Korea's AMAZING Delivery

You may think you know all there is to know about food delivery...but you're wrong.  Korea has somehow perfected delivery in the most brilliant way.  First of all, almost all restaurants here in Korea deliver.  No matter what type of food, there's a 98% chance it can be delivered to your destination.  If you don't happen to know the phone numbers of any restaurants close by, need not worry because these little flyers from nearby places get put on apartment doors every day.  I find new ones stuck to my door about every day after I get home from work.

My favorite thing to order by delivery is Korean Chinese food, which includes jjajangmyeon (Ja-jang-myun) and tangsuyuk  (tang-su-yeuk).  Jjajangmyeon is a type of noodle dish with diced pork and vegetable bits that is smothered in a salty black sauce made from soy bean paste.  I know what you're thinking: "black soy bean paste...WTF?!?!", but it's seriously good!  Don't knock something until you give it a chance.
Tangsuyuk is my personal favorite though and is more foreign-tastebud friendly.  Tangsuyuk is fried crunchy goodness!  Basically it's sweet and sour fried pork (Korean style of course).  The pieces of pork are covered in a thick sweet and sour jelly-like sauce.  There's usually some sliced carrots and pineapple chunks thrown in there too.      

Tangsuyuk: fried pork pieces covered in a sweet and sour jelly

Jjajangmyeon: noodles smothered in a salty black soy-bean paste sauce

After calling for delivery, food typically arrives at your destination within 30 minutes.  All delivery drivers ride motorized scooters to make deliveries.  After dropping off the food, it's time to eat--but the first thing you'll notice is that the food isn't packed into cardboard or styrofoam takeout containers; instead, restaurants use real plastic dishes, covered tightly in plastic wrap, along with real metal utensils.  How genius is that?!  No dishes and no bulky takeout containers to throw out!     

McDonald's delivery driver on his scooter

So what do you do once your done?  When you've finished up, you just stack up all the dishes and utensils in an orderly fashion and leave them outside your apartment building's main doors.  Sometime later, the delivery driver will be back to collect everything.

Best delivery system ever!  No dishes.  No takeout boxes hogging room in your trashcan or waiting to be dumped.  Better for the environment.  And feeling like you're eating a decent meal because you're eating off real dishes. Sometimes it's the simplest things that make me love Korea.  It's delivery service is absolutely great.  

Setting my delivery dishes outside my apartment

for pick up.

Beopjusa Temple Stay

The famous Buddha statue in Beopjusa; over 100ft. tall
and made from pure gold. (notice our temple uniforms)

Even though I was raised Catholic, I wouldn't call myself a religious person, but that doesn't mean that I haven't given religion any thought.  In college, I actually took a world religions course and I enjoyed learning about the different beliefs and teachings of the world's more popular religions. Buddhism really intrigued me because it didn't seem like your typical religion, but more about a way of life.  Buddhism focuses on bettering oneself and striving for happiness by casting away negative thoughts (anger, jealousy, ignorance) and transforming that energy into compassion, peace and wisdom.  Buddhism plays a significant role in Korean history; with about 50% of Korea's current population identifying as religious, and among those, 23% calling themselves Buddhist, with Christianity being a close second.  Since being introduced from China around the year 372, Buddhism has been a major factor in shaping modern Korean culture.  

I was able to learn a little more about Korean Buddhism and its rituals during a temple stay I recently partook in.  I've been wanting to do a temple stay for quite some time, and the opportunity finally presented itself a few weeks ago.  My two friends, Lauren and Casey, and I traveled about 5 hours to Beopjusa temple, located on Songrisan mountain in Songrisan National Park.  Beopjusa, which means "a temple where Buddha's teaching resides" is one of the most famous temples in Korea because of its beautiful mountain landscape and its history, dating back to 553CE.  The purpose of Beopjusa's temple stay is to offer a relaxing and spiritual experience as well as insight into the traditional lifestyle practiced by Buddhist monks.

The main temple on Beopjusa

The temple stay is a weekend affair consisting of a schedule of activities to help you to better understand Buddhist culture.  Upon arrival, we were given a uniform (a vest and pants) to wear for the duration of our stay and we sat through a 45-minute orientation in which we learned about Buddhist principles and its influence on Korea.  We were given time to tour the area, which also happens to be a national park, and see the multiple statues and temples that can be found in Beopjusa.

Beopjusa park

The building we slept in (outside view)

Day 1 concluded with dinner, which was completely vegetarian because Buddhist monks practice a meat-free diet.  We were served kimchi stew, rice, and various vegetable-based side dishes. Although we were able to eat as much as we wanted, wasting is highly frowned upon, so while going for 2nd's or 3rd's is perfectly ok, you just better make sure to finish all the food you take.  There was a trashcan to throw food waste into if absolutely necessary, but it was accompanied by a sign that basically made you feel super guilty if you were to put anything into it; subsequently, it was empty.  While we were eating, we all noticed some weird looking tofu in our kimchi stew, and after questioning it, we were told that it was ham.  Casey (who is a vegetarian) was less than thrilled to find out he had eaten meat after believing that all food was supposed to be vegetarian friendly.  After this incident, both Casey and Lauren put their share of the suspicious-looking ham into my bowl because wasting wasn't an option and I'm not too picky about weird food.  The next day we eventually found out that the so-called ham was actually vegetarian ham made from beans; my vegetarian friend was relieved.  We were also required to wash our own dishes and clean up after                                                                                                              ourselves when we were done.

The inside view of our room.  We were given basic mats and bedding
to sleep on.

After dinner, we headed to bed to relax. The temple stay suggests a 9pm lights-out rule because there's an early morning (or late night...whichever way you look at it) itinerary to follow.  We had a 2:50am wake-up call so we could watch the outdoor Buddhist ceremonial drumming and bell ceremony (aka Yebool) at 3:15.  Yebool lasts around 30min and is performed by monks three times a day and each instrument that is used represents an aspect of Buddhist culture.  Afterwards, we went to the main temple and practiced meditating while the monks recited their morning chant.

Yebool, a traditional Buddhist drumming and bell ceremony

Once this was finished, we went to our own private room where we were taught how to do Buddhist prostrations, or full-body bows.  Prostrations are performed to purify the body, release bad karma and repent for any wrong doing.  Prostrations are done by bringing your hands together, then lowering your knees to the floor, followed by your elbows, the palms of your hands and finally your forehead. Once all 5 points (feet, knees, elbows, hands and head) of the body have touched the ground, you can then lift yourself back up to the standing position, and repeat again for a total of 108 times.  Yes, 108 times!!  We completed our prostrations in about 15 minutes, and remember this was at around 5am in the morning!  I actually kind of enjoyed the bows because we watched an informational video that explained the meaning of each one while simultaneously doing them; yes, they all have a special meaning!

Prostration demonstration; I completed 108 of these.

Tea ceremony with a Buddhist nun

After our bows were completed, we were able to go back to sleep.  We ended up skipping breakfast because we were so tired and not thrilled at our food selection, and sleep seemed like the best option. At 9am, we attended a private traditional tea and meditation ceremony with a Buddhist nun.  She informed us of the benefits of meditation and we were instructed in the art of meditating for about 20 minutes.  Then she proceeded with the tea ceremony, which was us basically just drinking traditional Korean tea and having conversation about Buddhist practices.  The tea ceremony concluded our temple stay.  I don't know if I necessarily felt refreshed afterwards (who can when getting up at 3am), but I did leave the temple with an increased interest in Buddhism and meditation and an appreciation for the monk lifestyle which is dedicated to living peacefully without the qualms of modern life.  If I have taken anything away from this experience, it has been to stop and slow down once in a while, and simply enjoy life.

Buddha carved into the stone.

WE GOT A MCDONALDS!!

So lately it seems like I'm constantly being reminded how small my Korean hometown of Jecheon is; and coming from a small town like Eldon, Jecheon isn't even small.  It's population is 140,000 people and it has 2 universities, but compared to Korean standards, it's a small city.  I guess it's beginning to seem smaller because I've now been here over two years and I've come to meet many people.  Not only do my students come from multiple elementary schools around the city, but I'm also a member of a local gym and I've met many friends of friends; so it seems like Jecheon is becoming smaller because I now can't leave my apartment without running into someone I know or someone I know seeing me and telling me about it later.  But despite the fact that Jecheon seems to be getting smaller, it's actually expanding and in the best way!

Breakfast is served! I've been waiting over 2 years for this!

Walking to McDonald's and seeing that line!

You see, what city can truly call itself a city without a set of internationally-recognized golden arches?  That's right,  a city of 140,000 people doesn't have a McDonalds; it's hard to believe I know. But back in August a rumor that a McDonalds was coming to Jecheon started making its rounds; but rumors are rumors so my friends and I didn't want to get our hopes up too much.  Lucky for us the rumor happened to be true and McDonald's officially opened on Oct. 11!  The best and also the worst news is that it's literally a two minute walk from my front door.  Don't get me wrong, I happen to love Korean food now, but having a taste of home is always comforting at times, and McDonald's tastes exactly like home, despite a few tweaks to the menu.  Korean McDonald's serves all the famous staples like quarter pounders, BigMac's, McNuggets, and fries, but there's a couple additions such as a bulgogi burger, which is Korean-style soft, marinated beef made in hamburger form.  The biggest change is the breakfast menu, but I'll certainly take what I can get!  Korean McDonald's breakfast only consists of hashbrowns, pancakes, and the typical breakfast sandwiches on english muffins (no biscuits here...which means no gravy either)! <insert saddest face ever>.

Deluxe Breakfast!

Never been so happy to have McDonalds!

As I mentioned previously, McDonald's opened a couple weeks ago.  On the morning of the grand opening, two of my friends and I arrived a few minutes before the doors were to open and stood in a line that wrapped half-way around the building.  Our wait paid off though because we were part of the first 100 people to order, in which we were rewarded with a free McMuffin.  Best morning ever!

Jecheon has really stepped up its fast-food game recently because not only has McDonald's opened, but a Krispy Kreme also opened a few weeks ago.  Krispy Kreme isn't nearly as exciting to me because Jecheon already has a Dunkin' Donuts, which I personally prefer, but donut variety is not something I'm going to complain about!  Plus, Krispy Kreme runs 1+1 box specials here sometimes, which can only be described as a good thing.

That line though...on opening morning.

All this talk about Krispy Kreme and McDonald's has got me wondering what I ever did before Jecheon had these (which was literally less than a month ago).  Oh yeah, me and my friends would occasionally wake up early on the weekends to catch a 40 minute bus to the neighboring city to get our fix.  I should state that I’m usually not a fast-food junkie, but absence makes the heart (or stomach?) grow fonder, right?

Here's to hoping Taco Bell is next!

Sports Day

** Check Out the Video Below**

I look forward to the fall school semester each year for a variety of reasons: it's shorter than the spring semester, there's more holidays, fall is my favorite season and SPORTS DAY!! This past week my school had Sports Day, which is probably the most highly anticipated day of the entire school year for Korean students. All Korean schools, elementary through high school, celebrate Sports Day once a year. On Sports Day, the student body is divided into two teams (Blue Team and White Team) and they compete in various races and games to win points for their teams. Most of the events are your typical well-known activities such as tug-of-war, baton relay races, and group jump rope; while other events are funny games like pulling your classmate in a bucket to the finish line or bobbing for cookies hanging on a string.  A majority of the students' parents come to Sports Day to watch, and there are even events in which the parents can participate to win points for their child's team.

Extreme Tug-of-War

Relay Baton Races

Although Sports Day is meant to be a fun day off from the regular academic schedule, it actually requires a lot of preparation; in fact, teachers and students practice Sports Day events every morning for two weeks prior to the actual day.  Teachers even cancel some classes, like English class, in order to fit in practice time.  I would often watch the teachers and students practice doing running drills and reciting parts of the opening and closing ceremony from my office window. 

Entrance for the Students

On Sports Day, the principal leads the opening ceremony, which consists of the Korean pledge of allegiance, national anthem and a welcoming speech to the students, parents, the school board and even principals from the other surrounding schools.  Once the opening ceremony is finished, the student body does a choreographed stretching/warm-up routine and the teams are introduced.  On Sports Day, each teacher is assigned a particular role(s) for the day and I happened to be given the task of handing out programs and refreshments to the parents.  Other teacher's jobs include changing the score board, leading the different events, announcing, and timing the relays.  Activities are played out from 9:30-12pm, and then there is a break for lunch.  All parents are expected to bring a picnic-style lunch to eat with their kids, which usually includes kimbap, pizza, or chicken; and all the teachers eat together in the cafeteria.  After lunch, Sports Day is concluded with a tug-of-war finale and the closing ceremony in which the principal announces the winning team and dismisses the students. 

Choreographed Warm-Up

Because of the magnitude, preparation and importance of Sports Day in Korea, I can’t quite compare it to any school activities in the U.S.  Some things are better said with photos!   

(Here's a video that I took with SnapChat, so please excuse the poor quality and the vertical image)

Dating in Korea: Personal Experiences

Dating....dun, dun, dun...



So the big question that I get asked a lot when I talk to friends and family back home is the inevitable "Are you dating anyone?" or "Do you have a boyfriend yet?".  I guess I understand why people ask this; I mean, I'm 24 and almost every single one of my friends in the US is in a serious relationship, and here I am over in Korea like "Where am I traveling to next?".  Well, I'm certainly not lonely or desperate to settle down by any means, but recently I have started to dabble in dating a little.

I'm sure we all can agree that first dates are almost always a little awkward and you can't be yourself 100%.  Well throw in the fact that I'm a foreigner and not nearly fluent in Korean, and that's bound to make things a lot more complicated.  Since I can't speak Korean fluently (..yet!), I do need a guy who can speak a good amount of English; this automatically eliminates probably 99% of the Korean guys in my city.  I could probably have much better luck in Seoul, but since I'm only able to travel there on the weekends, it doesn't give me a lot of opportunities to meet guys; and on the occasions when I do meet guys, who can speak English, once I tell them I live in Jecheon, things go downhill...fast.  It's not that Jecheon is a bad city; I actually like it a lot.  It's just that Jecheon is 2 hours from Seoul, and in the minds of Koreans, that's like traveling to the moon and back.  Koreans don't have the same concept of travel and time that most westerners do.  When I think of traveling to Seoul, I think "Wow! Seoul is ONLY 2 HOURS!", but when Koreans think of Seoul, they think "Wow! Seoul is SO FAR AWAY 2 HOURS OMG HOW WILL I EVER SURVIVE THAT BUS/TRAIN RIDE!!!!!".  So my location and Korean language skills have seriously hindered my dating prospects.

BUT, I have managed to have some help!  Blind dates are super common in Korea. Actually, most Koreans meet their significant others through blind dates.  I've been fortunate enough to have some friends want to fix me up, so I've been able to meet a few guys through blind dates.  I had never been on a blind date before Korea, I had only set up a friend before (which went terribly...), so I was a little apprehensive at first but ultimately decided what the hell why not.  
      
The Good, The Not-So-Good, and the Bad

Date 1
My first date with a Korea guy actually wasn't a true blind date; I met him at a bar that my friends and I frequent.  He was brave enough to initiate a conversation with my friend and I, which is pretty uncommon because most Koreans can be quite shy.  I ended up giving him my number and he called me and scheduled a date.  He picked me up one evening and we went to eat chicken and then to a cafe for coffee.  At the beginning of the date he proceeded to tell me he couldn't speak English well, so I was forced to speak Korean the whole time.  I love practicing speaking Korean, so I wasn't mad...it's just that my ability isn't that great yet, so by the end of the date I felt like I had literally said everything I could possibly express; so there wasn't much need for a second date since I felt that communication issues would quickly arise if this continued.

Date 2
My second date was 100% a blind date and I knew little to nothing.  My good friend JiYeon (aka Mandy) set me up with her friend's friend.  He was also an elementary school teacher in Jecheon, and had previously been an English teacher.  We met at a coffee shop and I was pleasantly surprised.  He was really good-looking and his English-speaking ability was SO GOOD!!  We really hit it off and had a lot in common.  He told me he had had the chance to practice his English in the military because he happened to be stationed on a mixed Korean/American base and was able to talk to American soldiers.  We got along so well and our date was almost 5 hours long!  After the date, we tried making plans to meet again, but he was always busy.  We didn't stay in contact long after that.  I found out a couple months later from our mutual friend that he had really liked me but he was a little nervous to date a foreigner.  So that's how that ended.

Date 3
My third date was also completely blind.  My friend's co-teacher (who also happens to be my friend) set me up with her husband's co-worker, who happened to be a police officer.  My friend warned me that she didn't know anything about the guy, but that he had told her husband he could speak English.  After my last 2 dates I was a little apprehensive to agree, but went ahead and said yes.  We met at a coffee shop and things immediately got off to a rough start; he was 15 minutes late, which I personally think is a little rude.  I was about to leave the cafe when he finally showed up.  Honestly, it was a terrible date and I couldn't wait to leave.  He lied about being able to speak English, so again I was forced to speak Korean the whole time; we had absolutely nothing in common and there were a lot of awkward silences...cringe!  The date lasted about 45 minutes...which was 45 minutes too long.

So why don't I date other foreigners?
So some people might be wondering why I don't date other Americans or foreigners in Korea.  Well...I actually did go on 1 date with an Army guy not too long after first arriving here but nothing ever came of it.  Also the distance problem still seems to arise. Many other foreigners are in the Seoul area which can hinder dating when you live a couple hours away.    

So there you have it.  This is what it has been like to date in Korea so far.  It definitely doesn't come easy (especially when you're a foreigner); it has been awkward and frustrating at times, but also fun and something I can laugh about.  I don't think blind dates are really my thing, or at least if I ever agree to another one I think I will have to ask more details beforehand to save me some trouble.  But as for now, I will use a little Korean advice: 화이팅!!! (aka don't give up!)
    

Cardboard Citizens

I've recently returned to Korea again following a 2-week visit to Missouri to surprise family and friends.  Of course it went by way too fast and I wish I could've stayed a little longer, but I also was excited to come back to Korea, my home for the past two years now.  (Yep, I hit my 2-year anniversary!)  But, there's nothing like traveling to make you realize just how different your culture can be from another.  I've adjusted to many cultural differences during my stint here in Korea, but there are a few differences that I can't seem to adjust to well.

Everyday, whether I'm on my way to work or just going to the grocery store, it seems like I'm always passing a "refuse picker".  I see them everyday and it absolutely crushes me.  Refuse pickers are elderly people (I'm talking 70~80+ years old) who pull carts around town to collect as much cardboard, metals and other recyclable goods as possible from street corners and outside of businesses.  All day, all hours, rain or shine, hot or cold, I see elderly people out searching through garbage piles hoping to find a few recyclables to earn a little money.  Finding cardboard, and other items we might consider trash, is fairly easy because all businesses and apartment buildings have a designated area outside the building (usually just the side of the street) where trash bags and boxes are compiled until the sanitation trucks pick them up in the morning.  I usually see the same refuse pickers around my neighborhood, which leads me to believe that each person stakes a claim in a designated area and collects from the same places every day.  From what I've researched, refuse pickers get paid per kilogram and usually collect enough materials to earn about 10,000~15,000 won a day, or about $10~$15.  And that's from working 10+ hours a day!

One "refuse picker" woman I seem to see almost everyday on my walk to work

So why are elderly people doing such strenuous work for such little compensation?  Well, it's definitely not because they care oh-so-much about the environment and are doing this as a favor to the community.  Actually, in the past 50 years, South Korea's economy has advanced immensely; rising from one of the poorest countries in the world to one of the top economies, even thriving through the 2008 recession.  Because Korea has advanced so quickly, a portion of the older generation has not been able to keep up with modern-day Korea's technological advances and competitive work environment quite like the younger generations; therefore, they have not had the same job opportunities, or have even been released from jobs because of their age and lack of qualifications.

In the past, Korean culture has also put a lot of emphasis on family, with grandparents often being cared for by their children's' families.  Many Korean parents also receive money from their children to supplement their housing or other expenses, or even live together with their children's family.  This has stemmed from the fact that the South Korean government doesn't see social spending as a big priority; so without a government safety net and no pensions to fall back on, the elderly have always relied on their children to take on the role as caregiver and provider.   But nowadays, more and more young people are migrating to the cities and are too focused on building a career and raising their own families, that the elderly are getting forgotten and left behind.  Thus, resorting to collecting recyclable goods to earn a little cash just to get by.

A man outside of a fast food restaurant collecting materials to recycle

Sorry for the depressing post, but I wanted to show a side of Korea that I haven't mentioned before. Usually my posts are exciting and humorously poke fun at my life navigating a foreign country, but in reality, Korea has its issues too, just like any other country.  Unfortunately I just happen to witness one of the saddest problems on a daily basis hunched over pulling a cart full of cardboard.            

Jjimjilbongs aka Public Bath Houses

Never did I ever believe I would step foot into a public bath house, or jjimjilbong, as they're known in Korea; but, somehow I find myself doing what was once the unthinkable, and on a regular basis, sort of.  Korea has opened my eyes to many new experiences but going to a public bath house is not one I expected to partake in, much less enjoy.  Before I tell you how my first jjimjilbong experience came to be, I'll give you a little more information about them.

For a real jjimjilbong experience, check out this hilarious video of The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun and Conan O'Brien going to one:
https://youtu.be/k70xBg8en-4

Jimjilbongs are really popular in Korea and for good reason; for about $8, you will receive a T-shirt and shorts set, have access to a gender-segregated shower/bath area, a selection of temperature-varying sauna rooms available for use, a restaurant, a TV room, and a sleeping room.  Compared to hotels, jimjilbongs are a much cheaper alternative, as long as you don’t mind sharing the space with multiple other people.  

 Bath/Shower Room: notice the pools on the left and showers on the right

Once checking into a jjimjilbang, you'll receive a locker/key assignment and a set of gym clothes. You'll then make your way to the locker/shower room where you can choose to take a shower or bath.  The baths are actually big pools that range in temperature; cool, warm and hot.  Sitting in the pools, you will find an older lady who is available to help you scrub the dead skin off of your body; an older man is available in the men’s shower area as well.  The pools are usually located in the center of the room, and the showers are aligned against the walls. Forgot shampoo, conditioner, a hairdryer?  No worries!  Toiletries can be bought there and hairdryers and towels are provided for you.  Keep in mind that this area is either men-only or women-only, but it's still public.

Popular jjimjilbong towel-style for kids nicknamed "sheep-head"

I was in for quite a shock my first time because all I saw was a sea of boobs and vaginas on females of every age (5-85).  And since I know you're secretly wondering, down under is not trimmed in any way, shape or form...not that there's anything wrong with not grooming, but considering the fact that most Americans at least do some sort of maintaining down there, I was surprised.  After showering, you can dry off, blow dry your hair (and apparently your pubes as well, as I saw many Korean women doing), and change into the gym clothes provided for you.

After the shower room, you can make your way to the public resting area which isn't gender-segregated.  The resting area is equipped with big-screen TVs, sleeping mats, pillows, massage chairs, and a restaurant/snack bar. Sauna rooms are also available; these rooms range in temperatures from about 68-105 degrees...so take your pick!  If you want to sleep, you just find a spot on the floor and grab a complimentary pillow and mat.  If you're a light sleeper, you'll probably hate jimjilbongs because it's a public area so people are moving around, talking, playing on their phones, eating, watching TV or snoring.  But, for less than $10/night, you can’t really complain.  Jimjilbongs are open 24hrs/7days a week so it's easy to see how convenient they are.  Korean singles and families alike, enjoy staying at jimjilbongs, and they are a popular choice over hotels.  And if you’re worried about cleanliness, don’t be; all of the jimjilbongs I’ve experienced have been very clean and comfortable.      

Sleeping/Resting/TV Room...notice the matching gym clothes that are provided

The selection of sauna rooms ranging from about 65-1105 degrees!

So how did I get exposed to a jimjilbong, especially after trying to avoid them like the plague?  Well, it most definitely wasn't by choice!  I joined a local gym about a year ago and little did I know, every gym is either attached to a jimjilbong or includes a public shower and sauna area.  After my first spinning class, I darted home in my sweaty clothes; after my second class, I wasn’t so lucky.  My fellow spinner/co-worker stopped me before I could leave the gym and asked why I didn’t shower, because apparently everyone does.  I told her some excuse about not having shampoo or soap, but she insisted I use her stuff.  So there I was, stuck and forced to strip down and shower with my co-worker, along with about 30 other women.  Being the only foreigner, I was the target of a lot of wandering eyes at first, but nowadays I’m just another sweaty body in need of a shower.  After the initial shock, embarrassment, self-consciousness and coming to terms with the fact that I shower with my co-worker multiple times a week, I have come to find jimjilbongs, dare I say, an enjoyable experience.  During the winter time, my friends and I have even went to our local jimjilbong just to warm up and enjoy a heated area for a few hours because it’s cheaper than paying for our home heating.  

Anyone who ever happens to find themselves in South Korea at any point in time, I highly encourage you to spend just one night at a jimjilbong.  It’s a one-of-a-kind, bare-all experience that is a must-do.  

                          

Drinking Culture and Hangover Cures

Most Koreans love to drink, point blank.  Any reason to drink is good enough for them: work dinners, post-exams, birthdays, a stressful week, etc.  Soju is the most widely consumed alcohol in Korea; and beer is probably a close second, because mixing the two alcohols together is another popular drink in itself.  Soju is to Korea as tequila is to Mexico or vodka is to Russia.  And in a country where soju and beer are so affordable, it's no wonder that Koreans drink a lot.  A bottle of soju will only set you back about $1.50, and even though the average alcohol content is about 22%, don't underestimate it's potential to knock you off your feet!

So what is soju exactly?  Soju is a clear liquor, typically made from rice, and smells and tastes like rubbing alcohol, in my opinion.  Luckily, it is very easy to mask the taste of soju with a little mixer such as juice or soda, and some bars specialize in soju cocktails which are quite good.

It is customary to drink soju straight up and in shot form.  Traditionally, you should have someone pour your shot for you while you cup the glass with both hands.  Then, you should turn your back to your elder and drink the shot while covering both the glass and your mouth.  I learned this through the multiple school dinners I've had the forcible pleasure of drinking at; this little routine is especially important when the principal or vice-principal, or any elder, offers you a shot.  

The variety of soju found at the convenience store, although they all pretty much taste the same.

Upon meeting a new group of Koreans, you can almost guarantee they will ask you if you like soju, and if you say 'yes', then expect to be asked how many bottles you are able to drink.  They will judge you based on your answer.  Many Korean men will usually say they can drink around 3-5 (12 fl. ounce-sized) bottles, but they have also had many years of practice.

So with drinking comes hangovers, right?  Well, Koreans have cures for those of course.  I have heard about many hangover cures in my time here, and here are a few worth mentioning...

1.  Ramen

     Yes, that ramen; the $0.25 brick-shaped instant noodles you find at the grocery store.  Ramen is  extremely popular in Asia and is a popular convenience store snack.  I have personally witnessed a co-worker, slumped over at his desk, eating ramen at 9am because he was hungover from the school dinner the night before.  

2.  "Condition" Hangover Drink

     Also found at convenience stores here is a special "hangover drink".  My foreign and Korean friends alike swear by its magical hangover-curing powers.  It's called Condition and it's meant to be consumed before drinking, but it is also effective if consumed after the damage is already done.  It is made from a combination of vitamins, amino acids, and medicinal properties from plant roots, leaves and seeds.  

Who knew a tiny little bottle could pack so much punch?

3.  Hangover Soup (aka Hae-jong-gook) 

     There are several variations of Korean hangover soup but my personal favorite, that I actually enjoy eating sober, is haejonggook.  Haejonggook literally means "stew to cure a hangover".  It's comprised of beef broth, bean sprouts, scallions, cabbage and chunks of congealed ox blood.  Most people would run at the words "congealed ox blood" but it's actually my favorite part of the soup! Haejongguk can be found at various restaurants, and a bowl will cost you about $6.   

My favorite soup!

This article is not to glorify consuming alcohol, but drinking, especially soju, is a really large part of Korean culture, so I felt that the topic deserved it's own recognition.  I believe soju will eventually make its way onto American shelves, and when it does, I encourage you to try it once; just remember to accept it with both hands and don't pour your own shot!    

Foreign Friends

In one of my previous articles I introduced my closest Korean friends, but I also have a lot of foreign friends as well; and by "foreign" I mean friends who are not from Korea.  My foreign friends come from all over the world (USA, South Africa, UK, Australia), but despite our different home countries and accents, we all have one thing in common: English!  Because we are native English speakers, we have all managed to find jobs in Korea as English teachers.  Most of my friends also live in Jecheon, which is how I've come to know them.  We have a Facebook group called "Jecheonians" which is a way for all the foreigners in Jecheon to meet and post useful information since we're all navigating Korea together.  I've met many people since moving here, but some people have become a little more special than others, so here they are (in no particular order):

Cara
Simply put, Cara is my best friend here and we clicked instantly.  Cara had been in Korea for a whole year before me, so she showed me a lot of the in's and out's of Jecheon when I first arrived.  Cara and I did practically everything together, and many of our other friends often said that you don't see one of us without the other.  Cara and I experienced a lot together, including our vacation to Vietnam back in January, 2 trips to Japan, and weekend trips around Korea.  We were Seoul rats and loved hitting up the clubs for a good night of dancing, which usually didn't end until 5am.  Unfortunately for me, Cara flew back home to Boston in April to find a job and start her post-Korea life, but we still text and Skype regularly!

Cara and I

Me, Casey and Cara in Japan

Casey
Casey moved to Jecheon from Ohio to teach English about a year ago.  Adjusting to life in Korea isn't always easy, but I think it has been the toughest for Casey because he's a vegetarian.  Many Koreans feel very confused when Casey tells them he doesn't eat meat.  They always ask, "But why?" and "You eat fish, right?" (the answer is no).  Despite his obstacles, Casey renewed his contract for another year, but he had to change schools.  He is now working at an all-girls' middle school. This would normally be no big deal, but Casey is a 26-year-old tall, blond, blue-eyed, attractive guy and to say his new middle-school students are loving their new teacher would be an understatement.

Casey, Chris and Cara

Chris
I should start by saying that Chris is the life of the party if I've ever met one.  He's a California boy who's always down for some day-drinking and a soccer match.  I'm pretty sure he keeps the local foreigner-favorite bar, Rock&Roll, open with his tabs alone.  Everywhere Chris goes, he makes friends, so it's really fun hanging out with him because we always end up meeting people.  Chris has also taken up MMA (mixed martial arts) and is gearing up for his first competition.

Casey, Cara, Chris, JaeHee and I in Vietnam

Ricky
Ricky was born in Texas but raised in Mexico, and then moved back to the US when he was 16. Ironically, Ricky has gone from not knowing how to speak English at all, to now being an English teacher.  Ricky's job in Korea is a little different though because he doesn't work at a public school like most of us do; instead, Ricky works at a hagwon, or private after-school academy.  So while most regular teachers are working 8am-5pm, Ricky works 2pm-10pm.  Ricky took no time at all adjusting to Korean life; he loved the food, culture, girls and language before he arrived, while the rest of us didn't find it so easy at first.   

Cara, Ricky and I

Lauren
Lauren, from South Carolina, came to Korea the same time I did, and we both live in Jecheon.  We became friends after going on vacation together last year to Thailand and Cambodia.  We didn't know each other too well before vacation, but neither one of us had a travel partner so we decided to go together.  Best decision ever!  Lauren also moved into my apartment complex last summer, so now that we live on the same floor, we've become closer.  We often frequent Korean BBQ restaurants and have tea together and bond over our love of snakes.  Lauren often gets told she looks Korean, which is strange because she has no Korean (or Asian!) heritage whatsoever, but she takes it as a compliment.  Lauren also drives a moped, so I like to hitch rides whenever I get the chance.

Lauren and I on the subway

Tiffany
I met Tiffany last year when she moved from California to Jecheon to teach.  Tiffany loves meat, so anytime we hang out we end up eating Korean BBQ, which is alright by me.  Tiffany would also sometimes join Cara and I in Seoul for a night at the club; she's a pretty good wing-woman since her Korean speaking is really good haha.  Recently, Tiffany moved to the Seoul area, so now I have just another excuse to go to Seoul!

Cara, Me and Tiffany

Jeanette
Jeanette, from Texas, was the mother-figure of my friend group.  Jeanette is an excellent cook and Mexican food is her specialty.  My first Christmas in Korea was spent helping Jeanette make homemade tamales (never thought I would do that in Korea!).  Jeanette moved back to the US last year after being in Korea for a year and a half.  She has wasted no time in honing her Korean cooking skills and likes to frequent the Asian food market.  Miss you girl!    

Me, Nicola and Jeanette

Nicola
Nicola is my token British friend and she was in Korea a whole year and a half before me.  I love meeting British people because it brings back memories of my study abroad experience in England.  I don't think I ever hung out with Nicola without having a 'cuppa tea and some biscuits (aka cookies).  Nicola has been back in England for awhile now, and she recently got a job at a law firm.  I can't wait to visit her one day!  

Melissa
Melissa is my friend from South Africa and she also lived in my apartment building.  Melissa and I really bonded over our love of wine.  Last year, we traveled together to Tokyo, Japan along with Cara and Lauren.  Melissa happened to fall in love with an American soldier while here in Korea and moved to the US with him last August, where they are now married and living in Colorado.

Cara, Lauren, Melissa and I in Japan

Megan
Megan was my very first friend in Korea.  We were paired up as roommates during our week-long orientation upon first arriving.  We later found out that we were actually on the same flight from Chicago to Korea.  Megan, originally from Ohio, lives and teaches in Seoul; she's a yoga-junkie, and the perfect host because she's always finding cool new restaurants in Seoul where we can get our western-food fix and then I can just crash at her apartment, which is in a really hip and popular area of the city.   I like comparing Megan and mine's Korean experiences because she lives in Seoul which is a really modern city, whereas I live in Jecheon which is considered to be more country-like.  

Megan and I

During my time in Korea, I have been so fortunate to meet so many people from all over the world and learn about so many different cultures.  Unfortunately the English teacher turnover rate is pretty high, with most teachers only staying about two years or less.  Because of this, I say a lot of goodbyes, which are not at all easy.  But, I've been lucky enough to meet a few people who will definitely be a part of my life for a long time and I try not to take our time together for granted.  

Spring Travels

Springtime has officially made its way to Korea which means one thing: travel time!!  In the winter I don't travel around too much besides the occasional trip to Seoul, simply because it's really cold and there isn't much to do outside besides freezing to death; but now that the weather has warmed up for the season, I've come out of my hibernation.

The first sign of spring in Korea is the emergence of cherry blossoms!  Cherry blossoms typically show up in April sometime.  As I've mentioned before, many cities around Korea will host themed festivals, and Jecheon actually hosts a cherry blossom festival every spring.  Since I went to the Jecheon festival last year, I decided to step it up this year and travel to the homeland of cherry blossoms: Japan!  I've heard that there's nothing quite like Japan in the springtime, and I do not regret going.  I must've seen thousands of blossoms during my short 24-hour visit;  cherry blossom trees, along with many other varieties of trees and flowers, lined the streets and filled the parks of Tokyo. The city was gorgeous.  

 A park in Tokyo

Nothing but me and the Cherry Blossom Trees....oh and about a million other people...

May is one of my favorite months in Korea, mostly because there are multiple national holidays which means NO SCHOOL!  Luckily, the holidays usually coincide with weekends, resulting in 3-4 day breaks.  During the most recent break I went with a friend to Jeonju, which is a city located in the southwestern part of Korea with a population of around 650,000.  Jeonju is home to a Hanok Village, or traditional Korean village.  Jeonju's Hanok Village consists of hundreds of hanok-style houses and shrines that were built in the Joseon Dynasty Era (1392-1897) and have been preserved for historical and tourism purposes.  Since Koreans no longer live in traditional hanok-style houses, the village is now home to cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops.  Jeonju is also famous for bibimbap, a vegetable-based stir-fry dish that is served in a hot stone bowl and accompanied by a raw egg and spicy pepper sauce (although I prefer soy sauce myself).  If you've ever flown to Asia or eaten at a Korean restaurant, bibimap was more than likely a choice on the menu, and if you want to delve into Korean food, bibimap is a great way to start.

My friend and I rented Hanboks, or Korean traditional dresses, and there's a Hanok-style building in 

the background.

Some girls wanted their picture with us!

Bibimbap!

After exploring the Hanok Village, my friend and I set out to find the snake cafe we had found online.  I've mentioned dog and cat cafes before, but a snake cafe seemed intriguing and unique, not to mention I've always liked snakes, so it seemed like a must do.  Once we finally found the place, we hadn't sat down but a few minutes when we were handed a couple of friendly-looking snakes.  The only "cafe" part about the cafe was that it served drinks, other than that it was just a pet store-esque joint with a wall lined with reptile cages containing multiple kinds of snakes, lizards, and a random prairie dog.  We stayed for a couple hours and made friends with a couple pythons, a kingsnake, and a boa.

My new friend...nothing scary about her, I promise!

After a couple days in Jeonju, I made my way to Seoul for one very important reason: Paul McCartney!  I had the opportunity to see Sir Paul a few years ago, and I never imagined I'd have the chance to see him again...much less in Korea!  The concert was held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, where the 1988 Olympics were hosted.  It's an open-air stadium, and unfortunately there was a pretty steady drizzle for most of the concert, but ponchos were handed out before the show and nothing could stop me from missing the former-Beatle perform.  Paul tried his best to speak some Korean to the audience, but most of what he said was instantly translated onto the big screen; this was actually pretty entertaining because if Paul would crack a joke, the audience reaction would be slightly delayed.  But despite the language barrier, everyone knew the lyrics to "Hey Jude", and there's something about thousands of people singing in unison that is truly magical.

Outside the stadium

My ticket!!

Well, I think I've caught you up to speed on what I've been up to lately, so stay tuned for my next article.  If you have any suggestions of topics you would like me to cover, let me know by commenting!