Procuring Supplies for the Year and TekBae (택배)

My second Camp Instructor at Camp the Program, Kiehl C., was generous enough to offer me his bike and his cell phone, including accessories, so I won’t not have to buy them when I arrive in the hamlet. Of course, he is asking for some money in return—a cool $75, $50 for the bike and $25 for the phone—but it is a mere pittance compared to what it would cost out in the hamlet. The bike is a 15-speed road bike, something I’ve been coveting for a couple of years now, and comes with tire repair kit, tools, helmet, water bottle, and lights. It does not include the pedals and seat, however, which he is taking to America with him as the pedals have clips specially fitted for his shoes and the seat is Italian leather/Kevlar and cost $200 alone. I will spend maybe 20,000 won for my pedals and seat. The bike itself was about $500 retail. Kiehl also taught me how to repair the inner tubes for the tires, something which will come in handy because road bikes inflate to very high pressures and thus can generate leaks fairly easily.

To get this item to the hamlet, I will be using a Korean courier service called TekBae. This service will get any item anywhere on the peninsula next day. (2-day service for islands off the coast). The amazing part? It only costs 10,000 won (about $10). To ship a bike. Is your mouth on the floor? Mine was.