Friday, December 19, 2003
Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
As my ninth week comes to a close, I decided to send out another email updating everyone on my experiences here.
First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As Christmas has never been my favorite holiday it's not that big of a deal living in a country where it's virtually non-existent. It'll pass by like any other December 25th...into oblivion...
New Year's this year will be had in Seoul, a city of 11 million people. I don't know exactly what's happening but I'll fill you all in on the details later. Hopefully, this'll be my first good new years...you know with no break-ups, girlfriends sleeping with their exboyfriends, getting my face messed up and breaking stoves or getting left behind in the middle of nowhere in burnaby at 11pm....ahhh!! who am i kidding...new years sucks!
I went to Seoul again two weeks ago and made my way to city hall, in search of an english speaking travel agent at Joy Travel. After numerous (failed) attempts to ask for directions I found my self alone and in the midst of a huge protest. Riot police were waiting up and down every street around City Hall square. There was a stage with some guy yelling and chanting and people with banners. I don't know what it was for? Anyways, I found the Westin something hotel, spoke to the concierge and she directed me to the Grand Lotte Hotel where there was a travel agent who was open on Sats and Suns and spoke some english (though broken).
So I called a friend, Jean-Paul, (from Ste-Anne, who was finishing up his year in Seoul), he met me and we went out for drinks and then back to his apartment, to polish off some more big bottles of korean beer and then to his friends house in the bitter korean cold (-12ish) for a big fish dinner and good conversation. We talked about UFO landings, aliens and Korea in general...then off to a bar for more drinks.
I slept at Jean-Pauls on the linoleum floor and awoke to a throbbing headache...9am the next day. Jean and I went around Seoul. I also managed to book my ticket to Jejudo island leaving Christmas day. We went to Insa-dong, then the Young-sam electronics mart...where I found that I could purchase Matrix 3, lord of the rings, kill bill etc...on DVD, pirated of course for around 10 bucks. It was so damn cold, I couldn't do any of the tourist things I wanted to that weekend but whatever....I still have lots of time in the summer.
Last weekend, I went out and partied at Liverpool and Bar Bumpin, and somehow made my way home at 5am...pics for you to see at:
Sat night I ate out...Bulgogi (korean marinated beef rib) and then made some jello soju shooters (korea's national liquor made from fermented sweet potatoes)...mmmm
It really is getting so cold here. Nothing I've ever felt before in my life. I swear we hit a whooping high of -1C today...and it easily drops below -10C at night. I can't keep my hands exposed for more than a few seconds before I lose all feeling in them.
And yes I will be celebrating Christmas on the sub-tropical extinct volcanic island of Jejudo off Korea's southern coast. Palm trees, tangerine fields and lava tube caves await me!!
One thing I have noticed is Korea's basis on sufficiency....and let me clarify sufficiency, not Efficiency. It's quite a contrast to the western-style of over-consumption and consumerism...here people buy and use only what they need...it's really great to see... But I really feel like I am beginning to really understand and fit into this culture. It's still hard because it's so based on etiquette, something I'm not used to as a westerner. I don't think any of us are. I must always remember to bow and be courteous...I bow all the time, to say hello and goodbye and thank you and i have to adjust the depth of my bow to the degree of respect I am giving. It's very strange to hear my students insult each other by saying "I disrespect your grandfather!" and the ultimate burn "I disrespect your grandmother!" Trust me I've heard it and these kids take offense....
Dating is not up to western standards but is slowly changing. People go to the bars in single sex groups to drink. Rarely, will you see a group of girls and guys going out together. They sit at separate tables and drink until they are tanked...let me say that again TANKED!!! It's customary for the table to ask the bartender (for a small fee) to ask a girl at another table if she would like to join the guys. If she says yes, then there you go, if no...well that's the end of it. It's all about respect but seems very "elementary school dance" to me.
As my ninth week comes to a close, I decided to send out another email updating everyone on my experiences here.
First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As Christmas has never been my favorite holiday it's not that big of a deal living in a country where it's virtually non-existent. It'll pass by like any other December 25th...into oblivion...
New Year's this year will be had in Seoul, a city of 11 million people. I don't know exactly what's happening but I'll fill you all in on the details later. Hopefully, this'll be my first good new years...you know with no break-ups, girlfriends sleeping with their exboyfriends, getting my face messed up and breaking stoves or getting left behind in the middle of nowhere in burnaby at 11pm....ahhh!! who am i kidding...new years sucks!
I went to Seoul again two weeks ago and made my way to city hall, in search of an english speaking travel agent at Joy Travel. After numerous (failed) attempts to ask for directions I found my self alone and in the midst of a huge protest. Riot police were waiting up and down every street around City Hall square. There was a stage with some guy yelling and chanting and people with banners. I don't know what it was for? Anyways, I found the Westin something hotel, spoke to the concierge and she directed me to the Grand Lotte Hotel where there was a travel agent who was open on Sats and Suns and spoke some english (though broken).
So I called a friend, Jean-Paul, (from Ste-Anne, who was finishing up his year in Seoul), he met me and we went out for drinks and then back to his apartment, to polish off some more big bottles of korean beer and then to his friends house in the bitter korean cold (-12ish) for a big fish dinner and good conversation. We talked about UFO landings, aliens and Korea in general...then off to a bar for more drinks.
I slept at Jean-Pauls on the linoleum floor and awoke to a throbbing headache...9am the next day. Jean and I went around Seoul. I also managed to book my ticket to Jejudo island leaving Christmas day. We went to Insa-dong, then the Young-sam electronics mart...where I found that I could purchase Matrix 3, lord of the rings, kill bill etc...on DVD, pirated of course for around 10 bucks. It was so damn cold, I couldn't do any of the tourist things I wanted to that weekend but whatever....I still have lots of time in the summer.
Last weekend, I went out and partied at Liverpool and Bar Bumpin, and somehow made my way home at 5am...pics for you to see at:
Sat night I ate out...Bulgogi (korean marinated beef rib) and then made some jello soju shooters (korea's national liquor made from fermented sweet potatoes)...mmmm
It really is getting so cold here. Nothing I've ever felt before in my life. I swear we hit a whooping high of -1C today...and it easily drops below -10C at night. I can't keep my hands exposed for more than a few seconds before I lose all feeling in them.
And yes I will be celebrating Christmas on the sub-tropical extinct volcanic island of Jejudo off Korea's southern coast. Palm trees, tangerine fields and lava tube caves await me!!
One thing I have noticed is Korea's basis on sufficiency....and let me clarify sufficiency, not Efficiency. It's quite a contrast to the western-style of over-consumption and consumerism...here people buy and use only what they need...it's really great to see... But I really feel like I am beginning to really understand and fit into this culture. It's still hard because it's so based on etiquette, something I'm not used to as a westerner. I don't think any of us are. I must always remember to bow and be courteous...I bow all the time, to say hello and goodbye and thank you and i have to adjust the depth of my bow to the degree of respect I am giving. It's very strange to hear my students insult each other by saying "I disrespect your grandfather!" and the ultimate burn "I disrespect your grandmother!" Trust me I've heard it and these kids take offense....
Dating is not up to western standards but is slowly changing. People go to the bars in single sex groups to drink. Rarely, will you see a group of girls and guys going out together. They sit at separate tables and drink until they are tanked...let me say that again TANKED!!! It's customary for the table to ask the bartender (for a small fee) to ask a girl at another table if she would like to join the guys. If she says yes, then there you go, if no...well that's the end of it. It's all about respect but seems very "elementary school dance" to me.
Kiran Parghi Friday, December 19, 2003