Whatup all,
I know it has been a very long time since my last blog post, but I promise this one will be worthwhile (aka lots of pictures). A lot of things have happened since December Pt 1.
My lovely arrived from the US and we have been having a pretty good time here in Korea. I had to teach a few days while she was here, but overall it has been a grand time. I have invited Steph to write a guest blog post for me so please enjoy!
I think my favorite part of Korea so far has been meeting Anthony's grandma. It’s fun to see Anthony interact with her and see how filial he is. She reminds me of my own maternal grandmother in Taiwan. I only hope to be so adorable and so well surrounded by family in 60 or so years.
The food, oh my god, the food. The meals have been non-stop. From elaborate traditional eastern Korean style lunch to breakfast made by Anthony's grandma and even the Korean style fast food joints, everything has been delicious. Dishes like kimbap and bibimbap that I disliked when I was stateside are suddenly incredible treats when made fresh with Korean peninsula ingredients.
Favorite treats so far include hot walnut cookies, ho-dduk (street food is an essential when traveling through Asia), boong-uh (fish shaped) read bean cakes, hot coffee from outdoor vending machines (like magic on a cold day!), and flower tea. Favorite meals include Knife cut noodles with J & S from Fulbright, eel with Anthony’s Gochang English co-teachers, breakfast with Anthony's grandma, and dukkalbi and chamkejiang (soy crabs) lunch with Anthony’s uncle, Dr. Lee.
I know it has been a very long time since my last blog post, but I promise this one will be worthwhile (aka lots of pictures). A lot of things have happened since December Pt 1.
My lovely arrived from the US and we have been having a pretty good time here in Korea. I had to teach a few days while she was here, but overall it has been a grand time. I have invited Steph to write a guest blog post for me so please enjoy!
From Incheon's International Airport, we quickly
made our way to Seoul via the extensive subway system. In Seoul, we visited the
US Embassy, the Fulbright office, King Sejong statue and museum, and just
missed the palace tour. We also attended one of Anthony’s orientation Korean
teachers’ wedding. At the embassy, we took pictures with and high five-ed life
sized cut outs of President Obama and Secretary Clinton.
What a crappy building... (US Embassy)
Hey King, thanks for hangeul
Oh its you again...
What is that thing on the top?
KOREA
My head blocking half of Korea
Nice lil door here
Hello there courtyard!
Asians in Asia
The door is THISSS big!
Hard to open
Easy to open?
Going through the back door...
Good luck on re-election homie!
You are much shorter in cut-out that I imagined..
An annex of the US Embassy in Seoul!
I think my favorite part of Korea so far has been meeting Anthony's grandma. It’s fun to see Anthony interact with her and see how filial he is. She reminds me of my own maternal grandmother in Taiwan. I only hope to be so adorable and so well surrounded by family in 60 or so years.
Sup old lady
Life in Jeongeup and Gochang inevitably holds a slower pace than life in Seoul.
Yet, these more rural places hold their own beauty. In these smaller towns, you can look out your
window and immediately access the beautiful mountainous landscape. Not until
traveling to Gochang and Jeongeup did I realize how scenic of a country S.
Korea is. In Gochang, you can take a simple 15 minutes walk and you’ll find the
ancient Moyang Fortress and if you have a boyfriend like Mr. Cho, you can have
Pansori music sung to you while you climb the fortress walls and learn about
how the Gochang farmers once heroically defended their land from the invading
Japanese. Inside the fortress walls are also well preserved traditional
houses. I can only imagine how beautiful
the area is in the spring and summer time. I hope to return and see it one day
when the snow is replaced by blooming azaleas, green grass, and warm
sunshine.
Gochang Terminal!
Entrance into town?
Our town's mascots in the palm of her hand
Ahh... the ADT mercenaries of the Joseon Dynasty
Way into Moyang Fortress
Sign outside Moyang Fortress
Gochang in the background
[insert Mulan reference here]
[insert Rick Perry joke here]
What up magistrate's house
Nice porch
Royal Guesthouse
"I want to take a picture with this snowman"
uh.. ok.
The food, oh my god, the food. The meals have been non-stop. From elaborate traditional eastern Korean style lunch to breakfast made by Anthony's grandma and even the Korean style fast food joints, everything has been delicious. Dishes like kimbap and bibimbap that I disliked when I was stateside are suddenly incredible treats when made fresh with Korean peninsula ingredients.
Fast food
The once not delicious, but now delicious kimbab
Sit down food
Enjoy yourself!
Dunkin'
McDonald's breakfast delivery. There is a God.
Happy campers
Aroma of Chicken Galbi Captured!
Demolished...
More fast food!
@ the bus terminal
Walnut balls
Street food?
Afraid to take a bite...
Jjajang Myun
Gone!
Sup grams, how we doin on food?
Mas comida...
Favorite treats so far include hot walnut cookies, ho-dduk (street food is an essential when traveling through Asia), boong-uh (fish shaped) read bean cakes, hot coffee from outdoor vending machines (like magic on a cold day!), and flower tea. Favorite meals include Knife cut noodles with J & S from Fulbright, eel with Anthony’s Gochang English co-teachers, breakfast with Anthony's grandma, and dukkalbi and chamkejiang (soy crabs) lunch with Anthony’s uncle, Dr. Lee.
As you can see, we have just been eating nonstop. I feel like I'm growing out some ugly man breasts. I will do some push up right after typing all this up. I hope that we can continue to have a blast here in Korea before she goes home.
Also, a note from me. We helped volunteer at a local orphanage with some of the other Native English Teachers in Gochang. It was awesome and I think something I want to get involved with in the future. Of course, all the male volunteers took turns being Santa, including me. When I walked in, kids immediately began shouting for joy that Santa was here and lined up to sit in my lap and tell me their wishes for the new year... NOT. They immediately began tugging at my beard, calling me a fraud, and asked me why Santa cannot/can speak Korean. Kids these days...
Also, a note from me. We helped volunteer at a local orphanage with some of the other Native English Teachers in Gochang. It was awesome and I think something I want to get involved with in the future. Of course, all the male volunteers took turns being Santa, including me. When I walked in, kids immediately began shouting for joy that Santa was here and lined up to sit in my lap and tell me their wishes for the new year... NOT. They immediately began tugging at my beard, calling me a fraud, and asked me why Santa cannot/can speak Korean. Kids these days...
Getting ready for my debut
Where them kids at?
Yes, just proceed to kick me like that. That will get you many presents for Christmas
What small eyes you have Santa dearest..
Of course I'm Santa
Nice kids 1
Nice kids 2
A more believable white Santa
I'll keep you posted with my own ideas and reflections later! I've been thinking about starting a new blog of bigger and better ideas since this is mostly a travel blog. Maybe I'll do it, maybe I won't. We'll see soon enough.
Keep it real.
- Anthony
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