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Blogs from Gangwon-do, South Korea, Asia - page 6
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April 19th 2009
Spring in Gangwon-Do is definately here and while the flowers bloom the insects awaken my smile and mood is elevating daily. The long Korean winter had a huge effect on my motivation and mood in general and I had almost forgotten what it felt like to walk outside without a coat and scarf! I finally opened the box of summer clothes I had been storing under my bed for months and months and swaped those for the scarfs, hats, ear warmers and knee high socks! It felt good to pack away winter - at least for now. I am definately a warm weather creature - I'd much rather be too hot than too cold. Koreans are very interesting to watch when it comes to weather and temperature. During winter they pump the heating 24/7 and the ... read more
April 15th 2009
April 15 So today I hit Busan. Dana dropped me off at the bus station and I took the short 1and 1/2 ride down. The first thing I did was go to the center of town to mail my guard application. Well see if it makes it home before I do or not. Haha then I walked around a little bit just to busans needle like tower. I opted not to go up though because it was pretty hazy and nasty out. I didn't think I'd see much. Then I headed to Hae-unde beach. When I was getting out of the subway a guy started talking to me and even gave me 10cents because I was short on coins when I got out. He was nice. He pointed me in the direction of the beach and ... read more
April 8th 2009
So there I was thinking that I had absolutely nothing to write cause its been winter and I keep saying I haven’t been up to much, next thing I look at all the photos I have managed to accumulate and I think perhaps slack is the best word to describe my lack of blog entry! Wow where has the time gone, it’s already a week into April, complete madness. I’m sorry if this turns into an a flurry of new inserts all at once resulting in an epic read but here begins the first part of my report back on life in the Republic over the last 4 month! Wow six months in and my time here hasn’t seised to be interesting. I arrived back from a brilliant holiday from a ramshackle 3rd world country with ... read more
March 30th 2009
This past November, some friends and I took a bus from Seoul (서울) to Sokcho (속초시) to visit the famous Soraksan Nature reserve (설악산천연보호구역). At the time, many people had been visiting the park because it is said that the fall season is the most beautiful time to visit. The fall foliage was vibrant and striking with all sorts of colors - luscious red, luminous yellow, carrot orange and a mix of earthy greens and browns. The air was fresh and clean, a nice change from the smog of Seoul. The first thing we did was take a cable car up to the tallest mountain called Sorak Mountain. I am afraid of heights so it was a little terrifying for me to ride the cable car. But it was a neat experience because the scenery was ... read more
March 25th 2009
Setting foot in any national park there is usually an ‘aha’ moment when you realize why this particular parcel of earth is designated so valuable we need to hoist it to a higher pedestal than that of, let’s say, a pig lot. The national park system, setting aside your philosophy on how they are or should be managed, is one on the great inventions the United States has shared with the world. With that in mind, and with countless recommendations by the locals, Cass and I and a couple of other friends (the irony is they’re Canadian), Jason and Rachel, went to go see what the 'best of the Korean best' was all about. We got up early, left our bags with one of the most hospitable hostel owners I’ve ever met in Sokcho (House Hostel ... read more
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February 27th 2009
Hello everyone!! Another month, another entry! So, February is an interesting time of transition for the school system here. On the second week of February, school commenced again and then a week and a half later it was finished and spring break started. Many English classes were canceled, and I started to forget I was a teacher (I kid). Just before the spring break I found out that my new co-teacher was an amazing teacher from Jangsu (the school I went to on Fridays). I was so excited because I knew her and she is a fantastic teacher and wonderful person. She also happens to have very good English, which is even more amazing because she has never lived in an English speaking country. I also found out that my original co-teacher was leaving the school. ... read more
Ski Korea - Yong-Pyong Resort
Published: February 8th 2009Asia » South Korea » Gangwon-do » Yongpyeong
February 7th 2009
We took a bus to Gangneung from Chuncheon and had been told the shuttle bus was right outside the intersity bus terminal, there was no sign though but the bus came and we eventually got to the resort. We had booked into the hostel onsite for 11,000 won a night per bed. We checked in and then took a walk around the resort. The resort was not as modern as we were expecting, there was not that many places to eat. In the main building there was a Family mart and a Bueno Pizza restaurant (charging 30,000 for a pizza). There was also a dining hall style place with food court style stalls but they were never open in the 4 days we spent there. The internet cafe had reasonable rates of 3000 won an hour. ... read more
January 19th 2009
I went to Gangwon-do, south Korea to refresh my mind and body that had been exhausted by kids on this semester. now, I am on winter vacation-from 31st, Dec. 2008 to 4th, Feb.2009-. whenever I set free from elementary school kids, I used to travel here and there, around Korea. It is my vacation time that I looking for on my semester. It make me refresh my exhausted my mind and body due to struggle with elementary school kids. I had a good time at Yongpyoung ski ground, Gangwon-do with my some alumni(my old boys) for 2 nights 3days, from 14th Jan. 2009 to 16th Jan. 2009. I enjoyed the highest level slope for high level skiers for the first time. It took 8 years to conquer the highest level slope for high level skiers ... read more
January 13th 2009
The much awaited Ice fishing festival has begun here in Hwacheon. The festival runs form January 10th - 27th. So what is it? Well the frozen river of Hwacheon becomes the site for millions of people to have a go at fishing through holes in the ice. You just buy or bring a fishing rod (they are being sold for 2000 won at the festival) and find a hole in the ice that isn't already being used and - well wait for a hungry Sancheoneo fish to come along! There is a stage arena which when I was there had five singing and dancing Soju bottles. The festival luckily has much more than the ice fishing - if like me you are opposed to catching a fish and then letting it writher in pain for 5 ... read more
January 8th 2009
Now that it's winter holidays and I'm only teaching 1.5 hours a day, I guess I can finally update my blog! So, let's rewind to the beginning of December. Tali arrived December 8th and after finding her way on the bus to my place, we went to get candy for my children. It's all about the children I tell ya. Oh and side note: we also ate a million rice cakes. Tali went to sleep along with me shortly after and all was peaceful. I was happy to have my other half here. Little did I know that this was NOT going to last. After the first couple of nights, she started staying up later and later until...basically, she's been going to bed when I get up for work. Doing what you ask? Talking to a ... read more
