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This weekend is Chusok - or Korean Thanksgiving. One of the times of the year when you can see everyday Korean folk go about their everyday business dressed in Traditional Hanbok.
And what a weekend it has been! After confirming my evening appointment for Monday with Sophia I met Ken and James for BBQ and a few drinks. Ken also invited me to Suwon for the weekend. Which after several attempts to make it up there I greatfully accepted. Saturday afternoon we took off to Suwon in James’ car through the horrible pissing rain in the Chonan region and into Suwon.
During Chusok one goes home to one’s parents and one’s hometown. As the majority of Korea lives within Seoul and Suwon (and Kyonggi) it meant the place was virtually a ghost town by the time we arrived.
There was however time to kill before dinner so Ken initiated me to the whole Korean Sauna thing. Saunas appear to be big business here in Korea - some are quite oppulant - Roman bath style if you will. My big beef (being a cloistered New Zealand foreign type) is walking around totally naked from shower to hot bath to cold bath to steam room and back with everything on show. Nevertheless the hot pools and heat rooms made me feel reinvigorated for the night ahead.
Look at the size of that TV!!!!
Saturday evening and I had the pleasure of meeting Ken’s family: his wife and daughter Lucy and son Andy and we had BBQ for dinner. Ken is particularly worried about his daughter’s English ability, which for the two hours a week of lessons she gets at school isn’t too bad. And having a father who speaks good English does her wonders. I guess Ken, and his wife, are like every other parent in Korea fretting over their child’s education!
Saturday night was a thoroughly entertaining night of drunken debauchary of which my recollection is (surprisingly) intact - actually it is no surprise at all - but least said the better. Ken put me up in a nearby hotel of which I am particularly greatful and I was off to bed at the reasonable hour of 1am.
Sunday was interesting. Ken took me along with his family to the Korean folk village just east of Suwon. I guess the comparison is with MOTAT in Auckland but it is no where near as disappointing (or falling apart for that matter.)
Indeed it is very interesting. I have a reasonable understanding of Korea’s modern history, but have little knowledge of Korea prior to 1900.
And here for your viewing pleasure is a picture of me in a silly hat: 
Then we went to Suwon Castle where there is wonderful views of the city though on Sunday it was a little Hazzy.
(Much like 
what I was feeling) I arrived back in Nonsan by Moogungwha class train - somewhat slower and not nearly as nice as I am used to but does the trick.
Sunday evening Sophia picked me up and we spent a fun couple of hours. In the spirit of Chusok I gave her some Kiwi fruit (3 and a half kilos worth) all the way from New Zealand (via Woori Home Mart). And I got some wholesome traditional Korean food. Yummy! We walked along the resevoir and back and had a (terribly tasting) coffee at the Lake Hills hotel. Stay tuned to this developing story - certainly Ken and James thought it hilarious and are waiting for the gossip next time we meet which apparently won’t be for a couple of weeks as Ken is off to Thailand and then Shanghai.
In other news:
It was with huge suprise and some trepidation that a gentleman entered my classroom during first period today and introduced himself as the new teacher…I’m sorry? Does this mean I will once again get some free periods during the week? I really hope so, but I won’t count my chickens.
Short week ahead (YAY!)
Bought a DVD copy of ‘Full Metal Jacket’ while in Suwon
It is a great feeling to own something that has been reviewed on Engadget (other than large brand name items like PSP and iPod Minis.)
PS apologies - some of these pics might take time to load on dial up connections
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