Oh the joys of not understanding everything in a foreign country! Like buying coffee, opening it up to find its not JUST coffee!! Its chocolate flavoured coffee. Well thats what I'm going with anyway.. Or go to a waffle restaurant and order 3 hot chocolates. What will come out? Will they actually bring hot chocolates? No! They bring an iced chai latte ( which was bloody good) a cold chocolate and a caramel mochaccino also chilled! SUPRISE!!! To our glory, they bought us complimentary icecream when they only bought us 1 waffle rather than 3. Delightful!
I've been using someone elses internet for the past minth in my aprtment becuase for some reason it just wont work. But they great thing about Korea is that there is basically internet everywhere! Skyped my bro at the bus station the other day and watched my father on face time dancing with an Austin Powers lookalike. Can't beat being serenaded by my beautiful friend the other day though.
Korea is obsessed with plastic surgery. There are numerous advertisments everywhere on the trains etc showing "improvements" on eyelids, jawlines that have been chiselled from the bone, sliced calf muscles. Saw the first asian with Boobs the other day. Obviously fake. OMG.
They were huge.
They love coloured eye contacts, butt pads and constantly redoing their makeup on the train. Even the guys. Guys are fond of hand holding also- especially when they're happily drunk. My korean friends are awesome! They look after you well on a night out! Walked us home safely.
Nicholas and I went out for a drink which always means socialising with the locals too. One came over to pour Nicholas a beer and to my joy I got the entire 3 litres poured onto me. Absolutely soaked, I rished to clean my Ipad and bag. Then the fuss began. Everyone came to help. I couldnt string together the amount of sorrys I heard there were too many. Five minutes later we were joking and laughing calling the guy who tipped the beer on me an Idiot in Korean. The girls in the group went and got me a massive bag of food and drinks as a present too!
On Nicholas's Birthday, the generousity of Korea continued. People he hadn't even met that came along gave him gifts and cakes. All I had to do was go to the toilet and some young Korean outside had bought a mass of beers for our table! Along with a gorgeous fruit platter amongst other things. Everyone gushes over my Hair and I love it. I'm world famous in Pocheon as people point and nod when they see me. Cars slow down at the lights and I'm just waiting for a crash to happen right in front of me. My town is not very big and foreigners are very scarce. One child came up to me and hugged me and wanted me to pick him up. He did this several times until his friend told him to stop.
A medicinal food I have used in my cooking is the Bellflower root. Its beautiful in soups with garlic and ginger and wards away coughs. Coffee is terrible over here. All freeze dried and added sugar. Milk isnt like home either. There are no ovens so I wont have any real baking for a while.
There are foreign food shops but most of it is pretty expensive so eat Korean! Usually dont even feel like home food anyway! Felt like sugar for the first time yesterday and I've been here over a month.
Foreigners seem to either put on a lot of weight or lose a lot. If you eat korean food you will probably lose it, if you have the seond rate western food you will put on weight I guarantee.
Okay gotta head to work now! Kiss kiss. Love Alice. xx
2011년 7월 27일 수요일
Affair with Korea
With limited internet acessibilty, I begin to write this blog from my apartment overlooking the Pocheon mountains. I seem to have been inspired to snuggle up inside as the terrential rain accompanied by excessive thunder and lightning pursues to rage from the skies. It is monsoon season. Perfectly welcome since the one day it wasnt raining, it was ridiculously humid and I couldn't find an ice coffee house soon enough to prevent me sweating like a mofo.
Shall we start from the beginning then?
I arrived in Korea June, 21st, 2011. After a delayed flight, due to the volcanic ash roaming in australasian skies, I arrived in Incheon airport-only to find out my baggage had been lost. This was great for my budget as I had to dash to Emart to find some clothes to teach in for the next day. Problem is that asians are tiny. Didnt find much really. Had terrible blisters on my feet due to new impressive shoes also, so walking up to meet my new Principal wasn't so much of a walk but a strained hobble. Great first impressions. We went out for dinner straight away, and the next morning. The next night too. Korean food is amazing. Had my first Pork Galbi. I started teaching the very next day with the original teacher- also Kiwi- Dylan. He introduced me to two other teachers in Pocheon- Nicholas, also a kiwi working in a Hagwon and Jen, a bloody annoying American working in a public school. Just kidding shes awesome.
Then was solo from then on.
Interesting questions pursued. Such as- Teacher! an we change our name? Why is your hair yellow? Do you have a boyfriend? I teach at a Hagwon where the students range from 6 to 24 and recently i have a 50+ student also.
For teachers out there- your teaching life will be considerably easier if you focus on speaking slowly and simply. Make your rules clear if you want them also. Stare down the naughty ones and you'll find they are the ones you love teaching in the end as more often than not, the are the intelligent ones.
So after being in Korea for two days, I decided to take the Bus down to Chungju to visit my bro Pauline. She had a sweet apartment and met her expat community followed by a trip to a club. Korean girls are treated like dolls here I fear sometimes. The ushers in the club bring beers and fruit platters and other snacks to your table and girls on request. Any girl you guys want, just tell the usher and he will bring her to yo even if he has to literally drag her. She'll take one sip of your beer then stand up and leave. Amazing club however, strobes, DJs, I love how they have the food platters etc also.
Next day we headed to Busan. It was terrential rain. We couldnt find a hotel. I tried my luck at passing as a child on the subway and failed only to be ushered to a quiet room by a very angry Korean man. Playing dumb didnt work in my favour and I am now the proud bearer of 34500 won Fine. Totally worth the heart beat leap and sick stomach feeling. I think Pauline really appreciated the excitement too being her Birthday and all. However somehow, it seemt like fate since just as we left the subway, we stood behind a foreigner and in a desperate bid for shelter, I asked where the nearest motel might be. He turned out to be staying in the same room as Paulines good mates from NZ that we were meant to be meeting up with later on in the night! Love motels are about $40. This one was decked out with personal robes, a spa bath and austin powers style bed and internet. Pretty sweet!
Unfortunately, due to time difficulties, I didnt manage to see any sights that weekend. But had a great night out meeting many expats from around South Korea.
I've goten into the habit of going away for each weekend.
The following weekend Pauline, Lando, Vanya and I attended a 70s,80s,90s party where the entire crew of 50 people or so were almost all kiwi. My mate Damo got me into a private club party that night also in Itaewon. We stayed in another Love motel. 5 of us. 3 in the bed, 2 on the floor. Would have asked for another room but they didnt mention to us that the rooms were only on a 12 hr lease... so beware of love motels for that reason.. had to pay double. I went solo and visited the Palace Changdeokgung off Line 3, Exit 3, "Anguk". It truly is spectacular in its appearance and the Secret Garden tour is a must see so if you see one Palace in Seoul make it this one. Then you dont need to see another becuase they are all the same once you have seen one. Take a good camera that can really capture the colours of the houses.
I might add that these colurs are not traditional. They have been painted as it brings happiness and peace to many people. Traditionally, I am told, they were grey in colour.
Next we met up to go to Dongdaemun. The main shopping centre is massive. All clothing is in asian sizes though so if you are petite you will have a field day but otherwise it may disappoint. Dongdaemun has many market to visit also. I will visit soon and take pictures however as I didnt have time this time round.
Itaewon is overpriced. A little scummy. For waygooks that can't adjust really. But it is good for the English book store- "what the book" where you can buy novels. Tried a beautiful fur jacket on only to find it was 12000000 won. An asian man pointed us in the wrong direction for a club also. When talking to my Korean friend shes said it was becuase he hates foreigners.
Its sad but some really don't like our presence. Not all though. Most Koreans have been incredibly kind to me here!
The next weekend, A massive group of us travelled to Daegu for a Beach Party about 2 hours from Daegu. It was raing pretty much the entire time but that didnt stop us from having a great night. Everyone was a foreigner, an English teacher and copmpletely trollied.
I managed to score a few free Mojitos for being the only one who willingly swam in the ocean. Had a couple of swimming ompetitions with staunch looking guys from America/Canada. Then it was off to the Family mart to get some cheaper beer. But this solitary trip took about an hour longer than expected as we were summonded to a Korean Wedding. They were in love with Paulines beauty. Standing her up the front asking her to sing but I quickly took that shining moment from her as I took to the stage to sing "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. Exerted and wasted, we left confused and dazed, eventually making ourselves back to the Beach Party..
July 16th was the Boreyong Mud festival. DEFINITELY GO TO THIS. It is a Korean Highlight not to be missed. Its at Daecheon Beach, where millions of foreigners and Koreans gather to soak up the sun, be poured in the Beauty mud, get messy on the slides and rides and mud pools and dungeons then wash it all off in the sea with Good Live Music loud and clear pumping up the atmosphere. We managed to stayin a minibuk with a group of us friends. Boreyong is well known for their Seafood so be sure to try it while you are there!
TEMPLE
This weekend just gone, I visited Seoul once more. Jogye-Sa is a busy Buddhist temple reknown fr its 3 giant buddhist statues. People come offering healthy food and water to Buddah. The Temple is deorated beautifully with scenes of Buddahs life. Outside is a statue of a "Hama" a mythological dog looking creature to keep bad spirits away. It was in Anguk that I found the cutest little cafe with my friend James. It was the first cafe with real carrot cake and chocolate cake and baked cheese cake! Also Mulled wine and a gorgeous Chai latte. I was in heaven. I adore Korean cuisine but nothing beats areal homemade dessert. The rest of the "Western" food in Korea in abhonourable. Its just not food.
So if you follow the markets from the giant Paintbrush off Anguk exit 5, you'll come to a cute little side path leading to this cafe. Otherwise hit me up when you're here!
Myeongdong
I love Myeongdong! This is where shops such as H&M, Zara, American Apparel and Forever 21 are. So you an get some clothes that actually fit normally and are styly and cheap. There is so much to see here but it's extremely busy so try and visit in the morning if you an at about 10.
Gangnam
It's just so NICE! beautiful shops litter the main street. This is where the wealthy live and everyone speaks english. There is a mall in the subway station that would keep you occupid for hours.
If you need to get your hair dyed go to Juno Hair in Gangnam. Its on the main road, see http://www.junohair.com/. They specialise in treating european hair. They treated me like a queen constantly loading me with with whatever i wanted and massages plus, I am happy to say I am still blonde, not Ginger. Ask for Kwan-woo and say Alice the blonde sent you. He is absolutely lovely. AND super styly.
ALICE IS BLONDE aka Lost- Adventures galore!
That night i met up with pauline, must say I was the slightest bit tipsy, and being late at night I led Pauline and I on a long ride on the subway to the middle of nowhere thinking it was ujeongbu. It most certainly wasnt. We were completely stranded at 1.30 in the morning not knowing where the eff we were and with no more subways running, or buses and no taxis would take us to Pocheon. There were no shops no motels or anyhting around. No traffic. We rang up the Help line but beucase we weren't in Seoul they didnt help us either. This is when I prayed ridiculously hard for a random taxi. Then one came. We got in thinking we could be too far away until Pauline checked it on her phone and it looked pretty damn far. I freaked out a little and we rang our Korean friend who talked to the Taxi Driver. He secured a deal of 100,000 won so I wouldnt have to pay more and we had a rather dangerous- due ot taxi drivers lack of sleep- ride back to Il Dong. Il Dong by the way is not my home town but atleast it was near- only 20 more minutes away in the direction we had just been. I dont know how many times I said Pocheon. POCHEON!!!!! but at 3.30 ish we made it home, picked up some trusty Kimbob and scoffed it down doused in soysauce back to home sweet home. I feel so lucky we were safe that night. It was a close call... The taxi driver tried to get more money out of me but I sternly declined.
RAFTING
On Sunday, my boss had organised to take my friends, Pauline, Nicholas and Jen rafting in the beautiful Gangwon-Do area specially known for its dramatic landscapes due to volcanic activity. It was a special day due to being in the height of Summer so we all enjoyed a customary chicken Soup afterward. Traditionally it would have been a dog soup. As Dogs do not sweat, Koreans believe that by eating Dog, they will not sweat either. However, as westernisation has made its mark in Korea, the younger generation see dogs as pets and have substituted dog meat with chicken instead. Ofcourse, a Korean meal with the Boss is not complete with a substantial amount of Soju.
We carried on drinking in Pocheon accompanied by the best Seafood Pancake I have had yet and Dumplings. ooohhhhhh Dumplings I love you. Hence why I couldnt move afterwards due to being completely fattened by excess amounts of amazing Korean cuisine and Makaelli. Makaelli is a traditional Poor mans rice wine. Much easier to drink than it's cousin Soju. Its milkier in appearance and almost has a ginger taste to it like homemade gingerbeer I made when I was 12...
FIRST CULTURE SHOCK
But I have to say that Rafting almost didnt happen due to a misunderstanding with my boss 3 nights before. My boss loves to Drink, loves to socialise with us foreigners and loves to play Poker it turns out also. The situation was like this. I didnt bring my phone to work that day. It was Nicholas's Birthday and he had originally planned to invite my Boss to play poker with others and myself. Nicholas decided he would rather meet for Dinner and just have a casual night out instead. My boss asked what was happening and when I told him that we would probably be just going for dinner and no Poker, he still wanted to come to dinner anyway. I had planned to meet Nicholas at his place at 8 and my boss followed. But when Nicholas didnt answer his door my boss wanted to go to see if he was at the restaurant. I wanted to stay but I did as he wanted. Nicholas wasnt at the restaurant either and I started to get a bit anxious as I didnt want him leaving his aprtment thinking i wasnt coming so I asked if we could go bak as that was the original plan. My boss, unbeknown to me did not like this situation or suggestion but we returned to Nicholas' anyway and he was hthere. Tension brewed in the air but I ignored it. We made out way to the Restuarant where the rest of Nicholas's Korean friends were and things were still tense. My Boss left without saying a word to me but said to Nicholas that he didnt like his friends.
The next day, My boss came into Work Drunk having drunk all morning at the Tennis club. He said "alice, I have something to tell you, I was very disappointed in your attitude lastnight so I am cancelling rafting this weekend, its cancelled, do you understand" in which i replied yes and went back to my room in shock. About an hour later I cried when the receptionist came in to ask if I was okay and she was really nice but I didnt know what to think of the situation. I rang everyone though and told them it was off and felt pretty crap about myself for the rest of the day.
The next day my boss came in and said he had something to tell me again so I followed him carefully into my room. He apologised profusely, I apologised too and he said he still wanted to go rafting and leave it all in the past. So I rang everyone up again and tried to forgive and forget. Which luckily i have done now but it has made me realise that I need to be extremely careful in everything i say and do while around him now. Which is why I prefer not to Socialise with him outside of work becuase as he has said- we are not friends, he is my superior and I feel somewhat that he is buying me in a way when he pays for all the dinners he has paid for me and my friends. Also, I feel like I am lesser beucase I am a woman so I need to still learn my place in their eyes which is hard onsidering I've been high on the scale of independence my whole life.
Getting a Camera
While in Seoul I went to Yongsan to get a Canon S95, only the most amazing camera ever. Takes beautiful Pictures. The sellers try to get as much money out of you as possible. I wasnt in the mood for too much haggling but I wouldnt put up with those who did the age old tricks such as
1. trying to sell you an entirely different Camera which htey earn a better commission on
2. Sell you the camera for cheaper then sit you down and try and sell you a ridiculously priced SD card
I ended up going bak to the first seller as I trusted him more. Perhaps if I was more stubborn and haggled more I could have gotten it for cheaper but I managed to get a bit of a discount without much effort so I'm happy. plus i got some free screen and practically free SD card.
Now after buying your camera in Yongsan, there is a fabulous Jimjilbang called Dragon hill Jimjilbang or Spa. Easy to find just walk out of the subway station and turn to you right and walk a couple minutes and you'll see it loud and clear. Best Jimjilbang in Seoul according to my sources. For 12000 won you can scrub down in the saunas, sim in the pool or different variations of spas, then shower, put your jamis on, lax out in a massage chair or opt for a medicinal massage with a cold beer in hand. Then you mayb lodge free for the night in a room with other sleeping Koreans. Cheapest option for accomodation and I felt amazing afterwards. It makes your skin so soft and healthy. So lose your inhibitions and strip off in a Jimjilbang for the night! Your skin will love you for it ;)
I'm so fortunate to have Nicholas, a fellow foodie in Pocheon with me. We have started out restaurant roulette where we enter any random restaurant and pick something that another Korean is eating.
I may make a seperate Blog.
I've lost 7 kg since being in Korea already due to the food being so healthy and not having an appetite due to the humidity.
I've also started teaching Business men two nights a week- They want to take me out to a sushi restaurant for one of the lectures so that will be AWESOME!!! Free food yeah yaaaahhh. Cant wait for sushi!
Peace and Love readers x x x Time to fall asleep listening to the rain.
Shall we start from the beginning then?
I arrived in Korea June, 21st, 2011. After a delayed flight, due to the volcanic ash roaming in australasian skies, I arrived in Incheon airport-only to find out my baggage had been lost. This was great for my budget as I had to dash to Emart to find some clothes to teach in for the next day. Problem is that asians are tiny. Didnt find much really. Had terrible blisters on my feet due to new impressive shoes also, so walking up to meet my new Principal wasn't so much of a walk but a strained hobble. Great first impressions. We went out for dinner straight away, and the next morning. The next night too. Korean food is amazing. Had my first Pork Galbi. I started teaching the very next day with the original teacher- also Kiwi- Dylan. He introduced me to two other teachers in Pocheon- Nicholas, also a kiwi working in a Hagwon and Jen, a bloody annoying American working in a public school. Just kidding shes awesome.
Then was solo from then on.
Interesting questions pursued. Such as- Teacher! an we change our name? Why is your hair yellow? Do you have a boyfriend? I teach at a Hagwon where the students range from 6 to 24 and recently i have a 50+ student also.
For teachers out there- your teaching life will be considerably easier if you focus on speaking slowly and simply. Make your rules clear if you want them also. Stare down the naughty ones and you'll find they are the ones you love teaching in the end as more often than not, the are the intelligent ones.
So after being in Korea for two days, I decided to take the Bus down to Chungju to visit my bro Pauline. She had a sweet apartment and met her expat community followed by a trip to a club. Korean girls are treated like dolls here I fear sometimes. The ushers in the club bring beers and fruit platters and other snacks to your table and girls on request. Any girl you guys want, just tell the usher and he will bring her to yo even if he has to literally drag her. She'll take one sip of your beer then stand up and leave. Amazing club however, strobes, DJs, I love how they have the food platters etc also.
Next day we headed to Busan. It was terrential rain. We couldnt find a hotel. I tried my luck at passing as a child on the subway and failed only to be ushered to a quiet room by a very angry Korean man. Playing dumb didnt work in my favour and I am now the proud bearer of 34500 won Fine. Totally worth the heart beat leap and sick stomach feeling. I think Pauline really appreciated the excitement too being her Birthday and all. However somehow, it seemt like fate since just as we left the subway, we stood behind a foreigner and in a desperate bid for shelter, I asked where the nearest motel might be. He turned out to be staying in the same room as Paulines good mates from NZ that we were meant to be meeting up with later on in the night! Love motels are about $40. This one was decked out with personal robes, a spa bath and austin powers style bed and internet. Pretty sweet!
Unfortunately, due to time difficulties, I didnt manage to see any sights that weekend. But had a great night out meeting many expats from around South Korea.
I've goten into the habit of going away for each weekend.
The following weekend Pauline, Lando, Vanya and I attended a 70s,80s,90s party where the entire crew of 50 people or so were almost all kiwi. My mate Damo got me into a private club party that night also in Itaewon. We stayed in another Love motel. 5 of us. 3 in the bed, 2 on the floor. Would have asked for another room but they didnt mention to us that the rooms were only on a 12 hr lease... so beware of love motels for that reason.. had to pay double. I went solo and visited the Palace Changdeokgung off Line 3, Exit 3, "Anguk". It truly is spectacular in its appearance and the Secret Garden tour is a must see so if you see one Palace in Seoul make it this one. Then you dont need to see another becuase they are all the same once you have seen one. Take a good camera that can really capture the colours of the houses.
I might add that these colurs are not traditional. They have been painted as it brings happiness and peace to many people. Traditionally, I am told, they were grey in colour.
Next we met up to go to Dongdaemun. The main shopping centre is massive. All clothing is in asian sizes though so if you are petite you will have a field day but otherwise it may disappoint. Dongdaemun has many market to visit also. I will visit soon and take pictures however as I didnt have time this time round.
Itaewon is overpriced. A little scummy. For waygooks that can't adjust really. But it is good for the English book store- "what the book" where you can buy novels. Tried a beautiful fur jacket on only to find it was 12000000 won. An asian man pointed us in the wrong direction for a club also. When talking to my Korean friend shes said it was becuase he hates foreigners.
Its sad but some really don't like our presence. Not all though. Most Koreans have been incredibly kind to me here!
The next weekend, A massive group of us travelled to Daegu for a Beach Party about 2 hours from Daegu. It was raing pretty much the entire time but that didnt stop us from having a great night. Everyone was a foreigner, an English teacher and copmpletely trollied.
I managed to score a few free Mojitos for being the only one who willingly swam in the ocean. Had a couple of swimming ompetitions with staunch looking guys from America/Canada. Then it was off to the Family mart to get some cheaper beer. But this solitary trip took about an hour longer than expected as we were summonded to a Korean Wedding. They were in love with Paulines beauty. Standing her up the front asking her to sing but I quickly took that shining moment from her as I took to the stage to sing "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. Exerted and wasted, we left confused and dazed, eventually making ourselves back to the Beach Party..
July 16th was the Boreyong Mud festival. DEFINITELY GO TO THIS. It is a Korean Highlight not to be missed. Its at Daecheon Beach, where millions of foreigners and Koreans gather to soak up the sun, be poured in the Beauty mud, get messy on the slides and rides and mud pools and dungeons then wash it all off in the sea with Good Live Music loud and clear pumping up the atmosphere. We managed to stayin a minibuk with a group of us friends. Boreyong is well known for their Seafood so be sure to try it while you are there!
TEMPLE
This weekend just gone, I visited Seoul once more. Jogye-Sa is a busy Buddhist temple reknown fr its 3 giant buddhist statues. People come offering healthy food and water to Buddah. The Temple is deorated beautifully with scenes of Buddahs life. Outside is a statue of a "Hama" a mythological dog looking creature to keep bad spirits away. It was in Anguk that I found the cutest little cafe with my friend James. It was the first cafe with real carrot cake and chocolate cake and baked cheese cake! Also Mulled wine and a gorgeous Chai latte. I was in heaven. I adore Korean cuisine but nothing beats areal homemade dessert. The rest of the "Western" food in Korea in abhonourable. Its just not food.
So if you follow the markets from the giant Paintbrush off Anguk exit 5, you'll come to a cute little side path leading to this cafe. Otherwise hit me up when you're here!
Myeongdong
I love Myeongdong! This is where shops such as H&M, Zara, American Apparel and Forever 21 are. So you an get some clothes that actually fit normally and are styly and cheap. There is so much to see here but it's extremely busy so try and visit in the morning if you an at about 10.
Gangnam
It's just so NICE! beautiful shops litter the main street. This is where the wealthy live and everyone speaks english. There is a mall in the subway station that would keep you occupid for hours.
If you need to get your hair dyed go to Juno Hair in Gangnam. Its on the main road, see http://www.junohair.com/. They specialise in treating european hair. They treated me like a queen constantly loading me with with whatever i wanted and massages plus, I am happy to say I am still blonde, not Ginger. Ask for Kwan-woo and say Alice the blonde sent you. He is absolutely lovely. AND super styly.
ALICE IS BLONDE aka Lost- Adventures galore!
That night i met up with pauline, must say I was the slightest bit tipsy, and being late at night I led Pauline and I on a long ride on the subway to the middle of nowhere thinking it was ujeongbu. It most certainly wasnt. We were completely stranded at 1.30 in the morning not knowing where the eff we were and with no more subways running, or buses and no taxis would take us to Pocheon. There were no shops no motels or anyhting around. No traffic. We rang up the Help line but beucase we weren't in Seoul they didnt help us either. This is when I prayed ridiculously hard for a random taxi. Then one came. We got in thinking we could be too far away until Pauline checked it on her phone and it looked pretty damn far. I freaked out a little and we rang our Korean friend who talked to the Taxi Driver. He secured a deal of 100,000 won so I wouldnt have to pay more and we had a rather dangerous- due ot taxi drivers lack of sleep- ride back to Il Dong. Il Dong by the way is not my home town but atleast it was near- only 20 more minutes away in the direction we had just been. I dont know how many times I said Pocheon. POCHEON!!!!! but at 3.30 ish we made it home, picked up some trusty Kimbob and scoffed it down doused in soysauce back to home sweet home. I feel so lucky we were safe that night. It was a close call... The taxi driver tried to get more money out of me but I sternly declined.
RAFTING
On Sunday, my boss had organised to take my friends, Pauline, Nicholas and Jen rafting in the beautiful Gangwon-Do area specially known for its dramatic landscapes due to volcanic activity. It was a special day due to being in the height of Summer so we all enjoyed a customary chicken Soup afterward. Traditionally it would have been a dog soup. As Dogs do not sweat, Koreans believe that by eating Dog, they will not sweat either. However, as westernisation has made its mark in Korea, the younger generation see dogs as pets and have substituted dog meat with chicken instead. Ofcourse, a Korean meal with the Boss is not complete with a substantial amount of Soju.
We carried on drinking in Pocheon accompanied by the best Seafood Pancake I have had yet and Dumplings. ooohhhhhh Dumplings I love you. Hence why I couldnt move afterwards due to being completely fattened by excess amounts of amazing Korean cuisine and Makaelli. Makaelli is a traditional Poor mans rice wine. Much easier to drink than it's cousin Soju. Its milkier in appearance and almost has a ginger taste to it like homemade gingerbeer I made when I was 12...
FIRST CULTURE SHOCK
But I have to say that Rafting almost didnt happen due to a misunderstanding with my boss 3 nights before. My boss loves to Drink, loves to socialise with us foreigners and loves to play Poker it turns out also. The situation was like this. I didnt bring my phone to work that day. It was Nicholas's Birthday and he had originally planned to invite my Boss to play poker with others and myself. Nicholas decided he would rather meet for Dinner and just have a casual night out instead. My boss asked what was happening and when I told him that we would probably be just going for dinner and no Poker, he still wanted to come to dinner anyway. I had planned to meet Nicholas at his place at 8 and my boss followed. But when Nicholas didnt answer his door my boss wanted to go to see if he was at the restaurant. I wanted to stay but I did as he wanted. Nicholas wasnt at the restaurant either and I started to get a bit anxious as I didnt want him leaving his aprtment thinking i wasnt coming so I asked if we could go bak as that was the original plan. My boss, unbeknown to me did not like this situation or suggestion but we returned to Nicholas' anyway and he was hthere. Tension brewed in the air but I ignored it. We made out way to the Restuarant where the rest of Nicholas's Korean friends were and things were still tense. My Boss left without saying a word to me but said to Nicholas that he didnt like his friends.
The next day, My boss came into Work Drunk having drunk all morning at the Tennis club. He said "alice, I have something to tell you, I was very disappointed in your attitude lastnight so I am cancelling rafting this weekend, its cancelled, do you understand" in which i replied yes and went back to my room in shock. About an hour later I cried when the receptionist came in to ask if I was okay and she was really nice but I didnt know what to think of the situation. I rang everyone though and told them it was off and felt pretty crap about myself for the rest of the day.
The next day my boss came in and said he had something to tell me again so I followed him carefully into my room. He apologised profusely, I apologised too and he said he still wanted to go rafting and leave it all in the past. So I rang everyone up again and tried to forgive and forget. Which luckily i have done now but it has made me realise that I need to be extremely careful in everything i say and do while around him now. Which is why I prefer not to Socialise with him outside of work becuase as he has said- we are not friends, he is my superior and I feel somewhat that he is buying me in a way when he pays for all the dinners he has paid for me and my friends. Also, I feel like I am lesser beucase I am a woman so I need to still learn my place in their eyes which is hard onsidering I've been high on the scale of independence my whole life.
Getting a Camera
While in Seoul I went to Yongsan to get a Canon S95, only the most amazing camera ever. Takes beautiful Pictures. The sellers try to get as much money out of you as possible. I wasnt in the mood for too much haggling but I wouldnt put up with those who did the age old tricks such as
1. trying to sell you an entirely different Camera which htey earn a better commission on
2. Sell you the camera for cheaper then sit you down and try and sell you a ridiculously priced SD card
I ended up going bak to the first seller as I trusted him more. Perhaps if I was more stubborn and haggled more I could have gotten it for cheaper but I managed to get a bit of a discount without much effort so I'm happy. plus i got some free screen and practically free SD card.
Now after buying your camera in Yongsan, there is a fabulous Jimjilbang called Dragon hill Jimjilbang or Spa. Easy to find just walk out of the subway station and turn to you right and walk a couple minutes and you'll see it loud and clear. Best Jimjilbang in Seoul according to my sources. For 12000 won you can scrub down in the saunas, sim in the pool or different variations of spas, then shower, put your jamis on, lax out in a massage chair or opt for a medicinal massage with a cold beer in hand. Then you mayb lodge free for the night in a room with other sleeping Koreans. Cheapest option for accomodation and I felt amazing afterwards. It makes your skin so soft and healthy. So lose your inhibitions and strip off in a Jimjilbang for the night! Your skin will love you for it ;)
I'm so fortunate to have Nicholas, a fellow foodie in Pocheon with me. We have started out restaurant roulette where we enter any random restaurant and pick something that another Korean is eating.
I may make a seperate Blog.
I've lost 7 kg since being in Korea already due to the food being so healthy and not having an appetite due to the humidity.
I've also started teaching Business men two nights a week- They want to take me out to a sushi restaurant for one of the lectures so that will be AWESOME!!! Free food yeah yaaaahhh. Cant wait for sushi!
Peace and Love readers x x x Time to fall asleep listening to the rain.
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