Saturday in Seoul

Bus rides, subway rides, underground shopping, and dining—an average day in Seoul...

Diary- Officer Election

Officer Election

by Steven (5th grade)

On March 5th.  My class is did officer election.

I am going to out horseback to a vice-president.

Listen to the me and another president candidature's public promise.

And did the for ballot.

I was very nervous.

The result is reverse to me.

I was very happy and shiver.

"I am vice-president!!"

Strange Invasion of Personal Space

Jammed on a crowded subway this weekend, I was waiting patiently for my stop and minding my own business when I felt a tug on my hair. I turned around just in time to see an older woman, no more than 4.5 feet tall, pull her hand away from my head. As I stared in disbelief, she and her two friends chattered in Korean and pointed at my locks. Conveniently for them, the subway slowed to a stop and they pushed past me to exit as if nothing had happened. I wonder how many golden strands left with them as a souvenir.  

Hanbok

The traditional Korean dress known as, hanbok, can be seen in specialty shop windows throughout Korea. In vibrant colors and unique patterns, the hanbok is sometimes worn during traditional festivals and celebrations, as well as, weddings. 

After an interesting discussion about its origins with Wendy, one of my Korean co-workers, she offered to take me to a specialty hanbok shop. The women at the store were kind enough to let us take pictures of the beautiful dresses and even allowed Nicki and I to try one on—even though it took her some time to find one long enough for me to wear.

Traditional colors and styles

"Fusion" hanbok—an updated version of the traditional style with more colors and unique patterns.

For the whole family!

Perhaps not very practical, the hanbok is surprisingly comfortable.

I'm so thankful Wendy was able to act as our translator and Korean culture instructor!

Korean poses :)

Korean Lessons

An opportunity finally arose for me to take Korean lessons and I jumped at the chance. Andrea and I meet every Saturday at 10:30 am, with some other friends, at church. The one and a half hour lessons are free and the group is small so I have high hopes of learning a lot. Last week, we learned how to introduce ourselves to another person and tell them our job and phone number. Unfortunately, I've already forgotten half of it. However, in an attempt to increase my skills before next class, I've been practicing the alphabet; a useful thing to know, I'm sure. 

Prior to my lesson last week, I asked some of my middle school girls to give me a Korean name. They all have Korean AND English names so I thought it only appropriate that I do, too. I told them to pick something cute and the winner was.... Min Jung! I love it, though now I struggle with 3 identities (my Korean name; my real name; and my middle name, which I use at school). Now that I know some of the alphabet, I'm able to easily spell and write Min Jung. My real names, however, are a little less straight-forward and I'm still working those out.

Phonetic Korean lesson of the day:

"Cho nun Min Jung imnida."

(I am Min Jung.)

My Korean-American-Irish-Italian Birthday

This year was the first time I've celebrated my birthday in a country other than America. Since many of the other holidays this year have come and gone without much acknowledgement on my part, I wondered if my birthday would be the same. Thankfully, the 14th fell on a Saturday and I began the downhill slide into 30 without the presence of work, or my students. 

After an hour and a half Korean lesson (more to come on that later), my friends and I headed into Seoul for a St. Patrick's Day festival. In its 9th year, and organized by the Irish Association of Korea (IAK), the festival suffered from a loss of sponsorship this year due to the plundering economy. However, last minute funding provided the boost necessary to spread a little luck 'o the Irish. In 2008, the festival welcomed 18,000 attendees to its street parade and open air concerts. Despite its limited resources this year, the IAK hoped to see a similar strength in attendance.

After arriving at the Daehangno neighborhood subway station, it was evident that we weren't the only ones with knowledge of the festival. Hundreds of foreigners exited the train and swarmed up the stairs onto the street. Upon entering the park, we were bombarded with a sea of green—hats, wigs, shoes, bags, clothing, etc. What is usually known as the Korean theater district was transformed into an English speaking, outdoor pub crawl. Usually surrounded by Korean chatter, my ears were on high alert from the sounds of American, Canadian, British, Australian, and of course, Irish accents. With an excuse to celebrate, wear green, and drink free Guinness; people were perpetuating the stereotype of rowdy, crude Westerners. Having arrived late due to our morning Korean lessons, we missed the excitement of the much anticipated colorful street parade. However, we were able to enjoy surprisingly good Irish music from a live band complete with traditional Irish dancing.

Irish music and dance video...

After meeting up with a few other friends, we visited a famous artisan who specializes in unique and traditional Korean crafts. Her tiny studio was just big enough to fit five of us inside where she showed us her latest work. Luckily, Wendy was able to translate and we left with an understanding of the time and work she puts into each masterpiece. After leaving the shop, we toured the streets of the surrounding neighborhood. Theaters and small museums dot every corner with an abundance of Western food restaurants and cafes. 

After a long and chilly afternoon outside, we were all ready to warm up inside for dinner. Di Matteo is an Italian restaurant owned by a quirky Korean comedian who happily proclaims his physical resemblance to a monkey. An online review named Di Matteo's wood-fired pizza the best in Korea and from what I've tasted so far, I'd have to agree. The thin crust was a perfect balance for the melt-in-your-mouth cheese toppings. After dinner, we indulged on cheesecake and wine at a nearby cafe. Cheesecake has been present at every birthday I can remember and I was thrilled to continue the tradition so far away from home.

Between the Irish festival, Italian food, and good friends; I will never forget the birthday I celebrated in Korea. 

Starbucks Series 3... White Day & Black Day

What's So Funny?

With the commencement of spring and warmer weather, I've started a new running routine. I recently discovered a tree-lined dirt path near my apartment that gives the illusion of a park even though it's only fifty feet from the main road. During my morning runs before work, the path is sparse with only a few elderly walkers. However, on Sunday afternoons, the usually empty trail is busy with families out for a stroll. As I found out on Sunday, some Koreans are definitely not used to seeing foreigners outside of an English academy. As I ran by a busy playground along the trail; everyone stared, some pointed, and even a few laughed. Later that night, I questioned one of my Korean friends about the incident. It went something like this:

Me: Joey, why do Koreans laugh at me while I'm running?

Joey: How do you run? (smirk)

Me: (gasp) Normal!  I run just like everyone else. 

Joey: You should laugh back next time.

Lavon: No, its true! Once, when I went running a group of girls started laughing and running right behind me (she demonstrates).

Joey: (doubled over in laughter)

Lavon: Now YOU'RE laughing at us, too!

Joey: No, it's just that I was thinking about you both laughing back at them. It's just that you're foreigners and you're running. People in Korea don't run that often.

Me: So the combination of a running foreigner is funny?

Joey: Maybe, to some people.

Me: Next time someone laughs, I'm definitely laughing back... and pointing.

One day in Hongdae

It's easy to believe in the immense population of Seoul while strolling through the crowded streets of Hongdae on a Saturday afternoon. In the backyard of Hongik University, Korea's top fine arts and design school, pedestrians compete with endless lines of cars for the right-away; like a herd of farm animals on a country road. Trendy boutiques lining the narrow streets attempt to attract a crowd by setting up shop outside their front doors. Colorful scarves, jewelry, shoes, and clothing create traffic jams as people zig-zag from one table to the next while cars just barely squeeze by. During the day, the surrounding nightclubs are quiet and desolate as if they've been boarded up in anticipation of a storm, or deserted fifty years ago. Without the cover of night or walls of people, the graffitied exteriors of each building become focal points adding character to the already artistic neighborhood. 

Around the corner from the bars and nightclubs sits Children's Park. During the day, parents watch as their kids play on the colorful jungle gym and swing set. On Saturdays, the park transforms into a "Free Market" where University students and other artists set up tables and sell their work. Handmade jewelry, bags, shoes, keychains, books, and other unique crafts make perfect gifts if you can push past the crowds enough to look at the merchandise. In the evenings, the park transforms once again into a concert stage for aspiring musicians. The genre of music is never the same, but an audience always gathers for the free show. 

As night falls, the neon lights of Hongdae explode and people flood the neighborhood's many bars, restaurants, and dance clubs. Street vendors gear up for the new crowds and replenish their tables with more goods. Smells of hot spices and warm batter infuse the air and people line up in front of food carts for a late-night snack. Always alive, the free-spirited atmosphere in Hongdae is contagious and it's easy to see why the area is a favorite of so many people, myself included. 

Musical Performance at Children's Park:

This is an old video I've already posted, but it's from the same location in Children's Park. Because it's so entertaining, I feel okay about showing it again, and again, and again:

Happy Birthday Lee & Nicki!

With colorful sombreros for everyone and decent Mexican food, we celebrated Lee and Nicki's birthdays in February at On the Border.  

Here is a special birthday wish from the friendly staff...

Diary- Lasik

Although a vast number of Koreans enjoy sporting an array of colorful glasses, Lasik surgery is becoming increasingly popular. One of my fourth grade students seemed to be a huge help for his mom after her surgery and was humorously straightforward in describing the aftermath. 

Lasik

by Ryan

Today is a very sad day.

Because my mom was sick.

Yesterday, my mom had 

Lasik operation both eyes.

I thought my mom hurt like hell

So, I thought I had to help.

I washed the dishes and cleaned the room

I hope my mom is get well soon.

Shooting off Steam

The location of my school includes many nearby conveniences like a coffee shop, hair salon, pet store, quick mart, sushi restaurant, and bakery. Among the plethora of options, none is as much fun as Death Line, the new arcade/shooting range. Nothing beats releasing a bit of stress like shooting a BB gun at small targets without protective glasses. As unsafe as it may seem, the risk is worth the possible prize one might receive in the end: jewelry, plastic toys, an alarm clock, a guitar, or a Mickey Mouse mp3 player. Unfortunately, my beginner's luck was short-lived and the arcade owner laughs at me each time I return. Every once in awhile, on a particularly bad shooting day, his sympathy overwhelms him and I receive a free second round. Of course, I earn even less points the second time and he merely throws up his hands and shakes his head in disbelief. 

First visit to Death Line... Round 1

1,070 points!

Round 2 and loss of beginner's luck... 0 points!

Annoyed with the rifle, I tried the pistol; but only hit one target.

 

Despite my gangster shooting abilities, I was even worse with the pistol. This gained sympathy from the owner and I received a free round.  Zero points. 

Day at the Museum

A trip to any museum is the perfect outing on a cold winter day. However, our excursion to the National Museum of Korea happened to fall on one of the sunniest days since fall. The weather is warming up already and efforts to stay indoors are not as important as they once were. Despite the beautiful weather, we stuck with our plan to accomplish at least one floor of Asia's largest museum. 

You can just make out Seoul Tower in the background of the gigantic breezeway.

Derrick and Lee were too excited to visit the museum.

Located in Seoul, the National Museum of Korea was first established in 1945, but opened in its current location, Yongsan Family Park, in October 2005. The museum boasts 150,000 pieces in its collection, but only displays nearly 11,000 pieces at one time. Due to its immense size, a one-day visit is not nearly enough time to view the museum's many treasures.  

Beginning with the oldest artifacts, we visited the Archaeological Gallery first. Artifacts from the Paleolithic to the Balhae era told the story of a Korea long ago. Tools made from stones, antiquated weaponry, and ancient pottery provided a three-dimensional scrapbook of life thousands of years ago.  

National Treasure No. 287, the Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje.

Tiles used somewhere at sometime. They had replicas in the form of hot pads in the gift shop. Of course, I bought one.

A little man with a gun.

Gold crown and belt.  Also a National Treasure, but I can't remember the name or number...

Standing about 33 feet tall, the Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda (National Treasure No. 86) is an impressive site on the first floor of the museum.

View from the third floor

Unique brushwork and defined detail showcase the paintings and calligraphy in the Fine Arts Gallery I. Mountainous backdrops and Asian inspired flowers were a common muse for the painters as they attempted to capture the Korean landscape. The paintings, though all beautiful, began to blend together as I strolled from room to room. 

Perhaps my most favorite gallery of the day, Fine Arts Gallery II contains 630 pieces of Buddha inspired sculpture and handiwork. The world-renowned, and Korean National Treasure No. 83, Bangasayusang (or Meditating Maitreya) is one of the most popular works in the museum. Consequently, it is also the most highly insured. 

Meditating Maitreya

I had to wait until everyone else was out of the gallery in order to execute my pose.

photo courtesy of Lee Carroll

Rock, paper, scissors!

Photo courtesy of Lee Carroll

Goodbye museum!

Diary- Mysterious Turtles

In a previous diary entry, I wrote about Simon's poor cannibalistic hamsters and soft-shelled turtles.  Well, it seems that turtles are a popular pet among Korean children, and so are the emotions that come with owning a pet. Sometimes you're happy; sometimes you're sad; and sometimes you're just down-right confused.  

In these next two entries, take note of the dates they were written.

Sad Day

by Christine

December 29, 2008

Today is a sad day.

Because, my turtles are sick.

They have a long sleep.

Umm...

They don't wake up.

They don't eat too.

I'm sorry turtle!

Please wake up!

_____________________________

Varied Experience

by Christine

February 25, 2009

Today, I passed through a varied experience.

Some of them are better than the others.

My turtles are wake up!

They move lively and eat some shrimps.

A bluish green color turtle is smart and (I think) bad!

It ancient smart and kind, But now...

It like eat, It doesn't split some shrimps.

The green turtle is fool (sorry!) and kind.

It's very thin.

Bluish green turtle! Please concede shrimps.

Green turtle is so hungry!

Apparently, some turtles hibernate just like bears. For a young girl without previous knowledge of this, I can only imagine what she must be thinking.