I think I left off in Korea around the time we started having fun.. Geoje Island is definitely somewhere I want to go back when I have a few weeks and it is spring or summer. I can just imagine the beautiful, California-like beaches abloom in the warm sunshine. As it was, we made do with the pale winter sun and perpetual greyness of most all of Korea that is such a stark contrast to Germany's constant greenness. This and Jeju island to the south are definitely already planned into my next Korean adventure.
Our return to Seoul was by bus and was definitely long but surprisingly hassle-free. I don't know why Americans are so resistant to traveling by bus other than the expense--30k WON or around 18 EUR/25 USD for a trip that would have been maybe 30-40 EUR by train at home. Not bad, but not something you want to do every weekend.
The return to Seoul meant the split up of our group, but that didn't actually last long as the next day I winded up visiting the exact same palace as the two other guys that came with me, in an odd twist of chance. Not tremendously surprising as we were visiting the most famous palace in Korea and there were only English tours 4 times a day. Our tour guide was extremely nice and, being the complete teacher's pet that I am, I ended up asking enough questions to provoke her to ask me where I was from and why I was in Korea. I was actually surprised to hear that she vaguely knew where Nashville was (I think Elvis was involved) and even more amused that she was surprised I was from the US--and Tennessee especially. She basically said she was surprised I was so attentive and interested in foreign culture as she thought of most people from the US (and presumably TN) as being insular and apathetic or even hostile to cultures outside their own. I was happy to be a representative for my half of America. And I think I was amused at her surprise that I didn't have an accent.
(also written a VERY long time ago.. forgive me!)
3.3.09
8.2.09
Koreanishes Andenken
My favorite souvenir from Korea has got to be the amazing gift from my friend Hai-Young's parents. It's called Yujacha and it's made from very finely sliced yuzu, a kind of citrus like a tangerine, that has been mixed with sugar to make a syrup. You use about a spoonful and just add boiling water for a very refreshing hot drink that has a lot of citrus perk and, in theory, helps with colds and recovering from winter sickness.The fruit is grown on Geoje Island and further south on Jeju Island which has an even milder climate perfect for citrus.
I've really enjoyed drinking this in addition to hot chocolate and my many varieties of tea that I've collected over the year. It's nice to have a glass of something hot before you step out in the cold, bitter, German winter. And I'm sure the Koreans enjoy it too because their winter is equally nasty.
Speaking of which, it's turning cold again and it is supposed to be snowing next week. This week was a nice break from sub-zero temperatures, but I think I'll be enjoying the hot drinks for a long time to come..
(ok, i wrote this a reeeally long time ago...)
I've really enjoyed drinking this in addition to hot chocolate and my many varieties of tea that I've collected over the year. It's nice to have a glass of something hot before you step out in the cold, bitter, German winter. And I'm sure the Koreans enjoy it too because their winter is equally nasty.
Speaking of which, it's turning cold again and it is supposed to be snowing next week. This week was a nice break from sub-zero temperatures, but I think I'll be enjoying the hot drinks for a long time to come..
(ok, i wrote this a reeeally long time ago...)
23.1.09
Korea entdeckt
I have been, for the past few days, discovering beautiful, chaotic South Korea. It's gotten way to cold here today to spend too much time outside (although I did explore the Namdaemun (남대문) market which right next to the gate which burned down last year --it's still being repaired). I'll try to put lots of observations here, but no promises :P. And pictures are here:
My original purpose for coming to Korea was in fact the wedding of two friends from the Institute. The wedding was last Saturday and was wonderful from a personal but also cultural level. The beginning was a traditional western wedding including white dress, rings, and cake--and even some very European food. However, after the friends left and the bride's family dispersed, the groom's family (and luckily us too) went back to the grandparents' home in Seoul for a traditional Korean ceremony. The groom's family is rather traditional (especially the grandfather), so it was 1. unusual to have a traditional ceremony, 2. very surprising for us to be able to see this ceremony as foreigners and therefore 3. probably a once in a lifetime experience (and I am so thankful, because I know there were a lot of people closer to the newlyweds who weren't able/allowed to see this ceremony.
There were a number of traditional gifts from/to the family including (here) fruit, nuts, dried meat, rice cakes, and tons of other interesting things:
(The three of us from the Institute with the newlyweds in their traditional garb.) The backdrop here was amazing and has significant numbers of animals and plants that represent health and longevity. The rest of the ceremony was very neat too, with lots of ceremony and deference payed to the elders of the family.
After a relaxing stay in the Shilla hotel--one of the best in Seoul--we spend the day around Seoul (eating!) and then headed out to Geoje Island to the hometown of the bride. The hotel we stayed in that night was also amazingly well furnished and, after a late night of karaoke in the town, a morning trip to the basement sauna and a big traditional Korean breakfast were in order. Then we had a wonderful tour of the island and another big meal (way too much to eat, in fact) including some interesting things: raw fish (what I think was sole), sea snails, raw oysters and mussels, conch, and lettuce, seaweed, and pickled cabbage for making wraps. And of couse, all meals are accompanied by gimchi (often spelled kimchi, but pronounced with a g!), rice, and fun spicy/garlicy things to add flavor:
After our intense eating experience, we had a nice surprise trip out on a fishing boat owned by the restaurant owners. The people here are amazingly nice, did I mention that? I have some movies that are better than the pictures.
I'm breaking. Back with part two soon!
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| Seoul and Geojedo, South Korea |
My original purpose for coming to Korea was in fact the wedding of two friends from the Institute. The wedding was last Saturday and was wonderful from a personal but also cultural level. The beginning was a traditional western wedding including white dress, rings, and cake--and even some very European food. However, after the friends left and the bride's family dispersed, the groom's family (and luckily us too) went back to the grandparents' home in Seoul for a traditional Korean ceremony. The groom's family is rather traditional (especially the grandfather), so it was 1. unusual to have a traditional ceremony, 2. very surprising for us to be able to see this ceremony as foreigners and therefore 3. probably a once in a lifetime experience (and I am so thankful, because I know there were a lot of people closer to the newlyweds who weren't able/allowed to see this ceremony.
There were a number of traditional gifts from/to the family including (here) fruit, nuts, dried meat, rice cakes, and tons of other interesting things:
 |
| From Seoul and Geojedo, South Korea |
After a relaxing stay in the Shilla hotel--one of the best in Seoul--we spend the day around Seoul (eating!) and then headed out to Geoje Island to the hometown of the bride. The hotel we stayed in that night was also amazingly well furnished and, after a late night of karaoke in the town, a morning trip to the basement sauna and a big traditional Korean breakfast were in order. Then we had a wonderful tour of the island and another big meal (way too much to eat, in fact) including some interesting things: raw fish (what I think was sole), sea snails, raw oysters and mussels, conch, and lettuce, seaweed, and pickled cabbage for making wraps. And of couse, all meals are accompanied by gimchi (often spelled kimchi, but pronounced with a g!), rice, and fun spicy/garlicy things to add flavor:
 |
| From Seoul and Geojedo, South Korea |
I'm breaking. Back with part two soon!
22.1.09
Reise in Korea
I'm doing fine here, but I don't really feel like writing anything right now--there is just too much to say. Instead, take a look at the pictures I've uploaded and maybe I'll get to writing about this amazing trip sometime soon!
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| Seoul and Geojedo, South Korea |
16.1.09
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