tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64180886382337552432024-02-19T02:17:45.152-08:00Korean ChroniclesErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612357225997322418noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-38477635864895165952011-02-24T22:06:00.001-08:002011-02-24T22:16:37.940-08:00Homeward BoundHello Ladies and Gents,<br /><br />It's hard to believe but our time here in Korea has come an end. This time last year, Eric and I found ourselves riddled with anxiety as we were about to head into our classrooms for the first time. Coming here was a big step out of our comfort zones and was not an easy decision to make. We were worried about leaving our friends and family behind as well as the comforts that Western society provided for us. However, having survived a year in the East I couldn't feel more postive about our experience here. This isn't to say that we didn't encounter frutrastions and difficulties in this new culture, because we often did. But this past year has really allowed us to grow; we've grown up, we've grown closer, and we've become a lot more appreciative for the life we have in Portland. All in all this year was a great success. The next time you'll be hearing from us will be when we arrive stateside on the 26th. I promise a deeper reflextion on our year abroad then. <br /><br />See everyone soon,<br />Dana and EricAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-74896312813984120082011-02-16T02:26:00.000-08:002011-02-16T02:39:35.658-08:00Vienna Part I: Museums Galore<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJzJVXLqOpA/TVunQSDVVEI/AAAAAAAAEbk/zmFGlitYhIE/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B430.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJzJVXLqOpA/TVunQSDVVEI/AAAAAAAAEbk/zmFGlitYhIE/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574232861966685250" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> 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mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Vienna is the high society, more updated version of Prague.<span style=""> </span>While the attention to architecture is great, Vienna no longer shows signs of the gothic movement (with the exception of St. Stephens Cathedral).<span style=""> </span>Instead, government and other historical buildings have been given carved and gilded marble facades.<span style=""> </span>These pure and pristine exteriors give Vienna an aristocratic feel.<span style=""> </span>Because of this, you can expect the prices of things to be much higher here than the rest of Central Europe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In addition to the fancy facades and marble statues, the museums of Vienna also contribute to this high class feel.<span style=""> </span>The museums quarter is a large complex which houses rotating galleries as well as permanent exhibitions.<span style=""> </span>The two staples of this area are the Natural History Museum and the Fine Arts Museum.<span style=""> </span>The Natural History Museum does an excellent job at documenting history from the Big Bang up until today.<span style=""> </span>In here, one will find dinosaur bones, fossils, meteorites, taxidermy animals, and some of the most significant artifacts which pertain to the human existence.<span style=""> </span>Across the grand courtyard is the fine arts museum.<span style=""> </span>It is most popularly compared to Paris’s Louvre, this museum boasts an impressive collection of Egyptian artifacts.<span style=""> </span>Room after room is filled with mummies, sarcophaguses, and stone carvings.<span style=""> </span>All of which are in amazing condition.<span style=""> </span>While I would agree that the ancient art exhibitions rival that of the Louvre’s, Vienna’s Fine Arts Museum cannot compare in the actual paintings department.<span style=""> </span>While Vienna does house a good assortment of Renaissance and religious art from Western Europe, it just simply cannot compare to the size of the Louvre. However, what I found more interesting about Vienna’s museum is that rather than showcase the greats: Rafael, Da Vinci, or Michael Angleo they give other great artists a chance to be showcased and appreciated.<span style=""> </span>The paintings portion of this museum is divided into two sections: French, Italian, and Spanish artists in one half and German, Danish, and Austrian artists in the other half; all of which are of the renaissance period.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uB3AEqVFk5Y/TVunS_1JtjI/AAAAAAAAEbs/cdJ_U9c-hQs/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B437.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uB3AEqVFk5Y/TVunS_1JtjI/AAAAAAAAEbs/cdJ_U9c-hQs/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574232908614972978" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hl19JTkXv4/TVuoW1e0fXI/AAAAAAAAEcc/44X6GOamP8I/s1600/Vienna%2B159.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hl19JTkXv4/TVuoW1e0fXI/AAAAAAAAEcc/44X6GOamP8I/s320/Vienna%2B159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574234074068057458" border="0" /></a></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzMLW72z-9w/TVuoWZjxcPI/AAAAAAAAEcU/yZCc9omhLHY/s1600/Vienna%2B169.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzMLW72z-9w/TVuoWZjxcPI/AAAAAAAAEcU/yZCc9omhLHY/s320/Vienna%2B169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574234066572636402" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Even though the majority of Vienna’s museums can be found within the Museums Quarter, there are more than a handful scattered all over the city; my favorite of these being the Schatzkrammer Museum. Located in the Hafsburg Palace, the Schatzkrammer displays the royal family’s most prized possessions.<span style=""> </span>Here, we were able to see the three imperial crown jewels of the Hafsburg monarchy, the cradle which Napoleon had commissioned for his children, a thorn from Christ’s crown of thorns, a nail from Christ’s cross, and what the family believed to be the holy grail, an agate bowl.<span style=""> </span>The museum is small and does not take a long time to walk through, but it is definitely worth the visit.</p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21bQn4y5bbs/TVunTkhI_YI/AAAAAAAAEb8/pFQbPtbK9ao/s1600/Vienna%2B101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21bQn4y5bbs/TVunTkhI_YI/AAAAAAAAEb8/pFQbPtbK9ao/s320/Vienna%2B101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574232918463151490" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9c0qfH6SrbE/TVunTBEUiQI/AAAAAAAAEb0/9qH4oSVjtPY/s1600/Vienna%2B091.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9c0qfH6SrbE/TVunTBEUiQI/AAAAAAAAEb0/9qH4oSVjtPY/s320/Vienna%2B091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574232908947032322" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">From the treasures of the monarchy we made our way to over to the Military History.<span style=""> </span>Here, about 400 years of Austrian Military history is documented and is on display.<span style=""> </span>Everything from wartime paintings to suits of armor can be found here.<span style=""> </span>Our favorite rooms of the museum were the ones which dealt with WWI.<span style=""> </span>These rooms displayed arms, rounds, and the uniforms which were used by the Austrian forces.<span style=""> </span>The best exhibition within these rooms was the one dedicated to Archduke Franz Ferdinand.<span style=""> </span>Here, we were able to see the car in which he was executed in.<span style=""> </span>It has not been changed since the incident and we could clearly see the bullet hole which killed his wife Sofie as well as the damage from a previously unsuccessful grenade attack.<span style=""> </span>Also on display is the uniform the archduke was wearing at the time of his assassination.<span style=""> </span>You can see where the fatal bullet entered as well as the blood stains which the uniform incurred due to the gunshot.<span style=""> </span>It was definitely surreal standing next to the things which started the First World War.</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCHvCZDLjXQ/TVunUMoJX5I/AAAAAAAAEcE/yMVdhGpK-tc/s1600/Vienna%2B022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCHvCZDLjXQ/TVunUMoJX5I/AAAAAAAAEcE/yMVdhGpK-tc/s320/Vienna%2B022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574232929229954962" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIM68p7IKNA/TVuoV_cuTMI/AAAAAAAAEcM/veTCmkAcx-E/s1600/Vienna%2B024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIM68p7IKNA/TVuoV_cuTMI/AAAAAAAAEcM/veTCmkAcx-E/s320/Vienna%2B024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574234059563748546" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">The last museum we ventured to was the Schobrunn Palace.<span style=""> </span>Built to be the summer residence for the Hafsburg monarchy, Schobrunn palace used to be located outside city limits.<span style=""> </span>Home to ornate rooms, meticulously kept gardens, and Europe’s largest greenhouse Schobrunn Palace will paint a pretty accurate picture for how things used to be.<span style=""> </span>Here, one can tour the gardens and palace grounds for free or for a small fee one will have access to forty of the imperial rooms.<span style=""> </span>These rooms have been fully restored and showcase original furniture and paintings of the Hafsburgs.<span style=""> </span>During this self-guided tour one can also read up on all the juicy family history; from the favoritism that Maria Theresa showed her eldest daughter or the dissatisfaction which Empress Elizabeth expressed about her marriage, there is a lot of dirty laundry to read up on.<span style=""> </span>After touring the imperial rooms, we made our way to the gardens.<span style=""> </span>Since it was winter, the shrubs and trees were free of leaves but we could easily see the outlines of the patterns they would make when in bloom.<span style=""> </span>We walked across the ice covered lawns and made our way to the sun house atop of a hill behind the palace.<span style=""> </span>Along the way we passed the Neptune fountain which Marie Theresa built to honor her husband, Franz Josef I, after his death.<span style=""> </span>The view of the palace for the sun house was astonishing.<span style=""> </span>The sun was out and the yellow palace stood out easily against its snowy surroundings.</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk67njzbtL4/TVuoXoAdPGI/AAAAAAAAEcs/Ls0Ifmj4-fk/s1600/Vienna%2B237.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk67njzbtL4/TVuoXoAdPGI/AAAAAAAAEcs/Ls0Ifmj4-fk/s320/Vienna%2B237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574234087630912610" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8aMnoQ4HKRs/TVuoXaRd-XI/AAAAAAAAEck/kD5zVyWYGT4/s1600/Vienna%2B211.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8aMnoQ4HKRs/TVuoXaRd-XI/AAAAAAAAEck/kD5zVyWYGT4/s320/Vienna%2B211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574234083944167794" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-49247228926460532082011-02-13T18:32:00.000-08:002011-02-13T18:40:20.816-08:00Bratislava<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYUwlEgf0JI/TViVEYiuYpI/AAAAAAAAEas/PNPIzDR5fbg/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B313.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYUwlEgf0JI/TViVEYiuYpI/AAAAAAAAEas/PNPIzDR5fbg/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573368441411101330" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> 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unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and it is probably the most different of the three cities we visited.<span style=""> </span>Bratislava is a small city with a population coming in at about 500,000.<span style=""> </span>Since communism only fell twenty years ago, evidence of its existence can be seen throughout the city.<span style=""> </span>While the old and history city center is exempt from this, the remainder of the city is marked by homogenous soviet bloc housing.<span style=""> </span>In fact, Slovkia is home to the largest block housing development in Europe.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">What makes Bratislava such a great place to visit is its small size.<span style=""> </span>The city center is easy to walk and cover in about two day’s time.<span style=""> </span>So once Eric and I arrived, we hit the ground running and wandered all over the city.<span style=""> </span>The first stop our tour-de-Bratislava was the old town square.<span style=""> </span>This square is really small in comparison to Prague’s, but houses the old city hall building.<span style=""> </span>In the winter time an outdoor ice rink is installed and takes up the majority of the square.<span style=""> </span>Behind the rink is the old city hall.<span style=""> </span>A light yellow, bell tower possessing building which unfortunately was undergoing renovations when we were there.<span style=""> </span>However, a bit of history can be seen on the exterior walls of the bell tower. To the left of the main window a cannonball, which was launched by Napoleon, can still be seen.</p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7la8yqmD9E/TViVE33C1GI/AAAAAAAAEa0/3FQceksyE_4/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B319.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7la8yqmD9E/TViVE33C1GI/AAAAAAAAEa0/3FQceksyE_4/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573368449817826402" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">From city hall we made our way to Bratislava’s Castle.<span style=""> </span>Like most castles in Europe, Bratislava Castle is located atop a hill.<span style=""> </span>It is a white and red, rectangular fortress which overlooks the entire city.<span style=""> </span>Lucky for us, a large snow fall had occurred the night before we arrived and left everything white.<span style=""> </span>We slowly, and carefully, trudged up the snowy hill to the castle grounds.<span style=""> </span>Once there, we were able to walk around the extremely old stone walls and ultimately inside the outer wall. There, snowy parks and trees comprised most of the grounds. With the accompanying snowscape, the castle looked as if it could be from a Disney movie.<span style=""> </span>From the edge of the outer walls we could also look out over the city center as well as the bloc housing across the Danube River.<span style=""> </span>It was definitely an interesting view to say the least.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately the interior of the castle is still undergoing an extensive renovation and was closed.<span style=""> </span>I believe the castle won’t be open to the public until the end of 2012.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4RrXs-Rr6s/TViVyF17amI/AAAAAAAAEbc/Ezp3yvurQoM/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B346.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4RrXs-Rr6s/TViVyF17amI/AAAAAAAAEbc/Ezp3yvurQoM/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573369226665355874" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eh-MuYF_ZP4/TViVGZPEvXI/AAAAAAAAEbM/RkWCXDuFIMw/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B392.JPG"></a><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-BuB_U1Rgo/TViVxmF1E7I/AAAAAAAAEbU/T4xfRYtKXSA/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B350.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-BuB_U1Rgo/TViVxmF1E7I/AAAAAAAAEbU/T4xfRYtKXSA/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573369218142114738" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">From the castle, we climbed our way back down to the city center where we visited Michael’s Tower.<span style=""> </span>Michael’s Tower is the only remaining lookout tower which is left over from the middle ages.<span style=""> </span>Since it is not longer needed as a lookout tower, Michael’s tower has been converted to an arms museum.<span style=""> </span>In the five, albeit small, floors centuries of weaponry are displayed; the museum starts with the 15<sup>th</sup> century and works its way up the WWII.<span style=""> </span>Pictures were strictly prohibited, but Eric sweet talked our elderly docent and she said we could take one.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately I screwed it up and you can’t even tell what it is…oops!<span style=""> </span>At the top, or WWII, floor we were able to go out onto the lookout balcony.<span style=""> </span>This provided an exquisite view of the city center.<span style=""> </span>For this, the sun had broken through the heavy cloud cover and provided us with a sunny and somewhat blinding view of the city.<span style=""> </span>It was perfect.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8AaMcbE4Ao/TViVFlkp8fI/AAAAAAAAEa8/k6yLctcC7zg/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B390.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8AaMcbE4Ao/TViVFlkp8fI/AAAAAAAAEa8/k6yLctcC7zg/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B390.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573368462088729074" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">After spending some time on the waterfront of the Danube, Eric and I decided it was time to see what the city had to offer after dark.<span style=""> </span>So we headed in the direction of the old town square and stumbled upon Slang’s Pub.<span style=""> </span>Slang’s is an unpretentious and an inviting pub were the beers and wines are reasonably priced.<span style=""> </span>In addition to cheap drinks, Slang’s also has some affordable food as well.<span style=""> </span>So with beer and wine in hand we ordered the most delicious salami and green olive pizza I have ever eaten.<span style=""> </span>Maybe it is my complete depravity from western food, or the fact that I was a few drinks in, or maybe it we excellently crafted, but I will never forget that pizza.<span style=""> </span>Truthfully, now that I am back in Korea I fantasize about that pizza, but I digress.<span style=""> </span>Slang’s was a great neighborhood pub where good company and good drinks always seems to be guaranteed.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Qs19W0Budo/TViVF94MHiI/AAAAAAAAEbE/56_FyJIGhKU/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B367.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Qs19W0Budo/TViVF94MHiI/AAAAAAAAEbE/56_FyJIGhKU/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573368468613111330" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Overall, our visit to Bratislava was eye opening.<span style=""> </span>This was not a city I had really heard of or even thought I’d ever visit.<span style=""> </span>But by going off the beaten path we were exposed to a city which operates as a democracy, but willingly showcases its communist past. <span style=""> </span></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-92181371043076796672011-02-13T18:22:00.000-08:002011-02-13T18:32:15.393-08:00Prague Part III: Cultural Endeavors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIz2CjZphEg/TViTli4RJII/AAAAAAAAEak/mYdf4tlwn3M/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B237.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIz2CjZphEg/TViTli4RJII/AAAAAAAAEak/mYdf4tlwn3M/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573366812098241666" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> 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<w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jewish Town:</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After touring castle grounds and getting our fill of the old town square, Eric and I decided to get a bit more cultural in our explorations.<span style=""> </span>To do this we headed to Josefov, the Jewish district of town.<span style=""> </span>Located a few blocks from the Old Town Square, Josefov is a small district of Prague which is comprised of six synagogues, one large cemetery, and a ceremonial hall.<span style=""> </span>It should be stated that many of these synagogues, with the exception of the New-Old Synagogue, are no longer used as places of worship.<span style=""> </span>These synagogues have been converted into museums which document the history of the Jews who settled in Prague and Bohemia.<span style=""> </span>We toured the Maisel, the Spanish, the Pinkas, and the Klaus Synagogues as well as the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Ceremonial Hall.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBHVgwt_sYU/TViTkv4toII/AAAAAAAAEaU/y5hLexk6tEc/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B224.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBHVgwt_sYU/TViTkv4toII/AAAAAAAAEaU/y5hLexk6tEc/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573366798409900162" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">That Maisel Synagogue was built in the late 1500s.<span style=""> </span>Here, we were able to read about the first Jewish settlements which arrived to Bohemia and about how these settlements progressed to the 18<sup>th</sup> century.<span style=""> </span>Also on display is the treasured silver collection, which contains many Torah pointers and crowns.</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cj27QWnx-o/TViTkHQeadI/AAAAAAAAEaM/jL5ghKySoy8/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B074.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cj27QWnx-o/TViTkHQeadI/AAAAAAAAEaM/jL5ghKySoy8/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573366787503712722" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Spanish Synagogue who gets its name from being built in the Moorish style, was built in the mid 1800s. This was without a doubt the most ornate of the synagogues.<span style=""> </span>With gold paint and gildings used on all of the walls and ceilings, the inside is constantly glowing.<span style=""> </span>The two floors of this building covers Bohemian Jewish history from the enlightenment to the post war years.<span style=""> </span>It documents, in horrific detail, the ‘cleansings’ which this community was force to endure during this 200 year span.<span style=""> </span>The most damaging, and shocking, of which happened during WWII. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Pinkas Synagogue has been turned into a memorial for the Bohemian Jews who perished during WWII.<span style=""> </span>Everything has been removed from the interior so only open rooms exist.<span style=""> </span>On the walls are inscribed the names of the Jewish victims, along with their personal data, and what communities they belonged to.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgo8H3YS-xw/TViTk0-IiyI/AAAAAAAAEac/3CYpwThCR8c/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B236.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgo8H3YS-xw/TViTk0-IiyI/AAAAAAAAEac/3CYpwThCR8c/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573366799774812962" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Old Jewish Museum can be found next to the Pinkas Synagogue and behind the Ceremonial hall.<span style=""> </span>The Ceremonial Hall is where all of the preparations for burial took place.<span style=""> </span>Now, inside this hall people can read up on Jewish customs and traditions in regards to death, illness, and medicine.<span style=""> </span>The Old Jewish cemetery is a labyrinth of tombstones.<span style=""> </span>This extremely small plot of land is home to 12,000 tombstones, but nearly 100,000 bodies.<span style=""> </span>Because the city of Prague would not give the Jewish community more land for a cemetery, the Jews had to bring land in; so they began to bury upwards.<span style=""> </span>As they did this, the tombstones began to rise as well.<span style=""> </span>This explains why a tombstone from 1434 is situated next to one from the 1800s.<span style=""> </span>At the risk of sounding morbid, this was my favorite part of the tour.<span style=""> </span>I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the Jewish Museum, but I was pleasantly surprised by it all.<span style=""> </span>I really enjoyed how it focused on Jewish history within Bohemia and the various traditions which developed over time.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWcCQV4tPsE/TViSi9O1HwI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/aJ5TAtSrykM/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B150.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWcCQV4tPsE/TViSi9O1HwI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/aJ5TAtSrykM/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573365668120960770" border="0" /></a><p style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">Wenceslas Square:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Wenceslas Square, which is also known as New Town Square, played an important role in recent history.<span style=""> </span>Currently the square is lined with shops, restaurants and hotels.<span style=""> </span>The New Town Square is an ideal place for tourists or locals to kill an afternoon window shopping.<span style=""> </span>At the far end of the square is the National Gallery.<span style=""> </span>The National Gallery is an elaborately large and ornate building which houses a natural history museum.<span style=""> </span>The large structure dominates the entire far end of the square is quite captivating to look at in the evening time.<span style=""> </span>However, just twenty to twenty-two years ago Wenceslas Square was home to the Czech’s largest anti-communism and anti-soviet demonstrations.<span style=""> </span>Many people put their lives on the line here for liberated and democratic Czech Republic.<span style=""> </span>In order to get a better idea of how things used to be, Eric and I visited the Museum of Communism.<span style=""> </span>There, we were able to look at old propaganda, interrogation rooms, and learn about the methods of the secret police.<span style=""> </span>I found this to be one of the more interesting museums we went to.<span style=""> </span>If you ever find yourself in Prague, I would highly recommend paying both the Jewish Museum and the Communism museum a visit.<span style=""> </span></p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WIWrPvGAMc8/TViSj7BWaAI/AAAAAAAAEaE/1OInDx6Sb8I/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B156.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WIWrPvGAMc8/TViSj7BWaAI/AAAAAAAAEaE/1OInDx6Sb8I/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573365684707420162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8r23va3W644/TViSjXd5QGI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/ky2BBNFBRR8/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B152.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8r23va3W644/TViSjXd5QGI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/ky2BBNFBRR8/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573365675163467874" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-23379492752400027152011-02-10T00:47:00.000-08:002011-02-10T01:04:33.669-08:00Prague Part II: Castles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aK0ZB6R_2bg/TVOnu2SXnjI/AAAAAAAAEYk/_cDP3n8tTIc/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B079.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aK0ZB6R_2bg/TVOnu2SXnjI/AAAAAAAAEYk/_cDP3n8tTIc/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571981587275816498" border="0" /></a><br />Prague Castle:<br />Situated atop of a hill, Prague Castle is a massive fortress which can be seen from nearly any location in the city. The Castle is comprised of a large rectangular building which serves as an outer wall for the various churches, theaters, and gardens which are located inside. While centuries ago this rectangular building housed the Bohemian Kings and their courts, today it houses the Czech president and other governmental offices. If you plan on visiting the Castle today most of this outer rectangular building is off limits as it is being used. However, all of the buildings found within the courtyard made by said building are available for tourists to peruse.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOnvJt9J7I/AAAAAAAAEYs/yKsNIvZbrnI/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B168.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOnvJt9J7I/AAAAAAAAEYs/yKsNIvZbrnI/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571981592491796402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />- St. Vitus Cathedral.<br />When looking at the castle from afar the first thing you’ll notice is two dark spires towering over the rest of the complex. While many assume these are a part of the medieval castle, the spires actually belong to the St. Vitus Cathedral. Built in the 14th century, St. Vitus Cathedral is a dark and towering gothic beauty. The cathedral is the first thing you see when you enter the castle grounds and it will hold your attention for quite some time. Decorated with large stain glass windows, flying buttresses, gargoyles, and intricate stone work, the St. Vitus Cathedral is truly an awe inspiring spectacle. I have been lucky enough to have seen some of the great churches of Europe (Notre Dame, St. Peter’s, Basilica of Sacre Couer), but for me St. Vitus Cathedral takes the cake. Maybe it’s because I’ve matured since visiting those last cathedrals or maybe it is because of extreme level of craftsmanship that can be found in St. Vitus, but when I walked through St. Vitus’ doors I, my eyes began to water. Every inch of the inside is just as intricate and ornate as the outside. High domed ceilings, tiled floors, and gilded altars are what occupy the interior. As you walk around the outer walls you’ll see encounter chapel after chapel which has fancy woodwork, golden statues, and it’s own towering stain glass window. In addition to the elaborate chapels and altars, the church is also the resting place for many of the Bohemian Kings and saints.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOnwLFjXII/AAAAAAAAEZE/zPiHaHSusLs/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B173.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOnwLFjXII/AAAAAAAAEZE/zPiHaHSusLs/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571981610039073922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOnvy6F43I/AAAAAAAAEY8/wehOaGZF86I/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B184.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOnvy6F43I/AAAAAAAAEY8/wehOaGZF86I/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571981603548554098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4gl8n7dCHE/TVOnvkdyQ7I/AAAAAAAAEY0/vsOKnGYV0bg/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4gl8n7dCHE/TVOnvkdyQ7I/AAAAAAAAEY0/vsOKnGYV0bg/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571981599671731122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />- St. George Basilica:<br />The oldest standing church within castle grounds, the St. George Basilica dates back to the 10th century. While the outside façade was redone in the 17th century, the inside is still original. The interior is simple, but worn. The stone floors, walls, and pews are extremely smooth from centuries of being walked and sat on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOozVpP1zI/AAAAAAAAEZM/tzF7UQ_taHA/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B188.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOozVpP1zI/AAAAAAAAEZM/tzF7UQ_taHA/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571982763924379442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />- State Rooms:<br />While most of the wings of the castle are off limits to tourist, the oldest and most historically significant wing is available for the public to see. In this wing you will see many of the meeting rooms of the king and his council. These rooms are decorated in a way which is fitting for their purpose. Rather than the walls being covered in framed artwork, the walls and ceilings are covered in hundreds of coats of arms. These crests are arranged much like that of a family tree. They depict the coat of arms for the people who comprised each council over time. Each tree contains around fifteen different coats of arms. Looking at these you are able to see who served in what position and when. The coolest room of all was a small side chamber which was lined with windows. This is where the defenestration of Prague took place. To summarize, in the early 1600s one of the biggest issues of the time was Catholic vs. Protestant. In 1618 a Catholic Monarch ruled, and started oppressing the Protestant building projects which had popped up over the city. In protest of this, a group of Protestants bribed their way into a meeting of regents where they threw the three leading regents out of the window. This action is what started the Thirty Year’s War. The nerd inside both Eric and I loved standing in that room and being able to look through the window which was used.<br /><br />- In the basement of one of the wings is a new exhibit. This exhibit documents the history of Prague Castle and the area it currently occupies. Throughout the exhibit are relics and artifacts which have been discovered on the castle grounds over times; textiles, cups, skeletons, ruins, and cutlery can all be found in this exhibit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOozvG_kjI/AAAAAAAAEZU/05lNup3LnqM/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B248.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOozvG_kjI/AAAAAAAAEZU/05lNup3LnqM/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571982770760028722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Vysehrad Castle:<br />Located much further south and on the other side of the Vlatava is Vysehrad Castle. Vysehrad Castle was the first castle of Prague. However, as it began to wear and tear, construction began on Prague Castle and the monarch was moved. Built in the 10th century, the castle grounds are largely composed of deteriorating stone walls and buildings, open parks, and churches. Like Prague Castle, Vysehrad is located atop a hill just above the Vlatava. It has an excellent view of the city as well as the river. A much quieter space, Vysehrad is a very scenic and historic walk. To start, Eric and I walked through the open park as well as along the entire outer wall. From this walk one can get views of nearly every point of Prague. Vysehrad is also home to the St. Paul and St. Peter Basilica. While this basilica is much smaller in comparison to the St. Vitus Cathedral, the architecture and décor is the same. Marked by large stain glass windows and dark spires the basilica trumps all of the other structures on the premises. Next to the basilica we found the Vysehrad Cemetery which contains the bodies of many famous people from Czech history. Truthfully, I’m not fully up to date on this, but old gravestones are always interesting to look at.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bVPHbe0HtB4/TVOo0Htc1MI/AAAAAAAAEZc/6ptOGZkzL3w/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B241.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bVPHbe0HtB4/TVOo0Htc1MI/AAAAAAAAEZc/6ptOGZkzL3w/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571982777363780802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOo0jZ4HSI/AAAAAAAAEZk/U4bUP1naCZ0/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B260.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOo0jZ4HSI/AAAAAAAAEZk/U4bUP1naCZ0/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571982784797875490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While Prague Castle is astonishing to look at, I must admit I enjoyed the quieter and older Vysehrad. While I may not have been blown away by the craftsmanship of Vysehrad, I really enjoyed the ruins it had to offer. It always amazes me to see what structures can really stand the test of time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOo1Px6TLI/AAAAAAAAEZs/OLkQoXidysc/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B252.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVOo1Px6TLI/AAAAAAAAEZs/OLkQoXidysc/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571982796709842098" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-85256727730766113822011-02-07T22:48:00.000-08:002011-02-08T16:02:38.823-08:00Prague Part I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDpOEHtOBI/AAAAAAAAEX0/ycN_Il8Hui0/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDpOEHtOBI/AAAAAAAAEX0/ycN_Il8Hui0/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571209166890809362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Getting There: <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />WARNING--if you ever find yourself looking for a flight and this potential flight as a connection in Moscow DO NOT book it. Flying both to and from Europe we had a connecting flight in Moscow and it was an absolute nightmare. The staff was unfriendly, unhelpful and unorganized. Allow me to explain. To begin with our flight from Seoul was delayed, thus shortening our layover to about an hour. While we knew we would be cutting it close, we thought we could make it…wrong! First off, the terminal we flew into (Terminal F) does not allow arriving planes to use a skybridge. So in Moscow, in the middle of winter, one must exit the plane directly onto the tarmac and funnel his/her way onto a shuttle bus. Keep in mind the shuttle bus waits, with doors and windows open, until it is packed like a sardine can before it makes its way towards the terminal. Once delivered, we needed to make it through a passport check before we could board make our connecting flight. We soon realized we’d be missing our connection when three planes had just unloaded and there was only one person checking passports. To further complicate the process there was no line, but rather a pushing/shoving mass of people. Once we had finally made it through, we had missed our flight and would have to get on the plane that left at 11 pm. However, the people at the transfer desk refused to help us until 45 minutes before that flight since that was when check in took place. So that’s how Eric and I came to spend four hours in the Moscow airport; a magical place where you can consume liquor straight from the container and you can smoke anywhere and as much as you like.<br /><br />However, the “fun” didn’t stop there. By the time we made to our hotel in Prague, around 1:30 am, we weren’t allowed inside the building, but rather we were greeted out front. There the owner informed us that of the four nights we had booked with them, we would only be able to stay with them for three. Meaning, that first night, right then, we had to go somewhere else. Luckily for us, he took the liberty of booking us a room nearby and we just had to walk there. So that’s how at 1:45 am Eric and I found ourselves walking the streets of Prague with luggage in tow. By the time we got settled into our new room it was 2:15 and we were ready for bed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDpPINg0WI/AAAAAAAAEYM/D_gS3I6QIOE/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B039.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDpPINg0WI/AAAAAAAAEYM/D_gS3I6QIOE/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571209185168773474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1:<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br />After a good night’s sleep and moving back to our original hotel, Eric and I decided to get a head start on the day. We knew we wanted to explore as much of Prague as possible, as to get a lay of the land, so that we could go back and hit individual landmarks on a later day. Our day started with us walking through Lesser Town. Lesser Town is a hilly part of Prague which contains Prague Castle, St. Nicholas’ Church, and most of the international embassies. As we climbed through the cobbled streets of Lesser Town, we’d stop from time to time snap photos but also to take in everything around us. Coming from Korea, I think I eyes were over stimulated with bright colors and elaborate architecture of the buildings. After looping around St. Nicholas, we began to climb the steps which would lead us to the outer walls of Prague Castle. Once we reached the top, we realized how lucky we were to have gotten an early start. The city was still quiet and the sun was still low enough to give everything a hazy glow. It was then I realized this was without a doubt the best place to view all of Prague. From here you could see the great buildings/monuments of Prague rise above the terracotta roofs of the pastel colored buildings. It was as if a painting had been placed before my eyes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDpOj-UAbI/AAAAAAAAEX8/K7ybvQTAFvQ/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDpOj-UAbI/AAAAAAAAEX8/K7ybvQTAFvQ/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571209175441342898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After sneaking a brief look at the inner courtyard of the palace (more to come on this later), we made our way down to the river and began to cross the Charles Bridge. Unlike my other half, I have never had a favorite bridge; that was until I saw the Charles Bridge. Still standing from the 15th century, the Charles Bridge is a rough and old beauty. Darkened to a deep shade of charcoal, the Charles Bridge looks every bit as old as it is. Lined with 30 statues and paved with uneven cobbles, the Charles Bridge is the epitome of gothic architecture. What should have been a five minute crossing at most, turning into a twenty minute ordeal. Eric, trying to blaze our trail, had to constantly stop and wait for me as I snapped picture after picture and as I closely examined each of the statues. Slowly but surely we made the crossing and soon found ourselves in the Old Town Square.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDpO9KlT9I/AAAAAAAAEYE/XZHBMHIKx18/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDpO9KlT9I/AAAAAAAAEYE/XZHBMHIKx18/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571209182203695058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Old Town Square is a vast, open, and (you guessed it) cobbled space. The square is marked by four distinct buildings/monuments: the Tyn Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church (there are two in the city), the astronomical clock, and the Jan Hus Memorial. All four of these are beautiful and unique in their own right. The Tyn, with its towering, dark and intricate spires, St. Nicholas with its baroque architecture and twin bell towers, the astronomical clock with its golden face and dials, and the once bronze now green Jan Hus Memorial. Standing at the center of the square, you’ll quickly gain a deep appreciation and respect for Prague. Taking in every inch of the square and warming up with some mulled wine, fatigue caught up with us and we headed back to the hotel for a break.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDq01WuLsI/AAAAAAAAEYc/rqpDL595UME/s1600/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B223.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TVDq01WuLsI/AAAAAAAAEYc/rqpDL595UME/s320/Prague%252C%2BBratislava%252C%2BVienna%2B223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571210932453781186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After a much needed rest and a salami, cheese, and bread dinner, Eric suggested we go out and grab a drink. He didn’t want us to call it a day at 5 pm. So we bundled up and headed out in the snow to the Prague Beer Museum; which isn’t a museum at all, but rather a really nice bar. There, they have 30 Czech brews on tap. In order to get a few tastings in, we ordered two different beers each. I sampled a great hefeweizen and a deep amber beer, while Eric went for an unfiltered pilsner and a lager. All of which were amazing. It was still snowing after we finished our drinks so Eric, being mildly obsessed with weather, suggested we walk back to the Old Town Square to see what it looked like in the snow. After moaning about how cold it was, I ultimately gave in.<br /><br />And thank God I did. The square was absolutely stunning. Snow had dusted the Tyn’s spires, the Jan Hun Memorial, and the cobblestones. Immediately I took out my camera and started clicking away. After I was finished, I put the camera away and took it all in once more before leaving. It was the perfect way to kick off our vacation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-20679370490843672322011-01-18T04:32:00.000-08:002011-01-18T04:37:52.395-08:00Winter VacationGreetings followers (so basically hi mom!). My apologies for being a bit of a lazy blogger lately. School and camp finished and I found myself napping and watching Criminal minds versus doing something productive with my time. I just want to let you know that Eric and I will be away from the blog for the next 17 days as we will be Central Europe for our winter vacation. For the next two and half weeks we'll be running around Prague, Bratislava, and Vienna. I promise a multitude of pictures and posts when we return. Furthermore, we'll be sans internet for this time so if you email us and we don't write back that's why. See you in a couple of weeks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-10337120348753333052011-01-17T16:06:00.000-08:002011-01-17T16:13:14.792-08:00Finished: 2 textbooks and 2 camps laterWell it’s official. After semester’s end on December 30th and two additional weeks of English camp, I have finally fulfilled all of my teaching obligations for the year. In a lot of ways the school year passed quickly, but when I look at the stack of lesson plans, materials, and rosters on my desk I can feel the full weight of the past 10 months. When I first came to Dae-Sung Middle School my students were painfully quiet and were hooked on the two phrases of “I’m fine thanks, and you?” and “Nice to meet you.” On my first day these two phrases made me feel welcome and content. However, as time passed on and my students were still saying “nice to meet you” each time they saw me, I knew the upcoming year would be very interesting. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTaaQ-L0CI/AAAAAAAADaA/DvISBfzl2Ws/s1600/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTaaQ-L0CI/AAAAAAAADaA/DvISBfzl2Ws/s320/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563311584476647458" /></a><br /><br />Weeks soon turned into months. As the months passes “I’m fine” slowly became substituted with “I’m _____ because _____.” Now many of you back home might find this progress painfully slow (and at times I did as well), but for my students to deviate from the repetition which was ingrained in them since third grade was a big deal. Each day different adjectives would be used, not all correct, but I always appreciated the effort. My girls tend to have a flare for the dramatic so the adjectives: fantastic, horrible, and I’m dying were in high rotation. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTaa-tRAKI/AAAAAAAADaI/Ct9H0vxVcc8/s1600/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTaa-tRAKI/AAAAAAAADaI/Ct9H0vxVcc8/s320/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563311596753715362" /></a><br /><br />As second semester started we became more open with each other. I’d have students find me during lunch to talk about their weekends and evenings at home. While not all of this could be communicated 100% in English, we were able to understand each other through exaggerated gesturing and acting. My favorite days were Fridays because I would meet with J.S. and H.R., whose English ability was quite high, and we’d discuss the differences between life in Korea and life in America. We’d also talk about their future goals and the like. Friday’s were also my favorite day because I taught class 2-6. Sure, as a teacher I shouldn’t pick or play favorites, but everyone has a favorite class; the one class where students are outgoing, kind, and excited to see you. Regardless if we were learning about descriptions or compliments we always managed to start and end laughing. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTabFx0FCI/AAAAAAAADaQ/FadsNyalmBU/s1600/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTabFx0FCI/AAAAAAAADaQ/FadsNyalmBU/s320/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563311598651839522" /></a><br /><br />As the second term came to an end, I had to explain to students I wouldn’t be returning to Dae-Sung next year. This was hard to do because they kept misunderstanding what I was saying. They thought I was going on a vacation, not moving back to America. As the term ended and goodbyes were said, I had 18 students voluntarily sign up and attend my winter camp (a good handful of these students came from 2-6). Together we learned to critique movies and music, we learned the difference between formal and informal conversations in English, and we played many speaking games. In addition to this, I had five students bring in a new English word to share with the class each day. I would provide definitions for these words and I would use the word in a sentence. Once day, a student brought in ‘sweet tooth’. I explained this meant someone likes to eat candy, chocolate, and cake. However, my students could not get past the literal word. They wanted to know which specific tooth in the mouth was the sweet tooth and why did this tooth like candy so much. It’s safe to say they didn’t walk away with a full understanding of the word. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTabWmQV-I/AAAAAAAADaY/iSRj10cbs-k/s1600/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTabWmQV-I/AAAAAAAADaY/iSRj10cbs-k/s320/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563311603166762978" /></a><br /><br />Initially I was dreading having to work the two extra weeks after term’s end. However, once my camp got started and ultimately was completed I could be happier that I did it. I was able to spend time getting to know my students a tad better and I was really impressed at their initiative to take my class, especially since all of these students middle to lower end of the English ability spectrum at my school. On the last day I rewarded students’ hard work with snacks and a movie. Winter camp proved to be the best possible way to end my teaching in Korea. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTabqicFoI/AAAAAAAADag/BD7GKpxXdWY/s1600/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TTTabqicFoI/AAAAAAAADag/BD7GKpxXdWY/s320/Dae-Sung%2Bwinter%2Bcamp%2B022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563311608519464578" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-60139785307668123442011-01-07T02:31:00.001-08:002011-01-07T03:42:32.462-08:00Muju Mountain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbsghxF0QI/AAAAAAAADZY/VAINbQRUeHs/s1600/Muju%2BMountain%2B042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbsghxF0QI/AAAAAAAADZY/VAINbQRUeHs/s320/Muju%2BMountain%2B042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559390833599697154" border="0" /></a><br />Two hours outside of Gwangju lies Muju Mountain; a popular ski resort in Korea. Since we finished school on the 30th of December, a group of us thought it would be a good idea to rent out a cabin for the New Year’s weekend. While Muju looks like only a large hill when compared to Mt. Hood, there is something cozy and beautiful about it. Maybe I think of it in this way because the mountain and surrounding town don’t resemble your typical Korean city or maybe it has something to do with the fact it was covered in snow. Regardless, I found myself intrigued by this small mountain community.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbsjWJAcsI/AAAAAAAADZ4/3BuQyMiggqg/s1600/Muju%2BMountain%2B085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbsjWJAcsI/AAAAAAAADZ4/3BuQyMiggqg/s320/Muju%2BMountain%2B085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559390882018390722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We spent our weekend in a small, two story suite equipped with a kitchen. However, true to typical Korean accommodations, there were no beds; just blankets and pillows. The compact lodgings combined with the large amounts of snow made for quite the cozy weekend. On Saturday afternoon Eric and I explored our small corner of town. We walked along back allies and winding roads to take in the nature around us. It sounds weird, but I’ve really come to miss being surrounded by trees. Gwangju, like most Korean cities, are just landscapes of bright lights and tall concrete high rises. Not especially appealing. So to be in the mountains, surrounded by snow and trees was a real treat for both Eric and I. After our walk, Eric and his friend Matt took it upon themselves to “break ice”. This activity involved them throwing large chunks of ice into the frozen river below, trying to break the frozen top layer. Somehow they managed to kill a couple hours doing this activity. As fascinating as it was, I found my time better spent reading my book and watching Gone With the Wind indoors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbsi2uzaKI/AAAAAAAADZw/Z1vK81tyFTc/s1600/Muju%2BMountain%2B092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbsi2uzaKI/AAAAAAAADZw/Z1vK81tyFTc/s320/Muju%2BMountain%2B092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559390873586985122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On Sunday, we made our way to the main street of town. There we would ultimately catch our bus home, but we decided to head in early to see what it had to offer. There, the trees are lined with lights and Timberline-esque wooden shops. If I knew any better, I would have thought I was in some American ski town. Since we didn’t have any need for ski gear, we decided to plop down in one of the coffee shops. There I indulged in my first bagel with cream cheese since I’ve moved here. Let me just say, a bagel has never tasted so good. I found myself licking the little container my cream cheese came in. Can you tell I’m cheese deprived?! <br /><br />However, all good things must come to an end and we soon found ourselves on a bus back to Gwangju. Even though we didn’t get to spend as much time as I would have liked in the great outdoors, I’m thankful for the few short days I had. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbsiKyyTxI/AAAAAAAADZo/P1DvCuEQsKc/s1600/Muju%2BMountain%2B080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbsiKyyTxI/AAAAAAAADZo/P1DvCuEQsKc/s320/Muju%2BMountain%2B080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559390861792530194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbshh2osGI/AAAAAAAADZg/q7evDRSpDNA/s1600/Muju%2BMountain%2B073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TSbshh2osGI/AAAAAAAADZg/q7evDRSpDNA/s320/Muju%2BMountain%2B073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559390850802823266" border="0" /></a><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-77680617411658545762010-12-27T22:36:00.001-08:002010-12-27T22:41:12.259-08:00Christmas in Korea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TRmF86rataI/AAAAAAAADZI/uQE-2CAlgKY/s1600/Christmas%2B2010%2B024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TRmF86rataI/AAAAAAAADZI/uQE-2CAlgKY/s320/Christmas%2B2010%2B024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555618896928224674" /></a><br /><br />For obvious reasons, Christmas this year would be unlike any other we’ve had. However, instead of focusing on cons of why it was so different (mainly no prime rib, potatoes, and cheesecake) we decided to focus on the pros (this being the first Christmas we actually spent together). To make the most of the day, we decided to join forces with our friends and the result was a Korean version of a western Christmas. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TRmF8WW4eHI/AAAAAAAADY4/63hZymDhUDM/s1600/Christmas%2B2010%2B009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TRmF8WW4eHI/AAAAAAAADY4/63hZymDhUDM/s320/Christmas%2B2010%2B009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555618887178418290" /></a><br /><br />The eight of us (Matt, Chantel, Jimmy, Rachel, Luke, Holly, Eric and myself) started the afternoon off by grabbing coffee at Big Apple Coffee downtown. There, we had our secret Santa gift exchanges. the only rule for the exchange was the gift could not be more than 20,000 won (around $17). The exchange was nice because it guaranteed everyone would have a gift to open on Christmas. Eric received his gifts from Rachel. He was given: two books and a six pack of beer. My gifts came from Holly. She gave me a bunch of fun accessories and a bottle of sparkling wine; all of which I was very excited about. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TRmF8tFgOII/AAAAAAAADZA/spy_UzAQz2U/s1600/Christmas%2B2010%2B012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TRmF8tFgOII/AAAAAAAADZA/spy_UzAQz2U/s320/Christmas%2B2010%2B012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555618893279541378" /></a><br /><br />After opening presents, we made our way over to VIPS. VIPS is a buffet which serves up a variety of western food. Because of this, it is a little spendy but we all agreed it was worth it for Christmas dinner. To ensure I got my full money’s worth I believe I went back for forth’s before heading for the dessert table. When it came time to leave, all eight of us were waddling out of there. After dinner, we invited our friends back to our place for some after dinner drinks and some Christmas music. There we spend the rest of the night drinking wine and spending time with good friends. To sweeten the deal even more, it started snowing after dinner. So from 7pm onward we had ourselves a white Christmas. <br /><br />So while I may have never imagined having a Christmas like this, it did not disappoint in the least. I hope all of your holiday’s treated you just as well. Have a great new year everyone!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TRmF9eBxsnI/AAAAAAAADZQ/9RUYV0LAWXE/s1600/Christmas%2B2010%2B031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TRmF9eBxsnI/AAAAAAAADZQ/9RUYV0LAWXE/s320/Christmas%2B2010%2B031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555618906417246834" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-87298376845154620872010-12-24T02:40:00.000-08:002010-12-24T02:42:44.256-08:00Twas the Night Before Christmas...in Korea‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Gwangju<br />Everywhere was busy, the streets were a zoo.<br />People were walking and talking without a care,<br />Despite there was a threat of snow in the air.<br /><br />Rather than being nestled and snug in their beds,<br />Students were forced to learn English instead.<br />We quickly learned Christmas Eve isn’t special here,<br />It is just an ordinary day of the year.<br /><br />This bit of news made Eric and I quite sad,<br />However we would not let our Christmas go bad.<br />With the flip of a switch and some researching too,<br />We quickly found something fun to do.<br /><br />We bundled up in our scarves and our coats,<br />And on the way out we grab some 10,000 won notes.<br />We ran underground to where the subway lay<br />And after waiting five minutes we were on our way.<br /><br />We passed: Nonseong and Hwajung and Sangchung too,<br />Until we finally found ourselves in Sangmu.<br />We climbed our way up to the street up above, <br />All I could think was “thank God I have gloves.”<br /><br />We turned to our left and walked up the street,<br />Both Eric and I could not feel our feet.<br />We walked and we walked and we walked a bit more,<br />Until we encountered a big yellow store.<br /><br />There E-Mart was across from the park,<br />It provided a break from the cold and the dark.<br />We walked up and down the aisles of treats,<br />Looking for snacks and drinks which could be discreet.<br /><br />We were off to see a movie next door<br />And we needed some drinks to sneak through the door.<br />We both agree theater prices are little bit whack,<br />And that’s why we always bring our own snack.<br /><br />With soda and candy bars shoved our pockets,<br />We made our way to the front ticket office.<br />“Two for the The Tourist, please.” We said.<br />“The one at 9:30?” The clerk said, cocking his head.<br /><br />“Yes that’s the one, two tickets please.”<br />The clerk understood us with surprising ease.<br />With snacks in our pants and tickets in tow,<br />We were now ready to enjoy the big show.<br /><br />The movie was over and much fun was had,<br />But now it was time to call us a cab.<br />We made it home just before midnight,<br />And decided it was time to turn off the lights.<br /><br />Lying all nestled and snug in our bed,<br />Images of past Christmases danced in our heads.<br />Sure we’d miss the potatoes and roast,<br />But we have each other and that matters most.<br /><br />So before we closed our eyes real tight,<br />We whispered, “Merry Christmas my dear, and I bid you goodnight.”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-48873695114588321082010-12-23T17:49:00.000-08:002010-12-23T17:56:53.226-08:00Merry Christmas!Season's greetings from Korea! It is an extremely cold and blustery Christmas Eve here in Gwangju. This morning, on our way to work, we encountered snow flurries so we are keeping our fingers crossed that we get a white Christmas this year. While we will miss sharing this holiday with all of you back home, we are excited to spend our first Christmas together, in the same location that is. While it would be easy to be upset at how un-christmasy this year's holiday is, we know this will be a holiday we will never forget. So we hope that all of your Christmases are filled with love, smiles, and full stomachs! Merry Christmas!<br /><br />Love,<br />Dana & EricAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-59176358382742475002010-12-23T01:21:00.001-08:002010-12-23T01:21:53.648-08:00Lunchtime MishapsI am the last person to know anything at my school. Even then, I only find out what the teachers who speak English deem necessary for me to know. On the occasions that I am told what is going on, five times out of ten I find out after the matter. Today’s lunch was definitely one of those five times when I was only privy to information after the event occurred. <br /><br />School time lunches have three staples: rice, soup, and kimchi; the rest of the dishes change daily and unpredictably. Per usual, I made my way to the teacher’s cafeteria with my usual lunch dates, Sue and Su Min. When I reached the lunch line, the first thing I saw was the soup. Today’s was puréed black bean and rice soup. I’ve had this one before and know enough about it to know I don’t like it. However, being an ‘adult’ at my school I am given the luxury of picking and choosing what I want on my lunch tray. Thus, I bypassed the soup. I knew this would not go unnoticed since skipping any of the three staples is guaranteed to cause an interrogation as to why I’m not eating it. However, to my surprise no one said anything; not one teacher. This was truly a first. Relieved, I continued eating my lunch and minding my own business.<br /><br />Then on the way back to the office, the other shoe dropped so to speak. Immediately after leaving the lunchroom, my a colleague asked me, “Why didn’t you eat the soup?”<br /> “Oh, that soup isn’t my favorite. So I decided not to have it.” I replied.<br /> “I see. But today is a special day in Korea. “<br /> “It is?” Shoot, here it comes.<br /> “Yes. Today is the shortest day. On this day every year, we eat that soup.” She explained.<br /> “Oh, I see.” I stated slowly while trying to think of something better to say.<br /> “It was very strange for you not to eat the soup today.” She continued.<br /> “I didn’t know. If I had—“ I stated, but was quickly cut off.<br /> “Well lunch is finished now.”<br /> “Should I have just eaten the soup?”<br /> “Yes.” She stated matter-of-factly.<br /> “Sorry.” <br /><br />Sorry was all I could think to say. I wasn’t sure what my colleagues expected me to say. I didn’t mean to offend anyone, but clearly I had. However, a head’s up on the walk to the lunch room would have been nice. I often find myself in this compromising position of acquiring information after the fact. Oh well, another day and another lunch hour survived. I think it’s sufficient to say that for the last five days of work, I will put a little bit of everything on my tray to cover my bases. Oops!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-50165327321847815152010-12-20T16:11:00.001-08:002010-12-20T16:22:05.511-08:00Wedding Bells<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_xKbO1BII/AAAAAAAADRw/q1jMVRakZ-4/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_xKbO1BII/AAAAAAAADRw/q1jMVRakZ-4/s200/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552922026982048898" /></a><br />This past Saturday wedding bells were ringing in Seoul. Now before you get carried away with yourself, Eric and I did not get married; our friends Jimmy and Rachel did. Well technically, they got married on Friday, but the celebrations did not begin until Saturday. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_xK12Az-I/AAAAAAAADR4/n1h5qTy2GGU/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_xK12Az-I/AAAAAAAADR4/n1h5qTy2GGU/s200/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552922034125721570" /></a><br />In order to properly celebrate the nuptials of our friends, a group of eight of us made our way up to Seoul so we could have a makeshift reception on Saturday night. Wanting to shop and see some Seoul sights, Eric and I caught an early bus on Saturday morning. Once in Seoul, we spent the day shopping, eating, and drinking large amounts of coffee with our friends. We spent most of our time perusing Insadong, a street where you can indulge in some traditional Korean goods, and the H&M of Myeongdong. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_xLkYXhjI/AAAAAAAADSI/1fe3A7WDuqE/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_xLkYXhjI/AAAAAAAADSI/1fe3A7WDuqE/s200/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552922046617847346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_xLRYAsQI/AAAAAAAADSA/HspdBapYnpA/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_xLRYAsQI/AAAAAAAADSA/HspdBapYnpA/s200/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552922041516077314" /></a><br /><br />After our day of walking and shopping was complete, the wedding festivities got underway back at our hostel. There we kicked the evening off with pitchers of Hite while getting ready for our night out in the Hongdae district. Hongdae surrounds a nearby university so there is an over abundance of restaurants, bars, and night clubs. In order to give Jimmy and Rachel a Western wedding reception, we started the night off with cake and a champagne toast. Nothing says “you’re married” like cutting a cake together, so we made them do just that. After the cake was cut and distributed, we held a champagne toast. Don’t worry a camera was flashing at all times so they got a true wedding experience. After this was over, the boys presented Jimmy with his “big papa” celebratory cigar; officially signifying that these two are married. <br /><br />By western standards, a wedding isn’t a wedding without alcohol. To mend this we briskly walked over to Woody’s, a bar specializing in cheap, but strong drinks. After all the drinks were sipped and the cigars smoked, we decided it was time for the dancing to start. So we all meandered our way to a sans-cover dance club just a few blocks away. There Eric and I cut a mean rug and boogied the night away. And not to toot our own horn too much, but we were pretty fantastic. As the music and strobe lights continued to pulsed, our group slowly started dwindling down in numbers until finally there were only four of us still dancing. It was then, around 3 am, when we declared our makeshift reception over. As we made our way back to our hostel, a kebab stand caught our eye. With kebabs and coats in tow, the night was officially over. Overall, I’d say the Mcintyre wedding party was a great success!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_yRARnSaI/AAAAAAAADSg/fabmA2vYDPI/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_yRARnSaI/AAAAAAAADSg/fabmA2vYDPI/s320/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552923239516686754" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_yQK2YUqI/AAAAAAAADSQ/F0_61eTXRUU/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_yQK2YUqI/AAAAAAAADSQ/F0_61eTXRUU/s320/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552923225175380642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_yR1aCfJI/AAAAAAAADSw/Knmu4nZ2zlg/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_yR1aCfJI/AAAAAAAADSw/Knmu4nZ2zlg/s320/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552923253779102866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_yRmBlQQI/AAAAAAAADSo/9GZRUdrdyUk/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_yRmBlQQI/AAAAAAAADSo/9GZRUdrdyUk/s320/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552923249649991938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_zATfcYvI/AAAAAAAADS4/Vcb2wcgixBk/s1600/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQ_zATfcYvI/AAAAAAAADS4/Vcb2wcgixBk/s320/Rachel%2Band%2BJimmy%2527s%2BWedding%2B036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552924052128817906" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-10497502587686891132010-12-15T16:47:00.001-08:002010-12-15T16:47:44.092-08:00The School Function from HellAs the school year winds I find my calendar filling up with teacher’s lunches, conferences, and an end of the year dinner. I attended the latter this past Tuesday evening. To be frank, it was the oddest staff function I have ever been to. It was held at one of the hotels in town and the food spread was really quite swanky. However before we could help ourselves to the all-you-can-eat buffet, we held an hour long meeting discussing how the past year went at Dae-Sung Middle school. Let me tell you, if you think it is boring to listen to a dull speech in English, it was excruciatingly dull to listen to this dull, hour long speech in a language I didn’t understand. Once the speeches were over, I asked my friend Sue what it all was about. She said that each of the department heads, as well as the Vice Principal, spouted off a list of all the things the teachers did wrong this year and how they expect things to go more smoothly next year. Maybe not the way I would have handled the situation, but I digress. <br /><br />After the berating was over, we were free to eat. The spread of the buffet was extensive; it had anything from egg salad sandwiches, kimchi, and fried chicken to raw fish and other finer Asian delicacies. During dinner a gift raffle was held by the principal. I found the whole idea of the raffle funny because rather than buy each teacher a small gift, he opted to buy just 15 gifts and raffle them off to the teachers; to each their own. Luckily, my name was drawn and I was given a cylindrical wrapped gift. I was excited at the prospect of opening it, not knowing what was inside. After I returned to the table, my principal told me through the microphone that is was a water bottle. Brilliant. But not just any old water bottle, but the “best water bottle in the world.” How exciting. He didn’t stop there, he demanded I open it in front of him so he could see how happy the water bottle would make me. So there I am, opening a gift which I already know what is inside, and I had to look excited, surprised, and grateful when I saw the water bottle. While it is a nice blue reusable water bottle, I’m not sure it is the best water bottle in the world. <br /><br />Just when I thought things couldn’t get any weirder, a cake cutting ceremony was held. It was a three tiered cake, but the bottom two tiers were plastic, and all the tiers were separated by white columns; very 1970s. Furthermore, the ‘real’ top tier did not match the other tiers. It was real classy. To make things even more bizarre the cake was cut by both the vice principal and principal using a sword. Please do not confuse this with a long knife. I mean a three and a half foot, hilted sword. It was great. What was not great, was that us forty teachers had to share one nine inch round cake.<br /><br />I’d like to tell you that was the end of my weird end-of-the-year meeting, but it wasn’t. While I was enjoying my small sliver of cake, the teacher next to me started asking me about my return to America. She wanted to know the exact dates, and times, I’d be moving back to Portland, where I would be living, and who I would be living with. I thought this was odd, and invasive, but told her I did not know for sure. All I knew was that I would be staying with friends for a bit while I looked for an apartment. I could not explain to her that I would ultimately be living with Eric because that concept just doesn’t exist for her because we are not married. I was curious where all of this was heading, so I asked her why she was asking. Well it turns out the daughter of another teacher at our school wants to finish college in America. Well the woman I was talking to, who will remain unnamed, convinced the daughter of this other teacher to go to Portland State University. Apparently the daughter has been accepted and is starting at PSU in March. After this background story, the woman I was talking to asked me if I would live with the other teacher’s daughter in Portland! Can you believe that?! I honestly did not know what to say. I was shocked that they would put me in this kind of position. Once I regained my ability to talk, I told her that wouldn’t work for me, but once I get a cell phone again I can email the daughter my phone number. This was met with the response, “Oh. Well I told the daughter you would have lunch with her on Thursday after school.” Again, I was at a loss for words. I told her this would be impossible because I have already made plans for Thursday afternoon. Who just volunteers another person’s time? After that I saw some other teachers leaving and I just made a break for it. Not the most mature way to handle the situation, but I did not know what else to do. While the food itself was nice, that was by far the most bizarre teacher’s function I have ever been to. I think it is safe to say that I will not miss those meetings when I leave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-37406431829777719962010-12-14T23:42:00.000-08:002010-12-14T23:49:22.281-08:00It's Good to be a Foreigner...somtimes!My apologies for being a lazy blogger these last few weeks. Eric and I have been watching an unhealthy amount of Criminal Minds and I haven’t been able to tear myself away. Pathetic, I know, but I’m back. So I know I’ve touched on some of the difficulties that come with a being a minority in Gwangju; the constant stares, being ignored, having our business turned away, etc. However, I want to write about some of the perks that come from being a part of a small foreign population—free stuff. Often times, large events that are held within our province, South Jeolla Province, admission will often times be free for foreigners. For example, when the Formula 1 race came here, foreigners could sign up in advance for free tickets. Also, members of the foreign community will often host events and admission will be free for all participants. This is to help bring the foreign community together, but to also help bridge the gap between the Korean and foreign populations. <br /><br />Last Friday night, December 10, was one of these events. GFN, Gwangju Foreign News, hosted an Indie Rock Holiday Party downtown in the Kunsthalle Gallery. Four bands (B.O.B., Betty Ass, Used Cassettes, and Seoul City Suicides) were solicited to play three songs each. Even though the event was a holiday concert, the bands played their own material rather than Christmas jams. All of the bands were pretty decent too, considering they all met while working abroad in Korea. After the bands were finished, a DJ was hired to play music until 11pm. It was a lot of fun and really busy too. In addition to the free tunes, the concert hosted a free gift raffle, free beer, free coffee, and free t-shirts! To sweeten the deal even more, Eric won us two tickets to an art exhibit in town from the gift raffle. Overall, the concert was a very fun and affordable way to spend our Friday evening. So while I may complain from time to time about the inconveniences we encounter day to day, we are treated to some pretty nice perks as well. <br /><br />Then on Saturday we had plans to spend the evening at Jimmy and Rachel’s to celebrate Rachel’s birthday. Eric and I figured that since we got away with such a cheap evening the night before, we’d treat ourselves to some barbeque for dinner. We frequented our favorite neighborhood establishment and order the usual. As we were ready to leave, we were stopped from paying for our meal. One of Eric’s students, and her family, were also eating at the restaurant, and they wanted to pay for our meal as a thank you to Eric. Of course we still offered to pay, but the mother would not have it. We ultimately just had to say thank you and move on. <br /><br />So what should have been a spendy weekend turned out to be one of the most affordable weekends we’ve had here. So I guess sometimes standing out has its upsides!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQhyVoY8geI/AAAAAAAADRA/xO08hUr-V4Q/s1600/GFN%2BHoliday%2BConcert%2B007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQhyVoY8geI/AAAAAAAADRA/xO08hUr-V4Q/s320/GFN%2BHoliday%2BConcert%2B007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550812256679002594" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQhyV1pTReI/AAAAAAAADRI/BtBNb-E7wZE/s1600/GFN%2BHoliday%2BConcert%2B014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQhyV1pTReI/AAAAAAAADRI/BtBNb-E7wZE/s320/GFN%2BHoliday%2BConcert%2B014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550812260237264354" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQhyW3fk6SI/AAAAAAAADRY/hJpOOmB7Ke0/s1600/GFN%2BHoliday%2BConcert%2B015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQhyW3fk6SI/AAAAAAAADRY/hJpOOmB7Ke0/s320/GFN%2BHoliday%2BConcert%2B015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550812277913217314" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQhyWQGAQ4I/AAAAAAAADRQ/X4yvy9QG5Jc/s1600/GFN%2BHoliday%2BConcert%2B013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TQhyWQGAQ4I/AAAAAAAADRQ/X4yvy9QG5Jc/s320/GFN%2BHoliday%2BConcert%2B013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550812267336975234" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-64941772556308201362010-11-30T22:40:00.000-08:002010-11-30T22:42:40.783-08:00Korean KissesMonday night was the first time I’ve been kissed, on the mouth, by a man who wasn’t my boyfriend in nearly three and half years. Now before you start thinking what a floozy I am, allow me to explain. <br /><br />In search of a quiet and relaxing evening on Monday, we decided to venture out for some Korean BBQ in our neighborhood. Neither of us felt like cooking and we thought the large bowl of spicy soup would help us with the colds we’ve been battling. We are the only non-Korean residents in our neighborhood, so each time we dine out we always get a few stares and we sometimes get freebies sent our way. <br /><br />It all started with a bottle of coke. While quietly enjoying our meal, the waitress interrupted us to place a bottle of coke on our table. She signaled that is was from the two gentlemen sitting next to us. Minding our manners, we said thank you and began enjoying the fizzy beverage right away. After a few sips the gentlemen interrupted us and asked us if we like soju (it’s similar to vodka, but not as strong). We responded yes, and next thing I knew the man, let’s call him Mr. Kim from now on, was standing at our table pouring each of us a shot of soju. As is custom, you pour for the person who pours for you, so we reciprocated the gesture. Mr. Kim said thank you and went back to his table, but left us the remaining bottle of soju. In order to be polite we offered Mr. Kim more of his soju, but custom kicked in and he was pouring us two more shots. Eric and I were feeling the bite of the alcohol, but continued to eat our meal. Next thing we knew a new, full bottle of soju was placed on our table and we ended up splitting this with Mr. Kim and his brother. Just so we are all clear, Eric and I have now had SIX shots of soju each!<br /><br />Dinner wrapped up and following us out the door was Mr. Kim and his brother. They wanted to treat us to a beer. Now what you all at home don’t realize is refusing anything in Korea is EXTREMELY rude, especially since we already accepted everything else. We were stuck going. So we found ourselves at the local pub, on a Monday at 7:30, drinking our way through two very large (30000 cc to be exact) pitchers of beer. All the while Mr. Kim and his brothers are trying to speaking English to us, but none of them speak English and we don’t speak Korean. Basically we are all yelling at each other and gesturing with our hands like Italians on mass amounts of sugar. <br /><br />Eric and I had to draw a line. That line was a plate of fried chicken (keep in mind we already ate), two large pitchers of beer, and the clock striking 9:30. After an extensive set of charades in which we finally conveyed we were sick and we needed to wake up early for work the next day, they finally let us go. However, being a ‘gentleman’, Mr. Kim decided to walk Eric and I home. For the entire two block walk, Mr. Kim had Eric and me both securely under his heavy arms, causing me to slouch from the force. We soon found ourselves at the base of our hill and we signaled that this was us. After a bunch of Korean we didn’t understand, it happened. <br /><br />His half open mouth found itself pressed against Eric’s face. With stealth-like speed, especially for a drunk person, Mr. Kim quickly landed his parted, moistened lips on the left half of my mouth. Now I don’t know about you, but that was a little forward for a first goodbye. We immediately jerked away, said goodbye and ran up our hill. <br /> <br />Tuesday morning I woke up with a hangover, a bad belly, and the hilarious and horrific memories of the night before. Oh Korea, you are so dynamic!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-78149534792566957032010-11-28T16:59:00.000-08:002010-11-28T17:01:51.394-08:00School RulesFor the past week I’ve been administering speaking exams to each of my students. For the test, I ask each student a series of four questions, all of which we’ve studied this term. Since I average around 42 students a class, you can imagine this is a time consuming task. One of the questions I asked my second year students was “Tell me three rules here at Dae-Sung.” The responses varied with each student and I found myself marveling at some of the rules which are in place at my school. Below is a list of some of the rules which were reported to me over the last week. <br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1.</span> You must wear your complete uniform each day to school. As students arrive to school, they are inspected by a group of upper classmen. If anything is untidy or out of place they are required to fill out a yellow card. This card means the student has to do 45 minutes of community service at the school. They have until the next school year to complete this. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2.</span> Students’ hair may not be more than 7cm below their ears. If it is they must either cut it or tie it back. If they tie it back, their pony tails may not exceed 20 cm. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3.</span> Students may not wear coats, scarves, gloves, or slippers in school. Keep in mind only the classroom is heated.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4.</span> Students may not dye or perm their hair. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5.</span> Students must attend two after school classes every day.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6.</span> Students may not wear contact lenses, only glasses.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7.</span> Students may not wear any make-up or accessories to school. Only a watch is allowed. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8.</span> Students may not be driven to school by their parents. They are to walk up the hill leading to school. If students are driven by parents they are often dropped off around the corner so they will not be caught.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9.</span> Students must bring their own toilet paper to school. The school does not provide toilet paper in student bathrooms. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10.</span> At the beginning of each day, students must turn in their cell phone to their homeroom teacher and can only pick it up at the end of the day. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11.</span> Students must clean their own school. There is a 20 minute period each day that is devoted to cleaning. In this time students clean their classroom and a designated area of the school.<br /></blockquote><br />Failure to comply with any of these rules at my school results in a yellow card and/or corporal punishment. For the most part, students understand and comply. However, being an all girls middle school many of my students try to get away with a short skirt, long hair, and/or make-up. <br /><br />And you thought the school you went to was strict!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-78153527518546129922010-11-24T16:40:00.000-08:002010-11-24T16:48:11.639-08:00Gobble GobbleSo while you (Americans) are stuffing your face with my favorite dishes: turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, I am administering speaking exams to all of my students. Despite missing out on the family togetherness of the day and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I still have a lot to be thankful for this year. So, if I was joining you for dinner this evening and you asked me what I was thankful for this year, here’s what I’d say:<br /><br />“(Insert your name here), thank you so much for providing Thanksgiving dinner! It looks fantastic and smells delicious. “<br /><br />To which you’d reply, “Thank you. Now help yourself.” After everyone was served, we’d go around the table saying what we are most grateful for this year. My turn would finally come around and you’d ask me, “Dana, what are you most thankful for this year?”<br /><br />I’d reply, “Many things, but let me get specific.” After a moment of collecting my thoughts, and looking quite pensive in the process, I’d say:<br /><blockquote><br />“ – I’m thankful for Eric. I am grateful that through the obstacles of unemployment, multiple odd jobs, and an international move we’ve emerged on the other side a stronger and more centered unit. I’m also thankful, and lucky, to have someone who loves me as much as he respects me and I am proud to say I feel the same way. <br />--I’m thankful for my family. I’m lucky to have a Mom, Dad, and brother who support me unconditionally no matter what. Never have they second guessed my choices. I am also thankful for their health. There was a time when my mother was ill and I worried about her constantly. But I am happy to say due to good doctors and a lot of hard work on her part I don’t worry nearly as much as I used to. <br />--I’m thankful for my other ¾’s: Diana, Molly, and Gina. They are always an email, instant message or skype date away. I’m thankful that they fit me into their ever changing, busy schedules to listen to my complaining, problems, or odd stories. They help keep me centered, despite being thousands upon thousands of miles away. <br />--I’m thankful for the friends who’ve put in the effort to stay in contact with me since I’ve been away. By no means is it easy or convenient, but I’m grateful for all the updates and stories. <br />--I’m thankful for the Breaux and Maraist clans. They’ve always been a home away from home and a second family. <br />--I’m thankful for the friends we’ve made and the people we’ve met on this Korean journey<br />--I’m thankful for my job and the doors it has opened for me. Because of it, I’ve been able to keep doing what I’m passionate about while traveling the world at the same time.<br />--Mostly, I’m just thankful to have things to be thankful for. 2010 has been good to me.”<br /></blockquote><br />After letting that hefty list linger in the air for a few seconds, for dramatic effect of course, I’d raise my (insert drink here) and say, “and lastly, (you name here) thank you for such a great meal. Happy Thanksgiving!”<br /><br />Have a great holiday everyone. Sending you much love from Korea.<br />XOXOAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-51487269225166657182010-11-21T16:30:00.000-08:002010-11-21T16:39:31.810-08:00New Find: Big Apple Coffee Shop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6pKG8nqI/AAAAAAAADQ4/1WJde-E3XHM/s1600/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B013.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6pKG8nqI/AAAAAAAADQ4/1WJde-E3XHM/s200/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542166032707002018" /></a><br /><br />As our final weeks of school pass more and more quickly, Eric and I find ourselves enjoying our quiet weekend activities. Lucky for us, the fall is the dry season so we’ve been enjoying some sunny and crisp weather. Lately, we’ve gotten in the habit of going out for walks on both Saturday and Sunday. The reason for this is partly to enjoy the outdoors, but mostly to avoid paying bus fare. As our winter vacation approaches, we find ourselves literally pinching pennies when and where we can. <br /><br />This past Saturday, our walking expedition took us to a new coffee shop. After reaching downtown, we choose to go down some never explored streets. Much to our surprise we stumbled upon the Big Apple Coffee Shop. It’s located off of a small alley-way and seems to be the only establishment on the small side street. Regardless, we were struck by its quaint stucco exterior and large windows. The inside is just as charming as the exterior, if not better. It looks like the Pottery Barn catalogue, a favored reading of mine, threw up everywhere. Needless to say I was in home décor heaven. What really sold us was the all glass sun room. This room was bright and warm, plus it had the added draw of a large stone and working, fireplace. With the fire roaring and the smell of wood in the air, it felt as if we’d been transported to a different place and time. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6b_AkOuI/AAAAAAAADQg/WKYg74h2dPU/s1600/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6b_AkOuI/AAAAAAAADQg/WKYg74h2dPU/s320/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542165806389148386" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6bnjKd6I/AAAAAAAADQY/rstT3CkExXQ/s1600/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6bnjKd6I/AAAAAAAADQY/rstT3CkExXQ/s320/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542165800091809698" /></a><br /><br />Not ready to leave this happy place, Eric and I ordered large coffees and soaked up the afternoon next to the fireplace. There it was fun to talk about what it will be like not to live in a matchbox of an apartment and how nice it will be to have a variety of restaurants to choose from. Those fireside, coffee filled few hours were just what we needed. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we were both feeling a bit homesick for our Portland fall traditions. Even though we’ve only just found this place, we expect to visit it often. It’s already been decided that we want to spend Christmas morning there eating sweets, sipping coffee, and warming up by the fire. Maybe the holiday season won’t be too bad after all! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6c9K9x9I/AAAAAAAADQw/JZERQ2oFfMg/s1600/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6c9K9x9I/AAAAAAAADQw/JZERQ2oFfMg/s320/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542165823075764178" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6cYa-PHI/AAAAAAAADQo/kJ6NAJxXwnI/s1600/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6cYa-PHI/AAAAAAAADQo/kJ6NAJxXwnI/s320/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542165813210791026" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6bP-_JOI/AAAAAAAADQQ/zzXvB8aVttk/s1600/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TOm6bP-_JOI/AAAAAAAADQQ/zzXvB8aVttk/s320/Big%2BApple%2BCoffee%2BShop%2B006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542165793766057186" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-18601052353498326682010-11-10T15:55:00.000-08:002010-11-10T16:01:30.385-08:00Happy Pepero DayOnce the Christmas trees have been brought down and the New Year’s celebrations are over, the holiday shelves make room for the fun and frivolous holiday February has to offer. Ornaments and party poppers are replaced with boxes of chocolate, red roses, and candied hearts. You all know the holiday of which I speak: Valentine’s Day. For us living in the West this happens once a year and couples and friends alike jump on board by purchasing various sweets and cards. However, here in the East this frivolous and fun tradition of sentiment and attention happens once, sometimes twice, a month. Here, in Korea the 14th of every month is considered a “couple’s day”, each month possessing a different theme. Around the first of each month, the new posters and products hit the shelves and remain there until about the 17th. Here is a list of monthly couple’s holidays:<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">January 14th: Diary Day</span>. To celebrate the New Year, couples are supposed to buy each other planners. The idea is that together they can mark down the significant plans, birthdays, anniversaries and holidays that are important to their relationship. Eric, what are those dates again?<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">February 14th: Valentine’s Day</span>. Don’t get this confused with how we do things in the West. Valentine’s Day in Korea is a day for a woman to confess, or show, her love to a man. On this day, it is solely the women who are buying gifts and treats to give. <br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">March 14th: White Day</span>. Now it’s the man’s turn. This is the day when men can show their love and appreciation for that special lady in their life. Quite frankly I think it is unfair since the man received his gift the month prior, he knows exactly how much effort he needs to put in. For both of these days expect hotels to be booked up in advance. Since most people live with their parents until they are married, this is the only way for the couples to get some alone time and potentially see some action…wowza!<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">April 14th: Black Day</span>. Basically for the 11 months of the year when couples get a special day, Korea decided it needed to throw its single population a bone. Black Day is when singles get to publicly complain about how miserable and lonely they are. To commemorate this day, singles get together and eat black noodles (ramen noodles covered in a black bean sauce). If you are single you are supposed to dress in black, in turn letting other singles know you are available…Korea you are so clever!<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">May 14th: Rose Day</span>. The idea here is that couples exchange roses. My question is, just one? What happens if you give more? Is the number of roses directly related to how much you love the other person?<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">June 14th: Kiss Day</span>. Before you get carried away thinking how sweet this is, listen in. The idea here is that you kiss everyone you meet on this day. So do they really mean for this to be “here’s-a-free-pass-to-get-out-of-your-relationship Day”. Because I’m pretty sure if Eric went around locking lips with everyone he met in one day, I might be a bit peeved.<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">July 14th: Silver Day</span>. The couples who survived Kiss Day can show how strong their bond is by buying each other something silver. Now I know my mother could get behind this one.<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">August 14th: Green Day</span>. No, not green as in environmentally friendly. Green as in the color of soju (liquor) bottles. The idea is that couples escape to nature to spend time with one another while the remaining single people of this country drown their sorrows in a bottle, or two, of booze. So while you may be fine and fancy free drinking your soju tonight, tomorrow you’ll not only be lonely and miserable again, but you’ll have the hangover to prove it. <br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">September 14th: Photo Day</span>. This is a time for vain couples to take photos together, get them printed, and put them on display in their houses. Keep in mind it would most likely be your parents’ house. <br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">October 14th: Wine Day</span>. Buy a bottle, or two, of wine and enjoy it with your significant other. Foreigners be warned: Korean wine is terrible. Expect to shell out the big bucks for an imported bottle.<br /><br />- November is twice as nice, giving you two couples days this month!<br />o <span style="font-weight:bold;">11th: Pepero Day</span>. For all you non-Koreans out there, Peperos are sweet, thin bread sticks dipped in chocolate. You buy this in various sizes and flavors and exchange them with your sweetheart. This is extremely popular among friends and colleagues as well. <br />o <span style="font-weight:bold;">14th: Movie Day</span>. Go to the local theater and watch a flick with your significant other. I’ll say it now, I’m not going. I refuse to try to watch a film with the rest of the theater is sucking face around me…gross!<br /><br />- <span style="font-weight:bold;">December 14th: Hug Day</span>. On this day, give your partner a big ol’ hug. I think the idea is to show how much you love each other, but let’s be honest it’s cold in December. If I’m hugging anyone in public it’s because I need to warm myself up. <br /><br />So there you have it, the thirteen romantic holidays of Korea. Consider this my Pepero Day gift to you.<br />XOXO<br /><br />**Note: I have the best students. When I arrived to work today (Pepero Day) I had five boxes of Peperos waiting for me. Today’s score: my students 5, Eric 0. Just saying ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNsyD095kzI/AAAAAAAADQI/hmtyc7TkcUU/s1600/Pepero%2BDay%2B002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNsyD095kzI/AAAAAAAADQI/hmtyc7TkcUU/s320/Pepero%2BDay%2B002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538075208121422642" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-16926560294322311142010-11-08T16:22:00.001-08:002010-11-08T16:26:31.501-08:00Christmas Cheer and Kebabs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNiUytynw_I/AAAAAAAADP4/p5evaeyEXGM/s1600/ShinsagaeChristmas+Display+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNiUytynw_I/AAAAAAAADP4/p5evaeyEXGM/s200/ShinsagaeChristmas+Display+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537339340858311666" /></a><br /><br />As previously mentioned our holiday season is not off to our usual start. Fall proves to be a fickle season here. Since temperatures went from temperate to cold, it froze the leaves where they were. However, we had a brief warm up this past weekend and the gingko trees which line the streets are now a vibrant shade of yellow. <br /><br />Desiring the need for a cozy evening, Eric and I decided to brave the chilly, blustery evening and head to Shinsagae, the local upscale department store. What makes department stores, especially Shinsagae, nice to visit here are their basements. In the basement of every department store in Korea one can find a grocery store and food court. Because Shinsagae appeals to a higher end of clientele, imported goods can be found in abundance in the grocery and food court sections. Much to our surprise, when we went there in search of some dinner last night we ended up finding two of our favorite things: Christmas displays and kebabs. <br /><br />Upon entering the store, our eyes were immediately drawn to a red, green, and gold wintery display. In the center of the floor, located between the Burberry and Louis Vuitton boutiques, were a slew of tall trees, twinkling lights and ornaments, and vibrant poinsettias. Standing in front of this quaint display, Eric and I were in awe; eyes wide open and beaming smiles in awe. I am sure this sounds funny to you, but since moving here we have given up any traditions we had. We accepted this as the difference in cultures and generally truck along. But to walk into a store during the fall holiday season and see a Christmas display was so unexpected we knew we had to savor the moment. We’ve both agreed that going to Shinsagae to drink coffee/hot chocolate in front of the Christmas display is a once a week, must do event this holiday season.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNiUxaT_zeI/AAAAAAAADPo/xash4ZNqpsQ/s1600/ShinsagaeChristmas+Display+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNiUxaT_zeI/AAAAAAAADPo/xash4ZNqpsQ/s200/ShinsagaeChristmas+Display+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537339318449720802" /></a><br /><br />After pulling ourselves away from the Christmas cheer, we headed to the food section downstairs. After wandering stand after stand of food stalls we saw them; the chicken kebabs. We’ve perused Shinsagae frequently since moving to Gwangju and we have never seen kebabs. However, last night they made their debut appearance and we could not tear ourselves away. We ordered our savory wraps and wasted no time in biting in. While not fully traditional, the kebabs were crunchy, tangy, and immensely savory. The combination of barbecued chicken, crisp cabbage, and tangy sauces placed me in a state of culinary euphoria. Again, I don’t expect you to fully understand. Even though Korea tries, key word being ‘tries’, to make Western food, the food still always tastes Korean. It will be accompanied by kimchi, pickled radishes, and/or have globs of mayonnaise or Thousand Island dressing. These kebabs were the first sandwich/wrap we’ve had here which did not have any of the above. Needless to say we were in heaven.<br /><br />I look forward to the next 7 weeks leading up to Christmas. I look forward to sipping hot chocolate, gazing at the Christmas displays, and munching on many more kebabs. ‘Tis the season! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNiUy1HspiI/AAAAAAAADQA/o-moCCNdZnQ/s1600/ShinsagaeChristmas+Display+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNiUy1HspiI/AAAAAAAADQA/o-moCCNdZnQ/s200/ShinsagaeChristmas+Display+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537339342825760290" /></a> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNiUx01ntSI/AAAAAAAADPw/7IeyIeownh4/s1600/ShinsagaeChristmas+Display+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TNiUx01ntSI/AAAAAAAADPw/7IeyIeownh4/s200/ShinsagaeChristmas+Display+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537339325570069794" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-23779713483879813382010-11-02T22:58:00.001-07:002010-11-02T23:04:14.157-07:00A Spooky SaturdayLiving in Korea for the last nine months has meant learning to put my American habits and customs on the backburner and open my mind to the traditions rooted in the East. I’ve been fairly good at this so far. I happily embraced Buddha’s birthday, teacher’s day, Chuseok, and numerous other Korean national holidays. In light of doing this I watched St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Independence Day, and Labor Day slip by unnoticed. However, when it came to Halloween I put my foot down. I refused to shrug my shoulders and accept a lack of Halloween as a possibility. Luckily, my friends felt the same way. <br /><br />For the week leading up to Halloween, we all wandered the Emarts and Homeplus’s of Gwangju to find a way to turn ordinary items into a costume. After scouring what these places had to offer, I settled on Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. While I don’t fully understand it, headbands with ears and other bedazzlements are very popular with Koreans, and I was able to find a headband with red antlers as well as a red clown nose. To pull my look together I bought a set of brown thermals. Thus Rudolph was born. Eric got lucky and found an inexpensive pirate kit at Emart. <br /><br />On Saturday night we hosted our friends at our apartment for a make shift Halloween party. In our tiny studio apartment, we managed to squeeze in Spiderman, a monkey, a vampire, a cat burglar, a pirate, a woman, and masquerade ball-goer. We kept the festivities going with dim lighting, which was the result of our light bulb blowing out, but I think it gave our soiree the spook factor it needed. Although I’m pretty sure we looked like a bunch of freaks drinking in the dark!<br /><br />After spending an ample amount of time at our place, we decided to take our festivities downtown. We heard through the grapevine that the Western bar, Speakeasy, would be hosting a Halloween bash. So we piled into cabs and walked through the busy streets of downtown in our costumes. Now if I thought we got stared at before, we were definitely gawked and pointed at from the moment we left our apartment until we made it to the bar. However, it was all worth it. We ended up surrounded by Westerners and Koreans alike who are fond of the holiday. What made the evening more memorable was seeing what costumes people created from everyday items. Overall, Halloween turned out as it always does; filled with candy, costumes, cocktails…no complaints here! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND67ESoH6I/AAAAAAAADMM/FIepsLb6bkM/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND67ESoH6I/AAAAAAAADMM/FIepsLb6bkM/s320/School+Festival+and+Halloween+108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535199834709434274" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND66gJUFUI/AAAAAAAADME/nmmnNEwqENU/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND66gJUFUI/AAAAAAAADME/nmmnNEwqENU/s320/School+Festival+and+Halloween+114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535199825006695746" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND66eos0WI/AAAAAAAADL8/VLxQatQYE7I/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND66eos0WI/AAAAAAAADL8/VLxQatQYE7I/s320/School+Festival+and+Halloween+112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535199824601469282" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND658ZyHQI/AAAAAAAADL0/9sRMZsJgC1E/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND658ZyHQI/AAAAAAAADL0/9sRMZsJgC1E/s320/School+Festival+and+Halloween+106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535199815412096258" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND65ZGXgXI/AAAAAAAADLs/asRLF9rHG5M/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TND65ZGXgXI/AAAAAAAADLs/asRLF9rHG5M/s320/School+Festival+and+Halloween+097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535199805935419762" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-21661432271044692862010-11-02T04:20:00.000-07:002010-11-02T04:21:10.563-07:00Baring It All!Before moving here I’d heard a lot about Jimjilbang’s, Korean bath houses. I knew they were quite popular and were meant to have some health benefits. I told myself I would go, but alas I found myself over eight months into my contract with no jimjilbang experience. Well this all changed last weekend. On Saturday some girlfriends and I decided to throw our modesty and inhibitions to the wind and brave the bath house. <br /><br />We met up Saturday morning, with the boys in tow, and made the nearly 30 minute bus ride to the bath house. The distance was long by choice; we went there 1. Because our friend Luke had been there once before and 2. the long distance ensured all of us that we would not see any of our students. Once arriving at ‘Ocean Spa’ the girls and boys were separated to their perspective bath rooms. Rachel, Holly, and I could not help but laugh the entire time. Sure we are all women and we have the same bits and pieces, but we were slightly uncomfortable and nervous. Regardless, we knew what needed to be done, stripped down to nothing, and made our way to the spas. Upon entering we were all greeted with various stares and pointed fingers. Now this is something the three of us are used to as foreigners. We are constantly pointed and gawked at in public. However, when you are naked it just isn’t nice. I was beginning to develop a complex about the stuff I was strutting. Was my body oddly proportioned to them, did they think my lady bits were deformed/misshapen in some way? I didn’t know what made us so special, but we were all willing to hurry into a pool of water. <br /><br />The spa room is comprised of six different pools, all varying in water temperature. The coolest pool is about 18 degrees Celsius and the hottest pool is around 42 degrees Celsius (that’s about 60-108 degrees Fahrenheit). In addition to the differing temperatures, the pools are also treated with different minerals and scents. The idea of the pools is to move from hot to cold and then back to hot again. This movement between varying temperatures is said to improve circulation and to help get rid of cellulite. Yes! After spending as much, or as little, time in the pools as you want there are also four saunas at your disposal ranging from 45 degrees Celsius to 62 degrees Celsius. If spending any combination of time in these places doesn’t make you feel like your body has sweated out any and all toxins I don’t know what will. <br /><br />Once we were done in the pool room we made our way up to the upstairs, coed portion of the bath house. Here there is a food bar, wide open rooms for socializing/meeting up, and six sweat lounges. Here, you wear the uniforms which were given to you when you entered the facility. The sweat rooms are large clay domes, where you sit/lay on the pebble floor. These rooms too vary in temperature. The coldest coming in at 0 degrees Celsius and the hottest coming in at 97 degrees Celsius (keep in mind water boils at 100 degrees Celsius). I stayed in the 50 degree room and found myself comfortably sweating. <br /><br />By afternoon’s end, we spend around four hours there, I was famished and shaking. I forget how hard heat can be on the body. I was completely drained of all energy, but I was surprising still feeling good. Rachel and I grabbed a large bowl of ramen before we left and headed home. Despite the initial discomfort earlier in the day, I was really happy with my bath house experience. So much so, that I want to go back again. The best part, this four hour spa and relaxation treatment only cost me the equivalent of $5! It’s safe to say I’ll be baring it all again and very, very soon!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418088638233755243.post-22585357270253669422010-10-31T02:30:00.000-07:002010-10-31T02:59:48.736-07:00School FestivalKorean schools work their students hard. Over the course of one week, my students will have studied twelve different subjects, participated in eight after school classes, and some will put in up to eighteen hours of extra study through a private night time academy. Then after all of this, my students are still expected to complete their homework for all of the classes mentioned above. However, for two days of the year students can leave their uniforms and textbooks at home. Last week, one of these days came around and the entire staff and student body of Dae-Sung Middle School joined together for the school’s festival.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05sTn6dvI/AAAAAAAADDc/y3Whp4iAsVo/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05sTn6dvI/AAAAAAAADDc/y3Whp4iAsVo/s200/School+Festival+and+Halloween+032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534142950452918002" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05tHPJP6I/AAAAAAAADDs/3WVpwkgzY7E/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+060.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05tHPJP6I/AAAAAAAADDs/3WVpwkgzY7E/s200/School+Festival+and+Halloween+060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534142964307672994" border="0"></a><br /><br />School festivals are commonplace and a big deal in Korean schools. While each school may have a different agenda, the jist of the festival is generally the same. My school festival was comprised of class performances, art shows, a yard sale, a quiz show, and club activities. The day started off with an opening ceremony and class performances. The first half of my day was comprised of twenty one performances in which each class put together an assortment of dances, cheers, and/or acting bits. I happily watched on as my students proudly performed bits from High School Musical, Grease, and the latest pop dances. After the top five performances were selected, we broke for lunch. During that time students, teachers, and parents were able to wander the art displays and shop for nick-nacks at the yard sale. Even though there was an impressive display of books and accessories, I found the headbands, bracelets, and magazines a little too young and small for me; I left empty handed. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05sgFv4dI/AAAAAAAADDk/TGDBZPhRqDs/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05sgFv4dI/AAAAAAAADDk/TGDBZPhRqDs/s200/School+Festival+and+Halloween+046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534142953799279058" border="0"></a><br /><br />After a filling lunch, which was provided by the students’ parents (woohoo!), I returned once more to gym. This time it was my turn to be on stage. I wrote and emceed the English portion of the quiz show. As a surprise to my girls I borrowed a hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, and wore it during my portion. The students and teachers went wild when I walked out on stage and I gave them the best traditional bow and greeting I could muster, which I’m fairly certain was horrendous. After the quiz show, the various clubs of the school were able to perform any performances they had put together. I watched as the anime club put on a anime fashion show, the sign language club sign a song, music club put on a flute and violin performances, and the dance class put on ballet and jazz performances. By day’s end the top five from the morning session performed their routines one last time and a winner was ultimately announced. The winning class received new notebooks, for classroom use I’m sure. So while we all distracted ourselves with good food and fun dance routines, we left for the day knowing Monday would bring us back to our routine of books, notes, and after school classes. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05tlW83UI/AAAAAAAADD0/xyIWFlm4OtI/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+075.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05tlW83UI/AAAAAAAADD0/xyIWFlm4OtI/s200/School+Festival+and+Halloween+075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534142972393479490" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05t437JII/AAAAAAAADD8/LUm6TvtpORc/s1600/School+Festival+and+Halloween+078.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_10Q0J_y9NI8/TM05t437JII/AAAAAAAADD8/LUm6TvtpORc/s200/School+Festival+and+Halloween+078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534142977632052354" border="0"></a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCbuAa8pQ8XFtP1iql5t6xk0O3MyIracJfIUqZFDRXxXO5ev7_Bt3eMAQwFxNlnNHbAwnLk6_iM6-vyFyeVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxV4cTKVEbY2E5A9pxUz5Ro-04hiS_7eMLiNmxjcF6xBWhDTPKEFUH3uX13IwkCMnfB6VM-9Ebk5ytr2PLK4A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dznmhEXM7K-ROp6JetLQ3CeUJly1Nlcg6cnQUrxlRLCfdrNC7jkfsDEaZedw6NmJ9Q9crqF5yKGSsVWwob4KQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0