First Night In. First Night Out.

As I look out the 40-story counterparts of my hotel-like apartment, I realize I am seeing it in the light of day for the first time. The narrow corridor between the main apartment and outside -- like and enclosed balcony -- is filled with light. The sun is way up, and it's almost noon. My head hurts and it pulsates with every footstep. Last night, after dinner, I was somehow convinced to go into Hongdae.

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I got of the plane and went to the rendezvous point, where I was greeting by a smiling tiny man. He tried with all his might to lift my bag, but eventually he physically suggested we carry it together. I got in the taxi, which looked like a cheap nightclub on the inside. The checkerboard vinyl was peeling off the walls and the leather cushioning on the ceiling might have prevented injury, but so would a seatbelt.

I arrived at my apartment and everyone was outside to greet me, including the director. As we walked through the door, I stepped into the room to take my boots off. I was not supposed to do that and Mr. Kwak was shocked I stepped out of the shoe area. He stayed for a little while, but departed shortly and I was left with my coworkers. After telling me they wear their shoes inside all the time, they asked what I wanted to do, and we resolved to go to the rotisserie duck house and have some beer.

The food was delicious and cooked right in front of you. I tried kimchi for the first time and it was pretty good. Definitely not great, but good and spicy. The duck and onion lettuce wrap was really good. Instead of going back home, we decided to go out and meet Mike in Hongdae, the area around Hongik University where most of the students party. Tony did not tell me that it was a 40 minute bus ride, and we drank a lot of beer. Ben suggested I pee out the back window, but I peed in my mostly empty beer can. Turns out there was more beer in it than I thought, and I quickly filled it and was overflowing on the floor of the bus. Within minutes there was a grid of urine covering the floor. I was pretty nervous as it rolled right by the driver.

We got down to Hongdae and went to The Ho Bar, which was on top of Ho III Bar, which was on top of Ho Ten Bar. We went clubbing at a few places. One of which had bars running throughout solely for the purpose of dancing on the bar. There were people everywhere.