Busan for Chuseok: Part 2

Sunday

We motivated ourselves to be up and out the door by 12.  Dad, I know.  12 isn't early but it's the best we could do.  Neither of us is quite the early bird that you are. We made it to Gecko's (a foreigner favorite) for a delicious western lunch accompanied by a few grown up beverages (it's 5 o'clock somehwere right) and a coloring sheet (they know us far too well).  We ate ourselves silly with western food and eventually made our way outside where it was raining...again.

Next on our list was the famed Haedong Yonggung Temple (해동용궁사) or known to the foreigners as the "Temple by the Sea." Unlike most other temples in Asia, this particular temple was not built near the mountains but on the edge of the sea.  The beautiful view, shrines intermittently placed along the walk and the grandiose sculptures that pay homage to the Buddhist religion make it a sight to see.  Due to the fact that I also came to this particular temple last year I had a general idea on where to go and which parts Dan would like.  It was a change coming here with just one other person instead of an entire group.  While taking photographs together was a bit harder due to the fact that we had to badger unsuspecting people to take our photos, I enjoyed it in a different way from last year.  This year was quieter and we were able to truly feel the spirit of those that came to the temple to pray.  With the rain falling all around us, the temple was less crowded and gave us a chance to stop and really look at what we were seeing instead of snapping quick photos and moving onto the next shrine.  Here are just a few pictures of what we saw on that rainy afternoon.   

After our afternoon of temple visiting, we decided to take the subway and haphazardly stop wherever we thought looked like fun.  We saw a stop that included the Busan Museum of Art so we thought, "Hey, why not!"  We hopped off our subway and went into one of the most unusual museums I have ever been to.  I am not a self-proclaimed art enthusiast of any kind (neither is Dan) so the majority of the art we saw was a bit lost on us.  Due to the fact that photography was banned in the "contemporary" section of the museum you won't be able to truly appreciate the little gems we saw.  For example,  one "piece of art" was a wall length piece of gray felt that fell to the ground at an angle.  That's it.  No really, that's the art.  No paint.  No different colors.  Just gray felt, at an angle, on the ground.  Another was string that had been stretched from the ceiling to the floor at different angles.  It didn't make a picture.  It didn't make...well...anything.  It was just white string.  Like I said, the "art" was lost on us.  While there were some paintings that we thoroughly enjoyed, it wasn't exactly a museum that  I would recommend to anyone who is not an art enthusiast. 

After our attempt at appreciating art, we took yet another subway ride to a bridge i've been wanting to see since our arrival in Busan.  It is in the University district and is one of those bridges that has the cable archway that stretches across the ocean.  My favorite kind of bridge.  At night, the cables light up in different colors and people come from all around to see it.  Unfortunatley, we weren't able to see the bridge in all its nighttime glory but the afternoon panoramic shot did come out quite nicely.  

A rainy panoramic of my favorite bridge

We were just about ready to call it a day and start the walk back to the subway station when something caught my eye to the left of the bridge.  I saw something circular and huge.  It looked like a ferris wheel but surely the amusement park enthusiasts we were would have known if there was an amusement park near us.  Right?  Wrong.  We had stumbled upon a rinky dink carnival of sorts hidden in the heart of Busan.  During our walk to our little carnival we also stumbled upon something else.  A Coldstone Creamery.  Just looking at the smile on Dan's face was enough to convince me that we clearly needed a waffle dish of deliciousness for our walk. 

A waffle bowl filled with cheesecake ice cream, strawberries
 and blueberries?  I don't mind if I do!

We eventually made our way to the amusement park carnival.  It had a ferris wheel, one roller coaster, a scrambled eggs sort of ride, log flume, spinning chairs, drop zone and of course...a viking ship.  We screamed like tiny children as the viking ship became almost vertical with the ground.  Laughed ourselves silly on the spinning chairs.  Enjoyed the view from the top of the ferris wheel.  While it was a itsy bitsy amusement park, "Me World" made our Sunday evening an amazing one.

With our Chuseok vacation coming to an end, we made our way back to our hotel where we found another delicious foreigner dinner, this time mexican food.  We ate ourselves into a food coma, took to the beach with a bottle of Korean wine (our favorite) and talked until our eyes became sleepy.  We talked about our favorite parts of our time in Busan, the upcoming weekend and everything else in between.  

While this Chuseok was completely different from the mayhem of last year, I wouldn't have had it any other way.  I was able to truly experience one of my favorite cities with one of my favorite people.

What's next on our agenda?  This weekend we will go to Everland, the worlds 4th largest Amusement Park.  Get ready for a post filled with rides, amusement park food (hopefully) and the sights of Seoul!

Busan for Chuseok: Part 1

While I look at the hundreds of pictures from Busan last weekend (no seriously, we took 338) I am struck with two thoughts.  We take alot of pictures.  We can really cram culture into a trip.  Even though the rain tried its best to put a damper on our trip, we were able to cross off everything on our to-do-list.  From Friday night to Monday afternoon we were away from work and in one of the most beautiful cities in Korea.  It is safe to say we made the most of it.

Friday

American beers

After arriving in Busan a bit later than expected (11pm) we were hard pressed to find a restaurant other than Burger King or a Korean shop that was open.  While Burger King sure is great and Korean food delicious, it just wasn't what we were looking for.   We ended up at the foreigner favorite, Fuzzy Navel, for a few American beers and nachos (the only thing on the menu.)  The music was loud and the place was packed with foreigners who were gathered from every city in Korea to enjoy this long Chuseok holiday.  We enjoyed our little taste of America, strolled around the beach and then back to our hotel for some sleep.

Now for my long-time readers, you already know what I did last year for Chuseok from last years posts and a general idea of what it is.  For my newer readers,  Chuseok is basically the Korean version of American Thanksgiving.  They spend time with their families.  Eat traditional Korean food.  Do not work for two days.  During Chuseok, the streets are emptied and most restaurants or stores aren't open.  Thankfully I had the foresight to get a few foodstuffs last week before leaving for Busan or I would have been one hungry girl when I got home.

Saturday


After sleeping in a bit longer than anticipated, we were finally out the door and ready for lunch at around 1pm.  With all of Busan's foreigner food available to us it was hard to choose just what we would indulge in first.  We chose TGI Fridays for our first lunch.  While it was one of the most delicious (chicken quesadillas) it was by far the most expensive of our trip with the bill being around $60.  I guess we got a bit carried away in our search for all things American.

A bit overly excited about the guacamole and sour cream

After lunch we decided to get out of our food coma and head to the popular "Centum City" via the subway system.  That's right folks.  We navigated the subway system all by ourselves and I am proud to say that not ONCE did we accidentally go the wrong way.  We were able (for $3.50 a day) to travel to all the parts of Busan we wanted to and never once have to ask for directions.  I credit alot of this to our handy dandy Busan Travel Guide and to Dan for always double checking where we wanted to go instead of doing the patented Jenn "oh i'm sure this is it" way.

Our first stop was right off the subway and one of the biggest landmarks in Busan.  It is called Shinsengae Centumcity Department Store and is in the Guinness World Book of Records as being the largest department store in the world.

No really, it is.

Included in this monstrosity is a department store, a mall (with the same clothing from the department store), an ice rink, multiple food courts, art gallery, book store, movie theater, park located on the roof and so much more.  We walked around for hours enjoying everything there was to see and do.  We quietly made fun of Korean clothing (do men really need glitter on their baseball hats?), watched children attempt to ice skate (we know it's not nice to laugh when they fall), peruse the books in the book store so much more.  If you are ever in Busan and are looking to kill some time, take a few hours out of your day and head to Centum City.  You won't be disappointed.

The view from the 1st floor all the way to the top

After taking a few pictures outside with the random sculptures they had and the rose garden, we were on our way to the heart of the shopping district which included our must-see,

Busan Tower. 

Our last stop of the day was Busan Tower, a must-see for tourists.  It is situated 120 meters above the ground and gives you a birds eye view of the city, complete with bright city lights and the ocean off in the distance.  After hearing it was most beautiful at night, we decided to do just that.  

Temple in front of Busan Tower

Busan Tower all lit up

Breathtaking view from the top

Quick picture in front of the "picture pose" area

A pretty great way to spend the first half of our holiday weekend.  Stay tuned for part 2. 

A Year in Review

Exactly one year ago today, I began writing this blog.  It began as a way to document my journey to Korea and the teaching experiences I would have, but became so much more.  It become my way to take my friends and family around the world along with me while I travel .  My outlet for emotions.  My communication to those I cared for most.  Looking back on that initial post, it is hard to believe I am the same person.  I was lying on the floor of my mediocre apartment, trying to make this life changing decision.  Somehow I knew it was right for me.  It was meant for me.

Since that initial post, I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible.  I have formed friendships with some of the most amazing people from every corner of the globe.  I have been all around Korea and witnessed the Korean lifestyle and culture at its best.  I have traveled to Japan and found the beauty and destruction that has faced that country.  I have seen Thailand and seen the beauty of the country and its people.  Coming to Korea was the best choice I have ever made.  While it was one of the hardest decisions of my life, it has afforded me the ability to experience so much more than I ever could have imagined.

An entire year has passed and I only have the future lying ahead of me.  Before I came here I felt trapped.  Paralyzed.  Unfocused.  Confused.  Now I finally know what I want to do with the rest of my life and how I want to live it.  Coming to Korea changed me for the better.

Before coming here to Pohang, Korea I had no idea what was in store for me.  I didn't know the culture.  I certainly didn't know the language.  I didn't know a single soul.  I didn't know enough about Korea to fill an index card, let alone an entire year's worth of blogs.  Somehow I have fallen in love with the spontaneity, richness and culture that is the embodiment of Korea.

Here are my favorite pictures from 2010.  I can only imagine the shenanigans that will take place in the upcoming year.  The places in Korea yet to be visited.  Friends yet to be met.  Experiences yet to be had.  If 2011 is anything like 2010, this blog will continue with a newfound fervor.  May 2011 bring as many rewarding experiences and friendships as 2010 did.

Our Pohang Beerball League

My 24th Birthday.  Korean style. 

Going away party for Jared, one of the best guys I know.

My very first Pohang Steelers soccer game.

My first Daegu Ropes course excursion

World cup fever

Going away party for Nick Kelly

Mudfest 2010

One of many Guyompo beach trips

At a harbor in Japan with my ladies

The beginning of our Chuseok vacation to Geoju Island

After our hike up a mountain near Busan during Chuseok

Some of my best girls at Bogyeongsa

Angry Sunny during arts and crafts

Devilish little Hansu

The famous Homigot Hand

My part time kinder 6 class

Anna putting on her dancing shoes at With Wine

Pictures in Andong

Ladies afternoon in Daegu at the Holy Grill

Halloween 2010

Ugly Christmas sweater party

Caroling with the babies to each home.  Cutest Santas ever.

Standing on the Bridge Over the River Kwai

Two sleepy tigers allowed me to hold their tails.  Terrifying.

My newest tattoo.

Chuseok: Part III

Saturday

After the best sleep I had all week long, I went back to the bus station that I love so much to take yet ANOTHER bus.  Our destination this time was to a ropes course in Daegu called Herb Hillz.  Due to the fact that I had been to the course I was nominated to be the leader of the group.  Now if you remember from that post all those months back, the course is kind of like an obstacle course through the trees.  There are zip lines that connect the trees together with ladders, skateboards, bicycles and everything in between.  After a few nervous starts, we completed the course intact.  One member of our group even overcame his intense fear of heights. At least for the afternoon.  Success.

Gayle and Kevin maneuvering around the trees

Peeking around a tree

Ryan doing one of the many zip lines through the course

Group shot after our ride through the trees

After the ropes course we made our way back to Pohang.  After just finishing the course we were all starving and decided that a quick bite to eat and a final tour of our town would round out our new friends' visit to Korea.  One thing we all agreed upon was that you can't come to Pohang without visiting our unique Judko Market.  It was late when we arrived so we immediately went to the seafood section located in the back.  None of them had ever held a huge king crab before and luckily the people at the market were kind enough to let them hold a few and pose for pictures.  Now, I had never held one either and for some reason decided that I would also like to get in on the thrill of holding a live monster of a crab.  

After 3 of our group successfully posed for a picture with their crab it was my turn.  Successful pass of the crab to my arms.  Posing for the picture.  Waiting for the camera to flash.  Sudden immense pressure.  The crab had decided that my picture was one too many and that I could do without one of my fingers.  It took my poor finger and squeezed until my screaming caused my stunned friends to help me out.  Never will I ever hold onto a crab again.  Another lesson learned.  

Kelly getting ready for her picture with the monstrous crab

The crab got me.  My poor finger!

We spent the remainder of our evening at Bukbu Beach where we ate at a seaside seafood place.  Try saying that ten times fast. 

Corey successfully picking up a single kernel or corn with chopsticks

One of our last pictures before the end of the night

Our last stop was at a downtown bar, Whistlers, for a few games of darts (which I found out I kill at) and the inevitable goodbyes.  It continues to amaze me how much you can like someone after only spending less than a week with them.  I would likely never have met AJ, Corey, Kevin or Kelly if they wouldn't have decided to come to Korea to visit Ryan.  Hopefully our paths will cross sometime in the future.  If all else fails at least now I have more places to visit when I go stateside.  

All in all, the trip was amazing.  New experiences.   New friends.  Pictures that just can't do any of it justice.  I am absolutely exhausted and need another vacation to recover from my vacation.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely.