Olympic Park

Carrie, Matt and I continue the tour of Seoul with a visit to Olympic Park. Here's a useless fact: that gate in the background cost 50 million dollars to build. Now you know!

Namsan Tower

Matt, Carrie and I went to Namsan (Seoul) Tower. It was quite the view and it was a very clear day for Seoul. You can really see how the smog settles on the bustling metropolis. I could only take pictures directed away from the sun as the visibility was horrible the other way.

Namsan Tower

From the right is Matt, Carrie and Joe. This picture was taken at the Tower.

Seoul From Namsan

Seoul as seen from Namsan Tower. There are a few apartment buildings as you can see.

Tapgol Beer

Matt and I enjoying a beer on our way to Tapgol Park.

Singing Room

The Noraebang is an experience that may not be uniquely Korean, but is definitely pure Korean. The singing room is just that: a place you go with friends and sing. It is not Karaoke since you have a private room, but it is the same idea. It is a real hoot, but like no man is an island, no singing room is either.

Singing out of tune is alright when only a few people are exposed to it. It is alright when you use it in moderation, and keep a certain disdain for it. However, in Korea the Noraebang culture has seeped through the cracks and crevices of the rooms where it was once confined and made its way to the radio. Oh lord, have mercy on my soul, and my ears! The radio plays everywhere from the pubs to the grocery stores (where music is blared when they are not screaming today's sales at you). It invades my brain with tone-deaf screeches and wails to an aggravating climax. I grab my milk and eggs and run for the door before the next freshly-cut-fingernail-caught-in-wool song begins.

And I am safe again until I get a craving for a beer.

Guitar Purchase

I bought a guitar! This was taken a few weeks ago. I think Korean guitars are great and got this one for a really good price.

Jazz with Seoul

Carrie and I checked out this cool Jazz club in Samcheong-dong near Gyeongbok Palace. The music was fabulous! It cost a pretty though. I guess there was a surcharge during the show. Ran us about 60 bucks for 6 beers. We got peanuts though.

Korean Patient Care

I have been blessed during my stay in Korea. I have had few ailments and nothing serious to speak of until this week. I got an ingrown toenail. Now, I know I am one to complain, so please bear with me here; there is a point to all this.

I had been 'suffering' from a swollen toe for about a week before I sought the advice of the online BC Medical Guide and, subsequently, my director's wife. Both told me that I should visit the doctor quickly, so I did. I was briskly taken to the nearest 'hospital' (clinic) by my director where I thought I could visit the doctor and, being Canadian, make an appointment for some future minor surgery. Unfortunately, many countries, including Korea, are not nearly as leisurely about this surgery thing, and before I knew it, I was getting multiple injections in my toe.

If I made it sound like this was happening very quickly, it is the truth, but the doctor did ask me a question first: "Have you ever had local freezing?" to which I replied, "yesowwwwwwww!" Now, I never thought I was a wuss about all this surgery stuff. I have been under the knife before and handled it pretty well. If I ever let on, it was because I liked the sympathy (or the nurse), not because I really felt bad. I had a wake-up call here.

In Canada, every effort is made to make one feel comfortable. That is patient care. I never understood how important it really is until I started getting cold sweats on the operating tabl... I mean bench and stool. It didn't get any better when the doctor said, "if it hurts, just tell me." I thought that meant he would do something about the pain, but I think he just wanted assurance that he was inflicting some pain. I felt the scalpel cutting through my nail and when I told him, I think I saw him smirk a bit. After cutting off half my toenail and bandaging it up, I was ushered out of the office. "Finished. No more pain." I was white as a ghost, seeing stars, and ready to pass out.

I know, I know... I should just suck it up, but I am from Canada. I am a product of a lavish medical system where patients are made to feel comfortable, and damn it, I am (kind of) proud of that... even if it does make me a wimp. I just realized how important patient care is. It showed me the difference between thinking I am brave and recognizing that I'm not.

Gochu

This picture was taken from the top of my building. They dry out these red peppers to make, well, every food in Korea.

Born to Be Chicken

I can not think of any possible positive connotations to this sign.