well it's Sunday night and we're about to sit down and watch a movie after a very quiet weekend. Friday night I just came home and crashed out. Saturday I managed a long talk with my friend Caroline in Maine before I went for a long walk taking pics of Korean as spring rolls in (I always look forward to spring. Jan/Feb can get VERY depressing but when spring rolls around I'm always more than ready). I then met up with Drew and Barry for dinner at a Vietnamese place near my house. It's run by Vietnamese women and it's VERY authentic. I'll be going back I'm sure. They also sell a host of spices and veggies that are not too common here so Barry (the amateur chef) was very happy. Being that the missus had her TOEFL test at 9am Sunday we decided to part ways around 930 and head home to relax and watch a movie. This morning while she was writing it I had a long talk with Kris (my friend and old co-worker who is now back in Halifax). Him and Miranda are getting married next spring in the Dominican republic. I'd love to say I'll be there but I'm not too sure that'll happen. The night will then end with spicy chicken and a movie.
A great weekend that was great on the wallet as well :)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
tallest skyscrapers in the world
I don't know why stuff like this fascinates me. Those with a teenage mindset would make phallic jokes. I'd like to think it's some sort of testiment to what humans can do when they want to. With my Taipei trip in 5 weeks I'll be able to knock off the second tallest building in the world (though dwarfed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai..... jeez) and I've also hit 4 and 5 on the list. So here is the top 10 (11 because Petronas 1 and 2 are considered two buildings on one site, but they are counted as one and.... etc etc etc.)
Full list available here.
A few things amazed me about this list:
1- that the top five were all in Asia
2- the Burj Khalifa... I think I may need to visit Dubai
3- that the only ones in the US to top out the list are in Chicago (though if the WTC were still around they'd be number 6 or 7)
4- that half of them are in China (more if you count Taiwan as China)
5- keep going and you'll see the top 25 are dominated by China/Hong Kong and the UAE. The USA has several big ones as well but that's not really that surprising.
6- that New York and Singapore (two cities famous for skyscrapers) have nothing in the top ten and Singapore nothing in the top 25.
I think architecture is also a great way to judge what a culture values. The Egyptians left temples and tombs, the Greeks left temples and city walls, the Romans left aqueducts and sporting venues. In each case we learn what that society valued. I think it's no different today. The biggest buildings in America are spread between sports, residential and commerce. Americans like to play big, live big and work big. In China, they are ALL financial centres, but no one lives in skyscrapers, so far above everyone else. In the UAE it's business and the sultans.
Anyway, I'm happy to have 4 and 5 under my belt, 2 in a few weeks and 3 and 7 next year I should think.
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Full list available here.
A few things amazed me about this list:
1- that the top five were all in Asia
2- the Burj Khalifa... I think I may need to visit Dubai
3- that the only ones in the US to top out the list are in Chicago (though if the WTC were still around they'd be number 6 or 7)
4- that half of them are in China (more if you count Taiwan as China)
5- keep going and you'll see the top 25 are dominated by China/Hong Kong and the UAE. The USA has several big ones as well but that's not really that surprising.
6- that New York and Singapore (two cities famous for skyscrapers) have nothing in the top ten and Singapore nothing in the top 25.
I think architecture is also a great way to judge what a culture values. The Egyptians left temples and tombs, the Greeks left temples and city walls, the Romans left aqueducts and sporting venues. In each case we learn what that society valued. I think it's no different today. The biggest buildings in America are spread between sports, residential and commerce. Americans like to play big, live big and work big. In China, they are ALL financial centres, but no one lives in skyscrapers, so far above everyone else. In the UAE it's business and the sultans.
Anyway, I'm happy to have 4 and 5 under my belt, 2 in a few weeks and 3 and 7 next year I should think.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
cultural interaction and the new Korean teachers
"you can use chopsticks well"
"oh, you can eat Shpishy (spicy) food?"
"do you like Korea?"
"what is your favourite Korean food?"
"oh, your Korean speak is very well" (having shown my mastery of both "hello" AND "hi")
These are just a few of the things that I hear virtually every time I meet a Korean person at work. I haven't decided if I should be annoyed that stupid stereotypes are so widely accepted that they have become small talk, angry that they seem to think I suffer from some sort of mental handicap that makes simple tasks nearly impossible or happy that they are trying to bridge the cultural gap as best they can. I'm thinking the 10-10-80 approach is the way to go. Here's why:
There are widely accepted stereotypes about foreigners here in Korea, and while some are funny (big noses), some fairly hypocritical (foreigners drink too much- as a side note the stereotype Koreans have with the Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese is that Koreans are drunks) and some just insulting (people who work abroad are losers who can't get work at home - thank Confucius for that bit of wisdom, thankfully it seems to be dying out with the newer generation who understand that travelling abroad is something exciting and educational). However, at the end of the day they are stereotypes and should be treated as such. Furthermore, the idea that a stereotype can be so accepted as to make its way into conversation is a bit sad. I imagine the fallout if, back in Canada, you applauded a Korean on his knife and fork skills and commented on how he is eating meat that isn't dog (and how many Koreans can't use western utensils or actually eat dog meat?). It's not offensive, I find it a bit funny actually, but it seems very immature and needs to stop.
While I find compliments on my Korean (even when they are thoroughly undeserved) flattering, the "you use chopsticks very well" is downright insulting. How inept do they think I must be that I can't use chopsticks? My friend Paul, who has lived here a little over four years, pointed out that even if he only used chopsticks once a week he'd have used them over 200 times by now, and we both use them multiple times a day.
However, I mostly find it inoffensive and I know that they are trying to communicate with us using their cultural skills, and find our bluntness and opinionated discussion equally baffling. While I am tired of telling people "yes, I like Korea" and "yes, I can eat shpishy food very well" I know that they are not trying to be condescending, it's just how their culture has taught them to interact. Add to it the fact that Korea is one of the most monocultural places on earth it is possible that I am the first non-Korean they have ever talked to at length and quite possibly the first non-Korean co-worker they have ever had. Coming from Vancouver I am so used to having friends from (or their heritage is from) Hong Kong, China, Iran, India, Japan, Taiwan, western Europe, latin America etc etc etc. and therefore it seems unusual NOT to be in a multi-cultural environment. Furthermore, I am taught from a very young age to interact in a multicultural society. Though even in the west I could find myself in the same boat.
As a slight comparison, I remember my friend Kurt, who was raised in upstate New York, being amazed that I had never really had a black friend. This is obviously not because I have an issue with race but because living my whole life in western Canada, Australia and Korea I have simply not had very many opportunities to meet any black people for any length of time. So even in incredibly multicultural Vancouver I can be quite ignorant of a major ethnic group. That being said, of the few black people I have met in my life, I have never commented on how they eat baked chicken very well, so at least I feel confident that racial stereotyping is weaker in the west than elsewhere. However I bet that, compared to others, I am woefully ignorant of many aspect of both African and African-American culture. I do try to remember that these new co-workers are in the same position with me.
"oh, you can eat Shpishy (spicy) food?"
"do you like Korea?"
"what is your favourite Korean food?"
"oh, your Korean speak is very well" (having shown my mastery of both "hello" AND "hi")
These are just a few of the things that I hear virtually every time I meet a Korean person at work. I haven't decided if I should be annoyed that stupid stereotypes are so widely accepted that they have become small talk, angry that they seem to think I suffer from some sort of mental handicap that makes simple tasks nearly impossible or happy that they are trying to bridge the cultural gap as best they can. I'm thinking the 10-10-80 approach is the way to go. Here's why:
There are widely accepted stereotypes about foreigners here in Korea, and while some are funny (big noses), some fairly hypocritical (foreigners drink too much- as a side note the stereotype Koreans have with the Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese is that Koreans are drunks) and some just insulting (people who work abroad are losers who can't get work at home - thank Confucius for that bit of wisdom, thankfully it seems to be dying out with the newer generation who understand that travelling abroad is something exciting and educational). However, at the end of the day they are stereotypes and should be treated as such. Furthermore, the idea that a stereotype can be so accepted as to make its way into conversation is a bit sad. I imagine the fallout if, back in Canada, you applauded a Korean on his knife and fork skills and commented on how he is eating meat that isn't dog (and how many Koreans can't use western utensils or actually eat dog meat?). It's not offensive, I find it a bit funny actually, but it seems very immature and needs to stop.
While I find compliments on my Korean (even when they are thoroughly undeserved) flattering, the "you use chopsticks very well" is downright insulting. How inept do they think I must be that I can't use chopsticks? My friend Paul, who has lived here a little over four years, pointed out that even if he only used chopsticks once a week he'd have used them over 200 times by now, and we both use them multiple times a day.
However, I mostly find it inoffensive and I know that they are trying to communicate with us using their cultural skills, and find our bluntness and opinionated discussion equally baffling. While I am tired of telling people "yes, I like Korea" and "yes, I can eat shpishy food very well" I know that they are not trying to be condescending, it's just how their culture has taught them to interact. Add to it the fact that Korea is one of the most monocultural places on earth it is possible that I am the first non-Korean they have ever talked to at length and quite possibly the first non-Korean co-worker they have ever had. Coming from Vancouver I am so used to having friends from (or their heritage is from) Hong Kong, China, Iran, India, Japan, Taiwan, western Europe, latin America etc etc etc. and therefore it seems unusual NOT to be in a multi-cultural environment. Furthermore, I am taught from a very young age to interact in a multicultural society. Though even in the west I could find myself in the same boat.
As a slight comparison, I remember my friend Kurt, who was raised in upstate New York, being amazed that I had never really had a black friend. This is obviously not because I have an issue with race but because living my whole life in western Canada, Australia and Korea I have simply not had very many opportunities to meet any black people for any length of time. So even in incredibly multicultural Vancouver I can be quite ignorant of a major ethnic group. That being said, of the few black people I have met in my life, I have never commented on how they eat baked chicken very well, so at least I feel confident that racial stereotyping is weaker in the west than elsewhere. However I bet that, compared to others, I am woefully ignorant of many aspect of both African and African-American culture. I do try to remember that these new co-workers are in the same position with me.
Monday, March 21, 2011
a great, if alcoholic weekend
well this weekend I managed to undue just about all my excercising and healthy eating in a 3 day binge of coffee, makkali, beer and food. Not sure why actually, it just turned out that way.
Friday night Paul came up so after work we hit the makkali jip and had a good meal and drinks before returning home to watch Chopper, an amazing Australian movie. Recommended for anyone who likes dark comedy.
Saturday he got up very early and left and so I got up quickly and then went for a walk/hike and a coffee. I then met up with Jeff for a few beers and to Mark's for Sydney Street's one year anniversary. We met up with Kurt and a few American guys. As the night thinned out and a few Americans decided to live up to the less than savoury stereotypes, Kurt and I (also a Yank) decided to meet his Korean buddy and went out for drinks and food then Kurt crashed at my place. Sunday we got up, went for a walk and then drank coffee and hung out. I hadn't paid Mark for my dinner the night before so we decided to drop in so I could pay him. Well a few rum and cokes and the Doors greatest hits played later it was 1am and we called it a weekend.
While I enjoyed it I think it will take a good week of running to burn this weekend off.
Friday night Paul came up so after work we hit the makkali jip and had a good meal and drinks before returning home to watch Chopper, an amazing Australian movie. Recommended for anyone who likes dark comedy.
Saturday he got up very early and left and so I got up quickly and then went for a walk/hike and a coffee. I then met up with Jeff for a few beers and to Mark's for Sydney Street's one year anniversary. We met up with Kurt and a few American guys. As the night thinned out and a few Americans decided to live up to the less than savoury stereotypes, Kurt and I (also a Yank) decided to meet his Korean buddy and went out for drinks and food then Kurt crashed at my place. Sunday we got up, went for a walk and then drank coffee and hung out. I hadn't paid Mark for my dinner the night before so we decided to drop in so I could pay him. Well a few rum and cokes and the Doors greatest hits played later it was 1am and we called it a weekend.
While I enjoyed it I think it will take a good week of running to burn this weekend off.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The UN, that last bastion of Imperialism. Real news from Japan
With the tragedy in Japan and the continuing body count in Christchurch continuing to rise it's not surprising that the UN has decided to impose itself on oil rich Libya and back the anti-Gaddhafi rebels and thus taking away press time from those issues. You can read about it here. Well suffice to say this should slow down the Libyans and could force them to negotiate a settlement, which will apparently allow a democratic regime (although neither side is in any way suggesting this, we just assume it must be so). With Russia and China not voting the US, UK and France passed this resolution and another chapter in colonialism is written. No, this is not a tinfoil hat conspiracy thing, the UN was created with the idea the the US, UK and USSR would impose peace on the world (read Churchill's history of WWII for all the relevant discussions). France and China were added by the UK and US respectively (Chiang Kai-shek's China of course). It was never meant to be anything but a place for these powers to dominate and stop another European war. Once the Cold War began the whole concept fell apart and you now have the mess that is the UN. Since then, it has been used time and time again to interfere in former colonies. It comes from an incredible sense of moral superiority that assumes that western values = good, progressive and righteous. It's the same sort of arrogance that first sent Portuguese missionaries to Brazil, Dutch traders to Indonesia and British naval ships to India. Our morals may have changed but out attitude towards imposing them on others remains the same. Now I am no fan of Gaddhafi, but this rebel group is taking over in a military coup with no democratic representation the same way Gaddhafi did. Claiming to speak for all Libyans does not make it so (note: Gaddhafi does the same thing). I just wish that western powers would finally learn from their mistakes and butt out of everyone else's business. It always creates more problems than it solves. Remember that Gaddhafi's coup was in response to a British imposed government in Libya, just as Al Qaeda were a US tool (though not creation) used and made very powerful to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan. Ahmedinejad in Iran and that government is the result of a revolution to remove a dictator imposed by the US and UK (who was put in place after a democratically elected Iranian government was overthrown by said powers because it was too friendly towards the USSR). I'll not bore you with more examples, but even a simple google search can teach you these things. Obama and Cameron can use google can't they?
In real news The US and France have asked their citizens to leave Japan amid fears of a meltdown of the nuclear plant in northern Honshu. This is a situation that does require attention and I hope people who have not already done so choose to donate now. I always like Red Cross but my buddy Geoff recommended directrelief.org. Don't know much about it but he's sure they are good. Also, all non-essential travel to Japan has been suspended. While the reactor going off is not expected to do much damage outside of the area that has already been evacuated it would leave a chunk of Japan uninhabitable and spread radiation to neighbouring countries or (hopefully) out to sea depending on the wind. While Chinese, Koreans and Russians will probably not be exposed to anything nearing fatal levels, it would still damage soil and pollute drinking water. It's a terrible situation that doesn't seem to be getting any better. Again, if you haven't done so already, please donate to help them out.
In real news The US and France have asked their citizens to leave Japan amid fears of a meltdown of the nuclear plant in northern Honshu. This is a situation that does require attention and I hope people who have not already done so choose to donate now. I always like Red Cross but my buddy Geoff recommended directrelief.org. Don't know much about it but he's sure they are good. Also, all non-essential travel to Japan has been suspended. While the reactor going off is not expected to do much damage outside of the area that has already been evacuated it would leave a chunk of Japan uninhabitable and spread radiation to neighbouring countries or (hopefully) out to sea depending on the wind. While Chinese, Koreans and Russians will probably not be exposed to anything nearing fatal levels, it would still damage soil and pollute drinking water. It's a terrible situation that doesn't seem to be getting any better. Again, if you haven't done so already, please donate to help them out.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
week(end)
well after a mid-week Trailer Park Tuesday with Jeff, Kurt, Mark and Barry I am again looking forward to the weekend. Friday Paul is coming up to visit so I'm thinking makkali and travian. Saturday I'm shopping and heading to Mark's for Sydney streets one year anniversary party.
My stress about work/school continues, but I won't ramble about that anymore.
Also finished a few more articles on my travel blog. If you are in Korea you might find it useful.
My stress about work/school continues, but I won't ramble about that anymore.
Also finished a few more articles on my travel blog. If you are in Korea you might find it useful.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Busan weekend. More terrible news from Japan
this weekend I went down to Busan to buy some new jeans and do some sightseeing in Nampodong and the western coastal areas. I also managed to meet a few people and try a few new restaurants. It was a good weekend and I'm loving my new jeans.
I also notice that the numbers in Japan are getting worse by the minute. 10,000 dead and nuclear plants in dangerous condition. This is the worst disaster for Japan since WWII the Japanese PM has now said. I'm really happy to see the outflow of support from their neighbours (who are still very bitter over Japan's actions in WWII and their unwillingness to acknowledge them even now) and the wider world.
If you haven't donated yet I urge you to do so. The Red Cross has funds set up and there are others as well (though make sure it's real, there are actually people out there who have set up fake charities to scam people. This was also done in the New Zealand quake. It's just sickening but you need to look out for it).
I also notice that the numbers in Japan are getting worse by the minute. 10,000 dead and nuclear plants in dangerous condition. This is the worst disaster for Japan since WWII the Japanese PM has now said. I'm really happy to see the outflow of support from their neighbours (who are still very bitter over Japan's actions in WWII and their unwillingness to acknowledge them even now) and the wider world.
If you haven't donated yet I urge you to do so. The Red Cross has funds set up and there are others as well (though make sure it's real, there are actually people out there who have set up fake charities to scam people. This was also done in the New Zealand quake. It's just sickening but you need to look out for it).
Friday, March 11, 2011
Japan Earthquake. Korea. Canada. Others. How to help.
Well maybe to get the selfish part out of the way first. To friends in Canada and elsewhere: I'm fine, Korea itself is fine and everyone else here is fine as there have been no effects from the earthquake that hit Japan felt here to date. Fortunately for Korea, the epicentre was off of Japan's east coast and we didn't even feel it here.
Now to the sad news and the real story. At least 300 people are dead after the worst earthquake in Japanese (recorded) history - and in the most earthquake prone country on earth that's saying something. Pictures on the Korean news broadcasts paint an ugly picture and, unfortunately, the number of dead will probably rise. I do think it is a credit to the Japanese earthquake prepardeness training system and earthquake proof building design that *relatively* few fatalities have been recorded thus far. While that's not much comfort to anyone, in a place a densly populated a Tokyo I think it could have been much, much worse. Property damage will cost billions to repair and will take weeks or months.
Other places seem relatively unaffected. The cast of Twilight have been safely evacuated off the west coast of Vancouver island (seriously) and the Hawaiian coast guard report no serious damage, though insurance agents that insure boats will be busy next week. One man died in California when he and two friends decided to go out on the beach to film the incoming tsunami...... I will simply cite this as further proof of natural selection and move on. No serious damage in the Philippines or Indonesia either, who also had warnings issued.
Canadian, U.S and Australian Red Cross already have funds set up and you can donate online. Korean Red Cross doesn't seem to yet, but I'm sure it's on the way. The Japanese Red Cross website was down when I last checked, if up it's probably the best way to give to help people today. If you are in China check the Hong Kong Red Cross, I haven't yet but they are usually faster than their mainland counterparts. You can use http://www.xe.com/ to figure out what yen, or any other currency, is worth in whatever currency you are donating in. We've put in out $100can through the Canadian Red Cross already, it's easy to do. Canada also has its fund up for the New Zealand earthquake, so if you are feeling especially generous remember them as well. Other ways to help: buy something Japanese. A new Nintendo game, a six pack of Asahi Premium (delicious btw) or anything else you can think of. That cash will go back in to the Japanese economy and, in a small way, help rebuild.
Now to the sad news and the real story. At least 300 people are dead after the worst earthquake in Japanese (recorded) history - and in the most earthquake prone country on earth that's saying something. Pictures on the Korean news broadcasts paint an ugly picture and, unfortunately, the number of dead will probably rise. I do think it is a credit to the Japanese earthquake prepardeness training system and earthquake proof building design that *relatively* few fatalities have been recorded thus far. While that's not much comfort to anyone, in a place a densly populated a Tokyo I think it could have been much, much worse. Property damage will cost billions to repair and will take weeks or months.
Other places seem relatively unaffected. The cast of Twilight have been safely evacuated off the west coast of Vancouver island (seriously) and the Hawaiian coast guard report no serious damage, though insurance agents that insure boats will be busy next week. One man died in California when he and two friends decided to go out on the beach to film the incoming tsunami...... I will simply cite this as further proof of natural selection and move on. No serious damage in the Philippines or Indonesia either, who also had warnings issued.
Canadian, U.S and Australian Red Cross already have funds set up and you can donate online. Korean Red Cross doesn't seem to yet, but I'm sure it's on the way. The Japanese Red Cross website was down when I last checked, if up it's probably the best way to give to help people today. If you are in China check the Hong Kong Red Cross, I haven't yet but they are usually faster than their mainland counterparts. You can use http://www.xe.com/ to figure out what yen, or any other currency, is worth in whatever currency you are donating in. We've put in out $100can through the Canadian Red Cross already, it's easy to do. Canada also has its fund up for the New Zealand earthquake, so if you are feeling especially generous remember them as well. Other ways to help: buy something Japanese. A new Nintendo game, a six pack of Asahi Premium (delicious btw) or anything else you can think of. That cash will go back in to the Japanese economy and, in a small way, help rebuild.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Busan this weekend. School update
well it's friday afternoon, it's sunny and 12 degrees outside and I'm sitting a PELT test. Goo dthing this time tomorrow I'll be down in Busan. I will head down after class to meet friends and do a bit of shopping and do the Nopodong tower. I will then go to meet Paul for a beer before crashing somewhere. Sunday will be Sea Temple or aquarium and home.
With all of this great weather I'm more than ready to get out and enjoy more of it.
On an unrelated topic, I went to Keimyung Uni to look in to their MA in education. turns out I can get in, but I have to be able to pass the intermediate TOPIK test to graduate (I had planned to do the BEGINNER one this year). However, I do have the option of taking Korean classes there, doing the TOPIK and then starting regular classes. This would have me completing an MA and a certificate in Korean language in 2.5 years. My current school would also be willing to let me arrange my schedule around classes for when they run until 4pm. Still time to mull it over but it has a LOT of advantages and very few disadvantages.
With all of this great weather I'm more than ready to get out and enjoy more of it.
On an unrelated topic, I went to Keimyung Uni to look in to their MA in education. turns out I can get in, but I have to be able to pass the intermediate TOPIK test to graduate (I had planned to do the BEGINNER one this year). However, I do have the option of taking Korean classes there, doing the TOPIK and then starting regular classes. This would have me completing an MA and a certificate in Korean language in 2.5 years. My current school would also be willing to let me arrange my schedule around classes for when they run until 4pm. Still time to mull it over but it has a LOT of advantages and very few disadvantages.
Monday, March 7, 2011
a PERManent issue with the kids
I blows me away how many boys are walking in to the academy today with these goofy perms. I don't mean the middle school kids either. Like grade 2,3 and 4 kids with full on perms. I remember when I came here a few kids had them, but I'm amazed at just how many seem to have them now. It amazes me for several reasons:
1- they just look ridiculous
2- they are little kids, why would you spend all that money on their hair?
3- are there not more important thing sto spend the family income on then perms for their sons (emphasis on sons here)
I think it's a bit sad that so many parents choose to subject their children to this, especially as they just look so terrible with these Kim Jung-Il style quaffs or wavey short hair. I think it's to av ethe kids look their best at the start of the new chool year, and I know parents everywhere subject their children to this so they will look good for the other kids, so I'll let the grade two kid with a prep school uniform go. But a perm? I thik that is where the line should be drawn, especially as, as I can't emphasise this enough, they just look comically bad.
1- they just look ridiculous
2- they are little kids, why would you spend all that money on their hair?
3- are there not more important thing sto spend the family income on then perms for their sons (emphasis on sons here)
I think it's a bit sad that so many parents choose to subject their children to this, especially as they just look so terrible with these Kim Jung-Il style quaffs or wavey short hair. I think it's to av ethe kids look their best at the start of the new chool year, and I know parents everywhere subject their children to this so they will look good for the other kids, so I'll let the grade two kid with a prep school uniform go. But a perm? I thik that is where the line should be drawn, especially as, as I can't emphasise this enough, they just look comically bad.
travel blog
hey,
I've decided to start a Korean travel blog, you can connect to it via my blogspace, or look it up: isteacherstravelogueblog. My goal is to make a fairly solid list of places in Korea to visit that are not Seoul. I've found that good info on non-Seoul Korea can be hard to come by, and when it exists it is written as though it is a day trip from Seoul. Even Lonely Planet, who are usually very reliable, give more press time to North Korea and Seoul than to any of the provinces. Also, I find that the Korean sources are A: in Korean or B: tell you that EVERYTHING there is so important and is a must see (thus not giving a real opinion, I know for a fact that every rock on jeju-do is not really a photo op) but then fail to give information such as directions. I also find things are often lost in Konglish.
This being the case, I've decided to start writing short blogs giving places, things to see there, how to get there, relevant background info (sometimes with a wikipedia link :P). I'd also like to invite anyone with good stories/info on a place in Korea to submit one. I have done haeinsa as a sample so far, and I am slowly going to do a few others. However, I have not exactly covered the country and so would love people who have seen cool stuff, or have cool stories to add to email them and I'll try to add them is as best I can.
If you do please try to include rough estimate of costs, how you got there and what you liked or didn't like. Otherwise, check it out if you are tired of the western bar scene in you local city.
I've decided to start a Korean travel blog, you can connect to it via my blogspace, or look it up: isteacherstravelogueblog. My goal is to make a fairly solid list of places in Korea to visit that are not Seoul. I've found that good info on non-Seoul Korea can be hard to come by, and when it exists it is written as though it is a day trip from Seoul. Even Lonely Planet, who are usually very reliable, give more press time to North Korea and Seoul than to any of the provinces. Also, I find that the Korean sources are A: in Korean or B: tell you that EVERYTHING there is so important and is a must see (thus not giving a real opinion, I know for a fact that every rock on jeju-do is not really a photo op) but then fail to give information such as directions. I also find things are often lost in Konglish.
This being the case, I've decided to start writing short blogs giving places, things to see there, how to get there, relevant background info (sometimes with a wikipedia link :P). I'd also like to invite anyone with good stories/info on a place in Korea to submit one. I have done haeinsa as a sample so far, and I am slowly going to do a few others. However, I have not exactly covered the country and so would love people who have seen cool stuff, or have cool stories to add to email them and I'll try to add them is as best I can.
If you do please try to include rough estimate of costs, how you got there and what you liked or didn't like. Otherwise, check it out if you are tired of the western bar scene in you local city.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Travelogue #1 - Haeinsa
In an effort to share some good places for day or weekend trips in Korea, I have decided to periodically write a blog about a cool place I have visited while here. I'll probably do other countries as well, but I thought I'd start with Korea and my favourite mountain temple complex: Haeinsa.
Haeinsa is a temple complex located in Gyeongsan province. The relevant historical background information can be found here. The major attraction here is the tripitaka Koreana, which is the entire tripitaka carved in to wooden blocks by monks in the 14th century. There are also several old stone pagodas that date to the founding of the temple (around 800AD) to the time of the Mongol invasion (around 1350AD). The rest of the temple has largely been rebuilt in recent years, but there have been serious efforts to preserve the original techniques and styles of the old temple, so it doesn't feel that new. The grounds themselves are beautiful any time of year (though it's freezing in winter) with views of the mountains and even some wildlife. You'll also breathe in something rare in Korea today. Fresh air. The area around the temple is also a great place to spend some time. There are many hermitages along mountain trails that you could spend days exploring, but there are also a few within a 10 minute walk of the entrance to Haeinsa. There are also several buddhist monuments near the entrance. Finally, the little town near the bus stop is a charming place to spend a few hours (or even a night). If you only have an hour or so, try the restaurant upstairs from the ticket office. They have great pajeon and some DongDongju to make the ride home a bit easier.
Getting there
The easiest way to get there is from Daegu's Seobu bus Station, which is located right behind Seongdanmot(성당못) subway station. It's on the same line as DongDaegu St (동대구역) if you are coming in from out of town. Buses leave every 40 minutes and run around 8000 won each way (though the price has been different every time I've been there). They make four stops before Haeinsa, which is the last one. There is an entrance fee of 2000 won but you don't always seem to have to pay it.
Buses will either let you off at a large building or at the bus station about 500 meters beyond it. There is no sign marking where to go to just walk to the large building and follow the dirt path past it to the parking lot and a small museum. On the far side of the parking lot you will see signs reading 해인사. Follow them.
view from the highest point on the temple grounds
Haeinsa is a temple complex located in Gyeongsan province. The relevant historical background information can be found here. The major attraction here is the tripitaka Koreana, which is the entire tripitaka carved in to wooden blocks by monks in the 14th century. There are also several old stone pagodas that date to the founding of the temple (around 800AD) to the time of the Mongol invasion (around 1350AD). The rest of the temple has largely been rebuilt in recent years, but there have been serious efforts to preserve the original techniques and styles of the old temple, so it doesn't feel that new. The grounds themselves are beautiful any time of year (though it's freezing in winter) with views of the mountains and even some wildlife. You'll also breathe in something rare in Korea today. Fresh air. The area around the temple is also a great place to spend some time. There are many hermitages along mountain trails that you could spend days exploring, but there are also a few within a 10 minute walk of the entrance to Haeinsa. There are also several buddhist monuments near the entrance. Finally, the little town near the bus stop is a charming place to spend a few hours (or even a night). If you only have an hour or so, try the restaurant upstairs from the ticket office. They have great pajeon and some DongDongju to make the ride home a bit easier.
Getting there
The easiest way to get there is from Daegu's Seobu bus Station, which is located right behind Seongdanmot(성당못) subway station. It's on the same line as DongDaegu St (동대구역) if you are coming in from out of town. Buses leave every 40 minutes and run around 8000 won each way (though the price has been different every time I've been there). They make four stops before Haeinsa, which is the last one. There is an entrance fee of 2000 won but you don't always seem to have to pay it.
Buses will either let you off at a large building or at the bus station about 500 meters beyond it. There is no sign marking where to go to just walk to the large building and follow the dirt path past it to the parking lot and a small museum. On the far side of the parking lot you will see signs reading 해인사. Follow them.
near the entrance to the temple
inside the main complex
the temple bell
the mountain view around Haeinsa
overlooking a temple building
art depicting parts of Siddhartha Gautama's life painted on the buildings
temple complex in summer, with 1000 year old pagoda
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
back to working
well we got our new schedule today and..... I'm averaging 5 classes a day starting tomorrow. I'm really happy about this as it has the old SEI vibe from when I started (I loved SEI when I first started here). It also comes as we have another sunny (though not especially warm) day. I've been down with the lack of classes of late so I'm very happy that we are getting some real work.
Two months til I'm in Taipei :)
Two months til I'm in Taipei :)
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