school year starts on like the first day March. And so um, so I got that job and unfortunately, an insurance teacher that we never opened up to classes, so I got furloughed from July to February of this year 2021. And I, by contract, my contract was gonna get renewed. So I answered, you know, kept looking for other jobs and I got my current job right now it’s in the countryside on the west coast, to the east coast of Korea, but I’m actually just happy I get a full time job again, the kids like me and staffing before me so I’m just happy to have that opportunity. And no, I’m not major wise on business major business marketing, major books on marketing. And I never thought I will be teaching you there but uh, I think I like it. I enjoy it. My concern you know, getting a certification and stuff in the future as to you know, get some more practice and experience you know, with this job,

Zeke: Got it. Got my math tutor currently. How is I teaching? Like, how is a teaching English as a general?

The Blerd Explorer:I see. It can be challenging, you know, teaching and trying to like figure out ways like, you know, making your lesson plan like me teaching like all teachers, like you know, trying to come lesson plan to figure out how to make the lesson me more. Not only engaging, but also make sure you don’t feel bored. You know, it does come with a challenge, but it is pretty fun. I do enjoy it though. I say the kids, they have a good time to classes. I teach third to fifth grade. So the kids might say they have a good time. My golf student like all classroom deals, got the one two kids let’s talk you know, they’re good kids because sometimes they just don’t know how to be quiet at times, you know? But overall, it’s pretty good. I am pretty happy.

Zeke: Nice. I feel like life putting was put you in this position was like, go here. Go there.

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yes, I tried. So sometimes, you know, how it you try and make a list plan sometimes you may get and then we test it out. And we have to do the lessons like oh man, just actually the terrible I gotta go back to the drawing board again. So you don’t have enough but um, but sometimes, you know, I’m willing to you know, learn from my mistakes and try to improve next time. 

Zeke: Got it. Got it. Full. Let’s get into your book. So let’s go The Black Traveler’s Guide To how do you say it (failed atempt at Daegu)

The Blerd Explorer:Daegu

Zeke: Daegu South Korea. Yeah. So we kind of do what people can expect from this guide?

The Blerd Explorer:Well, it should be just your typical travel guy they can find almost anywhere but I wanted to make them more personal and I also focus on just focus on black people African American because for most of us okay let me ask you this how many black people that you know personally got brought that wasn’t military?

Zeke: A couple of friends of mine.

The Blerd Explorer:A couple pretty small Okay. Okay. Usually people are asked about this used to be zero typically. But are you good? Like you’re pretty rare a time but again, it’s mostly good. When you look at travel content like travel tourism channels, YouTube blog posts, a lot of the consequences are white right? And you know, I mean there are some great content creators Don’t get me wrong, Allah Allah Allah good mind but sometimes obviously when it comes to travel, especially for Asia, East Asia politically, you know a wide person experiences can be completely different wipers Blackburn’s like now just to be clear, I was missing the book. Yes, all foreigners will get stared at it does have what the amount of series varies depending on your type your skin tone then it does have to ask you even a white person by present saying built age height airlink etc etc. a black person still making more looks than a white person is going to have no matter what. So this book I wanted to help those fishes by community who have never tried before especially with the black hole. You see a lot more black shallow, you know, IQ groups and stuff like that. These were good, which is great. I love it. But there’s still people who are a little bit hesitant who does don’t know either, so maybe this will help them feel more comfortable about traveling abroad, especially as a first time doing so. So in the book, I cover things what’s going on with you expect we know is like to be black president in Korea. I also this time. I love my first book. I actually did a little q&a session asked other black people in who lives in Korea and add them. Tell them stores or like what’s likely by Korea, their favorite city and things like that nature. And so everyone has their own stores or what they experience again, same store layout, people staring, some deer face, you know, some xenophobic moments but again is not really worth you know, crying, you know crying you know blowing out your phone all calling out racism all that bullshit. And also one thing I didn’t mention the book like how, in South Korea when you’re looking at a we walk around town people you know a bunch of stores and restaurants will be playing music all the time on on the speakers. Sometimes you will hear onset to hip hop like for example, you will hear what I heard while we played before on the speakers.

Zeke: So and people do they like do people understand like the music or the sound is just vibing by the sound?

The Blerd Explorer:I think by the sound cuz you know, you know western style music so obviously, you know, keep us pocket, of course, but you know, and Dana’s non Korea foreigner Westerners that Western style is going to be more popular. Yes. So I like to add in a book I’ve just, you know, cover different location, you go try like the police, you go hiking, different restaurants, you try downtown shopping areas, whatnot. I always like to say in a book I did mention shopping is great, and Daegu and pretty much in Korea and that main city, if you’re short and thin. Now, you got some weight on you. And then you’ve got a hard time. It’s just don’t bother shopping. If you’re getting tall, big and or tall. Don’t bother shopping. Just don’t waste your time on that.

Zeke: And quick question do cut your own hair or have someone cut your hair for you? 

The Blerd Explorer:I’m sorry.

Zeke: Do you cut your own hair?

The Blerd Explorer:Yes, I cut my own average. almost five years now.

Zeke: Cool. I was wondering,

The Blerd Explorer:That was at the time. Yeah, it was mostly due to the fact that I was living in the city at the time. And the only places where I know I could get some fun the barbershop that could come back here it was in city of Daegu, which I was has already raised here. So it’s good chance to find one. But the problem was at the time, it would take me at least three hours by bus to get there on a Saturday, plus Metro plus waiting in line to get a haircut and I was like, No, I’m not doing all that. So I said screw this. I’m gonna come on here. And also help there’s no black people in my other towns in my city I was looking into. And of course the me easily cut my own hair. So that way, if I mess it up, I can lie to my students say yes, this is a popular American hairstyle.

Zeke: Yes, we’ve been doing this all year. This is a new style.

The Blerd Explorer:As either you’re just following the trends and things that we do back home, and I just stay in my home for the next few weeks my hair grows back. 

Zeke: If one thing is very important. 

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah,

Zeke: Is your hairstyle.

The Blerd Explorer:Honestly, I think that’s Yeah, I’m doing anything fancy cuz I don’t have the time or the patience to learn how to do different, unique hairstyles and whatnot. In q2, it’s just not worth it for me. But yeah, I’ve been come out hair do a little buzzcut. Quick, easy.

Zeke: Nice. So yeah. Back to a book. So what kind of, so why did you choose like a book to be like the vehicle for your own, of like, sharing the knowledge?

The Blerd Explorer:I always do like writing. And I guess for me, because then that really time I normally mostly I’m not really big in being like YouTube right now. Like I’d be you know, in front of the camera all day, every day. I just like having more control, you know, when it comes to writing a book writing in general. Whereas, you know, if you make a mistake on a book, you guys easily be raised. You got to make it be raised and make mistakes and you know, put it back up, right? Whereas if I do YouTube video, if I make a mistake, I can’t take it out. It’s just there and I can do about it. And I feel it is more more of a strong outlet for me personally. As you know if I want to make views will make money on it. I could also you do YouTube for me. But again, right now I’m considering it, but it’s not something I’m really massively trying to get into. You know.

Zeke: Got it. Got it. Okay, so

The Blerd Explorer:I forgot to mention in the book view. Oh, yeah. In the book, too. I also mentioned things like even things that could turn black Like, high blood pressure, like a lot of Korean food does have a high sodium count. So if you have concern, you know, if you have to serve a sodium like blood pressure, high cholesterol, then you may want to consider to be Be careful about eating Korean food. And same thing with food allergies. Like if you have food allergies, like to various nuts, seeds, garlic, soy, and wheat, then you’re gonna have a hard time in Korea, probably Asia in general, really?

Zeke: Yeah, like a seafood allergy.

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah, they might have a problem too, because a lot of Korean dishes use like this sauce. They just cream but other Asian countries you can use like fish shots, fish paste to the dishes. It’s delicious, though. But um, unlike in the West, right? Because food allergies is not very common here. So no way to raise it up. We tried to warn, like the owners of the restaurant or franchise like they Hey, if you have like those allergy child cars, you feel like you charge them, Hey, I can’t eat. I can eat fish. I can’t eat, you know, nuts or seeds. There’s still good chance. And there’s cross examination regardless, like independent indication, like there’s our Boothbay harbor copying the cross contamination stuff. And everyone’s on various rated verticals like how he tried to tell the owner like, I have to just do nuts and nuts on the dish. Yeah, I mean, it’s possible to travel again, like I do make like, there are plenty, it was just McDonald’s. It’s a way you know, different other Western side restaurants, or you used to go cook your own meals at Airbnb, to make it easier if you do have food allergies.

Zeke: Right. Cool. But good to know, I will take a note of that myself.

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah. I mean, it’s possible to go to Asia. But if you got a food allergy, especially to nuts and eat seafood, you’re gonna have a hard time over there. as positive as just trying to find something to eat when you travel for brew, like you will struggle.

Zeke: Definitely. And then go back to when you find out how was the job process similar to like here in the States? So you just put the resume to an interview? And go there? from there?

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah, typically, yes. Now, my, for now, I’m in a public school sector. Usually there are programs and public school for people who want to apply for political jobs for the same government so like that. Now, mine was a last minute direct hire where I’m at right now. But usually, there’s an ESL recruiters who will post the ads online and the and of course you could apply you send an email to say, hey, I want to apply for this job number child number ABCD. And a no send the resume just anyway, they’ll send the resume out and your picture with the to the to the to the to boss or person to the employers and be like you then recruiters email you say hey, the interview and I’ll set up any time. And once it’s an interview, then if you pass this new contract, you sign the contract, and then you get a start date. Now I will admit the fortunate in Korea there is still a bit of bias there’s still a bit more preference to having a white teacher especially a white girl from America or Canada. Like I feel like everybody knows this. But uh, me for black people you still fight you are still able to find a job it will take a little bit longer time. Please don’t be sad if you don’t if you don’t hear anything or find anything. Of course right now because of COVID there’s been massive uptick of people trying to come to Korea you know because people losing jobs at the right time recording I don’t recommend trying to come to Korea if you think about teaching English in Korea. I will probably hold off for now for another year or two.

Zeke: Got it? I’ll just stack my money except my travel plans later. Yeah.

The Blerd Explorer:I was like my money. I gotta do better.

Zeke: It says you said earlier you go was like the stay after which is great. So it’s like you found your new home. How do you like your family feel about that today? Have any questions or are they just okay with it?

The Blerd Explorer:Like most families, you know do much cheesy in Korea. They had externs about North Korea. Yeah, of course, the news and of course I always say My mom told me if I wanted to travel I just joined the army go do that, please a stable and like no. If I want to travel on my own time, I need my own time to do that. And I tried to cover your life so I need to do my own thing you live your life as much as my neighbor about a year or two ago my sister was telling me one day how my family was asking asked her if I’m ever gonna move back to us she said hell no he’s not coming back issues right to me I’ll come back to visit y’all by stay over here a little bit and of course you know the scene Yeah. Yeah, and you know Muslim you know, have this evening I’m doing happy I’m doing been doing my best because I’m pretty sure I got some jealous cousins whatnot. Wanting to

Zeke: Be like that.

The Blerd Explorer:But yeah, I think overall they change their mind they see that more happier more competent stuff like that. So they’re not as harsh not as mad about it.

Zeke: Good. See ya. How was it with North Korea. Like what?

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah. Not worried. The way I see is like this, if you don’t see Korea screaming and running, then you kinda have to worry about

Zeke: Like, why they running aight cool something happened run yourself. No questions asked.

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah. Yeah, personally, I don’t think they’re gonna try to start trying to start shit like because they know like, least Kim Jong Un the leaders are all them they know like if they try a starship that grows that grows their power that goes there stricter control of the people. Yes. So for them it’s more like just trying like, all you’re gonna do is troll talk shit. And people send money in a to them. That’s it. But that’s just me though.

Zeke: Well, let’s see. Let’s hope it stays quiet?

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah, me.

Zeke: Yeah, so how do you like entertain yourself? 

The Blerd Explorer:Hmm. I started teaching m playing PlayStation switch reading going to the gym cooking baking occasionally. Also do like a lot of photography. Like take pictures go around the city take pictures. You see my Instagram at the blurbs for you see that? I do live photography uploads there. And of course I do a little bit writing occasionally too.

Zeke: Nice. Because it’s I got for soccer. The stuff was just soccer. Yeah, it was lions. White Tigers.

The Blerd Explorer:Okay, it’s pretty cool. 

Zeke: Yeah.

The Blerd Explorer:Very cool. What they custom made?

Zeke: No, Nike had made them last year. Cool. So what else? What else can I ask you about? So just thought about like, you could come back to the states that cup of some clothes real quick. And then head back on the visit,

The Blerd Explorer:Much after that kind of impose nice deodorant. Well, I can’t get over here. I’ll stack up on that. I’m gonna try to head back to Korea. And I was I guess with food to horse. Cooking. That’s it.

Zeke: Here this guy supplies, see how the family in the meantime, I’m just here to pack up some more suitcases and still, we bet

The Blerd Explorer:Pretty much that’s the plan. Take two big suitcases with me back up on them back

Zeke: As soon as like these new clothes out why now? Yep. That’s great. 

The Blerd Explorer:That’s the plan. 

Zeke: Before you and then you say you make a book. So the second series will come next in the book series.

The Blerd Explorer:Right now I’m thinking the highest number. So I think my next plan a plan is to actually write a whole book about the whole country. Now my gig more than a year so

Zeke: Got it. Got it. And then how’s like socializing in South Korea?

The Blerd Explorer:Mine people fine print COVID you know I would do like there’s different ways to meet other people obviously you know this bar even though the bar usually is always typical in every city is usually typically what we call the ex parte because this usually plays out all the foreigners gather around go drink usually in between days and days you know in different cities of course there’s different ways of paying whether you’re into like I do I do some Smash Brothers so I do I went through the torrent, you know various meetup places so that you know, people go go play smash, I’ll see Pokemon too, and also be ranked directly for time Ultimate Frisbee now, directly over here to the side of us a great way to meet people travel around the country, stock Korea and socialize so I used to do that a lot. So it’s pretty easy to socialize and meet people. He’s got feel depending on what your niche is where you’re into, or and usually there’s probably activity a group dedicated to that here in Korea, they finally say, as the ultimate frisbee you can see that there’s one for that. Right, it’s good some pre planned also using medium coffee shops too, and things like that late language exchange groups. So it’s pretty easy socialized. Now that’s where Xpress Korean, it can be a little bit challenging at times. Because obviously, some Koreans and Korean culture honestly, most don’t speak English. They don’t feel comfortable speaking English to foreigners, unless they’re professional. Don’t do one of those things that won’t look like you know, they feel Oh, they’re still look smart. They look impressive to speak English for foreigners to have a conversation. And sometimes in some cases, us most foreigners don’t want to hang out with friends a whole lot. It’s not because that is send the bad though. Sometimes. I seem like sometimes Koreans will just, you know, he could tell like they only using you as a foreigner. As like, Oh, he’s like the black friend car. Basically. They’ve come to foreigners in Korea. I mean, don’t get me wrong. There’s a missing link of people. One of them’s a really good friend of mine right now. We shoot her we hang out come to LA Times Talk Tuesday. But I was telling her sometimes. You got to be careful Koreans get sometimes. Again, it’s more just like a badge of honor. They look I have a foreigner friend, basically, to brag to their Korean friends. So.

Zeke: I think about 40 minutes, and here we go. We bring it to a close. So last question. I actually was what would you name your origin story?

The Blerd Explorer:My origin story. I’m not sure. I don’t know what to call it. But just the boy the guy wants to travel. Try out all the food. That’s my word store.

Zeke: Nice. Well, thank you again for joining the podcast. And be interested. 

The Blerd Explorer:Thank you very much for having me.

Zeke: No problem. And let people know where they can find the book when it’s out and everything like that.

The Blerd Explorer:Yeah, so the black shops guide to Daegu, South Korea, Daegu does da e g. au. And my first book the black tribes guide to Inchon Inchon. In China, South Korea. You can find both of these books on Amazon. They’re in eBook format only. You’ll find them on Barnes and Nobles. Apple books, too.

Zeke: Got it. And when is the second book coming out?

Zeke: Oh, there’s out right now. You can pick it up right now.

Zeke: Okay, cool. Great. Again, thank you and have a nice day. This stop recording.

Zeke: That brings another episode on Let’s Gather Podcast to a close. Again I like to thank the The Blerd Explorer for joining the podcast. This is the last episode for Season Five. You can find out more information about my next plans by listening to the closer episode which is also premiering today. I hope you continue to have a nice day and hope to see you there.

[Music]