Japan!!!!!

We are currently gallavating about Japan, in Tokyo. It's really nice here, clean and extremely friendly people, the stereotype is true! We are staying in a hostel which is really clean and has really nice staff. We went on a bit of a shopping exursion yesterday and I think there is more of that to come...uhoh! I don't like this keyboard so this is short, more soon, we'll put pictures up when we get back to Korea!

Oh and for those who haven't heard....return date is coming soon...March 3rd!

Snowboarding

Korean style snowboarding is from 8pm-12am when I have to work the next day at 9am, maybe not the best timing but totally worth it. We arrived at the ski shop and all got suited up with boards, boots and rental clothes, I've never rented snow clothes before, and they weren't all that great, my whole bum was soaked by the end of the night.  Once at the mountain we went to get in line and got told that our ticket wasn't valid for 3 minutes but then the guy let us through anyway.  The lifts are very strange, they have a start gate where you wait for the lift, then you go onto a small conveyer belt that made me feel like I was going to fall over, and then you have to put the bar down immediately or get yelled at.  Oh yea, and you can carry your snowboard on, it's really awkward and then walk off the other end.  It was pretty crowded, but apparently last weekend there were double the people and during the day it's supposed to be even worse.  So, I'm very glad that I went and had lots of fun.

In other news...

The other day, wellll maybe it was last week, I was walking and about to cross the street. The light was red but that doesn't mean anything, so being the cautious citizen that I am I looked both ways, lo and behold there was not a car in sight. I stepped out from the sidewalk when suddenly I hear in a low but very anxious voice, "No! No!" Caught a bit off guard I turned to see some 16 year old boy. He nodded and smiled at me and then looked at the red light as if to say, "Are you crazy it's red!" So, I decided to stay on the curb until the light actually turned (the lights take forever to turn here). As we walked across the street my new friend said goodbye to me. Oh Korea!

The last weekend Bill and Jude were here we took a trip to Jinju Castle. Walked around did some last shopping and just hung around. Since they have left we have been very busy with our camp. Working 6 days a week is really no fun. Last night we went out with some co-workers, they have an 1130 curfew, which is a good thing I guess when you have a full day of teaching ahead of you.

We have one crazy teacher here for the camp. He likes to make a big stink about everything. He's a bit older, not sure of his age, but apparently he hasn't showered since he's been here and the director's daughter is in his class and she doesn't like him so there was drama at work today. Oh well, it didn't involve me so I just like to gossip, hehe!

Tomorrow night I am heading to a mountain with some friends for a night snowboarding adventure. We will board from about 7-12am and then drive 2 hours back to Jinju, and then I will wake up for work at 9am. Hmmmm, we'll see how I feel on Saturday. I should pack some stuff and get ready for bed.

We will be home sometime in early March, apparently it's super super easy to bring Samjin, just rabies and a health certificate! We just have to book our ticket now.

More Comfortable With Korea

Way up there where the flag is is where Bill got "lost" and I got my big hug

Short hike to some rocks 

Now these are some serious hikers!

Samjin's favorite hang out

Middle of nowhere hotel

Christmas Day Tea House adventure

Would you like more? 

Christmas morning...presents!!!!

We’re having a great time in South Korea! I never expected the many mountains and tunnels, and oceans that we’ve seen. Our unescorted trip back from Goeje was adventurous. We developed map reading skills, only after attempting to drive a road that turned out to be impassable. We soon discovered dash lines on the map can mean tunnels or unpaved roads. Our rental car couldn’t handle the deep ruts of the gravel road. It was beautiful and scenic while it lasted. While traveling back we tried unsuccessfully to locate a good tofu restaurant. The restaurant owners would run out to greet us, but all they had was fish. My first experience with the famous highway rest areas showed me my stomach is smaller than my eyes and junk food in South Korea is not as sweet or creamy as the US. Upon returning to Ana & Mike’s apartment, I learned that Mike has sampled all the Korean treats on his earlier site seeing excursions and has also found them lacking that US touch.

Seoraksan (So-rock-san) had breathtaking scenery and we traveled every hairpin turn around the park. Hiking up the mountain at 5,000 feet elevation is somewhat nervewracking. With Mike and Ana and Samjin in the lead, keeping up is a challenge. When I lost site of them on the rock ledge near the peak, I was on my own and a “little bit” nervous. Spying a flag placed at the peak, I headed toward the top. When I saw Ana, I gave her a BIIIIG hug in welcome relief.

Seoul was very busy and great fun.

It’s been such a great experience, I encourage everyone to try to get out to the beautiful sights of Korea. Of course our hosts make the trip even more enjoyable.

Thank you Ana and Mike, and Samjin!

See you in the US,

Bill

2009

Wow! Welcome to 2009!

Happy New Year!!!!!!

(you should bother Mikey and Bill they are supposed to post!)