if this video doesnt work use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_VSuu0d1bQ&feature=youtu.be
Thursday at School was a long and hard day but it went well. Friday went even better and I'm simply feeling better about my teaching abilities. I would call it more of a "performance" in school as the students see a completely different side to me. Its like acting class for me. My friends and family likely would be surprised to see me teach. The students know I'm strict yet like to have fun if they are good. My school lunch at Ara on Friday was so great! Schools in the states definitely need to learn from Korea when it comes to school lunches. How can you compare greasy burgers, pizza, cookies, and fries to soup, meat, rice, veggies, and kimchi?
Friday I met with my good friend Carol after school! The evening didn't start off great as we unfortunately witnessed a horrible accident involving a dog :( Its something we are trying to forget, yet are reminded constantly throughout the days.
We ended up trying Korean pizza Friday evening which was 9,000 won and fed 3 of us but not that great in my opinion. There was no tomato sauce on the pizza! However, the crust for filled with cheese nom nom nom! Afterwards, we went to Hamdeok beach for a party! It was a beautiful night on the beach.
On Saturday it rained all day so we planned accordingly. In the morning, Carol and I walked to Dungman market (which is one of my favorite places here!). We bought some veggies, a nut mix, and a fish!!! We bought a belt fish for 13,000 won. We bought it already chopped up so we just washed it and froze it when we got home. There is so much to see in the market its pretty overwhelming. Carol is teaching me new words and more about the Korean culture. I really like the sesame leaves or the "gem-yip"! I use them to make little wraps. My brain is continuously trying to take in new information everyday its hard to remember everything. After the market, we had a nice soup for lunch at a nearby restaurant.
In the afternoon, we took a cab about 30min away to Manjanggul Cave. I was super excited for this! With an ARC it was free to get in or 2,000won. Military and senior citizens also get in free! It was freezing inside, slippery, and you really have to watch your step walking through the lava tube. These lava tubes are hundreds of thousands of years old and the entrance is formed from a sinkhole! I was unable to take nice photos since it was dark and odd lighting but please see this link below or google search Manjanggul cave.
http://blog.korea.net/?p=1939
http://english.jeju.go.kr/index.php/contents/Tour/TouristAttractions?cat=TU05&act=view&seq=246
After the cave, we ended up really lost in Korea for the first time. We were unable to find a taxi (since the cave is in the middle of nowhere) and any taxi we tried waving down was already reserved. We were all trying to call taxi's and thank goodness we had Carol with us to chat with the drivers! We ended up finding a taxi...but...the taxi driver dropped us off in the wrong area of Jeju city! We again were lost and had to find another cab which finally took us home.
In the evening, we had a nice pork belly bbq dinner followed by some drinks and the noraebang for singing and dancing! We didn't stay out too late since we have another big day on Sunday.
DISCLAIMER!!!!! CAUTION!!!!!! WARNING!!! DISCLAIMER!!!! CAUTION!!!! WARNING!!!!
The rest of my blog is a bit forward, blunt, inappropriate, artsy, different, or any other word you feel is suitable. Basically, this is not suitable for young eyes or those who wish not view Rated R material.
You have been warned.
On Sunday a group of us spent the morning at Loveland. Loveland was created by 20 graduates back in 2004. It is a rather large and beautiful park that is well kept. It is home to over 100 various sculptures and art pieces. Please read the link below to get a better idea of what Loveland is.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1056683
I believe that the pictures speak for themselves. This was a lovely park with some nice artsy sculptures. On another note, I find it interesting that such a vulgar yet artsy park exists in what I've observed to be such a conservative country.
After Loveland, we took a cab to Jungmun Beach in Seogwipo (southern side of the island). This was stunning!!!! The beach was just so beautiful, clear blue water, cliffs, hiking, surfing, beach volleyball, little local stands, and fancy resorts. We took a little hike before walking to beach to find other teachers who live in Seogwipo. We took a nice swim and played beach volleyball (which I've been missing!).
On Monday I taught 6th and 5th graders at Sinchon for the first time and it went great! I also rode the bus to school with my principal again! The school lunch here is pretty great too! After school, Carol went with me to pick up a oven/grill and an electric blanket for 30,000 won! We then cooked our Belt fish and had a nice salad to go with the fish.
In the evening, we ventured off to find the well known Korean saunas (Jin-Jill-Pong). We took a nice walk and found the spa! This was quite the experience!!! I told myself before coming to Korea that I would be open to trying anything and everything new to me and well...this definitely was just that!
It was quite confusing at first on where an what to do but we figured it out. We paid 8,000won and were given a gown and towels. We went upstairs to the ladies sauna area where we were given a locker room and basically told to get nakey! HAHAHA!!!! There were mostly older Korean women (ad-je-mas) running around nakey with towels on their head, getting scrubbed down, showering, and swimming. First, we put on our gowns and went upstairs to the co-ed area where there are various hot rooms, steam rooms, cold rooms, sleeping area, mats, restaurant, and people just relaxing. The Jin-Jill-Pong also acts as a place to sleep for the night. Soooo if you dont want to spend alot of money, sleep at the Jin-Jill-Pong for 8,000won! Carol and I relaxed in a salt room where you lay down on small pebbles for about 15minutes. We tried out all the various rooms- some of which were far too hot for me. This was a nice place though! Then, we ventured back to the ladies sauna where one of the workers basically told us we were to be nakey and go into the sauna area. Sooooo we bit the bullet and just went for it. haha!! I just admit, its not common for the Korean women to see someone of my figure so I definitely got some stares. There were various wet steam rooms, various hot tub pools, showering stations, scrub down stations, cold pools, and simply relaxing place. We were told we had to shower and wash our hair before entering any of the pools as well. Now I can say I have bathed with some elder Korean ladies! Now...to the best part. Carol and I figured since we were already there for the experience, we might as well do the complete Jin-Jill-Pong experience which includes the complete scrub down, facial, and massage. This was 25,000won and we were basically just put on a table and scrubbed down really hard! haha! We were also given a really nice fresh cucumber puree face mask which cleared my skin even more. This scrub down lasted about 45min and was ummm rather interesting yet refreshing since nobody can admit to ever being cleaner than after a scrub down like this. We ended up getting home at midnight! If you are still confused about the Jin-Jill-Pong, please watch this entire video below as it really encompasses what its like. Also, I'd highly recommend trying one of these out whether you think you'd like it or not. As you guessed, I have no pictures of this experience.
Tuesday Carol and I explored the City Hall area which is kind of like the downtown Jeju if you will. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and its just a bit busier than where I live. We ended up joining the Korean trend of wearing red lip tint. I bought some and it actually works so well. Korean cosmetics are so amazing! I've also been using a nice conditioner (bought for 1,000 won new at the foreigner market but is 10,000won at the store) and face lotion (that is actually French and 35,000 won at the store but I bought new for 1,000won at the foreigner market) I'm waiting to run out of older basic makeup and cosmetic supplies before trying some of the Korean brands out.
On Wednesday Carols parents invited me to a nice pork belly dinner! It was soooo yummy! Afterwards we took a nice walk and got paht bingsu which is a nice light shaved icecream with red bean topping! nom nom! I've had such a great time with Carol! Thank you for visiting me lady!
I have included so much in this blog post! I've clearly been very busy teaching lots and exploring. I hope the timeline in this blog was consistent as I was a bit behind blogging! As usual, please ask any questions or share any comments! Thanks for reading :)
DISCLAIMER!!!!! CAUTION!!!!!! WARNING!!! DISCLAIMER!!!! CAUTION!!!! WARNING!!!!
The rest of my blog is a bit forward, blunt, inappropriate, artsy, different, or any other word you feel is suitable. Basically, this is not suitable for young eyes or those who wish not view Rated R material.
You have been warned.
On Sunday a group of us spent the morning at Loveland. Loveland was created by 20 graduates back in 2004. It is a rather large and beautiful park that is well kept. It is home to over 100 various sculptures and art pieces. Please read the link below to get a better idea of what Loveland is.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1056683
I believe that the pictures speak for themselves. This was a lovely park with some nice artsy sculptures. On another note, I find it interesting that such a vulgar yet artsy park exists in what I've observed to be such a conservative country.
After Loveland, we took a cab to Jungmun Beach in Seogwipo (southern side of the island). This was stunning!!!! The beach was just so beautiful, clear blue water, cliffs, hiking, surfing, beach volleyball, little local stands, and fancy resorts. We took a little hike before walking to beach to find other teachers who live in Seogwipo. We took a nice swim and played beach volleyball (which I've been missing!).
On Monday I taught 6th and 5th graders at Sinchon for the first time and it went great! I also rode the bus to school with my principal again! The school lunch here is pretty great too! After school, Carol went with me to pick up a oven/grill and an electric blanket for 30,000 won! We then cooked our Belt fish and had a nice salad to go with the fish.
In the evening, we ventured off to find the well known Korean saunas (Jin-Jill-Pong). We took a nice walk and found the spa! This was quite the experience!!! I told myself before coming to Korea that I would be open to trying anything and everything new to me and well...this definitely was just that!
It was quite confusing at first on where an what to do but we figured it out. We paid 8,000won and were given a gown and towels. We went upstairs to the ladies sauna area where we were given a locker room and basically told to get nakey! HAHAHA!!!! There were mostly older Korean women (ad-je-mas) running around nakey with towels on their head, getting scrubbed down, showering, and swimming. First, we put on our gowns and went upstairs to the co-ed area where there are various hot rooms, steam rooms, cold rooms, sleeping area, mats, restaurant, and people just relaxing. The Jin-Jill-Pong also acts as a place to sleep for the night. Soooo if you dont want to spend alot of money, sleep at the Jin-Jill-Pong for 8,000won! Carol and I relaxed in a salt room where you lay down on small pebbles for about 15minutes. We tried out all the various rooms- some of which were far too hot for me. This was a nice place though! Then, we ventured back to the ladies sauna where one of the workers basically told us we were to be nakey and go into the sauna area. Sooooo we bit the bullet and just went for it. haha!! I just admit, its not common for the Korean women to see someone of my figure so I definitely got some stares. There were various wet steam rooms, various hot tub pools, showering stations, scrub down stations, cold pools, and simply relaxing place. We were told we had to shower and wash our hair before entering any of the pools as well. Now I can say I have bathed with some elder Korean ladies! Now...to the best part. Carol and I figured since we were already there for the experience, we might as well do the complete Jin-Jill-Pong experience which includes the complete scrub down, facial, and massage. This was 25,000won and we were basically just put on a table and scrubbed down really hard! haha! We were also given a really nice fresh cucumber puree face mask which cleared my skin even more. This scrub down lasted about 45min and was ummm rather interesting yet refreshing since nobody can admit to ever being cleaner than after a scrub down like this. We ended up getting home at midnight! If you are still confused about the Jin-Jill-Pong, please watch this entire video below as it really encompasses what its like. Also, I'd highly recommend trying one of these out whether you think you'd like it or not. As you guessed, I have no pictures of this experience.
Tuesday Carol and I explored the City Hall area which is kind of like the downtown Jeju if you will. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and its just a bit busier than where I live. We ended up joining the Korean trend of wearing red lip tint. I bought some and it actually works so well. Korean cosmetics are so amazing! I've also been using a nice conditioner (bought for 1,000 won new at the foreigner market but is 10,000won at the store) and face lotion (that is actually French and 35,000 won at the store but I bought new for 1,000won at the foreigner market) I'm waiting to run out of older basic makeup and cosmetic supplies before trying some of the Korean brands out.
On Wednesday Carols parents invited me to a nice pork belly dinner! It was soooo yummy! Afterwards we took a nice walk and got paht bingsu which is a nice light shaved icecream with red bean topping! nom nom! I've had such a great time with Carol! Thank you for visiting me lady!
Ed & I are enjoying your stories & pics!! Everyone reading enjoying the visit to Korea also!! Love ya.
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