Korea 2015 - 2016 January

KOREAN FACT

Korea has a unique housing rental system called Jeonse, which is very unusual for most foreigners. Instead of paying a monthly rent, the tenant hands over a large sum of deposit money, sometimes as much as 50 percent of the housing price, to the homeowner. The owner puts the money into a bank account to earn interest, invest in stocks, or do whatever he or she wants. The tenants get back the full amount of the deposited money when the contract ends.

This system has been popular as the high interest rate guaranteed the homeowner an income equivalent to monthly rent, without worrying about the delayed payments by the tenants, who were happy to get the full deposit money back when the contract expires.

An increasing number of people, however, are turning to monthly rent these days due to falling interest rates.

US

In one week we will be home.  We are busy saying goodbye to old friends and new.  We always feel sad at this time.

We have had a wonderful time -- again --- in a fascinating country.  We thank all those old friends/family we have met again.  We are overjoyed with our new friends/family.  Actually in a country that is confusing, physically beautiful, exciting, rich in food, art and history and yet ultra-modern  --  the best part is the people.

Anybody interested in volunteering here?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ia8QGZA78U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7sUWmdwj4M

Thanks for reading.

R & A