Summer Vacation

One of many gorgeous views from APEC park.

Me looking silly next to a light house at APEC park.

This week I had off from work. At first I viewed it as a misfortune to be off so close to my arrival; however, I now see it as a blessing in disguise. 

My Korean teachers at work took pity on me and decided to entertain me Monday. We went to  APEC park. In 2005 the city of Busan hosted the Asian Pacific Economics Cooperation conference, and built an entire, beautiful, park for the occasion. The park is complete with a bouncy walking/jogging track full of entertaining speed walkers and a gorgeous ocean view.

On Tuesday I went to Korean class. Korean class is absolutely free and run by a Korean man named Sunny (Korean name unknown). Beyond learning essential Korean phrases there, I have also met many fellow foreigners from all parts of the world and many Koreans. 

Today I went to the beach in Busan. I've met a friend through church (yes, I go to church here), and her and her Korean husband took me.  There apparently was some debate as to whether Korea had waves. Today Henry (the husband) proved his wife wrong: there are indeed very large waves in Korea. The unfortunate side effect of the waves is that many Koreans can't swim. While there is no direct correlation between the two things, the unfortunateness was due to the fact that they did not allow us in the water in order to protect the land loving Korean population. All in all, it was still a wonderful day and I look forward to what the rest of the week will bring.

Nota Bene: Korea seems to be greatly affecting me already. The line about waves being the reason Korean's can't swim is similar to the comment I received from one of my students about basketball. It seems that Korean boys are under the impression that if you want to be tall, you should play basketball.  ::sigh::

Bad Spelling, Pat Bean Su, and Norebong

 Norebong!                        

Pat Bean Su

My clumsiness is officially transcontinental! Yesterday, all of the kindergarten classes met in the gym to make Pat Bean Su: a traditional Korean summer dish made from frozen milk, sweet red bean paste, gummy candy, fruit cocktail, watermelon, and chocolate or strawberry syrup. All of the students wore aprons to protect them from the sticky mess, but, in typical Carrie fashion, I somehow managed to spill the mixture all over the back of one of my students. Apparently Asia has not improved my graceful powers.

I also can't sing very well in Asia, but my singing is more highly encouraged here. Yesterday, after a farewell dinner at Outback, we all went to a Norebong, or Korean Karaoke club. Wigs, hats, hilarity, and, of course, Karaoke ensued. I think I've fallen in love with the South Korean citche.

들다

On the 4th, and 9th days of every month (14th, 29th, etc), there is an open air market in Sangnam dong. Amongst the neon lights and strangely modern shops, the open air market seems to be the last vestige of a simpler world, and the special keeper of the most exquisite grapes I have ever tasted.  

While the grapes are by far the best food I've had in Korea, Gimbap is by far the worst. I've learned that the "ham" is often SPAM, and even when it isn't, I still don't like it. I'm sort of disappointed in myself for the failure of my tastebuds, especially since gimbap is the cheapest meal in town.

Don't worry, I do eat more than grapes. Korea has an excellent variety of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and American foods. Besides my almost daily intake of Kim Chi, I've also eaten at a KFC, and TGI Fridays (where Kim Chi is still served on the side). 

Hello from The Future

An accidental field trip to the City Center, and the fountain fun.

After Jessica thoroughly surprised me at Sunday's brunch, and I cried my eyes out at the airport, I found myself excited and mesmerized by the little patches of light nestled in the mountains of Busan. I arrived in Busan at 8:45pm at night, and found myself driven through a web of highways to a dong (or neighborhood) with gaudy neon lights and its own sort of charm.

My first few nights I spent in the "love motel", the equivlant of a seedy American pay by the hour joint. The girl who I replaced wasn't leaving until Friday, and so I was put up in my surprisingly clean room of love (complete with complementary Korean condoms) until my apartment was free.

The next day, I was escorted to my new school. The teachers there are ridiculously helpful, and my students (Jupiter Class Kindergarten) are ridiculously advanced for Korean aged 7 year olds.

Notice how I specify "Korean Age". In Korea, you turn one when you are born, so their version of 7 is our version of 6. I find myself saddened by the fact that I'm 27 here, but a year and 1/2 day in the future is looking to be a good time (and as Afshin pointed out, I get to be a perfect cube twice!)