Three Months

Today is the three month mark of my twelve month duration here In south korea.  I still find myself in a daze quite often, but I think that might have a little something to do with lack of sleep.  Of course, I am in a foreign land.  Which is something I’m gonna have to get used to not just for my stay here, but once my contract is up.

So the replacement for one of my co-teacher’s arrived in Korea Thursday.  Met her yesterday.  An Australian being replaced by an Irish.  I knew she was Irish as soon as she said her name was Ciara.  (As a friend before once put it, who has the same name and an Irish mother, it’s pronounced Shakira without the Sha.)  She seems really nice.  I will definitely miss working with Cath.  She has one week left in Seoul, then she’s off to Australia for a couple of months and then to Oregon.  I will definitely be visiting her when I make it back to the States.  =)

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.

“I don’t much care where…” said Alice.

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.             

…..I believe you don’t always need to know your destination.  Just do your best to enjoy the journey.

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival & Geoje-do - April 9-10, 2011

Went on another fun trip with the Seoul Hiking Group.  On a side note, I always get sooo excited when I meet someone from Atlanta, which is very rare.  Most foreigners, mainly the teachers, are from Canada.

Here we are at the Upo Wetlands, our first stop.  We didn't stay here very long.

We were so excited about seeing cows.

Walking to the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival.  The streets were lined with cherry blossoms.  Beautiful!

This was a giant tug of war!

Festival food...

There always seems to be a bonfire when the Seoul Hiking Group is around.  We stayed the night on Geoje-do the second largest island in South Korea and did some exploring the next day.

 

Enjoying the scenery before departing for our next stop...

The water was really cold.

Goats!

Hiking up Azalea Mountain.  Out last stop of the trip.

 

We weren't exactly sure what these were for...

I think those are supposed to be rocks?  I just had to take a picture. 

It was a fun trip hanging out with some great people...as always =)  I always look forward to these trips.  It definitely gives me a chance to meet some interesting people while exploring Korea.

Jindo Island Trip - March 18-20, 2011

The Seoul Hiking Group boarded the buses in Seoul at around midnight on Friday for a fun-filled weekend of hiking, drinking, Jindo dogs, and a sea-parting festival.  Jindo Island is the third largest island off the southwestern tip of South Korea.  We were told that the festival was canceled due to the recent foot-and-mouth epidemic.  But as you can see, with the pictures I have provided, that was not the case.

Our room for two nights...not very comfortable.

We had amazing views.

Ganggansuwolrae - traditional circle dance

Samulnori - farmer's percussion music

Arirang - traditional folk song

The Korean Jindo dog originated from Jindo Island and is a hunting dog which is extremely loyal and brave.

Korean Jindo Dog.

I wanted to take this puppy home with me!

Stylin'!

He said it was salty...go figure.

The Jindo Island Crew.

Our group started a little late and we only made it about half way.  The tide was coming in so we had to turn back =(

We sampled some delicious food sold by the festival vendors.

Stuffed squid.  Yummy!

There weren't any bars or clubs to go to, but there were street vendors, the beach, and a room full of blankets.  We definitely made the most of it.

Blanket war!

Welcome to Ullimsambang, once home to a famous artist named Heo Yu.  

This is the headquarters where special troops of the Goryo Dynasty resisted the Mongolian invasion during 1270-1271.

 

 

If you can't tell by now...I enjoy taking/providing a lot of pictures.  =)