We got up really early today and caught a bus to the Bulguksa Temple. It was spectacular! The views were fantastic. I have never seen so many steps in my life. Myt leg muscles are going to be like a power lifters! I wandered off without the boys and was just amazed by the beautiful pagodas. The colours are amazing. I sat around the back of one of them and just chilled out for a while. I could hear voices but I felt like I was on my own. The atmosphere was so serene.
When we left the temple we had some lunch and then made our way to the bus to go and see Seokguram Grotto. This Grotto is very high up in the mountains and we had to walk a long way. When we got there we could see the clouds resting on the mountains. I felt exhausted because all I seemed to have done all day is walk. It was nice to sit somewhere where the air was clear.
One thing I noticed is that the people hereare much more friendly than the people in Seoul. After lunch we were approached by a man who was with his family. He was interested in where we from. We spoke to the whole family in English and his two little girls were adorable. they had been learning English for 3 years and had impeccable acents. We also spoke to a group of Chinese tourists and their Korean friend and they seemed very interested in London. Matt and Sean had been to a sauna the night before and in there they met two Korean boys who were twin brothers. they arranged to meet them for dinner so we had to get the bus back to be at the hotel by 7. The two men Hyun Dai and Hyun Woo took us to a busy Korean restaurant and we ate bbq. The meal was great and we had two lots of meat and two bottles of Soju. The whole meal came to about 20 quid for 5 of us! We payed the bill and then decided that as the night was still young we would go back to the hotel for a drink. The Korean men bought some beers and snacks and we ended up in my room. We sat around talking and I decided to find some music on the t.v. I flicked through the channels and was absoulutely mortified when I came across a porn channel! The others thought it was hilairious that I was so shocked as we were in love motel. Needless to say the t.v went off and I found music on the computer instead.
We had a really fun time (as the pictures will show!) The two Korean men were really open minded and friendly. They thought it was hilairious when Matt told them to bundle me on the bed so he could take pics! One of them is going to contact me next week because he is coming to Seoul.
we had to be up and out early as our bus was leaving at 10ish andit is a 4 hr journey. On the way back we had torrential rain. that ewas quite daunting as acombination of Korean driving and driving rain is no fun. When we got back to
seoul I realised how cool Gyeong Ju is in comparison. The heat just hit me like a brick wall when I got of the bus.
Some observations:
Korean people outside of Seoul are friendlier.
I have never seen so Many soldiers in my life, especially at the bus depots.!
Everywhere you go there is a 'family mart'.
There are rice fields everywhere outside of Seoul.
It's surreal to be sitting on a bus listening to piped Korean reggae while passing through a rural area with traditional houses.
Also listen to Althea and Donna's Uptown top rankin' with Matt was quite surreal while surrounded by rice fields!
Zebra crossings without lights are meaningless.
Crossings with lights can also be meaningless depending on the drivers mood!
Korean people of fascinated with tattoos - or is it just my tattoos because they are Hangul and I'm not Korean, and I'm a woman?
Korean buses and trains don't hang around!
In Seoul I am coughing and sneezing but in Gyeong Ju I wasn't. Pollution?
They spray the street with mosquito killer - which is quite scarey if you're not expecting it!
Korean men on Harley Davidsons look cool.
If you have read this please comment just so I know I'm not wasting my time!
Friday 31 July 2009
Wednesday 29 July 2009
Today has been a great day. I left early to make my way to meet the boys. Christope and Su young travelled with me on the metro. OMG that was horrendous! This is the first time I've been on it during rush hour. I will never complain about London transport again. Korean trains are better - cleaner and bigger- but they get absolutely packed. People just squeeze on and stand together packed like sardines. I suppose in a country where about a third of the population lives in the capital city that is what happens. Christoph left me and my bag (he caried it all the way fro me bless him) at the meeting point with a promise to email me so we can meet up for dinner when I get back from Gyeong Ju.
The boys and I travelled to the express bus station to wait for our bus. After a wounderful brekki of rice omelette we got on our bus. It was so comfy - just as well because we had a 4 hr journey. I then confessed to the boys that I hadn't been to bed all night as Steph, Marika and I had been up all night talking nonsense and we had laughed so much I couldn't breath at times. I then fell asleep for two hours and awoke to the most beautiful scenerey I have ever witnessed. South Korea is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! The mountains are spectacular!
We had a quick break at a very busy bus station an then continued on out journey.
When we arrived at Gyeong Ju Matt went to sort out our return journey and to find out where our hotel was. Matt is an organiser and he doesn't mess about he just gets things done. We started to walk to out hotel when Matt suggested we should look at some others first. We went into Sky hotel and inquired but when the lady said the same price as our original choice we said no thank you. As we walked away she yelled "discount!" Matt negotiated a price and we saved 15 quid a night! matt and Iwent to look at the rooms and it was only when we noticed the dubious vending machine that we realised it was a love hotel! The rooms are lovely, with all mod cons, two PC's, a huge tv, fridge, water dispenser and handy little extras on you coffee tray! the bed is huge and comfortable and the bath has a spa.
after I got over my shock and excitemnt of staying in a love hotel we went exploring. We went to Tumuli park where there are 23 Shilla tombs containing monaches and thier families. they were huge and spectacular. The park is one of the prettiest I've ever seen. we went to the tomb of Cheonmachong which was opened so you could see a cross section view. Unfortunatly pics were not allowed so I can't share the fantastic sight with you. The coffin is huge and filled with gifts and then covered with rocks to form a 13m. high mound then covered with earth. Grass then grows over it so it forms a massive grassy mound.
We went the oldest observatory in Asia where Sean took photos. After that the boys walked in the forest for a while and I sat and rested for a bit. We walked around for ages just enjoying the brilliant views and wonderful serene atmosphere. We went into a Korean/Chinese resturaunt on the way back to the hotel and ate the most tastiest fried rice and dumplins. The food and a large bottle of beer cost us about 10 quid! That was surreal - at the back of the reaturant there was a raised platform with a PC and TV and a Korean child was laying down asleep. This was actually in the restaurant right amone the customers.
My Korean friends have always told me that people outside of Seoul are much friendlier. How true that is! During our walk in the park we saw two small boys and their father. The boys were blowing bubbles at us and their dad was encouraging them to say hello to us. we shook their hands and spoke to them in Korean and English. I encouraged the smaller boy to blow more bubbles and taught him that they were called bubbles. they were delighful children and their father was lovely. This experience was repeated a few times with us speaking to children and their parents. People were generally friendlier and were smiling and exchanging a few words with us all the way around the park and out on the main road. Also my tattoos have never had this much attention. a cab driver grabbed my hand to examing my tattoo with great enthusiasm! People guenuinly seemed pleased that we were making the effort to communicate with them using their language and that we had an enthusiasm and interest for their country. I actually felt that my interest in Korea was being appreciated. We walked away from most of the conversations with a thumbs up sign and a nod saying "Korea is a great country".
We have a full day tomorrow with so much to see. I'm exhausted but I' determined to write a little bit everyday. I'm sorry for any typo's or errors but I'm so tired by the time I get to write this I know it's no masterpiece!
Still loving this country, still loving being surrounded by the korean language, still loving being among Korean people, still having a good time!
Shilla graves
The boys and I travelled to the express bus station to wait for our bus. After a wounderful brekki of rice omelette we got on our bus. It was so comfy - just as well because we had a 4 hr journey. I then confessed to the boys that I hadn't been to bed all night as Steph, Marika and I had been up all night talking nonsense and we had laughed so much I couldn't breath at times. I then fell asleep for two hours and awoke to the most beautiful scenerey I have ever witnessed. South Korea is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! The mountains are spectacular!
We had a quick break at a very busy bus station an then continued on out journey.
When we arrived at Gyeong Ju Matt went to sort out our return journey and to find out where our hotel was. Matt is an organiser and he doesn't mess about he just gets things done. We started to walk to out hotel when Matt suggested we should look at some others first. We went into Sky hotel and inquired but when the lady said the same price as our original choice we said no thank you. As we walked away she yelled "discount!" Matt negotiated a price and we saved 15 quid a night! matt and Iwent to look at the rooms and it was only when we noticed the dubious vending machine that we realised it was a love hotel! The rooms are lovely, with all mod cons, two PC's, a huge tv, fridge, water dispenser and handy little extras on you coffee tray! the bed is huge and comfortable and the bath has a spa.
after I got over my shock and excitemnt of staying in a love hotel we went exploring. We went to Tumuli park where there are 23 Shilla tombs containing monaches and thier families. they were huge and spectacular. The park is one of the prettiest I've ever seen. we went to the tomb of Cheonmachong which was opened so you could see a cross section view. Unfortunatly pics were not allowed so I can't share the fantastic sight with you. The coffin is huge and filled with gifts and then covered with rocks to form a 13m. high mound then covered with earth. Grass then grows over it so it forms a massive grassy mound.
We went the oldest observatory in Asia where Sean took photos. After that the boys walked in the forest for a while and I sat and rested for a bit. We walked around for ages just enjoying the brilliant views and wonderful serene atmosphere. We went into a Korean/Chinese resturaunt on the way back to the hotel and ate the most tastiest fried rice and dumplins. The food and a large bottle of beer cost us about 10 quid! That was surreal - at the back of the reaturant there was a raised platform with a PC and TV and a Korean child was laying down asleep. This was actually in the restaurant right amone the customers.
My Korean friends have always told me that people outside of Seoul are much friendlier. How true that is! During our walk in the park we saw two small boys and their father. The boys were blowing bubbles at us and their dad was encouraging them to say hello to us. we shook their hands and spoke to them in Korean and English. I encouraged the smaller boy to blow more bubbles and taught him that they were called bubbles. they were delighful children and their father was lovely. This experience was repeated a few times with us speaking to children and their parents. People were generally friendlier and were smiling and exchanging a few words with us all the way around the park and out on the main road. Also my tattoos have never had this much attention. a cab driver grabbed my hand to examing my tattoo with great enthusiasm! People guenuinly seemed pleased that we were making the effort to communicate with them using their language and that we had an enthusiasm and interest for their country. I actually felt that my interest in Korea was being appreciated. We walked away from most of the conversations with a thumbs up sign and a nod saying "Korea is a great country".
We have a full day tomorrow with so much to see. I'm exhausted but I' determined to write a little bit everyday. I'm sorry for any typo's or errors but I'm so tired by the time I get to write this I know it's no masterpiece!
Still loving this country, still loving being surrounded by the korean language, still loving being among Korean people, still having a good time!
Shilla graves
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Had a very lazy day today. Just sat around in the morning then I showered and packed my bag ready for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to visiting Gyong Ju because it is a historical place. I went for a walk today but instead of heading to the busy part of town we went the other way. It was very different a bit scruffier. We bought some fruit which was really lovely and on the way back we gave in and bought a hot dog.
I've just spent an hour putting my pics up so I hope someone is looking at them. I'm going to bed now beacuse i have to meet the boys at 8.30.
I've just spent an hour putting my pics up so I hope someone is looking at them. I'm going to bed now beacuse i have to meet the boys at 8.30.
Monday 27 July 2009
I was going to have an early night but that didn't happen. There is a wonderful couple staying here. he is french and a teacher and she is an extremely pretty Korean girl. I had such a laugh with them. He is the one that fed me intestings under false pretenses! After most people had gone to bed Marika was hungry so I walked with her to the local Mac's. I can't believe I was standing in mac's in Korea at 3am. The place was still buzzing with music coming out of clubs etc. some of the food shops here just never close! It's a university town so it is very busy!
Drunk Korean: Korean like to drink! They like to go out drinking straight from work with their collegues. It is not unusual to see a man with a briefcase being helped along the road by his collegues at 8pm! I haven't seen anyone be offensively drunk yet, it just seems to be a part of the culture that everyone accept and nobody batts an eyelid - even the crazy Ajummas!
I got up quite early today and waited for Matt and Sean to get up. They checked out today to go to Seoul backpackers so I went with them to see where it was. It is in a great position right near Namdaemun market. It's a great place, air con and everything. I've booked to stay there on Saturday and Sunday so it's easier for us to go and do the tourist thing. It's 25 quid a night!I will miss the Windflower because everyone here is so nice. On Monday Jaron and I will move to the appartment. It's a bit outside Seoul so I will have to take a bus in everyday.
After we dropped their stuff off we went to the Namsangol Hanok village which is a traditional village from back in the day. It was stunning to look at and great to see something in real life that I've seen in dramas. Then we went to another place that I can't remember the name of - it is a stream that was built over and then dug out again. It was so beautiful. we soaked our feet in it to cool ourselves down. It was strange to stand on the bridge and look down on this quiet haven of water and greenery with the mad Seoul traffic around you. A group of Korean children and their mums turned up and the children were so cute - all rushing to the stream and taking their shoes off. the said hello to us in English and seemed thrilled when we answered them in English and Korean. We met a Spanish man there just chilling out and Matt started talking to him. We all went to lunch together and exchanged emails. We were on the bridge and matt asked an old man if he would take our photo. The man pretended to run off with the camera and was trying to joke with us. After lunch we had a walk arounde the shops and market.People were so friendly, asking us where we come from etc. We bumped into two young men on one of the bridges and had a conversation. One of them had a sister in London studying. They were interested to know why I had chosen to come to Korea. I told them about my interests and how i had discovered Korea. After a long chat about Popular Korean culture one of the boys took my hand and said "I think you are Korean. If not now in a previous life".
I've also found a way to deal with the scarey ajummas! Smile sweetly and say "annyeong haseyo"
The response is amazing. Their hard looking, scowly faces beam at you and they greet you back!
I've discovered that Korean people are really friendly but you need to approach them first. It's also true that if you stand on the street and look at a map, that is the one time a Korean will approach you and offer to help you! This man came up and offered us help. He told us where to go and then gave me a map that had the english station names!
Matt and Sean went back to their hostel and I had to make some of the journey home on my own.I'm going to go out tomorrow on my own and try to find my way around. Daunted much!
I'm running out of money fast!!! My trip to Gyeong Ju is costing 100,000 won (50 quid) for the hotel and 60,000 (30 quid) for the travel. Two nights in backpackers is 50 quid. Food and stuff is really cheap but when you eat out all the time it adds up. When we're in the appartment we will save money because we can shop and eat at home. Also I'm drinking a lot of bottled water because although the water here is safe it has a lot of chlorine in it.
the weather hasn't been too bad but it is humid and we have had a bit of rain.
I got home at about 10 and I had a call from the cool couple asking me to meet them for dinner. I met them at the station and we went to a Korean BBQ. The food was lovely - we had pork bbq and some beer and it came to 5 quid each!
i've been really luck so far. Meeting Matt and Sean has been a right boon! they are really great and have been looking after me in Jarons absence. they invite me everywhere with them and I'm so pleased to be going away with them for acouple of days. they are the one and only reason I would consider going to Australia. I think I may take them up on their invite to Melbourne. Don't worry mark they are not typical Australians! they have the same opinion about the place as you do! In fact matt is from Greenwich and is as left wing as you can get! I love them!!! Matt is very enironment conscious. In fact today he went up to a korean man in the street who had thrown a drink carton on the floor. he picked it up and gave it back to him along with a lecture on looking after and being proud of your country! sean and I had to walk away because we were cracking up!! it rubs off on you too. I picked up astray plastic bag a the Hanok village today and put it in the bin.
One more thing! Walking! I have never walked so much in my life!!! there are hills everywhere! And it is so hot but i am determined to walk as much as I can. A habit I hope I keep when I get home. The stairs in and out of the underground are many and steep so I'm hoping that a combination of healthy korean food and all that exercise will make me healthier.
My opinion of Korea so far??
I LOVE IT!!!! despite the drunkeness, the (not so) scarey ajummas, the spitting on the street, the language barrier, the heat, the humidity, the funny money etc...I love this place! So far it has lived up to alll my expectations and I just hope I don't have any bad experiences to change my mind.
Drunk Korean: Korean like to drink! They like to go out drinking straight from work with their collegues. It is not unusual to see a man with a briefcase being helped along the road by his collegues at 8pm! I haven't seen anyone be offensively drunk yet, it just seems to be a part of the culture that everyone accept and nobody batts an eyelid - even the crazy Ajummas!
I got up quite early today and waited for Matt and Sean to get up. They checked out today to go to Seoul backpackers so I went with them to see where it was. It is in a great position right near Namdaemun market. It's a great place, air con and everything. I've booked to stay there on Saturday and Sunday so it's easier for us to go and do the tourist thing. It's 25 quid a night!I will miss the Windflower because everyone here is so nice. On Monday Jaron and I will move to the appartment. It's a bit outside Seoul so I will have to take a bus in everyday.
After we dropped their stuff off we went to the Namsangol Hanok village which is a traditional village from back in the day. It was stunning to look at and great to see something in real life that I've seen in dramas. Then we went to another place that I can't remember the name of - it is a stream that was built over and then dug out again. It was so beautiful. we soaked our feet in it to cool ourselves down. It was strange to stand on the bridge and look down on this quiet haven of water and greenery with the mad Seoul traffic around you. A group of Korean children and their mums turned up and the children were so cute - all rushing to the stream and taking their shoes off. the said hello to us in English and seemed thrilled when we answered them in English and Korean. We met a Spanish man there just chilling out and Matt started talking to him. We all went to lunch together and exchanged emails. We were on the bridge and matt asked an old man if he would take our photo. The man pretended to run off with the camera and was trying to joke with us. After lunch we had a walk arounde the shops and market.People were so friendly, asking us where we come from etc. We bumped into two young men on one of the bridges and had a conversation. One of them had a sister in London studying. They were interested to know why I had chosen to come to Korea. I told them about my interests and how i had discovered Korea. After a long chat about Popular Korean culture one of the boys took my hand and said "I think you are Korean. If not now in a previous life".
I've also found a way to deal with the scarey ajummas! Smile sweetly and say "annyeong haseyo"
The response is amazing. Their hard looking, scowly faces beam at you and they greet you back!
I've discovered that Korean people are really friendly but you need to approach them first. It's also true that if you stand on the street and look at a map, that is the one time a Korean will approach you and offer to help you! This man came up and offered us help. He told us where to go and then gave me a map that had the english station names!
Matt and Sean went back to their hostel and I had to make some of the journey home on my own.I'm going to go out tomorrow on my own and try to find my way around. Daunted much!
I'm running out of money fast!!! My trip to Gyeong Ju is costing 100,000 won (50 quid) for the hotel and 60,000 (30 quid) for the travel. Two nights in backpackers is 50 quid. Food and stuff is really cheap but when you eat out all the time it adds up. When we're in the appartment we will save money because we can shop and eat at home. Also I'm drinking a lot of bottled water because although the water here is safe it has a lot of chlorine in it.
the weather hasn't been too bad but it is humid and we have had a bit of rain.
I got home at about 10 and I had a call from the cool couple asking me to meet them for dinner. I met them at the station and we went to a Korean BBQ. The food was lovely - we had pork bbq and some beer and it came to 5 quid each!
i've been really luck so far. Meeting Matt and Sean has been a right boon! they are really great and have been looking after me in Jarons absence. they invite me everywhere with them and I'm so pleased to be going away with them for acouple of days. they are the one and only reason I would consider going to Australia. I think I may take them up on their invite to Melbourne. Don't worry mark they are not typical Australians! they have the same opinion about the place as you do! In fact matt is from Greenwich and is as left wing as you can get! I love them!!! Matt is very enironment conscious. In fact today he went up to a korean man in the street who had thrown a drink carton on the floor. he picked it up and gave it back to him along with a lecture on looking after and being proud of your country! sean and I had to walk away because we were cracking up!! it rubs off on you too. I picked up astray plastic bag a the Hanok village today and put it in the bin.
One more thing! Walking! I have never walked so much in my life!!! there are hills everywhere! And it is so hot but i am determined to walk as much as I can. A habit I hope I keep when I get home. The stairs in and out of the underground are many and steep so I'm hoping that a combination of healthy korean food and all that exercise will make me healthier.
My opinion of Korea so far??
I LOVE IT!!!! despite the drunkeness, the (not so) scarey ajummas, the spitting on the street, the language barrier, the heat, the humidity, the funny money etc...I love this place! So far it has lived up to alll my expectations and I just hope I don't have any bad experiences to change my mind.
Saturday 25 July 2009
Went to Itaewan last night. We didn't go out until about 11ish.It was just Matt, Sean, Steph and I. We passed our stop on the train cos we were chatting and then the trains stopped so we had to continue in a cab. Seoul has so many hills!! We wandered through the street trying to find the place Jaron had told us but he gave me directions from the station. he'd left earlier to meet a friend. We actually knew we were in the right area when we started to spot the transvestites. OMG the y were pretty. We reached the bottom of what wee assumed was the 'Homo Hill' we were looking for . I said "OMG not another bloody hill!" This tall black American gay man grabbed my arm and said "Hi Honey - let a homo help you up the hill" That's when I deffo felt at home!
We looked around for Jaron and he appearedf in front of us. He introduced us to his friends and immediatly I started having a good time. I met a really funny American man called Steve who in turn introduced me to lots of other guy's. Some were American and others were Korean. Jaron introduced me to the man who owned the drag queen club and he told me that Rain had visited the club a few times!! (Hmm....makes you wonder!) I met the guy who owns the bar we were drinking at. He is American and really funny. We went inside and had a dance. We were trying to convince the Korean boys to dance with their shirts off like they do in London but they said they were too shy. We left about 3.15 - too early as far as I was concerned - the night was still buzzing!
Itaewan is fantastic. There is a mix of so many different people and lots of Americans. I was told there are a lot of gay American servicemen that drink there. There are a lot of transvestites and foreigners too. When I come back I think I will stay here as it seems to be busy all the time and there are a lot of English speaking people around.
I wanted to go and stay at Seould backpackers with Matt and Sean but there are no more rooms so I'm staying here for the next week. On Wednesday I'm going away with them for a couple of night and we've booked a really nice hotel. One day in the week I'm going with them to Namsan tower - I can't wait to go on the cable car!There's still so much I want to do and places I want to visit but I'm having to watch what I spend because of eating out all the time. Once we get into the appartment it will be better as we can buy food and eat in.
We looked around for Jaron and he appearedf in front of us. He introduced us to his friends and immediatly I started having a good time. I met a really funny American man called Steve who in turn introduced me to lots of other guy's. Some were American and others were Korean. Jaron introduced me to the man who owned the drag queen club and he told me that Rain had visited the club a few times!! (Hmm....makes you wonder!) I met the guy who owns the bar we were drinking at. He is American and really funny. We went inside and had a dance. We were trying to convince the Korean boys to dance with their shirts off like they do in London but they said they were too shy. We left about 3.15 - too early as far as I was concerned - the night was still buzzing!
Itaewan is fantastic. There is a mix of so many different people and lots of Americans. I was told there are a lot of gay American servicemen that drink there. There are a lot of transvestites and foreigners too. When I come back I think I will stay here as it seems to be busy all the time and there are a lot of English speaking people around.
I wanted to go and stay at Seould backpackers with Matt and Sean but there are no more rooms so I'm staying here for the next week. On Wednesday I'm going away with them for a couple of night and we've booked a really nice hotel. One day in the week I'm going with them to Namsan tower - I can't wait to go on the cable car!There's still so much I want to do and places I want to visit but I'm having to watch what I spend because of eating out all the time. Once we get into the appartment it will be better as we can buy food and eat in.
This is just a short one cos I'm tired. I've just got from a day out with Sean and Matt. We were picked up at 7.30 from outside Dunkin donuts (these bloody places are everywhere - what is it with Koreans and donuts????) We were dropped off at the Lotte hotel to wait for the coach. We had 20 mins to spare so we had a look around. OMG talk about opulent!This is the hotel I want to stay in when I get back!
The coach ride was about an hour. We stopped at Imjingak park and went to look at the freedom bridge. This was where the pow's were exchanged after the war. I found out lots of interesting thisgs such as it was built by the man who owned Hyundai, he was North Korean and was trapped on the South side. He stole a cow from his parents and went to the south to work. When the bridge was opened he drove a 101 cattle across to the north. One to replace the one he took and 100 as interest so it is also known as the cow bridge. There were messages of hope written on ribbons and pinned up on walls. It was quite emotional reading some of the messages. After that we went to the infiltration tunnel. I decided not to walk the tunnel as they recommended that people with heart trouble or diabetes didn't go. When I saw the people emerge from the tunnel 30 mins later I was glad I didn't go because it was quite an uphill trek on the way back. After that we went to the observatory. There are only certain places you are permitted to take photo from but Matt had binoculars so we could see North Korea and Gaesong quite clearly. There were soldiers among us ensuring that no one was taking pics in the restricted area. The restricted area was beyond a yellow line that was a few feet away from the observation wall where all the viewing scopes were. I guess this is because the North Korean military are observing and if they see photos being taken they would accuse the South Koreans of spying. One man had his video camera sitting on the wall and the soldiers were quite insitant that hew played back his film to see if he had been filming the north. My camera stayed firmly in my bag once I was over that line! It was quite an emotional experience because North Korea looked quite beautiful and the thought that there were people there that were suddenly separated from their families in the south is very sad. I also thought about the children over there that suffer from malnutrtion and lack of proper education.
On the way back we stopped a the station and I had my photo taken with a couple of soldiers. It was a very interesting experience and I might go again befor I leave but actually go to the Joint security area.
On the way back we got of the coach at myeong Dong. What a great place! We went in the Lotte store for a look. We were also trying to find an adapter so I can recharge my camera which had died by then. Matt eventually found one for me after we'd been to 50,000 shops!
The very exciting thing was that I found stalls selling DBSK merchansdise!!! Purses, calenders, passport cases etc!!! I am the saddest person in the word - I actually bought a Jaejoong jigsaw puzzle! I wouldn't buy anything because I have 3 weeks left to shop but when I saw this puzzle I had to have it. It is the cheapest most corniest thing I have seen so that's why I had to get it. A shop in the station also sold DVD's and Cd's mainly of DBSK. I'm going to treat myself to a picture book as here it's much cheaper than Yesasia.
We came home on the underground ( I refuse to call it the subway!) always an experience as Koreans concept of queing is almost non-existant. Of course we had to endure the stares from the scarey ajummas as usual. I'm finding this quite amusing now.
I'm going to have a rest now because we are going out later to Itaewan. I'm looking forward to that.
Matt and Sean are moving to another hostel near Myeong Dong in a couple of days and and as our app isn't ready till the third I might go with them. it depends if Jaron wants to or not. They are also going to a place called Gyeong Ju next week for a couple of days and they asked me if I want to go with them. It is the historical part of Korea so I think I'll go. I'm also going to the Namsan tower with them next week. It's good that I met them, it takes a bit of pressure off of Jaron because I'm not on my own all day. Let me tell you about them. Matt is a London born but has lived in Australia for 6 years. He is left wing and radical and is very irreverant about Australians. He is so funny and full of energy. Sean is his Australian husband and seems to have quite a different personality to Matt. He wanders of and says himself that he is in his own little bubble most of the time. They are both really lovely and they would be one reason I would visit Australia. I'm really pleased I met them.
I'm going for a lie down now so I have some energy for tonight!
The coach ride was about an hour. We stopped at Imjingak park and went to look at the freedom bridge. This was where the pow's were exchanged after the war. I found out lots of interesting thisgs such as it was built by the man who owned Hyundai, he was North Korean and was trapped on the South side. He stole a cow from his parents and went to the south to work. When the bridge was opened he drove a 101 cattle across to the north. One to replace the one he took and 100 as interest so it is also known as the cow bridge. There were messages of hope written on ribbons and pinned up on walls. It was quite emotional reading some of the messages. After that we went to the infiltration tunnel. I decided not to walk the tunnel as they recommended that people with heart trouble or diabetes didn't go. When I saw the people emerge from the tunnel 30 mins later I was glad I didn't go because it was quite an uphill trek on the way back. After that we went to the observatory. There are only certain places you are permitted to take photo from but Matt had binoculars so we could see North Korea and Gaesong quite clearly. There were soldiers among us ensuring that no one was taking pics in the restricted area. The restricted area was beyond a yellow line that was a few feet away from the observation wall where all the viewing scopes were. I guess this is because the North Korean military are observing and if they see photos being taken they would accuse the South Koreans of spying. One man had his video camera sitting on the wall and the soldiers were quite insitant that hew played back his film to see if he had been filming the north. My camera stayed firmly in my bag once I was over that line! It was quite an emotional experience because North Korea looked quite beautiful and the thought that there were people there that were suddenly separated from their families in the south is very sad. I also thought about the children over there that suffer from malnutrtion and lack of proper education.
On the way back we stopped a the station and I had my photo taken with a couple of soldiers. It was a very interesting experience and I might go again befor I leave but actually go to the Joint security area.
On the way back we got of the coach at myeong Dong. What a great place! We went in the Lotte store for a look. We were also trying to find an adapter so I can recharge my camera which had died by then. Matt eventually found one for me after we'd been to 50,000 shops!
The very exciting thing was that I found stalls selling DBSK merchansdise!!! Purses, calenders, passport cases etc!!! I am the saddest person in the word - I actually bought a Jaejoong jigsaw puzzle! I wouldn't buy anything because I have 3 weeks left to shop but when I saw this puzzle I had to have it. It is the cheapest most corniest thing I have seen so that's why I had to get it. A shop in the station also sold DVD's and Cd's mainly of DBSK. I'm going to treat myself to a picture book as here it's much cheaper than Yesasia.
We came home on the underground ( I refuse to call it the subway!) always an experience as Koreans concept of queing is almost non-existant. Of course we had to endure the stares from the scarey ajummas as usual. I'm finding this quite amusing now.
I'm going to have a rest now because we are going out later to Itaewan. I'm looking forward to that.
Matt and Sean are moving to another hostel near Myeong Dong in a couple of days and and as our app isn't ready till the third I might go with them. it depends if Jaron wants to or not. They are also going to a place called Gyeong Ju next week for a couple of days and they asked me if I want to go with them. It is the historical part of Korea so I think I'll go. I'm also going to the Namsan tower with them next week. It's good that I met them, it takes a bit of pressure off of Jaron because I'm not on my own all day. Let me tell you about them. Matt is a London born but has lived in Australia for 6 years. He is left wing and radical and is very irreverant about Australians. He is so funny and full of energy. Sean is his Australian husband and seems to have quite a different personality to Matt. He wanders of and says himself that he is in his own little bubble most of the time. They are both really lovely and they would be one reason I would visit Australia. I'm really pleased I met them.
I'm going for a lie down now so I have some energy for tonight!
Friday 24 July 2009
I was going to have an early night last night but when we got back from the PC bang we sat and chatted with the girls for a bit. Then the two new residents turned up. They are Sean and Matt from Australia and they are married! It was so great to sit and talk to two gay guy's. We sat until about 4am and just chatted. Matt is English but lives in Australia. This morning or should I say afternoon Matt, Sean, Marika and I went out for lunch and coffee. when we got back Matt booked the DMZ tour for the three of us. Its costing 41000 won (about 20 quid) but we have to meet the bus at 7.30am - early night for sure! I'm looking forward to it but I really need to charge my camera and as the plugs are different I have to find an adapter. It's very quiet here at the moment because everyones gone out. I decided to stay in as I'm up early tomorrow then clubbing tomorrow night. I think I'll have a little sleep now.
Thursday 23 July 2009
Last night Jaron went out for dinner with his collegues so I went out with the girls from the hostel. We went into Hongdae. Marika forgot her id so we ended up wandering around until we found a club that would let us in.The first club we went to was very strange. Boys on one side and girls in the other, everyone seemed so self conscious as if they were worried about how they looked. we left there after a couple of drinks because it was so dead. We found another club called Ska 2. The doorman was great and he had the most amazing tattoos. He gave me the number of the tattooist.
As soon as we went inside I started dancing at the bar. A really lovely korean girl came up to me and started a conversation. I dragged her onto the dancefloor - we were the only ones on there. after while more people came in and it got a bit livelier.I met two African guys - one of them actually made a pass at me so he was told in no uncertain terms to bugger off! then I met two really nice french guys who ended up dancing with us. There was a really nice Korean boy who came and daced with us too. The two girls he was with wanted to go so he sent them off with his bag and stayed with us.Eventually I said to the french 'we need to liven this place up' So we dragged everyone onto the dance floor!All the little korean boys that were hanging around the edge of the dance floor watching were suddenly up there with us having a good time. i had a chat with the nice Jorean boy when I was dancing with him and it turned out that he wasn't a boy but 28 yrs old. his name was Min ah and he'd already done his military service. he really made an effort to speak to me in English which was really nice. we left the club around 4.30 and took a cab home. The cab cost just over four quid! I think at home it would have been about 15 quid.
korean clubs: Smoking is allowed. Most clubs women get in free and get 1 free drink. The club stays open longer and the drink is really cheap..a bottle of beer is about 2 quid.
It was a really good night!!! Crazy but good.
Today i went to the SM entertainment buiding with Deam. She is an American Vietnamese girl staying at the hostel. Getting there was a mission. 2 trains and a very long walk. We stopped off at the SME shop first and bought a couple of goodies. There was so much Suju and DBSK stuff!
We got to the building and I was really surprised. The building is old and scruffy with no signs. There's lots of graffiti on the walls, mostly korean. When we was ligging about outside two American girls that work there told us that Shinee were having a photo shoot up the road. they told us to sneak in and have a quick look. We watched them for about 10 mins. we were so close to them and they looked really nice. i managed to sneak a couple of pics! then all the fangirls turned up - obviously to see Suju cos the boys are back in Japan. It's so stange to go and see a place that you've only ever seen on the internet.
I got back home at about 7. I've done so much walking this last couple of days and I haven't eaten much. Jaron and I have just had dinner and now we're sitting in a PC Bang. I'm having an early night tonight. I'm going to sit and plan my outings for the next couple of days. they run tours from the hostel to the DMZ so I might do that while I'm here.
So far so good. I'm loving this place. The people are very different and the customs are very different. The seoul metro is nearly as crazy as the roads but now I've used it a couple of times it's not so scarey.
The thing that scares me most in Korea??? The crazy ajummas! OMG these women are intimidating. They stare at you like your from outer space. I thought it was just me but I noticed when I was on the train that these women give everyone dirty looks. They are nasty!
Going home now!!!
사 랑
Jojo xxx
As soon as we went inside I started dancing at the bar. A really lovely korean girl came up to me and started a conversation. I dragged her onto the dancefloor - we were the only ones on there. after while more people came in and it got a bit livelier.I met two African guys - one of them actually made a pass at me so he was told in no uncertain terms to bugger off! then I met two really nice french guys who ended up dancing with us. There was a really nice Korean boy who came and daced with us too. The two girls he was with wanted to go so he sent them off with his bag and stayed with us.Eventually I said to the french 'we need to liven this place up' So we dragged everyone onto the dance floor!All the little korean boys that were hanging around the edge of the dance floor watching were suddenly up there with us having a good time. i had a chat with the nice Jorean boy when I was dancing with him and it turned out that he wasn't a boy but 28 yrs old. his name was Min ah and he'd already done his military service. he really made an effort to speak to me in English which was really nice. we left the club around 4.30 and took a cab home. The cab cost just over four quid! I think at home it would have been about 15 quid.
korean clubs: Smoking is allowed. Most clubs women get in free and get 1 free drink. The club stays open longer and the drink is really cheap..a bottle of beer is about 2 quid.
It was a really good night!!! Crazy but good.
Today i went to the SM entertainment buiding with Deam. She is an American Vietnamese girl staying at the hostel. Getting there was a mission. 2 trains and a very long walk. We stopped off at the SME shop first and bought a couple of goodies. There was so much Suju and DBSK stuff!
We got to the building and I was really surprised. The building is old and scruffy with no signs. There's lots of graffiti on the walls, mostly korean. When we was ligging about outside two American girls that work there told us that Shinee were having a photo shoot up the road. they told us to sneak in and have a quick look. We watched them for about 10 mins. we were so close to them and they looked really nice. i managed to sneak a couple of pics! then all the fangirls turned up - obviously to see Suju cos the boys are back in Japan. It's so stange to go and see a place that you've only ever seen on the internet.
I got back home at about 7. I've done so much walking this last couple of days and I haven't eaten much. Jaron and I have just had dinner and now we're sitting in a PC Bang. I'm having an early night tonight. I'm going to sit and plan my outings for the next couple of days. they run tours from the hostel to the DMZ so I might do that while I'm here.
So far so good. I'm loving this place. The people are very different and the customs are very different. The seoul metro is nearly as crazy as the roads but now I've used it a couple of times it's not so scarey.
The thing that scares me most in Korea??? The crazy ajummas! OMG these women are intimidating. They stare at you like your from outer space. I thought it was just me but I noticed when I was on the train that these women give everyone dirty looks. They are nasty!
Going home now!!!
사 랑
Jojo xxx
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Crazy night!!!
Jaron and I met the people and Windfllower and they were all very friendly. Jaron went to bed because of his early start the next morning. I stayed and carried on drinking with Tomato, Marika and Stephanie. Stephanie and Marika work here, they are from Germany and Finland respectively. Marika and I decided to go and get some more Soju and snacks. On the way back we met two young men and being the way I am I had to speak to them. On of them - calls himself Kevin, runs the hostel next door. We asked him to show us around Bong house and it was vewry nice. It ended up with all of us back and Windflower drinking and chatting. We were gwetting so loud wedecided to go to the park! OMG I felt like I was 15 all over again! So there were the two boys, two girl and I sitting in a park drinking Soju and eating crisps. We saw a young man sleeping on a bench so we woke him up and he joined us. He was drunk and having a rest before he made his way home. So now there was seven of us. What I find unbelieveable is that it took less than a tenner to get us all drunk and feed us! An ajosshi wandered in and sat near us so I went and said hello - he was a nice old guy and I suspect he sneaked out of his house for a cigarette. I've come to the conclusion that Koreans are friendly but only if you approach them first.
I woke up today at about 1pm. I had a shower in a bathroom where you just stand on the floor. Everything in the bathroom is waterproof - so cool!
I wandered around the local area today - just so I could explore. I went to Starbucks for my breakfast and managed to order in Korean! I sat upstairs facin the window and decided to just people watch. Here are some of my observations:
The roads: Crazy crazy crazy!!! The traffic is horrendous. There are crossings with the green/red man but that doesn't stop cars from stopping on the crossing while people weave in and out trying to cross. The taxis stop anyway and wait - even on the crossings! Motor cyclists and bikers weave in and out of traffic at great speed! There are an awful lot of mopeds and scooters and they also use the crossings to cross over!
Busus: There a so many buses. If your bus pulls away and you chase it it will stop for you. I saw many people chasing after buses.
Police sirens: They sound so funny - a bit like a person whining.
Ive been to the shops to buy hairspray etc. Everything is so cheap here! My cappacino and bagel this morning cost me just over 3 quid.
It's so lovely being surrounded by the Korean language and music all the time. So far I love it here - I just hope I keep on loving it!
I woke up today at about 1pm. I had a shower in a bathroom where you just stand on the floor. Everything in the bathroom is waterproof - so cool!
I wandered around the local area today - just so I could explore. I went to Starbucks for my breakfast and managed to order in Korean! I sat upstairs facin the window and decided to just people watch. Here are some of my observations:
The roads: Crazy crazy crazy!!! The traffic is horrendous. There are crossings with the green/red man but that doesn't stop cars from stopping on the crossing while people weave in and out trying to cross. The taxis stop anyway and wait - even on the crossings! Motor cyclists and bikers weave in and out of traffic at great speed! There are an awful lot of mopeds and scooters and they also use the crossings to cross over!
Busus: There a so many buses. If your bus pulls away and you chase it it will stop for you. I saw many people chasing after buses.
Police sirens: They sound so funny - a bit like a person whining.
Ive been to the shops to buy hairspray etc. Everything is so cheap here! My cappacino and bagel this morning cost me just over 3 quid.
It's so lovely being surrounded by the Korean language and music all the time. So far I love it here - I just hope I keep on loving it!
Monday 20 July 2009
Im sitting in Narita aiport at the moment because we have a couple of ｈourｓ till our flight to Seoul. Im so tired!!! Got to Heathrow this morning at 10.30. While Mark parked up Steph, Reece and I went to the departures board and when I saw our flight on the board I did the happy dance singing "Im going to Korea...Im going to Korea". Behind me was a Korean gentleman and as I turned he laughed at me. Embarressed much???
A bit later on at Narita he came up to me in the immigration line and we had a chat. He works for the Korean tourist organisation! He along with two ladies whom I assume are his wife and daughter are on our flight to Seoul. Im glad though because when I came to the front of the line a fierce looking Japanese man waved me away telling me to finish filling in my declation card properly! I didn't understand what he meant. The nice Korean man told him I was in transit so I didn't need to do anything else. My hero!!!
I've only had 30 minutes sleep since I started my journey so I am absolutely knackered - but I'm too excited to care.
Japan (alright so I'm only at the airport!) is quite funny. The Japanese stewardess on our flight was over the top friendly but all the airport officials are very scarey. The people in the shops are lovely.
I'm going to get some food now. The food on the plane was some food now. The food on the plane was nice but I had my brekki at about 1.30 am our time so I think my body is confused!
Korea here I come!!!!!!
A bit later on at Narita he came up to me in the immigration line and we had a chat. He works for the Korean tourist organisation! He along with two ladies whom I assume are his wife and daughter are on our flight to Seoul. Im glad though because when I came to the front of the line a fierce looking Japanese man waved me away telling me to finish filling in my declation card properly! I didn't understand what he meant. The nice Korean man told him I was in transit so I didn't need to do anything else. My hero!!!
I've only had 30 minutes sleep since I started my journey so I am absolutely knackered - but I'm too excited to care.
Japan (alright so I'm only at the airport!) is quite funny. The Japanese stewardess on our flight was over the top friendly but all the airport officials are very scarey. The people in the shops are lovely.
I'm going to get some food now. The food on the plane was some food now. The food on the plane was nice but I had my brekki at about 1.30 am our time so I think my body is confused!
Korea here I come!!!!!!
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