HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is considered the most important holiday in Korea. This year, the start of the Lunar New Year fell on February 14, and teachers got a three day weekend. I couldn't find any festivals or events to attend, but I did notice that our area was VERY empty. Many establishments (including our favorite local Korean food restaurant) were closed for the three day weekend. I guess Seollal is more of a time to spend with your family.

It is also a time when gift sets are a popular gift. I have heard of people getting sets of toiletries, and my coworker received a set of packaged seaweed. This is the gift I received from my school principal:

Now, I don't mean to be ungrateful, but this is probably the most repulsive, nausea-inducing gift I have ever gotten. This set consists of 6 cans of Korean brand processed canned meat (SPAM), and 3 cans of another mystery meat. Anyone that knows me would NEVER buy me such a thing. Not only was I pescetarian for almost 10 years, but even when I have eaten meat, I always really disliked the taste of any meat from a pig (bacon, ham, pork, sausages, etc). So, I have decided to put these canned meats into the donation box outside my apartment. I'm sure someone will make some budae jjigae with them.

You've been hit by, you've been struck by....

I know this blog is supposed to be about Korea, but I'm not much of a writer, and Thailand inspired me. Last month, we took a 2 week paid vacation in Thailand, one of the many perks of working at a public school in South Korea.

We arrived in Bangkok late Thursday night and took a bus to Khao San Road, which was the only place in Bangkok we had heard to go to. When we arrived, the street was packed, full of foreigners with big backpacks. We partied here for a couple nights.

One instance in Bangkok stands out. The second day there we were looking for a temple (Wat Phra Kaew). We knew it was walking distance from Khao San Road, but unknowing of the area, we were cautious to go further without double-checking the map. As we looked at the map, a friendly Thai man asked us where we were going. We showed him on the map and he said, "Oh, yes. That is very nice." He asked us where we were from and told us about some sights he recommended for us. He said there was a temple with a sitting Buddha, and another (as he marked on the map) with a standing Buddha. He assured us seeing these Buddhas would bring good luck for the new year. He proceeded to tell us about his year at the monastery when he shaved his head and lived as a monk. This guy spoke perfect English, and his charm was impeccable. When he told us the Tuk-Tuks with yellow signs were more expensive, and the Tuk-Tuks with white signs were hired by the government, we believed him. He said that the temples we wanted to see today were closed because of a Buddhist holiday (a complete lie!), and his itinerary would be better for today. So we got into this Tuk-Tuk, that just happened to be across the street. I have to admit, before we got in I shot Steve a wary glance. But we were both eager to go sight-seeing, so, why not?

Our first stop was the sitting Buddha, to which we prayed. The next stop was a shop that sold quality, custom-tailored suits-- wait, what?! Next stop please! We then looked at each other in acknowledgement that we were being duped, but also a smile like, "mai pen rai" which translates to "it doesn't matter" or "no problem" according to our guidebook (and apparently a common Thai value). The people are very laid back! Anyway, our next stop was the standing Buddha: a very tall, gorgeous Buddha to which we offered incense and flowers. Next on the itinerary was a landmark called Golden Mountain, but the Tuk-Tuk driver said we should go to a souvenir shop first. Needing to buy postcards and such, we agreed. Then we arrived to a building. We walk inside and I was amazed when I saw the biggest Jewelry store I have ever seen. Souvenirs? Oh sure, my sister would LOVE a $600 ring! So when I finally could keep a straight face we listened to the jeweler's spiel. I actually liked being told what nice hands I had, and how cute it would be if I got a ring with my birthstone (sapphire) and Steve's (diamond) together. Then I noticed a sign that said, "Gift Shop" and sneaked away from the saleswoman. The actual gift shop had really great deals, so I bought myself a purse! Our last stop was closed so we went back to Khao San Road.

After a nice day sight-seeing (and slight coercion to buy custom-made suits and jewelry) I couldn't believe we had been tricked into a bogus Tuk-Tuk tour. I mean, at least 3 people and even more websites explained the warning signs. There's even a Wikipedia page about stuff like this. We found out the reason they can drive you around all day for so cheap is that the jewelry stores and suit shops give them gas coupons for bringing in customers. So, when all was said and done, Steve and I had a great time and if we had to do it over, we would still go along with it! As the saying goes, "When in Rome..." and what's that other saying, "You can't scam the willing?" :P

The Infamous Tuk-Tuk of Thailand

Uh-oh, a yellow sign. Better be careful! :P

Stop 1: Sitting Buddha

Stop 3: Standing Buddha (over 50 meters tall!)

Are you cereal?

There are a lot of things about Korea that I do not understand. Most things are just funny to us foreigners. Like this one: When you go to a Supermarket in Korea, you will find that some of the cereal boxes have things attached to them. A bowl, I could understand. A spoon, sure. But no, the things attached to these boxes are seemingly random. Two that I saw during my last trip to the market: a blanket, and a reusable water bottle. (See below)

Thanks for the inspiration, http://roketship.com/

Winter Camp

Our street, after a little snow

According to Wikipedia:

"In South Korea, the school year is divided into two terms. The first term runs from early March to late August with the summer vacation from mid-July to mid-August. The second term usually resumes in late August and runs until mid-February. In the second term, there is a long winter break from mid-December to early February."

My last day of classes for the semester was December 23rd, 2009. The next three weeks (Dec. 28 - Jan. 15) would consist of "Winter Camp." Winter camp differs for every teacher in Korea. For me, it was three weeks long (14 actual teaching days). The contract asks for four hours of teaching per day, but my school asked me to teach six hours per day, resulting in overtime $$ for me! I taught three classes per day. I made up my own curriculum, and was asked to turn in lesson plans at my leisure. I had a great time with the kids. I tried to make it fun for them, since this technically was vacation time for them. January 15th was my last day of "teaching" winter camp. I popped in a movie and my co-teacher ordered Dominoes Pizza for us. (Side note-- Dominoes, and most pizza here, is super expensive! A large pizza is about $30 USD!)

The next week, we were on vacation! I requested 10 days off (which, with weekends turned out to me a 14 day vacation). We decided to go to Thailand and have a long layover in Hong Kong on the way back. It was wonderful to get out of the freezing cold here. Fun stuff!

Now we're back. My school is currently on what they call, "Spring Break." The 6th graders have graduated and I haven't taught since January 15th. I have been sitting in my office waiting for the new semester to start on March 2nd. I will try to write a little about our vacation, stay tuned!