We just had a wonderful weekend. Leanne our friend from Cheongju (our Korean mother) came to visit and we started the fun with a lovely dinner at Ayuta. An awesome Indian place just down the road. We had so much fun drinking red wine and smoking shisha. Too much fun if you ask me - bar rash! haha :)

The weekend ended with a little bit of a shopping spree at PNU, jummy lunch at a Turkish restaurant and coffee while planning an unforgettable Christmas. Just thought I'd share some pictures with you. x

Proud to be me

Gay title I know, but I'm very proud of myself today!

For the first time in my life I paid for my own holiday. And an overseas one I might add. O, and all in advance. Pretty awesome huh???

So Thailand is ready and just chilling and waiting for us to paint it red! I cannot wait! Even the diving course is paid for! Only 55 days to go!! (and counting) That place will never be the same again!

So the fourth month has begun. We have quite a few exciting things lined up for this month, but seeing that it's SAVING SAVING SAVING, we can't go too wild.

Quick Update: School's school. Still basically the same there. Except that I got another job for January. That's pretty cool, cause when the school is on holiday, I'm actually not - sucks! But most of the other native teachers have to go to school even though there's no one there. I on the other hand don't have to. I love that! :) My school's winter English camp starts right after the school semester ends and runs for 5 days. After that I am teaching at another school's English camp, starting the fourth of January. It's at the school where I'm doing the science camp at the moment. That camp runs for 6 days, but I get paid extra. Pretty cool seeing that that money can either go towards the Thailand account or I can just keep it for when I come back. I think it's safe to say that I will be proper broke when I get back from paradise.

I am also going on a ski trip (19 and 20 Dec) which I am SUPER excited about!! I have never skied before, so that should be interesting. If all else fails, I'll be somewhere on the ground making snow angels or I'll be attacking someone in a snow ball fight.

Apart from the above, I don't really have any other news. I hope you have enjoyed the pics below and as promised the gym photo's are coming. We just need a scaly enough moment in the bathrooms to actually take a picture. Korean women aren't always very friendly!

I miss everyone so much at home, but I'm trying to stay busy and it helps. Keep sending me all those updates. Love to hear from home! love and miss you x

YACHT, Sushi and Stargazing

On Thursday night we had the privilege of seeing YACHT, a band from the States, live in action at PNU (Pusan National University). They were amazing! Thursday night started the celebrations of our friend's, Frankie, birthday. We started the evening off by enjoying a lovely dinner at a Turkish Restaurant. Fillafels, jum!!

After dinner we made our way to Basement, an underground club just a few streets away. Well it's not really a club, more like an underground mystics. The place is tiny and perfect for intimate gigs. We danced like we have never danced before while the vodka cranberries were flowing. At one stage I was wearing a helmut - so you can imagine how sick the evening was.











Needless to say Friday at school was a bit of a struggle, luckily I didn't have a lot of work. After lunch the teachers took me to a movie in the Lotte Department store. I was so happy to find out that it was an English movie, seeing that it was 2 and a half hours long. After the movie was finished we drove off to a sushi restaurant, called Hallo Sushi. I was very nervous about this, cause I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to eat. Or even if I'd be able to eat. Turned out to be delicious! I had an overdose of sushi and fresh fruit. What more can you ask for?





I rushed home after dinner to be on time for the train for Geomyeongsan. We met Frankie at exit 3 of the station to take a taxi up the mountain to the Observatory for stargazing! What an experience! We were 7 girls who met at the top with wine, strawberries and cookies. It was freezing, but I guess that's what the wine was for. I had a filled starbucks flask full of wine :) We got to see Jupiter up close and personal and a beautiful view of Busan and Gwangali Bridge. Our guide even showed us the star consellations, using a super cool light saver - star wars style!







Saturday afternoon I was off to PNU again for some shopping. I desperately needed more warm clothes, seeing that I wear half of my wardrobe in one go. The shopping was a definite success.

Saturday night was Frankie's official birthday dinner. We had dinner at an Indian place. The food was delicious and the ambience was certainly something to remember. The whole place is draped in beautiful Indian materials, with insence and colourful lights. We finished off dinner with a huge, but wonderful apple pie. Thanks Costco.





The plan was to attend battle of the bands after dinner, but it was unfortunately sold out by the time we got there. Instead we just went to Eva's for a night cap and then headed home for a movie and a sleep.

Sundays are chill days. My weekend was awesome! x

It's snowing!! It's snowing!!

Good morrow!

Walking to school on this Tuesday morning, I came across something strange and white. It looked icy and very cold! Can it be true? Is it what I think it is? Nah, can't be - we're too close to the ocean. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind and continued my walk to school.

Around the corner, I saw it again... Just a little more this time. It really was snow! It snowed on the night of our third Korea anniversary. What? How amazing is that?! Ok so it isn't proper snow (I think) probably more ice by now, cause it was raining. But the mountains in Busan are silver and the trees have little white flowers. It's amazing! The one morning I forgot my camera at home! Note to self...

I hope you have a wonderful day! I'm a bit sleepy - a lot actually - but this made my day! No classes, beautiful view outside and my hot water bottle.

I am very excited about our forth month in Korea. Big plans, people, big plans! x

Mmmm, tastes like chicken

Another wonderful weekend comes to an end in freezing Korea.

To end this weekend off on a high note, Albert and I decided to check out Jagalchi Fish Market. The fist market is known as probably the smelliest place on earth.

We geared up for the experience: Warm clothes, check. Wool hat/beanie, check. Boots, check. Camera, check. Laundry pin, check.

Jagalchi Fish Market is said to be the most atmospheric place in the whole country.. And what an experience! At first, just after getting off the subway we thought.. 'Well is this it?' Turns out it was only the beginning of what was something strange but wonderful.

Before we entered the actual fish market building, each of us took a big gulp of air, not knowing what the inside would bring. Surprise, surprise, it didn't even smell bad. It smelled like an aquarium. I guess it's because everything is so fresh and well... alive. Also it might just be the freezing cold weather. I would not want to enter that place on a summers day! That's for sure!

You can find anything in this market. Anything you can think of - sea life related. Abalone, squid, octopus, eals (millions of eals), fish, humongous crabs, seaweed, dried fish and all of the above and weird stuff I have never seen. Alikreukel, mussels and even sharks!

Thank goodness I was wearing boots. While strutting on the walkway between live animals you walk through fresh cold seawater and past old rusted big knives and escaped convicts. We saw an eal escaping from it's tank, leaving slime and shit all over the place. EEU! Did you know, if you de-skin an eal and chop its head off, it still moves? Just like a chicken. Kakaaaaaaa!

Anyways after making your fresh live purchase, it gets thrown in a bag and then you can take it upstairs for a random chef to cook it for you. You can enjoy your catch of the day between dried fish hanging from the ceiling..o and the occasional squid or two.

All along the pier, outside the market off course, you will find millions of little stalls, selling fresh and frozen seafood. You can even eat at the little stall where you bought your next meal. Awesome!

After shopping for fish, we stopped at the nearest Mc Mackers for a lovely lunch of cheersburgers and chips. x

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Happy Alive

I am probably the happiest person alive right now!

My boxes from SA arrived today! It was like Christmas in November to open all the goodies from South Africa. Niknaks, rooibos tea, myprodolls, heat, shoes and coats! I love my mom!

I found a really cool book, called Korean Folk and Fairy Tales by Suzanne Crowder Han and thought I'd share some of the stories with you.

(Just a quick something to remember: Haneunim was believed to be the Celestial Emperor of the Heavenly Kingdom who ruled over everything. He rewarded the good and punished the bad. He wasn't worshipped in any way.)

Why pig's nose is short

One day a very long time ago Haneunim called for chicken, dog and pig to appear before him. When the three heard this, they began to worry. On their way to the palace, each one thought about his past and what he may have don wrong.

"I command the three of you to go down to Earth and try to do something kind for humans," said Haneunim when the three came before him. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, we will do as you command," replied the three in unison and they left on their mission.

On Earth each one exerted himself to try to do some work to help humans. Time passed and one day Haneunim called for the three to appear before him again.

"The three of you were sent to Earth to help humans. Please tell me what you did to help them." Chicken spoke first. "I informed them of the time, Your Majesty."

"You informed them of the time?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Every day at daybreak I crowed to let them know it was time to get up and start a new day. If I didn't let them know it was time to get up, they would just sleep and never get any work done. Moreover, every day I provided them with eggs which they could use to make very tasty foods."

"Well, you certainly helped humans. And, because you did,I am going to award you this red ornament to wear on your head. Please wear it from now on."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Chicken in a humble voice.

"And what did you do for humans?" said Haneunim, turning to dog.

"I guarded their houses, Your Majesty."

"Why did you guard their houses?"

"In the day time humans go out to work and at night they sleep very soundly because they worked very hard during the day. I thus guarded their houses during the day and protected them from thieves during the night."

"Does this mean you never slept?"

"No, Your Majesty. I slept in the afternoon when humans were home doing their housework and having their meals."

"I see," said Haneunim, nodding his head. "You also worked very hard for humans. As a reward I am going to give you a fourth leg. Life should be much easier for you with four legs that with three."

"Oh, thank you, Your Majesty. I will be always thankful," said Dog, bowing humbly.

"All right, Pig," said Haneunim. "Tell me how you helped humans."

"Kkul, kkul."

"What do you mean grunting like that? I asked you a question!" stormed Haneunim.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I tried and tried to think of a way to help humans but everything I thought of, Chicken and Dog were already doing. No matter how hard I thought, nothing good came to mind. So, all I did was eat what humans gave me and slept."

"You no good swine! I ordered you to try to help humans but all you did was eat and sleep. You disobeyed me so I have no choice but to punish you." And with one swing of his mighty sword, Haneunim cut off Pig's long nose.

Ever since then, pigs have had short pug noses and go around sniffing and grunting whenever they are hungry, chickens have had red coxcombs and dogs have lifted their hind leg when urinating so as not to defile their gift from Haneunim.

Field Trip

Twice a year the teachers of Yongmun Elementary School embark on a bonding trip.

I was fortunate enough to attend today's excursion to Gyeong-ju. Gyeong-ju is South Korea's largest and very popular with tourists! Age-old traditions linger there unlike anywhere else in Korea, providing more than 2000 years of history.

The trip started off with an hour and a bit's bus ride. First up was a hike around the dam. What a hike. I dressed up in my finest jean pant and takkies (I can like to be wearing a rokkie wif a belt) for this expedition only to find it was a super slow walk on a paved pathway. Awesome!

Not much of a bonding trip if you ask me, nobody really talked to each other.. strange! Later in the day we stopped at the Bulguksa temple, now a world heritage site. Bulguksa temple is the most visited temple in the country. It really was beautiful. This time of year is the perfect time for a visit, because of the autumn leaves.
Gyeong-ju is a very peaceful and relaxing place with beautiful scenery! x

Lets get physical

Let me tell you about the gym. What an experience!

I joined the gym, or health club as it's known here, on Monday. The joining itself was fairly easy, but the rest was just plain strange. As anywhere else in Korea you have to leave your shoes at the door of the place before you enter. So that's exactly what I did. Just keep in mind that I was wearing my gym clothes, so off course my trainers were at the door. I asked the receptionist if I can work out on my first night. The answer was yes, but she was very worried that I didn't have shoes. I assured her I did, but they were outside. She told me that I'm not allowed in the gym with those shoes, because I wore them outside. I had to lock them in a locker and give the key to her. (So obviously you can't pitch up at the gym with your running shoes, you have to wear different ones.) Note to self - carry your running shoes in your hand.

The next thing I knew, the receptionist handed me an orange overall and two VERY small towels. She showed me to the bathroom. Before that, when I handed her my locker key, she gave me a watch with a number on it.

In the bathroom I tried to open every single locker, but couldn't get one to open. Eventually I realized that the number on the watch was the number for the locker. The gym's bathroom is very strange and everyone is naked! But not normal naked, you have to squeeze past old naked Asian ladies to get to your locker. Bum on bum action. Not cool! They sit on the floor (naked) and chill with their friends - come on that's not normal!? Anyways so I undressed and open my orange overall. The guys in the gym works out with black pants and lime green shirts and the lucky ladies with orange shorts and orange + grey shirts. SEXY!

Seeing that I didn't have my trainers with me I just missioned around the gym barefoot and after ten minutes decided it was time to sauna. I couldn't figure out which sauna was the female one (I have seen enough naked bodies for one day thank you very much) so I headed back to my locker to get dressed and leave the crazy place.

Back at reception the lady gave me a weird look and said: "card, tomorrow". Ok tannie ek sal dit more kom haal!

My first actual gym experience wasn't that bad. I did the shoe thing and my card was there! I looked like a pro - well not in my 'aksie pakkie' yet, but we'll get there! I worked out and headed for another try at the sauna. Turns out the sauna's are unisex and no one is naked in side - think they've got the naked thing completely wrong..haha! The sauna looks like a torture room. There is nothing but this wall like thing in the middle and a million asian carpets everywhere with an odd brick or two lying around. You can pick a spot anywhere on the floor and then just chill until the heat gets to you. At first the idea of chilling on those carpets/mats (whatever) was quite revolting (germs!!!) but you get over it very quickly! The sauna is very relaxing and helps you 'de-day'.

I will be back there tonight and if anything strange happens I will let you know tomorrow!

Wikkel dai boude en skud die krummels! x

Seoul Station

Electronic Market

Namdaemun Market

Blue Motel

Seoul Tower

On our way to the DMZ

DMZ

North Korea

North Korea behind me

First station to the North