It has been a really very long time since I have been away from residence this lengthy – October 2016 – after I spent a month of my final sabbatical in Tokyo [I just received word that I will be spending 3 months abroad x 2 over the next 1.5 years, but more on that later]. This time two weeks in South Korea and nearly per week in Denmark. The packing was not that difficult as it’s autumn in each locations, though Seoul and Busan have been determined
y hotter than Copenhagen and principally a lot drier.
I used to be in South Korea to do the following challenge’s first case research (effectively, mine, since Phil has already been touring for a few of his). After which I went to Copenhagen to current the outcomes to a bunch I had by no means met earlier than – the Worldwide Society of Army Scientists. There are some civ-mil individuals, but additionally strategists, navy tradition analysts and all kinds of issues. The trick is that the South Korean case was/isn’t simple to code or determine. I had good entry and had quite a lot of assist from a very good group of fixers/interpreters, however I have to spend extra time fascinated with the matter, speaking to consultants and studying extra. So the presentation was a bit difficult. But it surely went okay. Individuals at all times discover the challenge fascinating.
So as a substitute, let me evaluate the 2 excursions:
- Prices (meals, taxi): Prices: South Korea. Copenhagen is just a really costly place, and Seoul/Busan isn’t. I saved doing the alternate price math right here in Copenhagen and saved freaking out just a little.
- Biking hazard: Denmark. So quiet, so many.
- Availability of bomb shelters, emergency tools: South Korea
- Simple for the linguistically disabled: Denmark. I’ve no inhibitions
ns there about talking English, as everybody solutions in type thus far. Additionally the alphabet is identical with some odd wanting o’s so I can determine loads. Not a lot in Korea. - Climate: South Korea. A lot drier and hotter.
- Climbing: Busan > Copenhagen > Seoul. All three locations are unbelievable, however I have been to Copenhagen a number of occasions earlier than and to Seoul as soon as earlier than, so the novelty wins right here.
- Meals: I saved discovering Indonesian meals in Korea, in order that’s a win proper there.
- Sleep: oops. Not nice both manner. Jet lag plus troublesome to manage room temperatures and people duvets that imply both sizzling or chilly and nothing in between.
- Oh, and flying my most well-liked airline is definitely higher than not. The Lufthansa flight from Seoul to Munich was about so long as the flight from Newark to Japan, however it was econ, no plus, that means no seat till the reckless individual in entrance of me determined to repeatedly slam his seat so far as it may. stroll, hit my knees and bounce my ipad off my little desk. Shit seats are shit seats whatever the airline, however when I’ve a little bit of standing I can a minimum of get these valuable two or three inches that make all of the distinction. Once I fly, I am at all times grateful that I am not tall.
I am sorry I missed the Vimy gala when Jacqui O’Neill rocked exhausting, and whereas her speak wasn’t aimed toward undoing the harm finished by final 12 months’s harsh speaker, it was nonetheless a wonderful tonic. Humorous what occurs once you take the choice making out of the palms of the previous boys community.