To begin with, who is interested in going on retreat to Busan next weekend?
KTX = approximately 103,000 won. Departing Saturday morning, returning Sunday afternoon.
NOTE: Non-Seoulites! I will post details as to which train we are getting when we are booked; if you would like to join us, grab seats on the same train if you can =) We would love to meet you all!
Accommodation = either arrange your own, or we can try to arrange for a communal-style thing in an apartment or minbak.
That one depends on how many people are interested in coming.
Agenda: To word war with our brethren in Busan and prove ultimately which region's pen/keyboard is mightier! I will provide the word war prizes =) Also plans are to sample local specialties in food and beverage, do a spot of sightseeing (visit the aquarium etc).
So, rolecall! Who's in?
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36,060 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 09 37
I keep making plans for November! I'm going to be busy that weekend, unfortunately. And I would like to see Busan before I leave Korea...
54,069 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 16 49
I will know by this weekend's write in. I'd love to go to Busan, but I have to nail down a few other things first.
----------32,848 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 17 07
I'm in, of course, but I'm passing up a good friend's birthday party to go :(
----------Seoul Writers
Korea NaNo Group on Facebook
28,334 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 17 08
103,000 own?? Really? Damn that's expensive. I was expecting something more like 50,000.
I'll have to get back to you on it. I don't know if I can spring for 206,000 won (with my girlfriend coming) plus hotel fees and whatnot on top of that. I'd really like to go, though.
37,138 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 17 15
There's always the slow train. It's roughly half the cost but also twice as long (6hrs+).
----------An interesting experience though a not particularly exciting one...
"The feathers come first / then flight" -WS Merwin
32,848 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 17 28
Express buses too. Cheaper but slower.
----------Seoul Writers
Korea NaNo Group on Facebook
13,054 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 19 16
Clodagh and I are interested in heading down to Busan, but it's going to be dependent on our finances. The accomodation will need to be very affordable.
If you guys do end up opting to organise some shared accomodation, we'd but up for that, obviously depending on cost.
If we do end up sorting our own hotel, what area of Busan is best to go for? I don't know the city at all, but when I've searched for hotels online, they seem to be very spread out, so I've no idea which would be right area to be close to all NaNoing activity.
37,138 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 19 24
I tend to use the same motel every time. It is a love motel, but it's well kept and they've never complained about people sharing rooms. It's convenient as it's close to the train station (exit the train station, take a hard right, walk down the alley past the food tents and it's on your left). It's not convenient if you want to spend your time close to Haeundae, but there's always the train.
----------One note about Busan, the subway is looooooong. Haeundae and a number of western hangouts are way out there. So where you stay should take where you'll be meeting into consideration...
"The feathers come first / then flight" -WS Merwin
16,109 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 04 27
I'm up for going !
71,010 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 15 23
I bring word from the Busan crew! =)
From DoubleKross (Chloe):
I scheduled our weekly write-in for that week at Nampo-dong Starbucks in anticipation of your visit. It's a big, 3-story one, so I think as long as you've got no more than 15 people we should all be able to find tables close together. If you've got much more than that, I'll have to try to figure something else out. Nampodong is also the site of a big, huge outdoor market, (Busan Tower and park and Ancient Instruments museum is also there) and the SB is also right across the street from Jagalchi Fish Market, so if you guys want to do a bit of sight-seeing, it's all right there.
As for Busan specialties, I guess raw fish would be the main one, and there are plenty of those type of restaurants at Jagalchi. (Also, a few western restaurants in Nampodong for those that might not want to try the raw fish)
This sounds like a good option. How much is it per room?
The reason I am opting for the KTX as opposed to the slower options is that it seemed logical to get there in the morning and have time to do some sightseeing before we write, and then have time the next day to do sightseeing before heading back. If you would prefer to take another mode to get down there and meet up later, feel free to post details =)
71,010 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2009 - 04 54
For those interested, I have tickets booked for the 8:20am train from Seoul Station going to Busan on Saturday, and the 1pm train coming back on Sunday. I believe Chris has tickets booked for two hours later going both ways =)
Non-Seoul-ites - feel free to join us! This might be a bit easier to get to for some of you and it would be great to meet you!
30,542 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2009 - 03 32
Hi all,
I will probably be leaving from Cheonan with my sister, so in the event that we are on a train that already has some people on it from Seoul and people want to sit together, we are thinking of taking the 10:30 out of Cheonan (the train number is 119).
Tonia~
37,138 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2009 - 15 43
@Kindergoth: sorry it took me so long to reply -- I didn't see the post. :/
----------The motel was the standard 40k (for most of the country outside of Seoul) but with 1k won kimbab now 1500, I suspect motel prices might have risen?
I also remember staying in a few in (or near) Haeundae for the PIFF, and those seemed reasonably priced as well, though curiously decorated.
I'd like to make it down myself, but other wise I'll come to the gangnam meetup. Actually go ahead and put me down for gangnam for sure.
"The feathers come first / then flight" -WS Merwin
13,054 / 50,000
Nov 10, 2009 - 20 37
Clodagh and I won't make it to Busan this weekend after all - we really need to start putting money aside for New Zealand next month. But we will see everyone at Gangnam at 5pm on Sunday! :)
32,848 / 50,000
Nov 11, 2009 - 20 04
For those planning to go to Busan, I will be leaving from Seoul Station on the 9:50 KTX. This is the 119 train, arriving in Busan at 12:47. Because I am a proud member of the bourgeois, I am riding first class ;)
Let me know if you are on this train; I promise not to scoff too loudly at your proletariat seats.
At the moment, I'm scheduled to leave Busan at 3, but I'm going to try to change that.
----------Seoul Writers
Korea NaNo Group on Facebook
6,267 / 50,000
Nov 12, 2009 - 22 03
Yep, I'm going to Busan as well. Leaving today (Friday) will be there in Busan this evening. I'm going to do a jimjilbang tonight. Tomorrow night, I'll be cutting out a little early and visiting my folks. If anyone in Busan wants to get together and write, let me know. I'll be visiting a starbucks and checking my mail every so often. Or call me.
71,010 / 50,000
Nov 13, 2009 - 18 54
This is a little late but I hope it helps - the write-in today is in Nampo-dong. Nampo-dong station, exits 1 or 3. Facing the fish markets, walk right. Pass the sign for Yongusan Park and a couple of entrances to Nampodong market. Starbux will be on your right. Busan is sunny and warm! I think I might stay here...!
BTW I made it to tthe hotel listed above and noone was at the desk... tried calling the number and still nothing. If anyone else is interested in staying at the same place I am at the Gwangjang Tourist Motel. Hard right as you come down the steps at Busan Station, cross the street and it's on the corner. 45,000 for a double room.
37,138 / 50,000
Nov 13, 2009 - 19 24
I guess it's a new cost cutting measure, making sure there's no on earound to check people in. :(
----------"The feathers come first / then flight" -WS Merwin