Life in Danyang

I realized after talking to my Mom that I haven't explained or even introduced anything about where I live.  Let's do that now.

I live in the middle of Korea in a small town called Danyang.  Danyang is located in Chungbuk province.  Chungbuk province is the only land locked province in Korea.

Chungbuk is the dark teal province in the middle that is shaped kind of like a crescent and is lacking the ability to touch the ocean.

This map shows where Danyang is within Chungbuk.  It is about 2 hours from the largest city within Chungbuk province and also just over 2 hours from Seoul.  

The little red dot shows where Danyang city is within Danyang county.  The dot really gives you a feel for what the town is like.

Chungbuk is broken up into multiple counties and my county is called Danyang.  Actually, my county is called Danyang-gun, but no one says that.  The town is officially called Danyang-eup, but everyone just calls it Danyang.  

Danyang has about 30,000 people and roughly 1 billion cars.  Seriously.  There are cars everywhere.  I have no idea why because the town is super small and most people could walk everywhere.  But there are lots of cars everywhere all the time.  

The town has two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.  There are a few small grocery stores, many convenience stores, an open market that sells produce and other various items on the dates with a 1 or a 6, and two burger places.

The town is divided into two parts, Sangjin and Dojeon.  I live in Dojeon but everyone just calls it Danyang since it's the main part of town.  I actually call it Danyang Proper, but I'm the only one who does this.  There is one main road that runs through town and curves around the mountain.  

This is a common map of Danyang.  Adorable, no?

Danyang is a bit of a tourist town for Koreans and on the weekends many people come to visit.  The town is located next to a river and in the mountains so people come to walk along the river and see the sights.  There are caves nearby, some giant rocks in the river that are cool, and a site of the former castle of the founder of Danyang, a man who used to be a fool but then went on to save Korea and marry a princess (or something like that).  It's actually all very cute and I like it a lot.  There are bikes to ride along the river, an amphitheater on the river, a windmill, and a rose walk.  The rose walk is especially really pretty because they have put metal arches over the walkway and then have grown rose bushes over it.  Come spring time I will be able to walk through a tunnel of roses!!  

The river walk is also decorated with multi-colored LED lights.  Guys.  It is so awesome.  I like walking down there at night and just seeing all the lights change color.  

Do not be scared about me walking around at night.  Korea is super safe.  Danyang especially.  There is like zero crime here.  And businesses in Korea stay open until like midnight on weekdays so everyone is out and about anyways.  It's totally fine.  

Overall I really like living in Danyang.  Everyone is very nice and friendly and incredibly welcoming.  And because it's small and in the middle of the country, it reminds me of Iowa a little bit.  How cute is that?!