Sunday, October 19, 2014

Daegok


There is a major road near my place called Daegok. Along it are a series of restaurants. I've been trying a few of them over the summer and fall. They are mostly Korean BBQ with ribs, pork and one that has beef. A cool area just minutes from my front door. It is a neat place to explore, and on a warm night with good food it is fun.

Anyway, thought I'd share.









Sunday, October 12, 2014

Jinju Lantern Festival 2014

This weekend Yen and I went south to Jinju for the annual lantern festival. It commemorates the 1592 siege of Jinju by the Japanese, when the Korean army lit up lanterns to watch the river and prevent the Japanese army from crossing the river. The Japanese eventually took Jinju, but the event is still commemorated every year.

Jinju is around two hours southeast but it is noticeably warmer (they have palm trees there). The town itself is fairly sleepy but comes alive for these two weeks. In fact, if I were to go again for the festival I would go midweek, the crowds were intense even by Korean standards, and I'm not someone who is usually bothered by crowds. The only other issue was accommodation. While it was available, prices reflected the demand, with a normally 30,000 won room going for 80,000, no exceptions.

The lanterns themselves are amazing, and seen from Jinju fortress it is spectacular. Both sides of the Nam river are packed with lights, shops and tourists and no matter where you go you see something really cool.

We arrived around 5pm, got an overprices room (though it was a short walk to both the bus terminal and the river). We then headed down to the river to take a few pictures. It started off quiet enough but once night fell and the lights came on, yikes.

daytime

artificial gate during the late afternoon

some lanterns

lights are on and crowds begin to show

twilight

The river around 6:45

again

Inside Jinju fortress

The river at night

a few people showed up

many lights

artificial gate lit up

Singapore's contribution

the red light district :P

a few people over here too


The next day we got up a bit late and headed out around 11. We opted for Starbucks breakfast (I need real coffee) and explored the town and then headed to the fortress during the day, when the crowds were more manageable and it was possible to enjoy the views. 

Jinju itself is small, and while it was once the most important city on the south coast, it was eclipsed by Busan over a century ago. It has the feel of a small provincial town. It was nice, but as a tourist a weekend is probably enough. 

The picture really summarizes Jinju the city

palm trees

the river around noon

Fortress grounds

smokin and playin

the fortress entrance

This general wants you

Mega Powers vs. Mega Bucks 
OOOOHHH YEEEAHHHH

Yen on the castle wall

Jinju

Pavilion


Jinju lantern festival is definitely one of the cooler things I've done, and I'm very glad Yen talked me in to it. With winter coming there won't be many more weekends to do stuff like this until March or April. It is also one of the few things I have never done in Korea, and realistically this was my last chance to do it. 


Monday, October 6, 2014

New Contract

So a third and final year at Moonkkang is a go. I'll get a raise, and everything else is the same.

I was debating a third year, but with dissertation coming and the opportunity to save for that and work for the year it just makes sense. As far as cram schools go it really is the best one out there.

With this done, I am thinking ahead to October 2015 with anticipation, sometimes too much anticipation.

I have a habit of looking at jobs that I will be ready for by 2016. University of Macau. British Council in Malaysia, Rangoon and Taipei. Chiba University in Tokyo. Athabasca College in Edmonton. Chulalongkorn University Bangkok. Joongbu University in Daejeon, Korea. I need to stop, mostly because it has stopped being motivational and become a series of missed opportunities. They'll be there in 2016.

I want to think more about this year, which I think this blog will help me do. Christmas is coming quickly. I'll be home for two weeks in February. Yen and I want to get down to the Philippines soon. Will is now living in Saigon. School will come to dominate my life this year. Yen and I have some adult decisions to make in 2015, and I can state right now that I'll be looking to extend my contract with her as well :P Probably for a while.

It will also be my last year in Daegu, a city that has, for better or worse, been my home for five years. I'll miss it when I am gone, I am sure. Better to enjoy as much of it as I can before I go.

But for the rest of 2014, fall is here, and while October will be great, November and December will be cold. Brace yourself.