If you need to grab breakfast in a hurry, buy a new handbag or shoes, or get some groceries on your way home, you can likely achieve you aim down at your local subway station. One of my favorite foods in Korea is Ddeokbokkie, which is a spicy rice cake; there's a vendor at the station closest to my dorm who knows me very well. I always get the same order, and sometimes, they start preparing it as I am walking up because I go there so often!
It's not all glamorous though. During morning and evening rush hour, all forms of transportation are standing room only. And, as my friends here will tell you, elderly ladies, who are called Ahjummas, are not afraid to push you while you are moving about in the subway or on the bus. If you're in their way, they WILL move you. And they won't say "excuse me"! Koreans, in general, will not apologize if they bump into you. Its very common to bump and jostle about and not say excuse me or apologize or even look at the person you just collided with. Younger people may take time to look back, but they may only slightly bow their heads in response. Just this weekend, I went to a parade being held for Buddha's birthday, and I was standing in an insanely long line waiting to order some street food. While I was standing in line, an Ahjumma snuck up on me and pushed me into a ballerina spin as she crossed the intersection. I hadn't even seen, or heard, her coming! There was a couple directly behind me who saw the whole thing and they just shrugged and said she must be in a hurry. I suppose when you're older, time is of the essence...
I hope I answered any questions you all might have about what it is like to travel around here.
