Singles Night

So I found out that Koreans do celebrate Valentines day, but only the girls give the guy a present and a month later on March 14th the man gives the girl a present. Then a month after that, on April 14th it's BLACK day! Yes black! For singles day! Haha as if it is a day of mourning.

Anyways our school has a singles club. Now this is not a club for them to hook up with each other, rather a club for them to hang our since I guess single people don't have anything to do.

Since Brooke and I are both single we were invited to attend their meeting on Monday. We went out for drinks (beer and soju) and they just kept ordering side dishes like nuts, dried squid, dried fish, fruit in milk, fried chicken, and some cold noodles that looked like pad thai. (we all had dinner with our school prior to the meeting) After drinks we planned on playing pool but they did not have any open tables.

So we did more drinking! This time at a japanese place where we had a stew like dish. By 11:30 we called it night.  We also scheduled the next meeting which lands on a Wednesday. I feel like they don't want to hold their meetings on the weekends because thats when they are on the prowl. LOL all in all it was a good evening with good company. I am glad we were invited.

Rain Rain

So it has been super hot since I have been in Korea. It really is not that warm compared to California. It has been in the 80’s back home. Maybe I notice a difference because I am outside more and I have to walk everywhere.

So finally it has cooled down, with the rain. The rain started Thursday and it did not rain all day, but now it is Saturday and it literally rained for two days straight! Thursday brought some strong winds. It was difficult to sleep with the whistling of the wind. I looked at the river today, and the cross path to switch sides is completely submerged in water. My co-teacher had told me to be careful when I walk there because it does get flooded. I didn’t believe her then, but now I think the whole thing could be covered in water by next week.

It is supposed to rain for the next 5 days. I am so glad I brought my rain boots! It’s weird because I usually associate the rain with cold, but out here it is still warm. People still walk in shorts and skirts but now with umbrellas.

I was told that this is not even the rainy season! The rain is not supposed to come until August. I am sure by next week I am going to hate the rain, and I am not sure how I will do when the real rainy season comes. I am worried that it is going to get super humid and hot by the time this rain stops, but for now I am enjoying the cool weather. 

Immigration

On Monday, my co-teacher and I went to Suwon to apply for my alien card. We took the subway there and then took a bus for 20 minutes to the immigration office. I didn’t make an appointment prior to going because I was having an error with the computer. We where prepared to wait for a few hours. Luckily when we got there, there were only four people ahead of me.

By the time I had filled out my application, my turn was up. The application process was easy. All I needed was: my health check from the hospital, the paperwork my school prepared, passport, copy of visa, photo (passport size), and the application. I gave all the paper work to the representative and he told my co-teacher what to do. I was very grateful to have my co-teacher there because I am not sure if I would have been able to apply for the card. We went to another side of the office, where I paid for postage so that my card could be mailed to me. Then I went to the next window to pay for a copy of my visa. Then we went back to the first window and I paid 10,000 won for the application fee.

My alien card should be mailed to me in one month, which is July 18^th. So until then no internet, no bank account, and no pay check! I did everything timely, but this process is just so long. The first week I had my health check, but it took 10 days to get the results. I got the results on Friday and on Monday I went to immigration. Immigration used to only take one week, but there was a change in the process. Maybe they had some cut backs, but anyways now it takes a month. 

Temple Stay

One of the things to do I had on “my list” before coming to Korea was doing a temple stay. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to do this early in my trip. At 8:43 Saturday morning we headed towards Gimcheon. It took about 2 hours to get there by train. We were in a hurry to get to the temple because lunch was served at 11:30, so we took a taxi to Jikjisa Temple.

The temple was 30 minuets away from the station by bus. Mountains surrounded the city, and trees surrounded the temple. A stream of water ran through the temple providing a fresh source of water. Butterflies were found everywhere. This place was truly peaceful. It has been awhile that I have been surrounded with such nature.

By the time we reached the area, it was 11:40 a.m., and no one was there. Close to noon a man came out and said that we could go eat lunch and then check in. All meals at the temple were vegetarian. We had to serve ourselves only what we could eat because we were told we had to eat all our food. After we finished eating we had to wash our plates.

When we checked-in we were explained the temple rules, which are as follows:

• Being noise, drinking and smoking are strictly prohibited
• Greet monks with a half bow
• Always keep hands together when talking with a monk
• Keep silent during meal time
• Try to eat all your food
• Wash your bowls by yourself after each meal
• Enter or exit halls with polite manner to the Buddha with a half bow
• Before leaving, clean room and return all things received

Meal times:

• Breakfast 6:00 – 6:30
• Lunch 11:30 – 12:00
• Dinner 5:30 – 6:00

Chanting times:

• Morning 3:30
• Evening 6:15

Our stay was only for one day and it only cost 30,000 won. After we were given our uniforms and shown our rooms, we received a brief introduction to mediation and 108 bows.

Our room

Outside our room

We went on a short walk up the hill to another area of the temple. There we met a monk, who spoke very good English and offered us Mulberry tea, which he said was good for your blood. This monk had done some traveling, gone to school for medicine, been in the military, and now was under the master monk who was 85 years old, who we briefly got to meet. This by far was the highlight of my stay.

Here is the monk

We then had dinner, which consisted of the same kind of things we had for lunch.

After we attending the chanting and did 108 bows, which was a work out! Then we walked to a park near by, and ended our evening with tea. I had Jujube tea.

That night we slept on the floor with pillows stuffed with rice. The next morning I tried getting up for the 3:00 a.m. chant, but was too tiered to go. I slept in until 9:00. I also missed breakfast, but that was okay since I don’t really like the idea of eating Korean food in the morning.

Before we left the temple, we stopped at the Hall of One Thousand Budhas. This Biroheon had 1,000 Buddha statues made of jade. One of them was naked. We were told that the first person to find it in the group will find a good mate, and if that person was already married, they would have a son first.

There he is!

I am not sure if it was the environment, the temple, or the extra sleep I got, but I did feel calm and at peace when I left the temple.

We had lunch at a local restaurant. We all had bibimbop, and it came with many side dishes. This particular bibimbop was supposed to have ingredients from the mountains.

Our next stop was Daejon. (This is where Costco is at) It was an hour away from Gimcheon. When we got to the station we went to the information desk and we decided to go to O-World.

This amusement park had Zoo Land, Joy Land, and Flower Land. We paid 8,000 won for Zoo Land and Flower Land. (Joy Land had all the rides in it) There were other exhibitions in the park but we had to pay extra for that. We walked through Zoo Land that had animals in very small cages. I felt bad for the little guys. They were also not cleaned or maintained too well. Then we walked to Flower Land. It was an extremely hot day and the flowers looked like they needed more water and some shade.

After the park we headed back home. 

Tongbuk Market

One of the first things I heard about in Pyeongteak was it's outdoor market, Tongbuk. I was told it was on the same street my apartment was. I just had to walk straight. Here is a video on my walk. I how you enjoy :)

This is what I got dinner at the market:

Fortune Tellers

So this whole time I have been going around town being a tad concerned for these backward swastika signs I always see by my house.

It turns out that they are fortune tellers if it is on a house and temples if it's on a temple. I am super excited about this discovery; unfortunately, I am not able to go without a Korean to translate. Brooke is certain her friend will come with us. I hope we go soon!

Spaghetti Night!

I was invited to go to spaghetti night at theArmy base, Camp Humphreys. I was really excited to go, but did not really know what to expect. This base is in Pyongtaek, but it took over 30 minuets to get there. The surrounding area of the base was deserted and quite scary looking. I can now understand if people say they hate Korea if they were only exposed to that kind of area.

Once we got inside, the base looked kind of bare. We went into the restaurant and paid $12 dollars for the meal, which was all you can eat. We were also able to pay with US dollars. There was a salad bar, pasta bar, a fresh fruit section, and free beer and wine. I thought this was a great deal. I was happy I brought my appetite. The salad was amazing! I have only been here two weeks but it seems like I haven't had a real salad in forever. The pasta was delicious as well. I got angel hair pasta with shrimp, olives, mushrooms, and garlic with a vegetarian red sauce. Afterwards, we played miniature gulf for free! It was a great evening!

Itaewon Adventure

On Saturday I went to Itaewon to meet with a friend. This City was filled with foreigners. It felt like I was back in the States. We walked around and then had dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Taco, which was good considering we were in Korea. We then went to Starbucks and hung out there for a while. Once it cooled down out side, we went to What the Book, it is a bookstore with used books. You can also go there and sell your books. I purchased Korean for Dummies. Hopefully I will I can learn some Korean :) 

Afterwards we went to a bar and had a few drinks and started to go back around 10:15 pm. By the time I got to Seoul Station it was 11:00. I am not sure if the subway stops running at 11:30 or 12:00, but it was defiantly closing soon. I went to the train station, and there were no more trains going back to Pyeongtaek. I went back to the subway, but by the time the metro I needed to take back home came it was 11:20 and I didn’t want to risk taking it and it stopping at some random City since I knew it would take an hour and a half to get out to Pyeongtaek, so I stayed in Seoul for the night. 

I think I stayed at a love motel. The other option was a jjimjilbang, but I did not want to sleep in that heat again. When I paid for my room I got a toothbrush. Inside there was a TV, air-conditioner, a shower, and I also think there was X Box. The next morning I walked around the city for a while, but everything was closed. I don’t know if that was because it was Sunday or if it was still too early, but it was after 9:00 am. I had breakfast at Dunkin Doughnuts and took a train back to Pyeongtake.

I went to Diaso, which was at the station. Diaso is a store for home stuff for really cheap. I went there with the intention to buy a new shower curtain, but came out with all this instead:

Everything was under 30,000 won

Friday Night Dinner

On Friday, I went to another traditional Korean dinner. The dinner was organized by an English teacher who teaches at Pyeongtaek University. There were about 35 – 40 people from Pyeongtaek and surrounding cities. Most of them were teachers, some worked for the military, and a few Koreans. It was 15,000 won per person and they served so much food. 

Welcome Dinner

On Thursday, the ESL department took me out to dinner at the tofu house. We had a traditional meal with different types of soups and side dishes.

Afterwards we planed to go to drink beer or karaoke, but somehow that turned into seeing Kung Fu Panda II. The movie was cute, but not as good as the first one. The movies out here don’t have previews. I also don’t think they sell candy, but they doe have popcorn, drinks, and I think hot dogs. The movie tickets cost 8,000 won and they also have a matinee special for the first showing, but I think they start showing movies at 8:00 am. The theater has assigned seating, which is different then back home. The movie was in English with Korean subtitles.

Overall it was a good day.

Observations

I have been here 11 days already and here is a list of things I have found interesting:

• No body drinks any fluids with their lunch at school. I always bring my water bottle with me. It’s funny because they do serve water when I eat out.
• They really don’t use paper towels or napkins. At lunch there is toilet paper to use if we needed it. In restaurants there are very small paper napkins you can use.
• Kids are more independent here. The other day I was on my way to school when this little boy, who must have been 5 got on the elevator by himself and got on to the steep stool and pushed the close button. When we got down he proceed to get out of the elevator and walked with such confidence to school with his matching backpack and lunch pale. I would never see that back home. Kids are usually not allowed to go out on the street by them selves.
• The children at school have to clean at lunch. They take turns doing it, but I think it is a great idea, and we should do it in the states.
• Korea has made me feel like I am a germaphobe!
• The other day my co-teacher had cut some fruit for the after school class and had the students help clean the cutting board and knife! You would never see that at home! And she cut the fruit with her bare hands. I feel if this was at home the person cutting the fruit would have to have some time of food handling training and would need to wear gloves.
• They seem to be into their looks. I always find Korean women looking at them selves in the mirror. And lets not for get my passport photoshop experience, and women walking on the streets with heels.
• Paper, rock scissors solves all the problems in the world.
• Driving laws are considered optional. You need to watch out on theses streets. People don’t seem to follow the rules, yet I haven’t seen any accidents. 
• Fruit tastes so much better out here! I am not sure if it is because it is grown locally or if it’s because the food is in season. Regardless, it’s yummy. 

Here is one of my favorite fruits right now

3 Day Weekend

I just got here and I already had a 3-day weekend! Monday was a holiday and Brooke invited me to go to Seoul. We left Saturday morning and took the train, which only takes an hour to get to Seoul station. I could also take the subway, but it takes an hour and a half. We met up with other people at the station and headed to rocKorea concert in Midan City. To get there we had to take the subway to the airport and then there was a free bus to take us to Midan City.

The concert had started earlier in the day and was going to end the next morning, and breakfast would be served at that time. We all had high expectation of this concert, and we were all disappointed when we got to Midan City. The Concert was in a random, isolated, location. There was no ‘city’; the area was covered in dirt. There was nothing else around. The location was also smaller then expected. They were charging 40,000 won to get in but luckily we got a discount and only paid 12,000 won, which was still high considering the circumstances. We had planned to stay the night and had set an area with our blankets. As the night progressed, the concert did not get any better. By 11:00, some of us deicide to go elsewhere. 

By the time we exited the concert the free buses were no longer running. The five of us decided to take a taxi to Hongdae. I think the taxi driver charged us 65,000 won. He seemed upset about lowering his price, and before I knew it he was driving at 200 kph! Luckily there were minimal cars on the highway. The rest of the night was spent dancing away at a bar/club in Hongdae.

We decided to get some sleep, but had nowhere to go. Some people had recommended we stay at a love motel. We where told they are very nice and very cheap. Brooke had also suggested we go to a jimjibang, a Korean bath house (apparently you can also sleep there). We asked people on the streets for either one but no one knew of one in the area. Finally we got in a taxi and requested he take us to a jimjibang. By 5:00 we had arrived at the jimjibang, which was on top of a hill. I had dozed off in the taxi and when I got out it seemed we were really far away from the city. This place was surrounded with greenery.

When we walked in, we had to take our shoes off. We paid 10,000 wons for a day pass. The receptionist gave us a gown to where. We then got a locker for our shoes. We proceeded into the girl’s locker room. We gave our shoe locker key to the lady at the front desk who gave us another key to a locker for our belonging. We changed and looked for a place to sleep.

There were 5 stories, and each level was really warm. People were sleeping on the floor through out the spa and some were even sleeping with a wood pillow. We found a spot in the gym with two mats and a small hard pillow. We got kicked out of the gym at 10:00, and I woke up really hot. We went to the locker room and prepared for the spa.

So incase you don’t know, the whole spa experience is done naked! Yup, I had just met Brooke a few days ago and now we were going to get to know each other a little better. She promised it would stop feeling uncomfortable after a few minuets. I think I was so exhausted that I really didn’t care I was walking naked in front of everyone. I will see how I really feel about it next time.

First we had to shower and then we went into one of the Jacuzzis. I got a better look at the place it was not as luxurious as I had imagine it to be. In one section there were showers. In a corner there were women in black see through underwear giving massages to naked clients. Then there were booths to take showers sitting down. Theses seemed to be more popular than the regular showers. Then there were to cold pools.

Once we were too warm, we went into one of the pools, but it was too cold to get in, so we went into the other cold pool. When we cooled down we went into another Jacuzzi. This Jacuzzi seemed to have some sort of oil in it that smelled good. We then decided we wanted to try the really cold pool, but would get into the regular pool first to get our bodies used to the cold and then go in to the really cold one. When we got into the really cold one, this lady was getting in and decided to help us. Before I knew it she was pouring ice cold water on our naked bodies! Then we got in the pool, but we did not even last a minuet because it was so cold. We then tried the three different saunas, which were all at different temperatures. We showered and got ready for lunch.

We enjoyed our lunch on the 5^th floor, which had a nice patio area. We then decided we all needed some more sleep, so we went to the sleeping room. We had no idea there was a sleeping room the night before. This room was also super warm too. Apparently Korean’s like to sleep in the heat. I think we left the spa by 4:00 p.m.

We got dinner at Pizza Hut, which by far has been the nicest Pizza Hut I have ever been in. It was actually a sit down restaurant, and had many different choices. The salad bar seemed to be very popular and had many different things on it.

We planned on going to Seoul Tower to watch the sunset. The bus to get there was packed! We got to the tower by 7:00 p.m. and got in line to get to the very top of the tower. By 7:30 we had made it to the top and was able to enjoy the sunset. Once it got dark we decided to go to the hostel we booked at the spa. It was pure mayhem to get back to the subway. There were more people then there were busses. Everyone was aggressively trying to get on the few buses that came, and there was a huge line to waiting to get in. 3 buses had already passed and we were not able to get on. We were all so exhausted from the lack of sleep we where going to walk down the hill until we found a taxi, but luckily another bus came and we were able to fit in.

It was about 10:00 p.m. by the time we made it to the hostale. We where greeted by a very nice lady who showed us to our beds. The plan was to take a nap and get back up at 11:00 to explore the city, but by the time 11:00 came around we were all too tiered and preformed to stay and sleep. We left the hostale at 9:00 the next morning. We went to dunkin doughnuts for breakfast. We took the subway to Dongdaemun Market.

We first went into a building that was for making clothes. Each story of this building was just for making clothes. Some stories had just fabric and other’s had just buttons. I guess you can have them make clothes for you and you are able to choose everything about it. We then went into a building of just clothes. I also saw on the map there was also a shoe market that I want to check out next time.

Brooke had us try this on the streets. I think it's silkworm larvae

We then had lunch at a small restaurant that seemed to specialize in soup. The menu had only 5 items. I picked the only non-soup item – dumplings – because it was too hot for soup. 

We then went to Gyongbok Palace. I think it is the largest palace in South Korea. The place was like a small city. It was neat to see how people used to live.

We then walked on the water walk and at 3:00 p.m. we headed back home. This time we took the subway back and it was nice because we were able to sit down. 

Good Morning Hospital

In order to get my Alien Residence Card, I have to get a medical examination. On Friday morning, my co-teacher took me to Good Morning Hospital. The hospital had an interesting lay out. There was a lobby area that looked like it belonged to a hotel rather then a hospital. All the workers were in uniform matching the lime green furniture. There were stations on the perimeter of the lobby. We had to take a number and fill out some paper work. When they called our number we were informed I had to be fasting because if I ate it would affect my liver functions and cholesterol. I am not sure how that would be relevant, but I had to go back the next day.

I also found out I needed more passport size pictures, so after the hospital we went to a photo shop. For 12,000 won I got 12 passport pictures, a free keychain, and a free picture of my co-teacher and myself. The funny thing about the picture place is that they totally photoshopped my picture.

(sorry I couldn't figure out how to rotate this picture)

I went back to the hospital on Saturday. I had to take a taxi because I still do not feel comfortable taking the bus by my self. I had to go to 5 stations:

• Station 1: Urine and blood
• Station 2: Chest x-rays
• Station 3: Weight and height measurements and they also measured my chest
• Station 4: Hearing and vision test
• Station 5: Consultation. I am assuming this was with a doctor. She spoke English very well and asked me my medical history.

The exam took about 30 minuets and cost 70,000 wons. The results will be ready in 10 days. Once I get the results I can apply for my alien card. I was told it now takes 3 weeks to get the card from immigration opposed to the 1 week it used to take. Once I have this card I can get Internet at home, a cell phone, and a bank account. So it is very important to have.

Day 2

I woke up at 5:30 instead of 5:00. I tried to clean a little. Supposedly the school hired someone to clean the apartment, but it doesn’t seem like anyone cleaned it.  Its not disgusting but it does need to be cleaned. I read that the standard of cleanliness is not as high here as it is in the states. =/

I taught my first class by my self. They were 5^th graders and it went well. One of my classes had a group of boys that I had to separate, but other then that it went well. I am still trying to get the hang of things at school, but I know it will take time.

The English Department bought pizza as a welcome for me and for Brooke’s birthday. The pizza was good; the curst was a little sweet. They also served pickles on the side, which was odd.

Latter that night, we went to the park and had more pizza to celebrate Brooke’s birthday. I met other foreigners living in Pyeongtak. We played and egg toss game and lit some fireworks, which was a perfect way to end the evening. 

Day 1

I woke up at 3:00 am and then again at 5:00 am. I don’t think the jet lag pills worked but I definitely did not feel as awful as anticipated. I got ready for school and finished unpacking. I didn’t get lost going to school. It took about 20 minuets walking. I had to ask a kid how to get to the classroom. Where I work is called the English Village. The door was decorated with balloons and had a sign saying “Welcome Rosana”. I met my co-teacher Sue and the other foreign teacher Brooke from Colorado. I also met the principal, vice principle and other teachers at the school. I taught with my co-teacher that day.

Brooke showed me around town. We first had dinner at a place by her apartment. We ordered Tuna Kimbap (Which was amazing) and what we thought was kimchi fried rice, but it was some other kind of rice dish. Then we went to the super market by bus. The bus ride was intense; you really do have to hold on for dear life. The bus drivers accelerate and brake really fast, which sends you flying in every direction. I purchased the essentials: toilet paper, paper towels, blow drier, flat iron, yogurt, and some fruit.

I was exhausted by the end of the night. 

The Departure

My final days in America were super busy. On Friday, I packed for 6 hours! I was not able to bring everything I wanted to bring, but was able to fit the essentials into 2 suitcases.

Here is everything I wanted to pack:

( I think there was actually more then this)

Saturday and Sunday were spent with friends and family at a graduation/going way get together. On Monday, I had breakfast with my family and said my final goodbyes.   

I got to the airport at 10:00 am. I learned the real weight limit was 50 lbs. for each suitcase, and it is cheaper to have 3 suitcases then to have one over way over the weight requirement. I purchased a box for $7 and separated my large suitcase. I paid an additional $110 for the 3^rd suitcase.

My flight was pretty uneventful. They did give us slippers for the trip, which was nice. I think I was able to sleep for 5 hours of my 13 hour flight. For lunch we were served bibimbap and for dinner I had some seafood pasta (not sure if that was a wise choice). I watched about 5 films. (I am Number 4, Fair Game, and How Do You Know, are the only ones I can remember) I also think I there was a celebrity or model on our flight. When I got off I saw her taking a picture with a flight attendant and when I got out of the airport the paparazzi was there! Here is the picture I got of her:

As advised Mr. Kim was there to pick me up.

Mr. Kim drove me to Pyeongtaek, the City I will call home for the next year. It took about an hour to get there. 

When I arrived at the apartment parking lot, the person I interviewed with was there to show me to my apartment. The first thing that came out of his mouth was “are you okay?”. I must have looked like hell after my long flight and lack of sleep! As we walked to my apartment I became wary of what my apartment would look like from looking at the hallways, but to my surprise my apartment was very nice! Very spacious and I even have a shower! Two bedroom, one bath, living room, and kitchen area.

I got directions and two letters written in Korean asking for help incase I got lost going to school or going back home.

That night I unpacked one of my suitcases, took a shower, and called it a night.