Don't have any expectations about Busan

Busan in the Morning 🌅

Busan seems to love fireworks. How do I know? I was woken up multiple times last night by fireworks on the beach. 01:00? 02:00? How about 03:00? It doesn't matter. The young people take advantage of the night to take low-flying fireworks photos with the book in the background. At least the constant sound of the waves compensates for it, this accommodation was a good choice.

I set off, it's drizzly, on the way to the bakery by the beach it stinks. Arriving at the beach, I experience a little surprise. I assumed that the thing with Expo 2030 was a done deal. To my surprise, I now realize: 'They're just a candidate!' 😲
 Besides Busan, Rome, Odessa, and Riyadh are also on the list.

Bread ≠ Bread 🍞

If you grew up in Germany, you have, among other things, had the great fortune of experiencing good bread and the associated breakfast culture. Yes, yes, says the intermittent faster, who rarely enjoys a good breakfast. 😅
It's all the more unfortunate when you would like exactly that in a distant foreign country. 'Oma's Brötchen - German Bakery' is basically just what is quite common here. A boulangerie. Yes, boulangerie is translated as 'bakery', but it is the French art of baking. Have fun finding something that isn't sweeter than jam. In addition, they usually only open at 10:00 a.m., some not until 12:00 p.m. Only the one I enter is already open at 08:30 a.m. Here are some hardcore early risers at work.

I have breakfast, change clothes, and set off on a little hiking trip to get a bit into nature and visit a temple. On the way there, I come across a strange vehicle. It looks funny, I suspect it's mail. Turns out, it's the 'Yakult Auntie'. Maybe I should introduce her to the German equivalent, our Bofrost uncle. 😁

Hikable 🚶‍♂️

I take the metro into the mountains and come across another detail that I can't get used to. Busan has a problem with its air quality, I've already noticed that. But also indoors? In the metro stations, I am also shown the indoor air quality. Wow, very inviting.... not.

After a small steep hike, I finally get out of the city. At least halfway. Finally nature and bird chirping. In the distance, I see the high-rise buildings that look as if a ruler has been placed at the top.

After a short time, I come across a small temple. I hesitate for a moment, then enter the premises. It doesn't take five seconds and I'm already outside again, my hesitation had a reason. This facility seems equally forbidding as the first one I visited here. It's just there, decaying, and we're not allowed to tear it down. That's how it comes across to me.

So I continue. I walk up a small path, even here there are CCTV cameras. I saw on KakaoMap that you can also access some of these cameras on the internet. Strange.

I keep walking up and suddenly hear a strange growl or purr, and then something that sounds like a cat. I look around and realize with surprise: It's a crow.

After a damn steep climb, I finally reach the top of the temple. And behold, for once I'm not disappointed. I had expected this temple to have a similar effect on me as the previous two, despite the pictures. In this respect, I was not disappointed. Well, all good things come in threes, I tried it. It's time for a descent, I still have work to do later.

On the way down, I chat with Judith.

'But how was it again?
Happiness is skillful expectation management.'

Yup, how fitting. I can confirm that. I learn that I can only expect something if there has been clear communication and agreement between two parties. That is possible between people. Not between a person and an environment or city.
Everything outside of agreement are expectations. And there is a good reason why it comes from the word 'waiting'. Because sometimes you wait forever for fulfillment.

Love it. Change it. Leave it.