Musical in a Palace, Trip to Osan, Out & About in Sincheon Seoul

Our weekend was packed with fun festivities. It started out on Friday night (9-26)--We saw a Korean Musical "Dae Jang Geum" (with English subtitles) in the Gyeonghuigung Palace (one of Seoul's "five grand palaces" built by the Joseon Dynasty. The musical is taken from a popular TV series, Jewel in the Palace. It is based during the Joseaon Dynasty (early 16th century) and focuses on a historical figure: Jang-Geum who became one of the first royal female physicians of her time. The ambiance was amazing--as well as the costumes, dancing, and singing. They even had blankets in each chair to keep us warm during the outside performance. The weather was perfect--probably 50F or so. And a bit on the chilly side--We've been praying for cooler weather--and it's here! It went from being 86 straight to 5oF--we were hoping for a little more transition! They say it gets chilly chilly here in the winter!

In front of the palace

Waiting for the show to begin!
The cast!
The great architecture and colors of the palace.
Wow---look at the amazing colors.
B-!

The musical ad!

Sat. (9-27)! HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY Grandmaw! Sorry we can't be there for your big Surprise party!! We took the train down to Osan where the Air Force Base is located and met up with two friends from Italy that I worked with at the Elementary School there: Tim was the principal and Edgar taught 3rd grade. It was so neat to meet up and enjoy a lunch together. Osan--is very friendly towards Americans--and the shopping is all catered to what we like. Custom suits, shirts, cashmere coats, handbags, custom leather boots, luggage tags, jackets, you name it--they have it...and can make it to your liking..and it won't leave your wallet with a hole in it. Osan was hosting their "Friendship Festival" where the US and Koreans celebrate a day together.

The Crew!

Watching the amazing drummers! See video below!
The drummers!
I just loved their costumes. Hello pom-pom!
We took the metro back to Seoul, and had dinner with some of B's coworkers.

We had dakgalbi (chicken with noodles, scallions, hot dogs, cabbage--all cooked in a red spicy sauce). The dakgalbi is cooked right in front of you, and they also serve side dishes with every meal that usually includes kimchi, pickled radishes, some sort of noodle dish, and maybe another veggie or soup. The food here is very good--We are enjoying the different tastes for sure.

They give you these little aprons to wear so you don't sparkle your clothes with
red sauce :)
After dinner, we headed to Woodstocks 70's bar in Sinchon. The owner is an amazing DJ. He has an incredible collection. We asked him how it was all organized: CD's, record albums, etc.--He said he just knows where everything is located--haha. It was a great bar--packed with locals.
Wine anyone? Hehehe..I just love it!
Picture of the bar on the outside.
We had a great time--as you can see--and met a lot of really nice and welcoming Koreans. Everyone was having a blast--singing, dancing, etc. One of the Korean guys kept busting out the Michael Jackson dance "I'm Bad..."---He had me in stitches laughing so hard.

Cheers to Maekju! & Peace!
I'm catching on that most Koreans throw up the PEACE sign in photos.
Our new friends!!
Mr. John Ryan in Seoul? We found you as a Korean!
Nate, Brian's veterinarian buddy in the middle--They served us these great peanut snacks when they brought the drinks!!

Sunday we had a BBQ on our community back garden. Our complex has a lot of super nice people--some from Germany, Canada, and the USA. It was nice to meet all the neighbors--some who have been forever helpful providing information, tips, suggestions, etc. about Seoul..and Korea.

Videos: Even though the world goes around--and we're on a different continent--people still love the YMCA no matter where you are--so it seems! Sorry for the dim lighting!! Also, check out the drummers in Osan--very cool!

9-15-08 Bukhansan National Park

We put on our hiking shoes for an adventure in Bukhansan National Park--around 40 min. north of Seoul via subway. We met one of our friends, Cindy, who lives not too far from this magnificent park. Lonely Planet said that "Moderate Fitness is required." Feeling rather somewhat fit, we were off to our start. Passing by a beautiful Buddhist Temple and then up several sets of rocks and stairs. We must have climbed for around 2 hours at least to get to the top (in some areas...it was straight up...and you had to pull yourself up with a rope and a pole). The trees along the trail were worn smooth due to people bracing themselves.

The Koreans were just so nice and friendly to us all: offering us apples and water. There was a group of deaf people climbing...they were making sure that we had water. We then showed them Brian's water pack on his back. They told us in sign language that we were "smart". It's just amazing how nice they are. Some would just walk by and say "hi"..ask us where we were from...etc.

Our goal was to climb the three peaks: Juanbong (739m tall), Manjanbong (718m tall), and Dobongsan (740m tall). It was Chuseok Holiday here (Korea's Thanksgiving) so many families all had the same bright idea. A bit crowded, we climbed, and climbed...taking breaks when necessary. As we were almost to the top of Juanbong, we saw that it was a straight incline to the top...hoisting yourself up with a rope and a metal pole was the only option--as the rocks were slippery.

The view was simply breathtaking once we arrived to the summit. You could see for miles- it was worth all the work and sweat. I commend all the older people and children (great way to make them tired:) we saw doing this hike. This brings the definition of "moderate fitness" to a new level.

We stopped for a sandwich and a granola bar at the summit--One Korean man said, "wow...You got nice sandwich, we have rice cakes and kimchi!" I thought it was funny--but really...you could smell the kimchi coming through people's pores.

Our next mission was to get across the slight and narrow path to arrive at the next peak. We passed a Korean man who said, "Very scary, but very beautiful." We had no clue what we were in for. Lonely Planet left out that you might need to clip yourself in, bring gloves, and some type of security rope. They did say this, "Here the adventure begins as your scramble down a ravine helped by metal cables, then up and along a rocky ridge and through narrow crevices." The path was running both ways...and there was only room for one person on this tight and narrow path. One wrong step--and you were done. Cindy made it to the top part holding on, and then looked back at us. She said the path was a straight descend down..and there were endless people trying to get up. We vouched for the simpler way down the mountain--It was simply too crowded, and our safety was at risk. We'll have to go back another time, and do this hike in reverse order.


Hiking back down the mountain took about 2 and 1/2 hours. We took a different route full of lush trees, ferns, huge boulders, and fresh springs. A nice refreshing CASS beer rewarded us at the bottom for our safe return. AND then, you guessed it, a wonderful, cold, MELON POP.
Needless to say, we slept great that night!

Cindy, D, and B at the start of our Hike.

About 45 minutes left until we reach the top.
WOW! There is a lot of "free climbing" here too. Scary!
The view: Also check out the video at the bottom for a view from the top!
Yeah!
It was great watching this guy all up there by himself... He was on top of the world while we were flooded with hikers!

Holding onto the rail for security trying to reach the summit.

Um...Excuse me. I need to somehow get up there! Hold on to the rocks.
This is where the hike got tricky.
Yup. We'll save that ridge line for another less crowded day.

Reward: Nice cold Melon Pops
The peak in the background is where we hiked to.
Video: View from the top!

We don't like the Sight of IKE

WOW! This hurricane is massive! To all our friends and family in Houston--please stay safe--we are thinking about you all!

911--Today Marks the 7th Year Anniversary

It seems like yesterday, I was rushing off a plane at La Guardia airport in New York City--only to learn of the horrible act of terror and evil that had been committed against our country. It's crazy to think that 7 years have passed, but not a day goes by that I don't thank God for my existence here today. Please take a moment at some point today to remember all those who lost their lives not only on this day 7 years ago but also in the efforts of our military men and women who have lost their lives serving our country and fighting in the War on Terror.

Photo taken by an unknown artist.

Sept. 10, 2008 Questions to Expect in a Korean Interview

I've been searching for jobs the last few weeks, and sent in my resume for a Convention Coordinator position here in Seoul. I was called by the head-hunting agency last Friday night at 9pm..asking me if I could interview this past Wed. Brian and I laughed about it...as it was 9pm on a Friday night.

Yesterday, I had my interview with the agency--the lady was very nice, and gave me all the details regarding the job. Everything went fine, and hopefully, next week, I'll be able to interview directly with the convention center. I thought it was really funny though--she asked me the following questions.
1. Are you married?
2. How long have you been married?
3. Do you have kids?
4. How old are you?
5. How much $ did you make in your last position? (I didn't answer this one :))
6. I was waiting for: How much do you weigh?

I failed to mention..that you also have to send in a picture with every resume. They are all about "the look" and image here--the position also specified FEMALE APPLICANTS ONLY.

This would definitely not fly in the states with all the Discrimination acts and laws in place, but it's funny to see how things work over here.

So, we'll see. The position is for a year contract--and Brian and I aren't sure yet if we really want to put in to stay here for a 2 year time frame. Time will tell.

We have also gotten a lot from the Koreans: "You look so American, and You talk so American." The lady yesterday told me this too. I just get a kick out of it. I finally asked her how she referenced her "look of Americans"--through film, magazine, newspaper, Internet--and she said through Film.

So guys, I guess we are the new American movie-stars in Seoul--Watch out!!

Sept. 7, 2008 Hike to Namsan (Seoul Tower)

We went to an International Catholic Church (mass in English) down the street from our house. It was really neat to see such a diverse crowd--people from many various countries--singing and practicing the same Catholic faith we know. They had a BBQ afterwards and everyone was very welcoming and so friendly. We have been surprised by how friendly everyone is here. It makes the adjustment that much easier!! :)

Our mission for the day, Sunday--isn't it supposed to be a day of rest?--was to climb/hike up to Namsan or Seoul Tower. We climbed 1000 stairs alright to the top. They always save the steepest ones for right when you are almost to the top--also the best treats. They were selling boiled silk worm larvae --ymmmm. Just to smell it will make you nauseated. People were eating them by the cup-fulls--you could hear the crunch. YUCK.

We also observed how women here love their high heels--no honestly--there were women climbing all the stairs with heels on. How their feet must just ache. I can't even imagine. They do have a bus and a cable car that will bring you near the top--we vouched for the hike.

Once we arrived to the top--(drenched with sweat from the humidity and the work out--Brian was running them--guess he's in much better shape than me..heheh!) we were rewarded with great views of the city and sat down to enjoy a nice Hoegarden on draft. It was DELISH. The air was a bit polluted...as you can tell from the photos.

We must return to the top though because we didn't get the message to bring two locks...to LOCK YOUR LOVE!! Most of the people going to the top had locks--and they would make a wish..and ditch their key! There were thousands of locks all along the railings.

Hiking to Namsan

We made it!
Yup...Picture to prove it. Heels are in for hiking.
View of the city.
Another view of the city. We live behind and to the right of the Hyatt hotel.
Lock your Love!!
This was our lock!!--a photo to remember!!
No really...we'll have to go back up there!

Sept. 6, 2008 Inwangsan Shamanist Hillsdie Walk turned into Mt. Inwang Hike

We decided to take a Lonely Planet Walking tour to the Inwangsan Shamanist Hillside to see a few of the Shaman temples: Bongwonsa and also Guksadang. Well, Lonely Planet must have left off a few important details because, we were quickly in wandering mode. It doesn't help ease the situation either when there are no street signs to find out where and the world you are. The Koreans use buildings as reference sites when giving directions. It's really a funny way of trying to get around. I'm thankful to our upstairs German neighbor who gave us his business card. On the back is a map to our house and our address written in Korean as well.

It's been very humid here, and B and I are waiting for the temperatures to drop. I think it was 86 + high humidity. Well, we wound up asking a few people for directions--they basically motioned us to go straight. We went straight all right..straight up into some Korean's garden and all. As we trucked through the tall brush and plants to try and get to the other side, we finally found an opening that led us back to the street. We kept climbing...and walking straight as we were told to do so--passing nothing Lonely Planet was referring to. We climbed 300-400 m. up Mt. Inwang across rocky terrain (I haven't mentioned the fact that I was in a white skirt and my sandals--all the Koreans were decked out in their hiking gear) for a lovely view of the city!!

We saw a Korean lady filling up her water jug from a fresh water spring. She managed to carry the container on her head back down. Wow...that takes talent. We wandered back down the mountain and had not a clue where we were. We quickly bought cold melon pops to cool us down--they are amazing. They taste like honeydoo melon but are ice cream pops!!

Sat. night we decided to hit a Live Jazz Bar located in the Daehangno area--They had a lot of cute cozy bars and restaurants in this area of town. The jazz band was nice except for the overly energetic Saxophone player--he was playing like he was on some serious cans of Red Bull.

Check out the wiring system here! This is very common! Scary eh? Walking through some Korean's garden

You can see the old fortress wall and Namsan (Seoul) tower in the background.

Seriously...check out the veggies growing on the right.
The rock that looks like a man doing the "kimchi" squat.
Amazing view from the top. This was worth the climb. Well..maybe.
Another view of the city.
The Blue House. This is the Korean Presidential House.
You can see it on the left. Blue stands for nobility.

While we were lost, we randomly passed by the Front Gate of Sajikdan

On our walk back to our home...Korean cooks chilling on the steps of Itaewon.
Live Jazz