Lotte World

This Tuesday, Rosa, Susie and I went to Lotte World- an amusement park in Seoul. Besides this being a Korean amusement park, I felt strange because this was the first amusement park I'd been to in many years. We entered a huge dome with lots of people and lots of fun games and rides. I thought it was a good idea to have an indoor amusement park, but I did think it was a bit too small. We rode the Viking Ship; one of those big ships that rocks back and forth and takes your stomach in and out of your body. Then we did the Giant Drop; very similar to the one at Great America but smaller. The lines for these rides were long, but not as long as Great America. After touring the park for a couple hours, Susie and Rosa told me that this was just the indoor part and that the park had a much bigger, much better outside as well. This was impressive. Kinda like Disney World with as much to look at as to do. We waited in a 2 hour line for the Gyro Swing. This was a thrilling, heart attacking ride. This circle spins in a 360 angle and races back and forth. A few times, my body was lifted from the seat and only the belt was hold me down- Assa (Korean for 'hell yeah'). After dark, we went to a Haunted House. This was unusual. We were seated at a huge dining table and instructed to put on head phones. Then there was a scary sounding Korean threatening me with stuff I couldn't understand. The lights went out, and holograms appeared before us on the table. Technological haunted house- how Korean. I think he ate us, or wanted to eat us, I'm not really sure, but there were a lot of shrieks so it was probably pretty scary if you could understand it. Good times, I was exhausted after 6 hours at the theme park.

Lotte World

DMZ

The demilitarized zone: A stretch of land across the middle of Korea that seperates the North and South. Unfortunately, these pictures won't suffice in sharing the experience of seeing the DMZ. Korea is unique in that it's the only country that remains split in the middle and, technically, is still at war. The tour started early in the morning and we were briefed about the seriousness of what we're going to see. Our tour guide made it very clear that unauthorized picture taking could get us in BIG trouble. Both sides are still paranoid about spies. We watched a movie that showed both the sadness of the DMZ and also the beauty of it. This stretch of land hasn't been touched by humans in over 50 years. Because of this, the DMZ has become an ecological phenomonon. The movie used the symbolism of birds flying between the two countries, saying that the dream of unification is still alive. I believe this. Unfortunately, the economic situation between the two countries is so drastically unbalanced that unification would be very complicated even beyond the political rammifications. We saw the tunnels that North Korea built in the 70s in hopes of invading the South. The tunnels were big enough to fit tanks, trucks, and up to 10,000 soldiers. Thankfully, the South discovered them before the North could put the tunnels to use. Now, North Korea is upset that the South is making tourist money off their tunnels and they want to be paid too. Funny. After the tunnels, we went to the Dora observation tower which offers a breathtaking view of the peaceful, un-industrialized land between North and South Korea. Again we were briefed. This time by a General who stressed, through a heavy accent, that we can only take pictures behind the yellow line. But, the yellow line is so far from the wall, that you cannot see anything above the wall. Completely useless so I didn't even take any pictures there. Just the mental kind. After that we went to the train station bordering North Korea. This was built only a couple years ago in hopes of unification. If Korea is every united, this train station will take Koreans across the other side. Also, right now S Koreans have to fly to China, Russia, Europe, etc. If united, this train will travel through to China and Koreans could go across the world by train. If, if, if, if, if, let's just say Koreans aren't holding their breath.

The college town streets

Images of Seoul

Bullet Train inspired thoughts...

I was felt esoteric, thinking like the entire world was mine to alter. I have no doubt this is the feeling of anticipation, the beginning of a trip, but looking more acutely, I realized the actual source of it all. This overwhelming power (even if only in my mind) isn't felt enough and it always leaves me intensely hopeful. In hopes of holding on to the inspiration a little longer, I delved into the core of it. I quickly realized my current state is the combination of two entirely natural sensations. Run your fastest and beat a stick against a rock; you'll know what I'm talking about. I am magical right now because I am moving at 300 mph (KTX Bullet Train) and listening to music. Be it bus, car, train, Bowie, Velvet Underground, GNR, etc, it doesn't matter. Put the two together (speed+music) and, at least for me, something strange happens. Life becomes more exquisite in all aspects. It was the same during my former life in America. I CHOSE pizza delivery as my profession because it afforded me the time to bask in this transcendence; and they paid me for it! But, held to such a strict regime (deliveries), my body would become jealous of my mind and I'd have to load up the car with CDs and take a trip. On those American highways, I always felt it. I can't imagine a better pew in all the world. Something very American about devouring miles, burning gasoline and dancing to your favorite tune. Whatever music transcends you, whatever shitbox you can afford- the details are irrelevant. Just cruise and and groove.

PSP

This week begins my vacation from Swaton. We only get two vacation weeks in the year, so the other foreign teachers are all out of the country. Not me though. I haven't either the friends, money, or knowhow to venture out of Korea at this point. Also, Swaton schedules our vacation at the most busy travel week of the year so flights are triple what they normally would be. All this being said, I decided to reward myself another way. As you can see, I am the proud owner of a new PSP (small playstation). I've only had it for 3 days, but the thing still amazes me. The quality of the games is identical to the bigger Playstation. Also, I can watch movies on it, but I plan on using it more for the gaming. This little guy works perfectly into my frantic life because I'm on the go much more than I'm at home. I use my apartment for sleep and not much else. For now, I have only one game, MLB Baseball. I'm waiting for my NBA Live so I can get the Bulls fix I'm sure to be needing come November.

The Dog Day of Summer

Note to reader: Beware- dog lovers should avoid this story.

Before I exalt in this uniquely Asian achievement, I'd like to clarify a couple things:
1. Koreans only eat one breed of dog. They don't take dogs off the street and serve them. The dogs served in restaurants are bred, just like any other animal, for the sole purpose of human consumption.
2. Dog eating is not a wide-spread practice. Of the Koreans I've met, only a few have actually tried it. Most are embarrassed that dog eating still exists and are vehemently against it. Still, it holds cultural significance and that is enough to justify it in my mind.
Shall we begin?
This week is the hottest of the year. Koreans celebrate this by being especially health conscientious. This is why eating dog is more common this year than at any other time. Dog meat is said to be very good for you and the best provider of energy. In fact, it is often used as an aphrodisiac and a stamina builder. Often times, I'm told, generals will serve dog (mo-shing-tan) to their soldiers in times of battle. Sunday was nationalism day and Darryl and I decided a few days earlier that we'd have first dog experience on this special day. Because, as I said earlier, dog eating is so rare these days, we had to ask around and travel far by taxi to find a place that serves it. Those who know me know how easy it was for me to come to terms with this meal. I've never owned a dog and, because of my unprecedented allergies, I view them more as nuisances than companions. We couldn't hold back the giggles as I said, "mo-shing-tan ju-say-yo," (give me dog please). It's usually served in a soup and that's how we had it. It looks and tastes just an extremely tender beef. After our first couple of tenuous bites, we were both marveling at how delicious it was and began to attack it like we'd been starving for days. Seriously, ignoring everything, this was a memorable soup. Pictures of dog-eating are illegal so I had to sneak the shots you see above. We finished our bowls and were amazed at how comfortable our stomachs felt after this heavy meal. On the wall, there were two prices- 35,000 and 55,000. Having been told dog is very expensive and a delicacy, I was prepared to pay up to sixty dollars for it. We were piling up the 10,000 bills when the women told us it only cost 7,000W. I couldn't believe it- this was the cheapest traditional Korean meal I've had yet. Afterwards, it was true, we both felt deliriously satisfied, brimming with energy and prepared to walk the entirety of Korea. I had an active dog day and, at 10pm, I was still pumped up and decided to play night basketball. I had planned on this being a one-time-only deal but I'll be ranting about this feast and if another foriegner asks me to show them the delights of dog, I'll have a difficult time refusing. To all those I've offended with my casual, carnivorous voice- I'm sorry but, when in Rome.............................

This is from the pop-a-shot basketball game in the movie theater. Anywhere Michael appears here, I'll be there, camera in hand, to document it.

This is my new friend, Kwan goo. Besides being a devilishly handsome Korean man, he's notable because of his views on America. We got talking culture and the man filled me with American pride like I hadn't felt in ages. He told me that his father and grandfather both told him to always treat Americans well because, 'without their help, none of this would be here.'

Sam gip san

Here is an idea of the traditional Korean feast. Always countless side dishes, some too spicey for the Western taste. And, yes, you cook your own food. I laughed when Bill Murray joked about it in "Lost in Translation," but it's true. There's a little burner in the middle of the table, you order your pork, chicken, beef or whatever and tend to it as you munch the appetizers. Really tasty, but, as I can't casually eat, I usually eat too much and end up sick after one of these feasts. That's just the cultural differences with the East and West. They savor and we devour.

Why didn't the whitey cross the road?

The sirens started early in my walk to the Post Office. At first, I thought there must have been a terrible accident and this was the sound of a fleet of ambulances rushing to the scene. As I walked further, each step closer to the sound, I saw no ambulances and no signs of life at all. I reached the Post Office on the corner of a busy intersection. The sirens were now booming. The cars were lined up, packed in perfect symmetry as if they'd been planning this drill for days. There were officers in the middle of the intersections making sure no car dare take to the road. I went in the Post Office and took care of my business. Upon leaving, I noticed that Korea was still paused. I began to cross the street when an officer blew his whistle and yelled something I'll never understand. I backed up on the sidewalk and stood there baking under an intense sun, dumbfounded and embarrassed. I'm sure every person parked in their cars was having a laughing fit looking at the confused foreigner. Still, I couldn't hear their laughter because I was the only person on the street. In the height of my bewilderment, one of the cell phone salespeople from the Post Office beckoned me to come inside. We spoke in Korean and I asked her why I couldn't cross the street. I couldn't understand her reply to this, but she told me I wouldn't be able to leave until 3:00. It was now 2:15 and I had to teach at 3. She offered me coffee and told me to sit and wait it out, whatever it was. I asked to use a phone to call my school and just then, like someone had pressed the play button, life resumed at its usual frantic pace. Back at work, I asked my co-workers why I was trapped at the Post Office. This, they told me, was a drill in preparation of a North Korean attack. The people all go inside and, if possible, into bomb shelters. The drill stresses more than simply physical preparations. Everyone is practicing a sort of meditation, maintaining calm amidst the chaos. Certainly, it is important to act with poise, if possible. South Korea used to do these drills monthly but, due to the recent peace, the drills only occur 3 times a year now. That being said, I'm fortunate I was caught in the middle of one, but I definitely failed the test. I stood in the open, asking to be blown up and, although I appeared calm, my mind was panicking thinking, "when the hell can I cross the street?"

As if we're not already celebrities, Swaton is using the foreigners (plus Smith) to promote the school. I hope it works. 

Are these the faces you'd like teaching your children? 

This is the view from inside the performing arts center. 

I walked along this path and felt the morning calm I'd been looking for. No one was around, it was silent. My footsteps and the raindrops.... 

Interesting 

Daejon's art museum. 

The highlight of the art museum. 

I'm not a gun guy, but I couldn't resist this purchase. I was in a candy shop looking for some weird Asian candy for Emily and I spotted the guns. 10 dollars for an authentic looking BB gun. hahhaha. You'd prolly get arrested for walking around with one of these bad boys in the states. 

You'll shoot your eye out. 

Chillin with Mr. D