So we've reached the end of our travels here in South Korea. It really has been a great 5 weeks and we really can't thank you all enough for your supportive emails while we have been over here.
Alaina and I fly out tomorrow at 6 p.m. South Korean time, which is about 5 a.m. in Kentucky. Thanks again for following our adventure via the blog and we look forward to reuniting with you all!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
On the final leg of the race...
Hey Everyone!
A little less than 48 hours from now, we will be on the plane headed to the States! It's bittersweet, really. Korea has been amazing but we're dying to see the ones we love!
Since we're leaving on Thursday, we left Seoul today to come to Incheon - the city where the airport is located. It's on an island and we thought there'd be some interesting things to see. One attraction we both wanted to see was a memorial statue of General Douglas Macarthur at the place of the Incheon landing during the Korean War. He's a hero over here, let me tell you!
We weren't sure at all how to get there so I asked at the front desk and she didn't really help either. She gives me a bus number and a bus stop written in English and Korean. I'm thinking it's going to be so easy because we'll be able to see the English form on the bus stops as we come to them. We're thinking it will be about a ten minute bus ride. Well, the first two or three bus stops, we absolutely could not see the names of the stop. I'm like, oh crap, I have no idea what to do. Finally we come to a stop that has the bus route with the names but before we can get off, the driver pulls away. I think, no big deal, we'll just jump off at the next stop.
So we plug along and we are not coming to anymore bus stops. Then the driver looks to be merging onto the interstate. Oh wait, he is merging onto the interstate!!!! All we see are signs pointing to Seoul. The bus keeps going on and going on along the interstate and I can't even look at Tim. I can see him out of the corner of my eye, and he looked so annoyed! Even though we're not talking to each other, we both realize we might be on a bus all the way back to Seoul. The worse part is that we both always want to be right and I was going to be so upset if I had messed this one up because Tim's not allowed to be right!
Then comes a sign that shows Seoul is left and Incheon is right. I've never crossed my fingers so tight in my entire life! But the driver keeps flying through in the left lane! At the last possible moment he swerves into the right lane and takes the exit to Incheon. Turns out, we came to just the right stop!! Women are always right.
Tim:
This morning I took a scooter ride to the grocery store to pick up some eggs and bread to make some famous fried egg Gehring sandwhiches. I had just gotten to bottom of the hill and was stopped at a light and sort of in the middle of the crosswalk. I see this older woman to my right crossing the street, so naturally I back my scooter up to clear the crosswalk and allow her to pass. You know, trying to bring some Southern manners to South Korea. I thought she'd appreciate it, apparently she did not. She walked passed me with a radio up to her ear and then turns around and starts yelling at me in Korean. I've been yelled at by women before - even in different languages - but not for being polite. She even proceeds to slap my arm two or three times while continuing to expres her displeasure towards me. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to do, but I was pretty sure I was going to take more of that. There were other foreigners around, so I didn't want to yell back at her in English and lose all moral authority. She tried to hit me again, but I managed to push her arm away and say something to her Spanish that made me feel better, but didn't really offend anyone else. Now you can make the final judgement of that situation, but it would appear, at least to me, that women are not ALWAYS right.
A little less than 48 hours from now, we will be on the plane headed to the States! It's bittersweet, really. Korea has been amazing but we're dying to see the ones we love!
Since we're leaving on Thursday, we left Seoul today to come to Incheon - the city where the airport is located. It's on an island and we thought there'd be some interesting things to see. One attraction we both wanted to see was a memorial statue of General Douglas Macarthur at the place of the Incheon landing during the Korean War. He's a hero over here, let me tell you!
We weren't sure at all how to get there so I asked at the front desk and she didn't really help either. She gives me a bus number and a bus stop written in English and Korean. I'm thinking it's going to be so easy because we'll be able to see the English form on the bus stops as we come to them. We're thinking it will be about a ten minute bus ride. Well, the first two or three bus stops, we absolutely could not see the names of the stop. I'm like, oh crap, I have no idea what to do. Finally we come to a stop that has the bus route with the names but before we can get off, the driver pulls away. I think, no big deal, we'll just jump off at the next stop.
So we plug along and we are not coming to anymore bus stops. Then the driver looks to be merging onto the interstate. Oh wait, he is merging onto the interstate!!!! All we see are signs pointing to Seoul. The bus keeps going on and going on along the interstate and I can't even look at Tim. I can see him out of the corner of my eye, and he looked so annoyed! Even though we're not talking to each other, we both realize we might be on a bus all the way back to Seoul. The worse part is that we both always want to be right and I was going to be so upset if I had messed this one up because Tim's not allowed to be right!
Then comes a sign that shows Seoul is left and Incheon is right. I've never crossed my fingers so tight in my entire life! But the driver keeps flying through in the left lane! At the last possible moment he swerves into the right lane and takes the exit to Incheon. Turns out, we came to just the right stop!! Women are always right.
Tim:
This morning I took a scooter ride to the grocery store to pick up some eggs and bread to make some famous fried egg Gehring sandwhiches. I had just gotten to bottom of the hill and was stopped at a light and sort of in the middle of the crosswalk. I see this older woman to my right crossing the street, so naturally I back my scooter up to clear the crosswalk and allow her to pass. You know, trying to bring some Southern manners to South Korea. I thought she'd appreciate it, apparently she did not. She walked passed me with a radio up to her ear and then turns around and starts yelling at me in Korean. I've been yelled at by women before - even in different languages - but not for being polite. She even proceeds to slap my arm two or three times while continuing to expres her displeasure towards me. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to do, but I was pretty sure I was going to take more of that. There were other foreigners around, so I didn't want to yell back at her in English and lose all moral authority. She tried to hit me again, but I managed to push her arm away and say something to her Spanish that made me feel better, but didn't really offend anyone else. Now you can make the final judgement of that situation, but it would appear, at least to me, that women are not ALWAYS right.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Taechon Beach
I've gone a little bit out of chronological order but the DMZ was super exciting so I wanted to get a post up about that.
So before the DMZ, we spent three days at Taechon Beach on the west coast. Luckily, we were able to stay at a friend's cabin for free that was about 100 yards from the beach. I have to say that it was a bit primitive which I would have been ok with but after the second sighting of a centipede, I was ready to pay for a hotel! I stuck it out though and it turned out to be a pretty good time.
We had one full day at the beach and it was gorgeous! It's not the most beautiful beach but the weather was fantastic. We rented intertubes and played in the ocean most of the afternoon. It rained the day we left which was a little disappointing but made it a bit easier to leave!
There were two beautiful sunsets and we got some fantastic pictures. Here are a few shots from the beach :)
Tim in the intertube!
On a rock at sunset with Taechon in the background
We climbed a rock to watch the sunset! Great lighting!
So before the DMZ, we spent three days at Taechon Beach on the west coast. Luckily, we were able to stay at a friend's cabin for free that was about 100 yards from the beach. I have to say that it was a bit primitive which I would have been ok with but after the second sighting of a centipede, I was ready to pay for a hotel! I stuck it out though and it turned out to be a pretty good time.
We had one full day at the beach and it was gorgeous! It's not the most beautiful beach but the weather was fantastic. We rented intertubes and played in the ocean most of the afternoon. It rained the day we left which was a little disappointing but made it a bit easier to leave!
There were two beautiful sunsets and we got some fantastic pictures. Here are a few shots from the beach :)
Tim in the intertube!
On a rock at sunset with Taechon in the background
We climbed a rock to watch the sunset! Great lighting!
DMZ!
Hey everyone!
Tim and I just returned from the DMZ! We had an incredible time! We actually stepped about five feet into North Korea!!! We went on a tour with the United Service Organization sponsored by the US Army. First we went to the only city in the DMZ in South Korea which is a United Nations/US Army base. We had to sign a wavier saying the South Korean government and the United Nations would not be held responsible in the event of enemy fire. A bit scary but we were still very excited!
We went to a place called the Freedom House which leads to the military demarcation line. It's about 2 feet wide. We went into a room where negotiation talks are held - half is in south korea and the other half in north korea. We got to go to North Korea! Beyond the building, the North koreans have their headquarters so we saw two north korean soldiers watching us through binoculars. It was creepy and I was definitely nervous because you had no idea what could have happened. Thankfully we made it out safely with some great pictures!
Another highlight of the tour was a visit to the 3rd Tunnel. The North Koreans dug four known tunnels that very nearly reached Seoul! The 3rd tunnel is opened and we went down in it and got within 3 meters from North Korea underground! It was crazy!!!!! One of the tunnels could have passed 30,000 troops in one hour. The south koreans have found four, all coming from different offensive positions toward Seoul. It's speculated that there are more. You should search these if you get a chance!
All in all, it was a great day. The DMZ is what we've been looking forward to the most. It's hard to believe we stepped into North korea! I'm going to put up a few pictures but we'll show you the rest when we get home!
In the background, you can see a grey building. that's the North korean building headquarters at the demarcation line. You can see a few blue buildings in the background. The middle is the one where we were able to cross into North korea. You probably can't see it but there are two North Korean soldiers up by the grey building!
The quintessential DMZ picture :)
I'll put more up soon! We've only downloaded the ones from Tim's computer!
Tim and I just returned from the DMZ! We had an incredible time! We actually stepped about five feet into North Korea!!! We went on a tour with the United Service Organization sponsored by the US Army. First we went to the only city in the DMZ in South Korea which is a United Nations/US Army base. We had to sign a wavier saying the South Korean government and the United Nations would not be held responsible in the event of enemy fire. A bit scary but we were still very excited!
We went to a place called the Freedom House which leads to the military demarcation line. It's about 2 feet wide. We went into a room where negotiation talks are held - half is in south korea and the other half in north korea. We got to go to North Korea! Beyond the building, the North koreans have their headquarters so we saw two north korean soldiers watching us through binoculars. It was creepy and I was definitely nervous because you had no idea what could have happened. Thankfully we made it out safely with some great pictures!
Another highlight of the tour was a visit to the 3rd Tunnel. The North Koreans dug four known tunnels that very nearly reached Seoul! The 3rd tunnel is opened and we went down in it and got within 3 meters from North Korea underground! It was crazy!!!!! One of the tunnels could have passed 30,000 troops in one hour. The south koreans have found four, all coming from different offensive positions toward Seoul. It's speculated that there are more. You should search these if you get a chance!
All in all, it was a great day. The DMZ is what we've been looking forward to the most. It's hard to believe we stepped into North korea! I'm going to put up a few pictures but we'll show you the rest when we get home!
In the background, you can see a grey building. that's the North korean building headquarters at the demarcation line. You can see a few blue buildings in the background. The middle is the one where we were able to cross into North korea. You probably can't see it but there are two North Korean soldiers up by the grey building!
The quintessential DMZ picture :)
I'll put more up soon! We've only downloaded the ones from Tim's computer!
Monday, August 17, 2009
The importance of a single letter
We had an adventure last week in Seoul that we haven't had time to write about...so here goes.
Last weekend we came into Seoul with the other native teachers. We were trying to get to Seoul Foreign School to stay with our friend that night. We had been there by taxi before but not the subway. We knew we had to get to Sinchon and that we could walk from the metro station to the school. Unfortunately, we were exhausted and picked the ticket for Sincheon and took that metro to that station. We come up from the underground, walked around for a bit, then decided (still not knowing we were at the wrong stop) to take a taxi to the school thinking it would be around 3,000 won and less than 10 minutes(about $2.50). We jump in and show him where we need to go - we should have seen the money signs in his eyes.
As we're driving along, we're thinking 'oh crap, something's not right here.' We then see the Olympic Park which we know is not even close to the school. Also, we should have taken the subway over the river...so as we're approaching the river, I realize we have made a huge traveling mistake. Finally, I take the tour book from Tim and realize we went to Sincheon instead of Sinchon - they are on complete opposite sides of the city!!!!!!!! So, we learned that missing one letter can cost you 20,000 won and 45 minutes in a cab.
Not only am I upset by this traveling blunder - then something else happens that made me believe Tim was some kind of double agent. Let me say that neither of us spoke any Korean. So imagine my surprise when the taxi driver says something in Korea and Tim responds also in Korea. At that time, I just looked out the window and comtemplated the possibility that Tim had a second, secretive life I had never been aware of. I felt like I was in the car with Jason Bourne. Whenever I bring this up, Tim just smiles and shrugs. Hmmmm.....still contemplating the possibility - if it's true, at least I'm the "sexy sidekick" kind of girl that always travels with James Bond!!
Well, we're off to the beach tomorrow so we probably won't be in contact with anyone for a couple of days. We're so excited. Best of all, we're going to the DMZ on Friday! We've been looking forward to that the most. We promise more pictures!!
Sarang hae yo! (I love you!)
Alaina and Tim
Last weekend we came into Seoul with the other native teachers. We were trying to get to Seoul Foreign School to stay with our friend that night. We had been there by taxi before but not the subway. We knew we had to get to Sinchon and that we could walk from the metro station to the school. Unfortunately, we were exhausted and picked the ticket for Sincheon and took that metro to that station. We come up from the underground, walked around for a bit, then decided (still not knowing we were at the wrong stop) to take a taxi to the school thinking it would be around 3,000 won and less than 10 minutes(about $2.50). We jump in and show him where we need to go - we should have seen the money signs in his eyes.
As we're driving along, we're thinking 'oh crap, something's not right here.' We then see the Olympic Park which we know is not even close to the school. Also, we should have taken the subway over the river...so as we're approaching the river, I realize we have made a huge traveling mistake. Finally, I take the tour book from Tim and realize we went to Sincheon instead of Sinchon - they are on complete opposite sides of the city!!!!!!!! So, we learned that missing one letter can cost you 20,000 won and 45 minutes in a cab.
Not only am I upset by this traveling blunder - then something else happens that made me believe Tim was some kind of double agent. Let me say that neither of us spoke any Korean. So imagine my surprise when the taxi driver says something in Korea and Tim responds also in Korea. At that time, I just looked out the window and comtemplated the possibility that Tim had a second, secretive life I had never been aware of. I felt like I was in the car with Jason Bourne. Whenever I bring this up, Tim just smiles and shrugs. Hmmmm.....still contemplating the possibility - if it's true, at least I'm the "sexy sidekick" kind of girl that always travels with James Bond!!
Well, we're off to the beach tomorrow so we probably won't be in contact with anyone for a couple of days. We're so excited. Best of all, we're going to the DMZ on Friday! We've been looking forward to that the most. We promise more pictures!!
Sarang hae yo! (I love you!)
Alaina and Tim
Better late than never!
Stream in Seoul
Swimming on Saturday at the camp's pool
Our building
A nice stream that runs through Seoul - went there today!
Gardens at night in Seoul
Dinner
Palace in Seoul
My "country" week three - Portugal!
Tim doing the chant with his "country" (group), Canada.
English teachers and our coordinator! Great group of people :)
Pictures!
Every week we have a contest on Friday between all the groups. My group won with a fantastic dance the second week! Here's the group photo :)
Sorry it has taken so long to upload photos!!! Hope you enjoy!
Sorry it has taken so long to upload photos!!! Hope you enjoy!
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