Pusan

Korean Adventure (August 16, 2002 Chautauqua)

In my first year of teaching here in Korea, I spent the last six months at a school in the small coastal city of Changwon. I really enjoyed my time there as the school was well organized, and most of the people who worked there were really nice.

I went down to visit them on July 19th. It seemed like they were happy to see me, and we had a good visit, catching up on old times. It was interesting to see the kids that I used to teach in the morning were now attending in the afternoon. I guess they must have graduated from pre-school to elementary. It was kind of like watching my own kids grow up.

I was treated to dinner that night, to a meal advertised as a traditional Korean dish, galbi jjim. It was a great deal like my mother's beef stew, and I ate a pretty good portion. My old director picked up the tab, and he was even nice enough to treat me to a motel room that night. There are some very nice people down there.

The next day, I was off to Pusan, to visit a teacher I met on the ferry to Japan. My first stop was a motel, so I could drop off my stuff. An indispensable part of my journey here is the "Lonely Planet Guide." It gives some useful information about the country you're travelling in, including budget places to eat and stay. The motel I decided on was fairly cheap, with an...interesting atmosphere.

The bed was round. I think that might give you an idea of what sort of clientele the place catered to. There was even a vending machine in the room. The logo read: "Love Calling." Now, I am a world traveller, but sometimes I come across aspects of a foreign society that remind me that in many ways I am still a kid from the prairies.


My next stop was the ancient Geumjeongsanseong Fortress on top of a mountain. You get up there via cable car, which rises up through a sea of evergreens to a height of 540 metres. The contrast of forest and crowded city is startling, especially once you reach the top. It was almost like being back in the mountains of Banff National Park, it was that quiet. Fortunately it was a clear day, and I could see all the way to the port, and the Sea of Japan beyond.

The Busan World Cup Stadium. You can see how hazy it is. There were some clear days, but a lot of the weather looked like this.



There is not much left of the old fort, just some crumbling walls, almost hidden by the green growth of the forest. The gates have been restored and are impressive sites to see.


There are hiking trails that lead all around the outside of the remains, and it can take a day to see everything. A planned tour will end up at a magnificent Buddhist temple of Beomeosa.



I met my friend at Haeundae Beach, which is the most famous beach in Korea. There are international hotels, and many western-style eating and drinking establishments. My friend and I consumed many beers at a seaside beer garden, before going in to enjoy a curried dinner that just couldn't be beat.

There is one thing about travelling in Korea - it is fairly cheap and efficient. Buses, trains, and taxis are all well within the budget of anyone and everyone. There are even "standing room" tickets available for the trains, which are sometimes the only tickets available if you do not plan ahead. In no time at all, I was back "home," ready for the next trip.
------------------------------------------------
One of the teachers at my old school asked me why I came back for a visit. Her question was asked in an aggressive manner, like she suspected my motives.
Maybe she saw the unbridled lust I had for my old supervisor, I don't know.
When I was on the cable car going up the mountain, there was this ajumma who took a shine to me. Maybe it was my beard, or my Batman shirt, or my sheer animal magnetism.
Most Korean women have a hard time resisting.
When I visited my friend on haeundae Beach, he introduced me to Dongdongju, for which I will be forever grateful. As Flint always says, I love dong... dongju.

Year 1 - Rainy Season

The latest floods in South Korea and Stig's post about the 2002 flooding he experienced got me thinking about my 1st year in South Korea. It was my first experience with a "Rainy Season" other than spring.

My strongest memory is of when a typhoon hit. Cheongju is far enough inland that we didn't get a lot of the wind but holy humidity batman did we ever get the rain. While the flooding wasn't on the scale we have seen in the news now it was pretty soupy out.

A group of us went out to supper on a Saturday night and did something stupid. It wasn't raining when we left so no one brought umbrellas even though it was pretty dark out. After supper it started raining but we just beat feet to Road King. Then the heavens opened and what seemed like a deluge of biblical proportions started.

From the window seats we got to see a lot of lightning and rain. At times the rain was so heavy you couldn't see across the street. Part of the street, running downhill, looked like a small river. Ok, I am exaggerating, more like a stream. None of us were looking forward to the walk home. Luckily, home was only about a 5 minute walk away.

The rain had lessened but was still coming down pretty hard when we decided to head home. It wasn't a cold rain so we all said fuck it and decided to just enjoy a walk in the rain. It was actually kind of nice once you got over the initial soaking. A nice hot shower once I was home helped too.

I have always loved the sound of rain falling. It something I find kind of relaxing. Nights when it is raining I usually have the best sleep. As a kid I liked to walk in the rain, not always with rain gear on. That night reminded me of it. After that I would sometimes go for a walk in the rain, with or without an umbrella (not in the winter though). Or go to a park and sit under one of the pagodas with a book and just relax listening to the rain. There is a great spot in BalSon Park with a pagoda that over looks the bus terminal and part of the city. A great spot to sit and relax on a rainy or stormy day.

Floods

I've been reading about the recent flooding in South Korea. I'm sorry about the deaths and havoc caused, and I hope the people who I know there are safe and dry.
I remember similar flooding in 2002, and thought I would share the photos I took from that time. I was in Daegu, and the two rivers are the Sakdong (which flows through the centre of the city), and the Guemho (which flows along the northern edge of the city). The flooding occurred on or about the August 15th holiday, and the pictures showing how the rivers look normally were taken on November 2nd.

The Sakdong in (almost) full flood. August 15th.



The same, November 2nd.



August 15th...



... and Nov. 2nd.



The Sakdong (again) Aug. 15th...



... Nov. 2nd.



The Guemho looking like the Mississippi August 15th...



... and back down on Nov. 2nd.



Under the bridge August 15th...



... and Nov. 2nd.


As I said, I hope everyone in Korea stays safe, and the rains stop soon so the waters can go down.

The Weather

It is kind of funny, I always used to tell people that the temperature difference between Cheongju and Halifax was 8-10 degrees. Halifax being the cooler of the two. For the most part that was true ... until now.

The last couple of days Cheongju and Halifax have had the exact same weather except that Cheongju is colder!!!

Right now, according to the weather through igoogle, Cheongju is -1, foggy, light wind from the west with 100% humidity. Halifax is is 10, foggy, light wind from the east, and 100% humidity.

Strange days indeed.

Hurricane Earl is hitting town.

If I am not around for a while it is because we are getting hit by Hurricane Earl. The Weather Channel is already reporting power outages and our lights have flickered.

Last time I was home for a hurricane it was Hurricane Juan. The worst one to ever hit the Maritimes.

Take care

Flint

Added 8:43PM September 4th, 2010.

Bah! The hurricane was a disappointment. Power was only out for 1.5+ hours.

Mmmmmmmmmm Cigar.

A lazy Sunday afternoon. The weather is absolutely gorgeous, like the Korean hotties strutting past Flint and myself, lounging at the Dunkins patio.
After a lunch of Popeye's chicken, it's time for a cigar. Today it's a Partagas series D.
I have never been affected by a cigar quite like this one. I hope my description does it justice. It's been a couple of hours, and I am still buzzing.
Inspired by Winston Churchill, we've taken to punching a hole in the cap with a matchstick rather than using a conventional cutter.
I wasn't sure about the draw at first. It was almost too much work, and I was debating about using the cutter anyway. I'm glad I didn't.
I was drinking a strawberry Coolata, which wasn't really a good match with the cigar. Flint asked me why I didn'y get a coffee flavoured one, and I had to take my cap off to smack myself on the head.
D'oh!
And then, it was like something popped inside the cigar. The draw was everything I could have asked for.
It was about 1/3 of the way into the cigar when this wave just washed over me. It was an instant high. As I said, I've never experienced such an intense reaction before. I've had some pretty good buzzes while smoking, but this was just so much more.
My whole body was tingling, and my head was floating away on a cloud. Alizee's "J'ai En Marre" was running through my brain, adding to langourous effects of the buzz.
It was the kind of feeling you have after a really, really good sexual experience.
This went on for the rest of the time I was smoking. I was feeling very mellow, just enjoying the great weather and the scenery rolling past.
The cigar went out with about a quarter left to go, and I couldn't get it relit. It didn't matter, as I was feeling so good, I don't know if I could have handled anymore.
The walk home was more of a stroll, and the day co-operated with me.
Well, mostly. I did have to elbow a mook who figured he could walk through instead of around me.
But the air was fresh-smelling, with the green growing of new grass and leaves. I trailed along behind a Korean hottie, enjoying her perfume and the slow sway of her hips.
Now I'm relaxing at home with Alizee's Moscow concert playing on the computer.
She's singing Simon & Garfunkel's "Sounds Of Silence."
Mmmmmmmmmm.

Changing Weather

What a difference a week can make. Hell a few days. It was BEAUTIFUL out yesterday. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the toad was whining. I didn't even need a jacket when riding the scooter. And it is supposed to be warmer today.

Mind you that didn't mean you still didn't hear "cho-ah" from the odd Korean. Hmmm ... yeah odd is a good word to use. :)

Of course the stores STILL had the bloody heat on. Even my gym had the heat one. As did my co-workers. I quickly put an end to that BS. We needed a window open not the heat on. The teachers room was too stuffy.

Here is hoping it stays this nice. :)

What the ... change of a day or two can do.

Gloomy and grey to snowy and nice. The grey days seem to suck the life out of me. I tend to be lethargic on those days.

Today the air was cool and crisp. About 10 seconds after I started scooting to work it started to snow. Just a flurry of small flakes. But it was nice. Ok not NICE nice but nice. I have no visor on my helmet anymore so the snow was hit my eyes at times. THAT wasn't nice. See, I can complain about anything. :)

Being that it is Friday might have something to do with my upbeat feeling too. This is my last day of Morning/Afternoon work. Starting next week it is back to the old afternoon/evening times. I can get back into my old routine again. And watch hockey in the mornings. ;)

Another grey day.

Damn. For January I am working mornings and done by 3:20 in the afternoon. Cherry schedule. For some unknown but maddening reason last week I was waking up at 6:30, Wide awake. Don't have to be at work until 9.

Today was no exception. But 6:30 AM was DARK. 8:00 AM looked like 6:30 usually does. Today is going to require a LOT of coffee.

Tomorrow is the last day of our Winter Intensive classes. None of my classes are horrible, they all have some good students. But one is FAR FAR better than the others. Everyone does their homework. They all TALK. They ask questions. The class breezes by so quickly because of that. So I am going to surprise them with pizza today. (One of them won't be there tomorrow.) My way of thanking them for being great students.

I also feel sorry for them. When kids here have vacation it means EXTRA private schooling. Oh joy! No life for them but more work for me.

The reason one student won't be there tomorrow probably makes most Westerners shake their head. She has to go to school for 1 day ... to clean. All the students come in and clean their school. They don't have janitors?

Every school here does this. The party line is that it helps them feel closer to their school and responsible for keeping it clean. Odds are it is a way of the Principal pocketing the money that should have been spent on janitors.

Some of you might think that is harsh but I have heard a lot from friends who have worked in public schools about funding that vanishes. Happens at the University level too. I worked a Summer Camp at a University in 2005. We ended up being paid 2.25 million won for 3 weeks work. Which isn't bad. BUT I found out from some pissed off co-workers that it was supposed to be 3 million won. The head of the English department (also Director of the Summer Camp) pocketed the extra money. There were 10 foreign teachers which means the guy made 7.5 million on top of his wages off of us NOT to mention the money he skimmed off of the Korean teachers. Nice job if you can get it. ;)