Aka Aurora's Tales

Well, it's been more than 6 months I live in a place that I just dreamed about when I was a kid. I dreamed someday I can live in Korea. Because of the drama and the Kpop music that I've watched and listened to, well, here I am now. On 2013, I got a chance to study Korean language in a small university in Chungnam-do. Staying in Korea is actually not an easy matter, but it's always being so fun. It's been 6 months I stay here but everything is still so interesting. During these past six months, I've been traveling to some great places in Korea and also experiencing Korean cultures. I've been to Seoul, Danyang, Jeonju, Daejeon, etc. I also experienced temple stay, attending the lantern festival, playing samulnori, cooking bibimbab, and making a pottery. It was really fun !!

Since I love Korea so much, I enrolled myself to ibuzzkorea ( which is a part of Korea Tourism Organization website ) where I can share everything about Korea and my experiences in Korea. I got so many inspirations to write about Korea by browsing around ibuzzkorea.  One day when I went back to Jakarta, my hometown, I found out about ' Thank You Gift ' Event which is held by ibuzzkorea and Korea Tourism Organization. So every foreigners who come to Korea in a certain period can redeem a printable voucher which is available in the ibuzzkorea's website. The foreigners who will redeem their vouchers have to show their passports or Alien Registration Cards ( ARC ). Without the passport or ARC, the voucher cannot be redeemed. The voucher can be redeemed in Shilla Duty Free Shop, Seoul

So since I printed my voucher, I willed to take my gift in Seoul. Fortunately, I got a chance to go to Seoul for attending an audition. Of course, before I I went back to Chungnam-do, I spared my time to go to Shilla Duty Free Shop. I took subway from Hongdae to Dongguk University. Then I went out from Exit 4. In front of the Exit 4, I saw a shuttle bus of Shilla Hotel. From the information that I got, I can ride a shuttle bus to Shilla Hotel which stops in front of the Exit 4 of Dongguk University  subway station. The bus brought me passing by the Shilla Hotel then finally I arrived at the Shilla Duty Free Shop. I saw a big banner of Shilla Duty Free Shop with TVXQ members as their brand ambassadors.When I arrived, I saw a big group of tourists from China fulfilling the main entrance and blocking my way to go inside. I struggled a bit to go inside >,< 

Regard to the direction in the voucher, I should redeem the voucher in the Gift Desk of Shilla Duty Free Shop in the Basement 1 Floor. So I went there and easily found where to redeem my voucher. The redeem process didn't take a long time. I needed 3-4 minutes to redeem it. The staffs can speak English, Chinese, and Japanese, so don't worry if you're going to redeem your voucher but you cannot speak Korean. First, they asked me to show my passport or ARC and my voucher. Second, Identitiy Check. They will check your passport number written in your passport and your voucher. Third, Identitity Input. They will input our data in the computer and once again checking your ID. Fourth, Receiving the gifts. After identity checking and input, you can get your gift. Yay, I finally got my tumbler and also Shilla Duty Free Shops voucher worth 15.000 won. 

I was so thankful to Korea Tourism Organization and ibuzzkorea for appreciating the tourists who come to Korea. Hopefully in the other occasion, there would be other interesting events for every travelers who come to Korea. Thank you for the Thank You Gift you've given. I will enjoy Korea more and more. Of course, it would be my unforgettable experience to live in a great country like Korea. Once again, thank you!

Nonsan-si, Chungnam-do, October 17th, 2013

Faradyzka Aurora

Shilla Duty Free Shop, Seoul : 

202, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 동호로 249 (장충동2가)

or

go out of Exit 4 and take Shilla Hotel shuttle bus.

Website. www.shilladfs.com