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Published: December 4th 2006
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Tapgol Park
This is Tapgol Park in Insadong, Seoul. A place where people come to relax. This is just a quick update on my time in South Korea.
Since our trip to Busan it’s been back to the daily grind. We’ve gone through Autumn (or fall - as my gradual AmericaniZation transfiguration device corrects me). Autumn was beautiful; the foliage turned from greens to the most striking reds and yellows I have ever been privileged enough to encounter. Whole mountainsides would look unreal; too colourful to be real almost? In Yeoju we spent some time admiring these colours with Miaie and her son Shaun one Saturday afternoon. We’ve found ourselves in the Korean countryside assisting Miaie’s Mother picking chilli peppers and walking their dogs (and kids) around the farms. Then a few weeks later assisted in the making of Kim Jang with another teacher, and her family. Kim Jang is the annual mass production of Kimchi. Kimchi is a national obsession, more than an obsession, a need. Kimchi is fermented and spiced vegetables that are stored in underground pots or specifically designed Kimchi coolers, it will keep for years. Since arriving I’ve, we’ve, most foreigners out her have developed a need for it as well, I can’t imagine a meal without it? It’s been so interesting
hanging out with our Korean friends, helping them, eating with them, and getting to know them. We’ve a wedding to attend down in Busan next weekend?
Tiem’s friends, Chris and Harsha, visited from London one weekend. It was great to meet them and we had an enjoyable, touristy, weekend in Seoul; visiting the main palace (no guidebook to hand!), and eating traditional monk cuisine, while being entertained at a special restaurant.
The weather since autumn has turned alarmingly cold, we are well into winter now. On Friday night we had a few inches of snow which pleased us immensely; we woke to a winter wonderland. Life is quiet, but interesting, as time ticks towards our holiday in Thailand in less than three weeks.
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Ali Gray
non-member comment
Nice
That kim jang business looks bloody good fun, mate. Love the photos. Your going to be in for another culture shock when you return back to the grind of England.