Rachel has been bugging me and bugging me to blog. So I guess I ought to write up a little something.

The last 3 weekends have been pretty exciting here; I will describe them chronologically.

First was the Boseong Half Marathon. Shortly after my last half marathon was when I broke my skull. Therefor I was not able to keep up with the training the way I needed to. This spring I have been training as hard as I could when I found the time and it all paid off at this race. My time was only 5 minutes behind my last race time. This is exciting because this is the fist race I have ran in “invisible shoes” running sandals. For the most part it was pretty good although I ended up getting pretty numb and tingly on the balls of my feet.

The next weekend was my black belt test. I really didn’t want to write about it because I do not yet have the results. However, I guess I’m not allowed to wait forever. For the test I had to first perform 3 poomse (forms) chosen at random. Then I had to break a block, a re-breakable plastic block designed for this purpose. I had to use a “karate-chop” on the block.  Next was getting suited up in protective gear and demonstrating yup chagi,  ap chagi, and dolyo chagi (side kick, front kick, and roundhouse kick). Finally we had to spar for one minute with another black belt candidate. The sparring thankfully was body only, no head hits. After that we went home. I was really surprised by how crowded the gym was; seven hundred children tested for their poom belt (black and red, for people under 16) and about 40 adults tested for black and varying degrees of black.

Here is a LINK TO FIGHT VIDEO.!!!!!

Finally this last weekend was my co-teachers wedding. WOW! They do weddings differently here. First of all we show up at 11:30 AM and stand around waiting for the noon wedding. We turn in our wedding gift (the traditional Korean envelope of cash (really that’s what they ALL do )) and get 2 meal tickets for lunch. The wedding was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen by a very long stretch. The groom entered to the Rocky  song, the couple entered under crossed swords, there were moving lights, flowers lowered from the ceiling, no bridal party just assistants that worked for the wedding hall. Frankly I cannot begin to describe it, hopefully pictures will help. After the wedding there was a quick buffet lunch of amazing foods and then we were rushed out at about 1:30 PM so more weddings would be had. Overall it was a VERY different wedding experience than I am used to but to each his own.

That’s pretty much all that has been going on.

-Nathan

Suncheon Half Marathon

On Sunday I ran the Suncheon half marathon. I wanted to train and run the full but with our time restraints I didn’t think I could pull it off. I guess it will have to wait till spring.

After running 5K’s in the USA, I feel I have some interesting observations about the differences in races there and races here in Korea. Since I never ran a Half in the states some of this might be old news.

• The race packet: Mailed to every participant, nothing to pick up on race day. Complete with race book, shirt, number and chip (that was a part of the number and not returned)
• The race time:  The internet said 9, the countdown clock said 9, and the race packet said 10. Apparently they text messaged everyone the new start time, 9:30.
• Tons of aid stations, every 2-3 km after the first 5km. Aid stations had Pocari sweat (Korean Gatorade), water, food (IDK what kind, I just wanted water)
• There were 2 turn around checkpoints both with chip sensors.
• There were cars that drove against the grain with official race time on top.
• My favorite part was the medics, that had a helium balloon with a red cross on it and they RAN the whole race with a backpack of supplies to help people.
• There where also official pace setters with balloons and specific goal times.
• There were more police directing traffic than I have seen total combined in Korea.
• Koreans do not run with MP3 players, they LOVE technology, just not when running.
• The really hardcore guys did have fancy looking leg stickers that surrounded their muscles. (What are these?)
• Also the Korean fear of the sun was rampant. While serious runners dressed the part, there were also all kinds of ridiculous outfits for either fashion or sun protection.
• I also really liked the old guy that jump roped the whole race, way to be bad-a$$.
• In Korea, they just text you your official race time! I ran it in 02:12:44.81

Overall it was a pretty good race. I wish I could have done it quicker but a combination of daytime temperatures and it being the day after Rachel’s birthday party definitely affected the outcome.

-Nathan

찜질방

It’s time to talk about the naked place. In order to do so I must share a view casual observances.

1. To the knowledge of every Korean there are no gay Koreans.  Koreans insist that the few that are gay are Japanese. (not a joke)
2. Since there are (supposedly) no gay people here, things that Americans are too homophobic to do are okay here in Korea.
   1. Two boys sharing a bicycle by riding on each other’s laps.
   2. Constantly wearing flamboyant colors.
   3. Not only wearing pink but wearing bedazzled sparkly pink ties.
   4. Hug, caress, hold hands with, snuggle, and massage friends of the same gender in public
3. There is a proper dress and behavior for every situation. That behavior and dress is NOT representative of other situations.

So now that you know these things it will be a lot easier for me to describe the sauna. The Korean name is Jjimjilbang (찜질방). It is a public bathhouse divided into three areas. I will describe two of them since I have never been to the third area. The three areas are: men’s sauna, women’s sauna, and co-ed sauna.

The men’s sauna is a generic locker room, except it also has several TV’s a snack bar, a barbershop, and a smoking room. Attached to the locker room is the sauna.  Since EVERY PART of the men’s sauna is experienced completely nude, you must disrobe at your locker before going anywhere else. In the sauna part there is a steam room, a dry heat room, a still-water hot tub, an aerated-water hot tub, an ice water tub, a shallow lap pool, an outdoor balcony hot tub (still naked), standing and sitting showers.

You go in, scrub yourself very vigorously, and then enjoy all the different relaxation areas, in a giant group of naked men. Unlike in America, in this situation we just acknowledge everything. I have had people walk up to me and talk about my physique, and it is very common for people to look at and comment on just about every part of you. It’s not offensive, it’s just a running commentary. If you want you can even pay ₩40000 to lay on a massage table and have a man who works at the sauna scrub you head to toe.

Then, if you have had enough naked time you can put on the sauna-provided shorts and t-shirt, sans any sort of undergarment, and make your way to the coed area. Here there are hot rooms, but they are bigger, and there is even a hot nap room. There is also an ice room, a giant walk in fridge with ice on the walls. There are sleeping mats, TVs, computers, video games, and an eating area.

You can get all of this for under $10. The one I frequent is ₩7000 a visit. I don’t say “a day” because it’s no leaving once you pay but stay as long as you want since they are 24 hours. We have met several foreigners that, while traveling out-of-town, have just paid the small fee and stayed the night in a sauna instead of getting a hotel.

It is a great way to have access to tons of relaxation rooms, as long as you are not scared of being naked or having conversations in bad English while naked.

-Nathan

Taekwondo Pics

跆拳道, A new perspective on an old pastime.

跆拳道 (Korean language, Chinese characters)

태권도 (Korean language, Korean Hangul characters)

Taekwondo (Romanized Korean)

When I was in middle school, my parents signed me up for Taekwondo (Mr. Chung’s I believe). I don’t remember who’s idea it was, but I’d like to think that it was mine.

This time it was definitely all my idea. I decided that since my parents graciously paid for 2-ish years of Taekwondo all those years ago it was the least I could do to take Taekwondo again. I have found, with the help of my co-teacher from my country school, a studio only one block from our apartment. The rates are not bad, ₩90,000 a month ($77.13).

The Instructor (I just call him “master”, his real name is hard) seems to think that a black belt is achievable this year. He is starting me out as a brown belt.

A quick aside about belts. For every Taekwondo studio there are at least as many belt orders and systems. The whole idea of graduating belts is a relatively new concept in an old art form. From white to black is universal, it’s the in-between that changes. As for my childhood studio it was (I think): white, yellow, orange, green ,blue, purple, brown, red, red and black, black.  When I studied as a student I was either a red or a black and red when I stopped (can’t remember).  I chose to tell the instructor here brown belt to try to sandbag it a little.

The Master has graciously decided that I can still wear a brown belt, while I catch up to their memorized forms and particulars. After I have shown competence where I am, we will work up. I go 4 nights a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  This is because of my schedule, more nights are available. The classes are semi-private from ~5:30-7:00.  By semi-private I mean: sometimes there are other people, sometimes not. When there are other people they are all advanced degrees and I feel comfortable working out with them. Believe it or not, my body remembers much of the childhood training. It’s the fancy stuff and the forms that I don’t remember so well.

Hopefully this will be a worthwhile way to spend some time.

-Nathan

A New Pet

 

I’m sorry Wilson, we got another pet.

It is my pleasure to introduce you all to the newest man in our life. Meet Chester A. Arthur.  Named after the 21^st president, this little guy is our new friend.

I really hope they gave me the right food at the store!

-Nathan

Temple Visit

First of all, I’d like to apologize.  I have not been writing here as much as I should. A lot of what has been going on is work related, and of course I’m not going to be sharing much work related stuff here. However, a lot has been happening that is not work related and I’m just too busy (lazy) to write about them.

Alright, that’s done with, now for the temple visit.

Yesterday my co-teacher at my country school asked me to proof-read something. It was a page about a temple relatively nearby. Here is her original text:

“ The temple is located in Sinpyeong-ri, Songgwang-myeon. It is one of the Sambosachal along with Haein temple of Habcheon and Tongdo Temple of Yangsan. Jinul strived here to straighten out the incorrect religious faith and renew the tradition of Buddhism 800 hundred years ago. The temple bore 16 state monks in the past. Today, the temple is home for monks from overseas and is a place to study the Buddhist culture of Korea.  

The temple was first built at the end of Silla Dynasty and named Gilsang Temple. It was then renamed in the Goryeo dynasty under the reign of Myeongjong, to Songgwang Temple. Reconstructions were done after it was burnt down in the Joseon dynasty, but was severely damaged again in 1948 and 1951. At present, 33 complexes have been restored after 8 reconstruction projects from 1984 to 1988.  

The temple is especially rich in wooden cultural assets. There are a total of 26 cultural assets, including 17 national cultural assets and 9 local ones.  

You will feel like a monk yourself, isolated from the world, as you enter Songgwang Temple, which is located 66km away from Gwangju and 47km away from the Suncheon train station. See the gigantic Seungbojeon and Jijangjeon on each side of Daeungjeon. Hear the soft wooden bells and the chanting of the sutra. “

 

Well, after reading it I decided that I had to go. Since I have been attempting to figure out the city bus system, and there was a bus that goes straight to the temple, I decided Rachel and I would take a bus today (Saturday).

Now before I get to the actual visit,  let me tell you about the bus system here. It is incredible and ridiculous at the same time. Remember, I drove a city bus, so I ought to be able to figure this out. I think I could if there was a map. At no time, and in no language, have I been able to find a map. There is a website that gives time and starting points and ending points.  It’s the in-between that is completely up to fate. Don’t get me wrong, there is a plan and a route, it’s just not solidified in map form. How are the fares? Great! You can go anywhere including closely neighboring cities for  ₩1,100 ($1.00). The bus to the temple was an hour. And, it was only a dollar.

Back to the temple. Our friends Brittani and Greg came with us.  I was the only one that had ever been on the city bus in Suncheon. The others had some major trust. There were several moments when they thought that maybe we were lost, exciting!

When we finally got there, we had no idea where to go. All the signs were in Korean. (Quick aside: seriously, arrows on signs and pictures on labels go a LONGGGGGGGG way.) So we start following the majority of people till we find the trail to the temple. Like most things here the admission was cheap  ₩12,000 for all 4 of us. Here we are hiking up this trail and we take a left, suggested to us by a woman who spoke English. Well this very scenic trail to the private meditation temple was amazing, but steep, and long. When we finally get to the private meditation temple we meet one of the two monks stationed there. He was very sweet and gave us all meditation beads.

After that we hiked down to the main trail and to the main temple. HOLY COW! I knew that this place was one of the three treasures of Korean Buddhism, but I had no idea how elaborate some of the temple and statues could be. The pictures at the top of this post do not even for a second do justice to the artistry of the temples. There is not really much more I can say, other than there were several temples, all of which were amazing and beautiful and beyond words.

After that we hiked back to the parking lot, just as the bus pulled up. Which was very fortunate… except, that the bus driver was speed racer. Moments later, we arrived in Suncheon, where we had  ₩5,000 pizzas and Korean beer. (Quick aside, Korean  beer sucks. We still drink it, but it is absolute crap. Budweiser is angel tears in comparison. Its pale, over carbonated, and it smells horrible. Plus, it’s not even cheap). After that Rachel and I just hopped on one of the two buses that was going past our friends apartment and luckily got ourselves home.

-Nathan

First Day!

Here are some pictures of my school and classroom. Today was the first day of teaching. I taught 4 classes today.

If you are interested in specific information feel free to contact me, however I will not be posting specifics here.

Long story short, I had a great first day, and while tired, I cant wait for tomorrow.

 

-Nathan

Video walkthrough of apartment.

노래방 !!!

Norae-bang (or Korean singing rooms for karaoke) are the most fun you can have in Korea after dark!

Last night we went out to experience the singing rooms.

Imagine this:  a room, well insulated with a table where you can put drinks (although bringing your own is not really encouraged),  a tv for lyrics and video, (for the whole room not just the singer), two microphones and the volume up way too high, a controller in another language, choosing the right buttons based on luck and gauging the amount of wear on the button respective to overall button size.  Add to that ten people belting out any American song we could find in the mostly korean book of songs. Add to this the distinct possibility of some Soju, and you have a recipe for awesome.

For a man who never liked karaoke, I never thought I would have so much fun trying to sing in a room full of people.

-Nathan