Blogs from South Korea, Asia
Kannons engraved into Busan hillside
Annyeong from South Korea! After a tax-related disasterous exit from Japan we 'beetled off' to South Korea on a hydrofoil. Hmm, thats an INTERESTING mode of transport on your tummy. Although the crew on the port all stood in uniform and waved us off with hats in hand making me feel like the queen so all is forgiven! Had a good old potter in Busan going to Seomyeon beach (Managed to wear mearly one jumper and my coat - woohoo!) fun fair, lighthouse, multiple visits to Paris Baguette cafe, and some good walks. Started to dawn on us quite how much people love to hike. I dont mean a normal passion, but an obsession requiring the purchase of every known gadget and piece of apparel on the market. For our walk around Geumgang Park to see ... read more
Hard to imagine that one day can find you in one location, living a certain way of life, and the very next can find you 4,000 miles across the world, just making a pitstop before going the other 2,000 and starting a whole new way of life. That's why we have planes, Skype, and all that wonderful technology. And that's where I'm at now, in life, in the world. For the time being, I can enjoy myself (and try to let go of bits of the past while I'm at it) here in Korea. I need to remember how to be adventurous and spontaneous and all of that fun stuff again. That's why I have China though. It'll be the new experience I need. It's also why I have good friends though. Gosh, so many people ... read more
The whole crew together!
We’ve been planning and anticipating it for months. The whole family together in Korea! And, adding even more joy to our gathering this year, we are joined by 3 more young adults who are special to our family. There was much excitement and a bit of anxiety. Will they all manage to navigate the requirements of flying here on their own? Indeed, it required 4 waves of trips to the airport just to pick them all up. Will all 6 of them fit into our “apartment for 2”? Will we manage to stock enough food to feed them all? Will we really find enough to do that fits everyone’s interests? Will all of our pre-arranged activities go off smoothly? Will we all manage to stay healthy for the duration? Will we ever sleep??? In short: yes, ... read more
Snow in Seoul!
I have a lot to catch up on here but I will start with the first eventful...er...event...that has happened to me recently. On January 24th, 2012 I had my first all-day date. My boyfriend thought it would be so much fun to meet up at 9am. 9....am....on my day off. Who thinks of such things, right? But I complied. Falling out of bed at 8:30 I got all ready and walked to the subway. It was one of the coldest days I have ever experienced. Just walking 5 minutes made my face burn with cold. Once I reached Joseph, he assured me that we would be inside the whole day, as the mall and surrounding places were connected. Was very happy at this thought. After a relaxing subway ride that lasted maybe half an hour, we ... read more
My apologies for the lack of updates lately. I need to do some legit catch up on here, but I'll at least start with some point form of what I've been up to. had a wonderful birthday. My students brought me gifts, and I had a really fun night out with some of my teacher friends. We went to the local pub, and then went to the basement of that building for some noraebang (karaoke). It was a late night, but it was a blast! The next morning came really early when it came to teaching. I was grateful that it was a lighter teaching day for me. went into Bundang last Saturday with Griff for date night. We went to an American place called Suji's, so I could enjoy a western-style brunch. I'd been craving ... read more
My last blog promised information on soju, possibly the most dangerous drink known to man kind. Well lets be honets it comes a close second to pear Black Rat Cider. So this blog is all about food food food!! I should state at this point that I am in no way a 'foodie'. In fact I'm the complete opposite, most likely due to the fact that I'm still a recovering vegetarian (a terrible, terrible disease I battled for twenty-one years!!). But in Korea life is all about in what amazing form the next meal appear! Its not just me Ed and Goeun are the same. One of the main reasons for this may be the cold. Finding a resturant (espically one with a BBQ in the middle of the table) offers a chance to feel ones ... read more
Busan at Night
Time for an update I think. As all the weird things that happen are starting to become normal, it seems I have less things to report, but here's the top news from the last couple of weeks. School is the same old same old really. Kids are still crying and fighting all the time, but it's amazing how much they can cheer you up if you're having a bad day! The latest addition to my baby class is Jerome. He is the youngest yet, only 2! But he isn't phased by me at all, he just finds everything really funny. I asked him how he was the other day and he started hitting himself in the face while roaring with laughter. I guess that means he's OK. I left him to it anyway. It was phone ... read more
Hwacheon Ice Festival
Ranked in the top 3 winter festivals in Korea, Hwacheon Ice Festival is popular among Koreans and foreigners alike. For the past 7 years, thousands of people have flocked to Hwacheon to attend this chilly festival and this year it was my turn. First things first – Hwacheon is in Gangwon Do province (yes the one I live in!) which is known for its deep winter freeze. Saying it’s cold is an understatement – rather it chills you to the bone and even when you're wearing 2 pairs of socks, 5 jumpers (or jackets) AND boots you can still feel the cold. On the plus side, festivals like this one help all us waygooks make the most of the chilly weather, and keep our minds off the cold. We arrived and instantly found ourselves amused by ... read more
Here gos my first blog. I am sat in a cafe very near to where I am staying. The cafe is in no way 'Korean' but its the third time I've been here so I have got quite a repore with one of the waitdresses. Plus the coffee is great! What to tell you about Seoul?Well, its bloody freezing!For the next five and a half months I suspect I will be complaining about th heat but right now I am constantly cold! Why then is this blog intitled 'the city of warmth'? The people. Koreans are the warmest, kindest people I have ever met. I first expirenced this while attempting to get from the airport to Hwajeong (where my friend Ed lives and my Korean home!). By this point I had not slept for over 24 ... read more
" I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you" In the movie Taken,Liam Neeson growls these words into the telephone when he finds out his daughter has been abducted in Paris by Albanian human traffickers. Obviously Liam isn't going to take this attack on his ... read more
