The land that God forgot

Kind of looks like something out of King Kong!
So this weekend, Angela, Tina and I decided to pack our bags and check out Korea. We signed up for an "Adventure Korea" trip to Seonyudo Islands, about 3 hours south from here, and then another hour+ ferry ride out.
We got there, got on some bikes, dropped off our bags and got to it! We cruised through these islands on bikes (which I lovvve since I love biking, and it took me a while to get into it, but once I did I was a machine!). There really wasn't much, but there are 4 islands connected by bridges which was cool. It was hilly, since EVERYTHING in KOrea is, but once I got used to it, nothing I couldn't handle. There was really nothing but tiny fishing villages. I mean NOTHING. NO Bars. NO grocery Stores. NO Nore Bangs. Nothing. Just Old people who fished. Yeeeah.
This may have been the largest town in all the land

As always, mischief was caused. (Do you think I can board that boat?


ANd of course, a power nap.
After said nap, Tina became my partner in crime, and adventure as we decided that we were going to climb a rock face WITH A ROPE ATTACHED TO A TREE. Wisest decision ever it wasn't, and the top 5 scariest things EVER.

This may take the cake for stupid things I've done.

Once you got to the top of said rope, there was no path so you just kinda climbed up.

This is the view from the top, unfortunatly the weather was not that lovely that day :(

We then returned our bikes and went for dinner. We did some wandering around, and ended up in bed fairly early as there was nothing else to do.

We woke up the next morning to eat breakfast and go clamming I guess?
See? Clamming.
It ended up being me digging, Angela pouring salt and Tina grabbing the sucker, and combined we caught one, called it a day and went back inside to WARM UP!
They weren't really like any clams I'VE ever seen! BUt got it!

We ended up going hiking, which wasn't much of a hike but put us on top of a mountain for some SPECTACULAR views of something that wasn't urban sprawl.
Tina, our new friend Emily, and I made it to the top and shot the shit about life, the universe and everything

Views


The view partway up the mountain


Tina and I on mountain tops

This was a cool trip, and I do intend on getting out of Seoul more. Is it something I can do everyweekend? NO WAY. This made Bozrah look like a bustling metropolis. But it was kind of the Korea I was looking for, the fishing, the different way of life. And it was nice to FINALLY Be outside after what felt like an endless winter.

So Until next time
Patience, Faith and a little Sass;
ErinJ

Lotte World

So a few weekends ago (I know, laggggging behind :( Angela and I decided to get OUT of Anyang, which had become a black hole for the winter, and get out in Seoul.
Since it was White day (Read: Valentine's Day) we decided to go to the happiest place on Earth. And by Earth I mean Korea. Korea's version of Disneyworld-Lotteworld (although I think they should call it LotteLand)
It was sort of rainy, which was okay cause some of the park is INSIDE, which is neat and lamo at the same time.



There was a slight mishap (Like me being foolish enough to loose my ticket even though you have to present it to get onto rides) but after that was squared away, Angela and I cruised from ride to ride and had a normal amusement park typa day.

Yeah, they really want to be Disney. I've never been to Disney but I know its not close.

There were no really cool rides that made the trip worthwhile. All in all it was an excellent time though. My favorite part (and Angela agrees) was getting ice cream and making a build a bear at the end. My puppy is in a little TaeKwonDo outfit <3

This weekend I am STOKED to be going on a bike tour of some islands in the south. I have not gotten out of Seoul since NOVEMBER, so time to start exploring Korea!! So look forward to reading about that :)
Until Next Time,
Patience and Faith,
ErinJ

On Being the ONLLLLY Catholic in all the land

It seems, especially on Fridays during Lent, that Korea goes out of its way to make sure there is significantly more meat in its dishes.
Which makes me stand out as more foreign! Korean Catholics? Upsayo!

Yellow Dust

WOAH WOAH WOAH ITS RAINING SAND.
No its not, well, not quite. But the pollution is so bad that Erin teacher is going into coughing sneezing athsma attacks like it is going out of style.
Check out the news story. Its only supposed to get worse! THanks Mongolia. Apparently all of Asias effected pretty bad (Chinas not doing so hot) and according to CNN this morning, it won't be long till it hits America, but not like this.
Will this be the time that Erin finally breaks down and buys a mask? Not likely, but its not out of the question. Answers to this burning question in the next edition of EP's heart in Seoul: Seoul Sucks in the springtime edition.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8577806.stm

Spring time in Busan and the Panmunjom

Winter in Anyang and Seoul!
If you can name the song that you think that goes to-brownie points!
Mah Building


As my 태권도 master said today, "the Korea weather is Upside down!" and thats not far from the truth! So while you're enjoying summer Sam's (Cough COugh EDDIEJESSIEROBINKIRA) I'm enjoying more snow.

At least after a rough class, Me, Tina and FX(a cuteeee little 14 year old Korean boy who makes funny sounds. HIs real name is Su-won I think) had a snowball fight. I do love snowball fights. Of course FX got owned by the Canadian and the New Englander (No pictures of the battle)



Patience and Faith,
ErinJ

Virtual Tour!

So Kira today asked for a tour of where I live. I'll try to rock a video eventually, but for now you can go on the walk Steve and I did this afternoon!

This is my building, Hansol Central Park (as seen from across the street) 15 stories, and a convient store at the bottom. There are heaps of businesses in the building.


When you cross the street you get to the park. This is not a fun picture, but its actually an okay place, especially in the spring. Here is the soccer pitch.


Feeling fat? Don't run in the park. Work out on these random exercise machines all over the place. Thats right. Why join a gym. work out in the park. Its.....special.


This park is riddled with random artwork. We're talking massive dung beetles moving mirrored balls. I wish I was lying. Bored? Check out an sideways house, why not? Thanks Korea. I guess it adds some charm.


THis is "x-game" skate park. I don't skate, but you could if you wanted I suppose. Sometimes its more fun to watch.


You could also play basketball. I don't, but you could in theory. Or you could get lost around the basketball courts trying to get to Subway Sandwiches (ANGELA).


Lets cross the street back to Hansol. K? K. Check out my neigborhood. I live in Beomgye-dong (pronounced Bum gay dong; and no, I couldn't make that up) Here is an area called the strip, not because of what happens during late nights but because it is a strip of buildings 3 or 4 blocks long, 6 stories high with business after business after business. If you need it, its on Beomgye. If you're hungry, you go here. Its hard core.


We then decided to swing by the local aquarium. No. That be a LIE. This is what the street looks like. Heaps of seacreatures. All sorts, mostly fish, squid and octopus. It grosses me out, but I guess I'm getting used to it. Still, its BLEAH.


Bahaha. This is just funny. THis is one of our local hang outs. It does not allow gangsters.


Finally at the very end of the strip is the subway stop, the escape from Anyang. ITs about 35-40 minutes to Seoul proper by transit.

Its not the most interesting place to live, but it is home, and even though I have no idea whats going on, it is comforting as its the only place in an unknown land that I really know.

Patience and Faith,
ErinJ

6months?

Hey team!
So I am pretty bedridden due to a debilitating stomach virus (one of my kids was extremely ill yesterday, which may be where I caught it)
So I may as well do some blogging. So much to talk about surprisingly!
This weekend was pretty chill. With the start of the semester we have a new co-worker, so we spend the weekend chilling with him (and anybody who'll get into sticker pictures with me obviously has a special place in my heart).
We ended up hiking up a mountain that is very close to our house, which is cool cause I've never seen an aerial view of where I live before. It was less of a hike and more of a semi-vertical stroll, but seeing as we've been cooped up inside this winter, it was nice to get out.
admittedly, I don't live in the prettiest area, but it is nicer from the ground.

I've been here almost exactly 6months, which is halfway through my contract, which is fairly cool. I'm not really homesick per se, but sometimes I do miss things, which I suppose is normal. The switching of classes has really thrown me off, but I feel after six months I'm finally in a groove, a routine of sorts where I go to school, make dinner, go to tae kwon do etc. I really enjoy it here for the most part.
This brings us to the question-what are you going to do in august?
I don't know.
BUt I'll keep you updated
Patience and Faith,
ErinJ

On Watching Sports in Korea

So for those who are out of the loop, Korea is 14 hours ahead. Thats like, a full DAY. So watching sports in real-time usually start between 3am-7am here. In the case of USAvCANADA hockey, it was a 5:15am faceoff time, which is not a problem for those that stay out until 7am. So me, a few americans and tooo many Canadians piled into our favorite bar, favorite cause they speak English. The game didn't end until 8am, in a heartbreaking overtime period, for those that didn't know. Its okay, I still love our boys.
It is an experience though. Monday was a holiday sooo we got to stay up this late, normally I would not. It was heaps of fun, although weird. In the states, I'm not sure if I even knew a Canadian to be perfectly honest. So I guess it was on par with watching a Sox/Yankees game, with a lot more Yankees fans (Bleeeah) This was the only part of the Olympics I watched which is unfortunate, but what can you do? It was good times.
I wish I could update on all the cool things I did on this 3day break, but I really just took it to get all the errands I haven't had time to do done and relax. Your regularly scheduled adventures to hopefully be back next week.
Patience and Faith,
ErinJ