The Threat of North Korea

     After living in Korea for almost a year, it is easy to forget the current situation between North and South Korea.  It is not discussed, mentioned, or a hot topic in conversation.  It is just accepted, with the hope that there will be a reunification between the divide.  I have learned to not burden myself with worries about the the threat to the North.  I have always felt safe, close to a South Korean air base and the constant presence of American soldiers (though I see most out in the late hours of the weekend).  Today, was a bit of a reality check.
     My students were dismissed about ten minutes early to bypass the traffic for an emergency drill.  About ten minutes later the drill started.  All traffic was shut down for about 15-20 minutes.  The main streets were cleared.  This is to allow any military vehicles or emergency evacuations to travel without conjestion.  It was an erie feeling, seeing a city shut down its street traffic.  In a way, it was quite serene. 
     The moment soon came to an end, but I was reminded of the threat that is constant.  The air drills ocurred in the evening and continued the belief of a possible war that occur at any moment. 

Mud Fest 2011

     Boryeong Mud Festival has been held at Daecheon beach since 1998 and has become internationally famous.  The Boryeong mud is rich in minerals and good for one’s skin. The high quality sea mud is famous enough to make mud cosmetic products such as mud packs, mud soaps, etc. The beach is also famous for its unique, shell powdered sand.  I decided to check out this event and went with two fellow co-workers, Ann and Kelly. 
     Our hotel was perfect.  It was about a five minute walk from the festival, included a balcony, and was the main hotel for our tour group.  The travel time was about 2 1/2 hours and was a very wet arrival.  We chatted with new friends from England over draft beer, while we waited for our hot dogs (from Costco) to cook.  Luck was with us and soon the sun came out to greet us. 

     The festival was like no other!  There were giant blow up slides for mud sliding, a mega mud tub, mud wrestling, and a mud prison.  The first stop was the mud prison.  It was a jail with bars that bent to allow you in.  I got in and thought, "gee, this is not very exciting."  Before I knew it, I had mud thrown at me from all over.  I was covered from the neck down.  I couldn't help laughing at how ridiculous this festival was.  Next, we went and painted ourselves with mud.  There were mud stations with paint brushes attached and mirrors to check out your new self.  After a few refreshing drinks in a bag, we headed over to watch the mud wrestling pit.
     The pit was made from a circular blow up ring.  Inside, there was watery mud and lots of people.  I was standing on the side watching, when my friend jumped in and pulled me with her!  It was just a big, slippery mess.  Everytime you would stand up, I would either get my feet pulled out from under me or get knocked down by a stranger.  It reminded me of a giant, circular slip and slide.
     Afterwards, we went and watched a musical contest and let the sun bake the mud onto our skin.  After we were crusty, we went into the crowd on the beach and were sprayed by a giant water fan.  We then rinsed the mud off in the East Sea.  It was very refreshing and my skin felt great!
     After a Korean bargeque dinner and a change of clothes, we went to watch the fireworks on the beach.  The fireworks show was fantastic.  They were set off from a boat that was in the water.  It was a great way to end the evening.
     Monsoon season has come to an end and after about three weeks of coninuous rain, I was overjoyed to wake up to sunshine.  I took advantage of the great weather and laid out on the beach.  I paid for it though, with an aweful sun burn.

Work Party...Korean Style

Posing for a pic with my Korean teachers Miss Clara and Miss Jia.

     Tonight, my Poly director hosted an employee dinner for the foreign and Korean staff.  We went to a Korean barbeque (you cook your meat on the grill built into the table).  The food was great and I was able to get to know my Korean teachers.  It was interesting, watching the dynamics of Korean business.  It is common practice to go out and get very drunk with your bosses.  In fact, many drink each night and still manage to arrive at work early in the morning.  My Director and superiors had plenty to drink.  In fact, a little too much to drink.  In a way, it was relieving to see them out of their shell.  I was even told that I was one of the best teachers at Poly!

Enjoying a delicious meal

    
     After dinner, we went to a Norabang to sing and dance.  One of the directors rented two rooms and all the beer and snacks that you needed.  It was a great time; however, I felt very uncomfortable singing in front of my boss (and student's father).  I would have a few snacks and then move to the other room to belt it out.  It was a very well deserved evening.

Diva

The Children's Museum

    
     Today I took my pre-kindergarden class to the Children's Museum.  They had a wonderful time!  When we arrived, we were directed into the broadcasting room.  It was a room where the children interacted in a tv production.  They were on video camera and got to hold up signs.  After that, we went from floor to floor, exploring. 

     There was a water room, ball room, and music room.  My students favorite room was the construction area.  There was a mini crane that they could operate and big foam blocks to build a house.  They had a wonderful time.

Rooftop Paradise

     Living in a big city has its perks, along with its disadvantages.  I enjoy the public transportation.  I can take a bus, subway, or taxi any where and any time.  There are various restaurants and convience stores within walking distance. 
     The disadvantage is that I do not have a yard.  I would have to walk to the park and there are a ton of people there.  After much debate, I decided to sun bathe on my roof.  There is only one other apartment on my level and no one ever goes outside, so I figured why not.  It was a wonderful afternoon.

Living The Island Dream

     This weekend I had a mini get-a-way to Seonyudo Islands.  I departed early in the morning and arrived at the ferry around 11:00 a.m.  My excitement was building and I failed to see the intense fog that engulfed the surrounding buildings and the sea.  I waited in line to board the ferry, and to my surprise, the ferry was cancelled.  The next boarding was at 1:30.  Julie, Jim, and I decided to enjoy the wait and had a few beers.  Before we knew it, we were aboard the ferry and on our way.

     It was smooth sailing and we arrived in a wonerful bay an hour later.  We placed our packs onto a golf cart and walked to a bicycle rental shop.  I always imagined myself riding around an island on a pink bike, with a basket.  Today, my dream came true. 
     I arrived at the rental shop and saw the perfect bicycle.  There was only one...pink and with a basket.  I was estatic when the shop owner allowed me to take it.  I will admit, I looked a little silly, being the only person with a pink bike in a sea of mountain bikes. 

     The islands are linked together by narrow bridges, that allow only a bicycle or a motorcycle through.  The main island is the only one that has golf carts.  We biked up hills (I had to walk my bike up, no gears), coasted along shore lines, and weaved in between houses.  We stopped periodically to embrace the scenery.  At one stop, we walked out to an island.  The sea had parted and left a pathway of shells.  Scattered across the island was smooth, emerald sea glass.  It was amazing.  After collecting the glass (cheap souvenir), I peered into mini pools that were left when the tide went out.  Inside the pools were crabs and sea stars.  Along the way back, we also found a hidden cove.  The beach was empty and all I could hear was the waves splashing the rocks.  It will be my new "peaceful place."

 In the evening, I enjoyed a traditional Korean dinner and went to the beach to watch the sunset.  It was picture perfect.  As the sun was setting among the islands, people were digging up tube worms.  As the tide goes out, the tube worms will push up sand.  When you see this area, you scrape off the top layer of sand and pour salt into the hole.  The clam pops up, you grab quickly, and then put them in a bucket of water.  After an hour of soaking, you can grill them up. 

    


     The evening consisted of beers, bonfire, and fireworks.  The Koreans were a riot and really enjoyed their soju (rice vodka).  They were coming up and giving us food and were highly entertaining.  They set off numerous fireworks.  I even had a crab placed in my hand by a child.  I was very surprised!

 
    
The islands only have limited accomodations, so there were not many tourists.  In fact, when we went on our bike rides, we didn't see anyone.  I stood out as a foreiner and when I passed a Korean, they were excited to say hello and wave.  They were very welcoming and friendly.  When I was reading a book on the beach, a gentleman came up and offered me a bean pie.  The previous night, a few children came up and brought me onion rings.  It was a refreshing view on Koreans and a place that I will not forget. 

Small Fishing Village



Fish hanging to dry on a bridge

Dogs were hidden everywhere

A Well Deserved Weekend

     After a couple of stressful weeks at work, I needed a nice weekend get away.  I had decided to go with two fellow co-workers (Barbara and Kelly) to Busan for our three day weekend.  We traveled through the night and arrived a little past 3 A.M. at Busan.  Of course the motel was a love motel... with a circular bed!
     The next morning, we went to Yong Goong Sa Temple.  The buddhist temple is one of my favorite yet.  It was quite different from all of the temples that I have visited in the past.  It was perched on a cliffside, next to the East Sea.  It was a peaceful to walk along the arched bridge and listen to the waves smashing against the rocks.  The buddhist prayer was playing in the background and I sipped on fresh squeezed pineapple juice.   It was the start to a great weekend.
     Next, the truck dropped us off at Haeundae Beach, the most famous beach of all South Korea.  We started, by walking down a hill at the far right end of the beach.  We decided to go to Gecko's a popular expat restaurant that serves western food.  It was located right on the beach.  We grabbed a seat outside, to watch the interesting people passing by.  To our surprise, there was an air show with the Black Eagles!  It was amazing.

     After lunch, I laid out on the beach and viewed the sand sculptures from the world sand sculptor exhibition.  It is wonderful to various artists work with different mediums, especially sand.  I also enjoyed sand boarding.  There was a giant sand dune in the center of the beach.  People were boarding and riding a sled down it. 

   

The evening was spent on a patio next to the shore.  I ate pasta, sipped on wine, and relaxed with the girls.      

 I awoke the next morning to a sky lit up with wonderful rays of sun.  Perfect beach weather.  I headed to the beach (Gwanganli Beach).  This beach was very peaceful, with a few people spread out.  It was populated with Koreans and just a few foreigners.  I enjoyed watching the jet ski whizzing by and the banana boat. 
     After a late lunch, we took the subway to Haeundae Beach.  We knew it was going to be a great start to the night, when we saw a beer truck on the street handing out free beer to anyone who came up.  No I.D. required.  Only in Korea would this be possible!  We headed over to the boardwalk and found a front row seat to the Salsa Dance Competition.  Kelly and I enjoyed cocktails made fresh from home and watched Barbara and others enjoy the dancing.    I got dragged out on the floor, twice.  I haven't any clue how do dance, but the instructor tried his best.  It was really hard, but very fun.  It sparked an interest, and I just might take some lessons.

Enjoying a drink

Yes, I drank from this hole in the ground at the temple.

Fresh Vegetables