Time to Go

Now it is time to leave Korea. I have had nothing if not an interesting adventure in Korea and it is something that will be with me forever. You may ask if I considered staying in Korea longer. I did, but those thoughts were swiftly squashed by these tell-tale signs that I have been in Korea too long.

1. I am getting gray hair. Can you believe this? I have no less than four gray hairs. I am 23 and that is unacceptable. These kids just take it out of you.

2. I sing along to Korean ringtones. I caught myself on the subway singing "Hot Tigga Tigga Hot Tigga Tigga Hoooooot." I didn't kill myself thanks to Carrie who put me on strict suicide watch for 2 weeks after the incident. Subsequent counseling sessions have put most of the emotional damage behind me.

3. I take precautions against fan death. When enough people tell you that you can die from sleeping with the fan on in a closed room you start to wonder if so many Korean people can be wrong. The answer of course is, "yes, they can be."

4. I say things like, "me (point at myself).... no (make X with arms).... big (make a big circle).... piece(point at the cake)" when I want a small piece of cake. I talk with my hands now.*

5. I eat rice for breakfast. It's good!

6. I answer negative questions with a positive. Carrie says, "you didn't clean the bathroom?" I reply, "Yes, I didn't."

So, that is it for me. I am done in Korea for now and will miss it a lot. Please check out my new blog: Joe's adventures in Canada.

*With apologies to Matt Blake who actually said this. I have said similar things, but he was talking to Carrie at the time which makes it much worse.

Sokcho and Seoraksan Park Trip

Carrie and I at Mt. Seorak National Park.

Seorak Park. Carrie took this picture and it is one of my favourites for sure. She has an eye I tell you.

Sokcho

The world's ugliest tower as proclaimed by anyone who has seen this abomination. It is in Sokcho and the people of Sokcho have to live with that.

Last Day

This was our last day of work. Here are Andrew, Jeff and Tony.

Ramyeon

Spicy Noodle!

Who... Me?

With a week to go here in Korea, you'd think I was really liked. After all this time, I thought I was merely a novelty for the Korean people I have been around. Up until about a month ago my existence was acknowledged, but certainly not celebrated. Then things started to change.

I have been a hot commodity lately. I have been invited out to all kinds of fun events. Just last week I almost had my face burnt off during a fire show. It was an early birthday present from some Korean friends. Two weeks ago, I got to go on a trip with some Korean people including two of the teachers at the school. It was great fun and probably something I couldn't have experienced on my own. Now, with just the week to go, I am having trouble scheduling in all the people that want to have one last drink or bite to eat.

I am not just bragging; there is a point to all this. It seems to me that the Korean people that have been around me all this time were just shy. However, it came across as indifference. Now that I am leaving there is no reason to be shy and they really want to show me how they feel. What all this shows again is that I am inept in social situations. I had no clue that all these people wanted to go out all year, but were perhaps too shy to ask.

I am a case study in social incompetence,
Joe

Couple Shirts

Couple shirt can be found everywhere. This is a collection of mine.

Yankee fans! They have no shame.

Good times.

I think he was a little apprehensive, but flattered nonetheless.

Seoul Night

A picture of Seoul tower from Seoul Station.

Kyeong-Ju Trip

The Sunrise.

We went up a mountain to watch the sunrise. Courtesy of Britney and Sophia teachers (and God).

This one is for Darryl who saw so many Buddha's in Cambodia and Myanmar. I bet you didn't see Buddha changing the channel.

Carrie and I on some temple grounds.

The Girls outside Bulguksa.

...And the boys.

Lotteria: Part 2

Korea's Brand of McDonald's. Want a Shrimp Burger? How about a Squid Burger? Me neither.

Korea: the Downside

Wasn't it some guy who said, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Well the yin to my last post's yang (or is it the other way around?) comes What I Don't Like About Korea*.

1. Most of the people. This may come off as harsh, but I dislike most people in Canada too. There are so many people everywhere that are rude, smelly, and uninteresting to talk to. The difference in Korea is that I don't understand them. I wish people would just tell me what they are thinking for heaven's sake instead of making me decipher some encryption every time. Just spill it! And the agonizing social situations I have had to endure! Korean torture should be having to watch two people meet each other for the first time. They have no idea what to do. They don't know if they are older or younger, richer or poorer, so usually just resort to awkward silences.
2. The Smelly Streets. If I wrote with emoticons I think I would use the vomit one (is there one?) There is nothing more romantic than walking down the street with your date and inhaling other people's fecal matter. If you are going to cut corners on urban infrastructure, why not do it with the buildings... oh wait...
3. Construction. If you cut every corner while constructing a building, what would you be left with? Nothing, right? Actually the answer is the building I live and work in. The term 'construction' must not translate well because here when they 'construct' something it goes like this. First, you make sure to do a really slow, drawn out project months behind schedule (I know that is universal). Second, you move people into the building before it is finished ensuring many sleepless nights. Third, you spend the next year repairing all the mistakes you made guaranteeing continued cash flow. Fourth, don't forget to forget the fire escape. Last, make sure to do a shitty all-around job so that you can repeat all the steps in 10 years. Ah yes, and please, don't use sewer traps in the drains. They are a waste of 2 dollars and people don't mind smelly houses.
4. Construction 2: It's a busy country, I understand that, but why do I have to suffer jackhammers at 3 a.m?
5. Loudspeakers: No, I do not want any of the following: oranges, eels, books, hot peppers, apples, cabbages, socks, crabs, Jesus: especially at 7:30 in the morning.

I think the conclusion one could reach here is that I am a big complainer. I make no excuses.

*Notice I didn't use the word hate. I save that word for things I really hate like eating tripe, children, and Korean Radio.