Seoul

This weekend was great! Britt and I ventured to Seoul early Saturday morning. We caught the train at 6:15am from Gumi and arrived in Seoul around 10am. Since we were up early enough to catch McDonald's breakfast when we got to Seoul we had a treat before checking into our room. We dropped our bags and headed out for a jam packed day of sight seeing and shopping. Saturday we spend wandering around a few markets and shops in the area. We found some western stores, and probably spent a good hour in Forever 21. Later in the day we took a bus tour to the N. Seoul Tower. It was nice to see a high top view of the city. Saturday evening Britt and I ventured to the Cheonggyecheon stream for a few pictures and supper. After supper we ventured to Itaewon to meet up with some friends from Gumi. Itaewon is the area near the USA army base in Seoul. Walking down the streets in Itaewon you see more westerners than Koreans and hear more English than any other language. I really didn't feel as if I were a minority or living in a foreign country in Itaewon. We enjoyed the night with friends, a few drinks and a couple of clubs.

Sunday was another busy day of sight seeing. We spent the first part of the morning wandering the streets of Seoul. We had turned the wrong way when we got off the subway, and ended up walking for a good hour before finally asking the police to point us in the right direction. When we finally ended up in the place we wanted to be, we hopped on the bus tour and headed to the National Museum of Korea. I have to say it was nice to see, but not the most exciting place to visit. If I only had one day in Seoul I would not waste my time there. My favorite part was the Buddha section, which I took many pictures I was not suppose to be taking. After we headed to the Korean War Memorial, which was one of the highlights of the trip for me. It is very well put together and educational. Some of the history dates way back, but there is huge section on the Korean War between the South and the North which is still ongoing, and very interesting to learn about. We decided to make the most of our sight seeing day, so we hit up the traditional Korean village for a quick trip before calling it quits. The village is similar to Kings Landing, an old village you can walk around and look in old Korean style houses. There is also a time capsule, that was buried in 1994, and will be opened in 400 years time. Sunday was the official Lunar New Year so many kids were dressed in traditional Korean Hanbok's, playing traditional games and out with their families. Sunday night Britt and I decided we would celebrate the Lunar New Year and Valentines Day. I have to say it was the best Valentines to date. We went for a nice candle lit supper along the Han River, enjoyed a glass of wine, live music, fireworks, roses, and to end the night chocolates in bed.

Monday was our last day in Seoul so we planned to wake up early to get all of our palace sight seeing in. We got up, checked out and headed to find a bank machine to get some money for the day. After trying 30 different banks and ATMs, turns out that our bank decided it would switch systems during the holiday weekend. We had no luck with getting cash, so we decided we would head to the second stop on our list the COEX mall. People told us that we might be able to use our debits in stores, but when we got there we also had no luck with that. We found a bank machine that had a sign saying the system would be back up and running at 6pm. For 6 hours we lounged around the mall trying to waste time. We had read about "resting" spots all over the mall so we decided we would find somewhere to rest for a while. We found a room that looked like it was for resting, so Britt and I slept for a good hour. The room turned out to be part of a wedding chapel, but no one kicked us out and it was a good "rest" are for us to waste time. When 6 o'clock finally arrived we made our mall purchases, and headed to the mall aquarium. The aquarium was a success. It has lots of cool things to see, and I even got to try my Dr. Fish. This is where you have small fish eat the hard/ dry skin off you. Normally Dr. Fish would be for your feet, but at the aquarium I did my hands. At first I was a little freaked out, having fish eat your skin is a very weird feeling, but once I adjusted I was fine. The aquarium was the end to the trip, we didn't get to see any of the palaces we had planned, but I'm sure we will make another trip back. All in all a great weekend, and very nice to see another part of South Korea (one which is very westernized).

This week has been more random than others. Monday night after work Britt and I had mentioned we were going for pizza. When Mr. Moon caught wind of our plans he decided that he would take the staff out for snacks and drinks as a bonding activity. So the 4 teachers, branch manager, and Mr. Moon (company owner) all headed to The Beer Gallery for snacks and drinks. I am sure we ordered one of everything on the menu, and sampled many types of beer. Lets just say that we are all fully bonded, and I now know much more than I ever wished to know about certain people. Mr. Moon also decided that since Britt and I has never been to a karaoke bar in Korea that we needed to give it a try as well. Karaoke bars are very popular here, and are on every street corner. The concept is the same as at home (sing the song with the words), but the set up is very different. Each group gets there own room, with a couch and table. It is like a VIP lounge at a bar. You pick your songs and sing the night away; also Koreans do not like to finish a song, they sing one course and move on. Britt and I mostly enjoyed the talent/ lack there of from our co-workers, but we did preform some old school Backstreet Boys for them. Today we also received a gift from Mr. Moon, we assume it is in honor of the Lunar New Year which is this coming weekend, but we are unsure. He gave us a lifetime supply of seaweed paper (sushi wraps). I am not sure what I am suppose to do with it, but it is the thought that counts. I must say the packaging it came in was very nice. This weekend Britt and I make our way to the big city of Seoul. We are excited and have a jammed pack travel itinerary so be sure to check back for updates of our journey. For all you 1986 babies this is our year, the year of the Tiger. Happy Lunar New Year!

I fairly quiet week here in Gumi. Other than work, we didn't do anything too exciting. Wednesday after work we met up with a friend for supper and a couple of drinks. Friday was another night out at Waegook Cook as usual. Last night Britt and I had supper with a couple of friends, and a glass of wine. I had an early night, but Britt was a trooper and partied into the morning hours. Since there is a 13 hour time difference, we wont get Super Bowl Sunday. Instead we will have Super Bowl Monday at 8am with breakfast instead of beer and wings. We have been planning our trip to Seoul, so we purchased our train tickets this week as well. We are heading to the big city next weekend for the Lunar New Year. We are excited to see the sights, and people watch. Seoul is the capital of South Korea, and one of the largest cities in the world. We will only be there for 3 days, but we plan to see and do as much as we can in that time period. Now that we are settled in, we plan to start traveling more. By mid March I hope to have all the majors spots in South Korea completed. I also booked vacation days for the Korean Thanksgiving in September. Looks like we will be heading to Thailand for that week, so that is another trip planning project and something to look forward to.

Another week is over. This week we received all the pieces to the puzzle. Cell phone, wireless internet, and our first pay cheque. We took it easy this week, last weekends ski trip did us in. Britt and I "enjoyed" a Korean massage. Let me just say their little Korean hands are strong. We both came home with bruises, but the facial that went along with the massage was very nice and relaxing. The weekend brought more late nights and drinks. Friday we hit up Waegook Cook for drinks after work. A couple friends we met on the ski trip had a going away party, so we joined them for drinks. They are from South Africa and have been here a year. They are going home for a visit, but will be back to Gumi in March. Today we spent most of the day in bed. We took a walk to McDonald's for some home food, and to the grocery store. Tonight we are going to supper and bowling. Should be fun, yet low key. Britt and I have been trying to put together a trip for the long weekend in February. We originally thought we would check out Jeju Island, but it looks like we will be going to Seoul now. I am excited to start traveling and seeing other things. Time goes by so fast here, its hard to believe its been a month already. 1 down, 11 more to go.

High 1 Love

Selfie

Mountain Top Photo Shoot Begins

High 1 Mascot...Workers are even dressed up in a costume like this.

Mountain Top Love

Photo Shoot with a Korean who told us to wave

Gondola

Britt and some Koreans in the outfits that are super bright and busy...but everyone has them.

Heading to the Baths

Bar with some of the crew

Early Morning Bus Trip

Lunch with Tim...supporting the "peace signs"...very popular here, but they do it for "V for victory" not peace.

Market in Gumi

Hello Kitty Everywhere

Matching sets are a popular choice with couples in Korea...girls feel free to put in your orders for Valentines Day.

Gumi Train Station

A Very Korean Experience

Its been a busy week. Tim got back from China, this week so we were excited to have him back to show us around Gumi. We all met up on Thursday after work for some drinks, and then on Friday he took us around town and showed us some places we could check out on our spare time. We all went out for lunch and Britt and I bombarded him with our 101 questions about the city, life, food, and things to do/ see. Friday was also a big day for us, we finally got our alien registration cards. The A.R.C. is pretty much our key to the country, without it we really didn't exist here. We now have our bank accounts set up, and this week we will be getting our cell phones and Internet.

This weekend was a great time, Britt and I ventured to High 1 Ski Resort in Jeongseon, South Korea. The foreigner bar here "Waegook Cook" plans a bus trip every year, so we decided we would join in on the fun. It was a great opportunity to meet people who work here in Gumi. We left at 6:30am on Saturday, some people came straight from drinking/ partying to the bus. It was a pretty funny bus ride with lots of sloppy people. It kind of reminded me of pub crawl trips from Wolfville to Halifax. The resort was about 4 hours away, and those who didn't show up to the bus already drunk were drunk by the time we got there. Britt and I decided we wouldn't ski so we spent the day lounging around the lodge, and at the pizza parlor on site. Saturday night we drank and went to the casino. The casino was packed with Koreans who were very into their games, so after about 10 minutes we all made our way to the bar. For some people they were just too drunk to be in the casino and got kicked out/ breathalyzed, then showed up at the bar with us for further drinking. Needless to say the evening turned into quite a party. We had two condos rented for sleeping, and we all slept traditional Korean style...on the heated floor. I have to say, that by the time I was ready to go to bed, it didn't matter that I was sleeping on the floor. Sunday was a big day for me in my cultural journey here in Korea. I braved the public bath, and yes it is exactly what you think it is. You walk into a changing room, get naked and go bath with all the other women. There are 4 pools (hot, cold, warm, and massage). Women just lounge around naked in these pools and relax. We were calling it "mermaid land". They pretty much sit on the edge of the pools naked while bathing and looking at themselves in mirrors. After you are done in the pool, you can shower. Let me tell you Koreans take GREAT care in cleaning themselves. I personally was in and out. In total, I would say I spent 10 minutes in the pool and shower. Apparently it is relaxing, and I suppose once you get over the fact that you are naked in public it is. Very different culture, but an experience I felt I had to try. Britt and I also went to a Jimjilbang. You are given an outfit (shorts/ t shirt) and you walk into a room where you find men and women lying all over the floor sleeping and watching TV. There are smaller rooms that are set at different temperatures, and you can spend the day laying on the floor relaxing. Britt and I opted for the room set at 47 degree Celsius. We were the only two in that room, so we lounged and rested for awhile. It was pretty relaxing, especially after a night of drinking. We also took the gondola to the top of the mountain for a little photo shoot. Keep posted for picture updates, I hate to disappoint but there are no pictures allowed in the Casino or public baths so some of my weekend adventures are not photo documented. All in all a fun weekend, and a very Korean weekend...from public baths to sleeping on the floor. Its all very different from the culture I am use to, but I do enjoy experiences.

Raw Meat

Gumi Moon Kkang Staff