Mayhem in Korea

This is the garden I can see from my apartment. Not a bad view. I am told this is radish being grown. You will find lots of pickled radish dishes here. It helps cleanse and soothe your palette after all the scorching hot food they eat.



This past weekend, I went hiking. I am able to walk to the mountains from my place. It's only about a 10 or 15 minute walk and you can see all of the Anyang area from the top. It's really a pretty view, except that it was very overcast this day.



A view of the tons and tons of apartments. I haven't seen any houses yet. Only apartments.



Another view of the apartments.



Again, more apartments.



This weekend, lots of festivals are happening around Korea. Perhaps because fall is coming, perhaps because Chu'seok is coming, which is the Korean version of Thanksgiving. This performance featured dancers of all ages.



This was just down the way from the dancers. I have no idea what they are singing about or, even more important, why they are in skirts. But it's funny anyway.


This is my first Mexican food experience. It's no Matador, but it was pretty good. I ate a chicken taco with chips and salsa. No guac or cheese dip here....



This is me about to eat my chicken taco.



Saturday night, my friends and I hung out in the park. The fountains have a light show that is pretty much amazing. Lots of cool colors and the water sprays in all different patterns. It was really nice. I have video of this to come also....



This is me in front of a fountain. I look scared because the water is soaking my back half as I wait for the picture to be taken and the water I am standing in is next to freezing.



Another fountain.



The convenience store next to the park sold fireworks. Amazing. We bought sparklers. This is my friend Chantal with her sparkler. Let the fun begin.


This is a video of the sparkler madness. Very fun.



A group of young Korean boys were hanging out nearby with this cool bike. I couldn't resist riding it. Only one boy spoke English, so I had him ask his friend if I could give it a quick spin around the fountain and then pose for a few pictures. He agreed although was reluctant to let Amanda stand on the back because it was 'dangerous'. Thank you nice boy.


This is Amanda and I pretending to fall off the bike.



This is the miniature cup of coffee I bought from a machine in the Subway for a mere 400 won. That's about 30 cents. And by coffee, I mean brown water with a bit of coffee flavor. I guess that's why you shouldn't buy 400 won coffee from a machine in the subway. Live and learn I suppose.



Today was the Gwacheon Street Festival. They had many different performances. There was a handy brochure outlining the whole event, completely in Korean, so good luck figuring out when anything was happening. I stayed in one place and just watched the performances going on around me. It was raining and the nice people of the Gwacheon Festival handed out ponchos to anyone who wanted one, which was every Korean in a 500 yard radius, they like to stay dry. And by raining, I mean there were three raindrops on the ground. But thank you anyway nice Gwacheon Festival people. None the less, this is me in my poncho.



This is one of the performances going on. Something about a man losing his job and then his wife has babies... 5 of them all at once actually. She went behind that curtain and kept handing them out the men. Interesting anyway.



And for fun.... this is a video of my kids singing. Very cute.

Kim chi donuts and an airport in a mall.... just another day in Korea

Such a friendly little fire truck guy. The fire trucks, and ambulances, are so small here....



A typical snack at school. Juice made from rice and dumplings also made from rice. There is a name for the dumpling, but I can't remember right now. The filling is honey with cinnamon and sesame seeds. It was very good.



I went out for Shabu Shabu with some other foreign teachers and two Korean teachers. They bring you a big pot of broth, a huge plate of veggies, and a plate of very thinly sliced beef that is rolled up. Think fondue, sort of.... You put the veggies in the broth to cook. As they cook, you dip the beef in the broth for maybe 10 seconds to cook it and then eat as you like... get some veggies... cook some meat... eat veggies.. eat meat...



Our cooking veggies.



A picture of the shirt I bought from a street vendor. It is essentially a potato sack and you tie a belt around it. This was actually the most expensive item I bought, but still was only about 15 bucks. This picture also features a sign just inside the Shabu Shabu restaurant.



Going out in Anyang. Apparently I live in Uiwang, and Anyang is a separate city.. I'm not really sure how the cities work here. Anyway, it's about 25 minutes from me.



Winnie the Pooh in Korea..? I think he was advertising for a bar, I'm not actually very sure.



The dreaded squatty potty. It turned out to not be as bad as I thought. You basically just have to squat a little lower than you would normally(if you're a girl).



Another view of the squatty potty. Oh and bring your own toilet paper because it is rarely provided.



The subway also acts as a protective shelter in case of emergency. So let's see, with a population of about 48 million, they provide just under 20 protective masks. I don't see this ending well if there is an emergency.



Here are the directions to use your mask... got it??



Legally Blonde is coming to stage in Korea... who's in??? I wonder if it will be in English or dubbed over.



An airport inside the mall. I mean, really??? What will Korea think of next?



How about a Lentil Curry Croquette from Dunkin Donuts?



Or maybe a Kim chi Croquette is more your taste.



Delicious street food. Pork(?) on a stick with mustard and fresh strawberry smoothie. Each was 1500 won... making it less than a dollar fifty each. Nice.



Heunginjimun, literally "Gate of Rising Benevolence" or more commonly known as Dongdaemun is a prominent landmark in central Seoul, South Korea. The Korean name "Dongdaemun" means "Great East Gate," and it was so named because it was the major eastern gate in the wall that surrounded Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty.


Another view of the gate. I hear there are four.. east, west, north, and south. I will eventually see them all.


Dancers by a stream. There was some sort of performance going on. Maybe a radio show or something it seemed like. The dancing.... pretty so-so.

A visit to Seoul

These are "couple shirts"... pretty cute huh? Couples actually wear them here. There is not a lot of PDA, so I guess this is the way to show off that you are taken.



Seoul Tower from a distance. Most visitors ride the Namsan cable car up the mountain, and then walk to the tower. There is the option to walk if you are up to it.



Before I got on the cable car.



Just before loading the cable car. I was not excited. I have never been on a cable car before because they freak me out. This was my first ride.



View from the cable car.


View from the tower. The smog was preventing a good view, but we could still see all of Seoul. Apparently there is an outside observation deck, but because of the air quality that day they would not let people go outside.



From this point, I am only a mere 11,000 Kilometers to New York. That is about 6,873 miles..... so far from home.



View of Seoul.

View of Seoul.



For Alison....



View of Seoul.



View of Seoul from another angle.



Love Locks. The tower features a section of fence that is completely covered in locks with names on them. You can write a cute a little note with your sweetheart, attach it to the lock, and put it on the fence.



Exactly what it says. It tasted fishy with a peanut butter aftertaste.



A giant churro.



Light show at the tower. I changes to various colors while music plays. And a mist of water sprays from the ground.


Video of the light show....



I heart popcorn.



Seoul tower at night.



A fountain in the middle of Seoul. Not sure what it is... sorry.



MMMG, for Tracy. I found it, but it was late and I didn't go in. I will go back soon for you.



Another light show at a Cheonggyecheon Stream. Koreans seem to love light shows.



Another view of the stream. It is man made. The city built it after a previous river was covered up. The water is pumped in from the Han River. People come to sit and you can even soak your feet in the water.



You can also come to the creek to learn about the Solar System.


Myself and two others at the creek.



'Rise Up Korea' There was a huge religious festival right outside city hall. Tons and tons of people were there promoting prayer...... I took a video.



This is what you will get if you hang your trash from the hall banister in my building. I don't know what it says, but I don't think it is a nice note.



Some of my kids. I tried to catch them with their masks on, but they didn't like that so much. I am not exactly sure whose bottom is up in the air, but least she is wearing safety shorts under her dress. At least, I hope that is what she is wearing.