Pipe Smoking in Korea, advice please

[johnbanther]

Hello,
I am going to Korea on 15 December to visit my girlfriend for a month (We met in Boston, lived in the Netherlands, but then she won a job in Korea, life of musicians can suck, but we've been together for 5+ years) and want to figure out the best way to travel with my pipes/tobacco.
There isn't much in Korea in terms of pipe smoking it seems, she said there is maybe a tobacco shop nearby (Daegu), but other than Seoul there won't be much.
I am ordering some Dunhill Nightcap/Flake to take along with my EMP, but I don't want this stuff to dry out. I don't smoke enough that I can just burn through a tin, and don't like the idea of spending a nice amount of money getting it to me (Dunhill is NOT available in the Netherlands!) and then have it dry out in tins while I am there. I keep my tobacco in jars here, and have the "plaid" roll up pouch, but that doesn't do anything it seems to keep it moist.
Any recommendations on traveling with tobacco? Recommendations on a pouch? Just use plastic baggies?

Anybody know about pipe smoking in Korea, is she right? I am going to be in the southern part in Daegu, but will go to Seoul at least once of course.
Thanks! cheers,

John
#edited the cursing out, apologies

 

[olderthandirt]

The snack size zip-lock baggies work well for traveling around for me.

I'm sure your looking forward to the reunion with your lady, have fun.

 

[johnbanther]

Ah, maybe it is possible to put the flake in a plastic bag inside the tin? I don't want the flakes to break up.
Thanks for the help, hopefully someone that visits Korea often can give some advice too.
cheers,

John

 

[buster]

I googled "pipe smoking Korea" and came up with this blog. It lists two shops. If you are just going for a month why not cary what you want to smoke and pack a tin or two in your check in bags?
http://koreapipeaficionadosociety.blogspot.com/?zx=13642fdbf5f3b105
I have a few Korean cook books and any culture that has soups specifically for hang over cures is OK by me! Easy on the soju that stuff can sneak up on you!

 

[johnbanther]

Thanks Buster,
That is all she was able to find in Korean as well.
I am very excited as Korean food is some of my favorite, and since she left last february to Korea, I haven't had any! Will need the soups as yes, Soju will be consumed

 

[philip]

I have no practical advice other than to say have a good time and take pictures.

 

[baronsamedi]

I spent a year in Korea back in the 90s and there isn't much you can't get in Dae Gu, Yongsan, or Osan Airbase. The shopping is vast and the PX system, especially in Osan is able to special order just about anything. That said, I'd I think Buster is spot on. Just take what you need.
There is also a tremendous temptation to bootleg liquor and baccy over there for ridiculous amounts of money. You'll have to let your conscience be your guide on that one. It's quite illegal. I wouldn't know anything about Bootlegging, though.

 

[judcole]

Zip locks are my preferred method method when I travel. ::

 

[buster]

Love korean food and discovered soju a few years back. We have a large Korean community just north of where I live. I go to the Korean market for those little rice cakes "Duk or dduk" and the spicy bean paste for making sauce and soup. Beef stew with daikon radish is some awesome comfort food!
I was on a Korean movie kick for a while. Man do they do horror and violent gangster movies or what!
If I was you I would bring a few pouches of PA or Captain Black to give as gifts if you meet another pipe smoker. Maybe a cob pipe or two as well? Not sure if Korea has the same gift giving traditions as Japan but it never hurts to make friends.
Have a safe trip and post some pictures.

 

[johnbanther]

Buster, duk bo gee (spelled several ways in English) is amazing!
I would seriously LOVE to try PA myself, but that and Captain Black are not available here in the Netherlands (though I have a half pouch of CBW still 1.5 years old).
Pipe tobacco availability is pretty poor here, (unless someone else can chime in otherwise, please do if I am wrong!), Dunhill isn't even available. Same with cobs, pretty rare here, and they are complete rubbish. I have a real MM that I smoke quite often, but just one.
I would also love to try Boswells Berry Cobler and many others! I think I need to act fast to see if they ship here before 15 December
Thanks for the advice, will bring extra to gift away.