"All Things Must Pass" ~ George Harrison

As my year in SK comes to a close, I'm finding I'm overwhelmed with many emotions.  I'm happy to be going home, but I can't help but feel a little sad to be going so soon.  I've finally just settled into the groove of SK craziness and now it's time to leave friends, colleagues, and students behind.

There are so many things that I'm going to miss. Some things I may not miss at the moment, but I know that soon enough I'll be wishing I was back amongst the chaos that makes Korea so fabulous.

Just a few things...

^^Walking to and from school through Olympic Park.
^^Hitting up one of five million cafes to read a good book or indulge in baked goods with friends.
^^Listening to the man who plays saxophone under the bridge on my morning walk to school.
^^Being the only foreigner on the bus or train and being stared at by curious Koreans.
^^Feeling helped, loved, cared for, pushed, mad, frustrated, bullied & confused by Ajummas.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Watching businessmen vomit on innocent bystanders on the train and then finding random places to pass  out like a curb or bush, shoes off and pants undone.
^^Judging Korean women who date foreigner men who live in Itaewon.
^^Hating, yet loving Itaewon and all its filthiness.
^^Hangin' with friend at the famous LP bar in Hyehwa, groovin' to records.
^^Laughing at people who constantly stare at themselves using the train windows as mirrors.
^^Knitting parties!!
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Having my students call me ugly, fat, skinny, thin, beautiful, pretty, and disgusting.
^^Shopping!!
^^Watching people backing up their cars...what a disaster!
^^Giggling quietly at those hitting the invisible brick wall on their bikes...and not getting hurt.
^^Hearing the Lion King man bellowing his sales pitch late into the evening outside my window.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^The array of aromas that overpower you while walking anywhere in Seoul.
^^My security maintenance men who give me the sweetest compliments most days I see them.
^^The lovely man at the gas station who yells to me "have a nice day" every time I pass, even if I'm walking across the street & not really within earshot.
^^The confusion between myself and my coteachers when trying to communicate about lesson plans.
^^The looks on student faces when they have understood one of my jokes.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^When calling a government office and having someone hang up on you cuz it's just easier than me trying to speak Korean or them trying to speak in English.
^^Belting out the tunes at Noraebang...without the aid of a microphone and discovering awkwardly just how loud my own voice is.
^^Kimchi.
^^Strolling around Insadong & the Palace district.
^^Sunday, fun days in Hongdae.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Lanny letting me in on Korea's many secrets and calling me "Eye Spy".
^^The constant bowing that has become second nature in only a year.
^^Grinning ear to ear when reading butchered English language on signage or T-shirts.
^^Not understanding most of what is being said around me.
^^Having someone pay for my apartment.
^^Catching men trying to slyly slip outside of the brothels in the Gangdong.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Being looked after & cared for by my co-teachers.
^^Hearing my students sing Lennon, Marley, Queen, Elton, & the Beatles during Music class.
^^Watching Nicky's pregnant belly grow.
^^Brushing our teeth communally in the school rest room.
^^Couples wearing matching outfits.
^^Relying on public transportation to take me anywhere & everywhere across the country.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Being able to drive across the country in just a few short hours.
^^The beauty and smell of the cherry blossoms in the spring.
^^The crazy driving skills of bus drivers & symphony of horn honking throughout the city.
^^Being mesmerized by the beauty of the mountains & rice fields throughout the countryside.
^^Hearing & watching people of all ages hawkin' loogs all around.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Bibimbap.
^^The giant smile given by my mandu ajumma at the market.
^^Temple food.
^^The suffocating smell of red pepper paste when first entering a bus.
^^Watching in amazement when someone in a hospital gown, IV still in, is drinking & smoking in a Hoff.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
Seeing ^^ at the end of an email or text msg.
^^The deafening sounds of K-pop in the streets.
^^The variety of street food & random merchandise accessible at every street corner.
^^Kimchi jiggae.
^^Weekend excursions at the temple hangin' with monks.
^^Missing Canada and building closer relationships with family & friends.
^^Pretending I can speak Korean to the telemarketers that call my cell.

Okay, so it was more than just a few things :D

I'm excited about moving forward, but realizing Korea is quickly becoming a part of my past is a little unsettling.  It's hard to say goodbye to something you looked forward to for so long.

George Harrison said it best y'all...

This being my last Gypsy Seoul post, I would like to thank everyone who read my blog and/or contributed to it some way :)  I really enjoyed writing it over the past year and appreciate all the terrific feedback. I'm glad everyone felt entertained by my adventures. 

I hope to write about other 'Gypsy' adventures to come.

Peace to all!

Muuido Island

Having a fabulous August!! Thirteen days of vacation not including weekends...which actually means 20 DAYS OF VACATION!!  So rad!!...but what to do??

No better way to spend time off than at the BEACHY with great friends!  Just wanting to chill and relax, Kate, Sammie and I went to Muuido Island for a short two day stay.  It's known to be a party spot for foreigners on the weekend, but we found it to be pretty laid back during the week.  In fact, we pretty much had Hanagae beach to ourselves.  Enjoy some pics of Muuido, courtesy of Sammie pooh :)

Lovin' my ohhhhh so Korean sun hat.

Our hut during our stay.  Consisted of three blankets, three pillows & electricity :)

Chillin' in the Yellow Sea, stepping around jellyfish when the tide FINALLY came in.

My first time zip-lining.  Yayyyyyy me!

 

Enjoying a BBQ at a beachside restaurant.

Ten days of vacation left and only 18 more days in Korea.  I'm sure gonna miss adventures like these.

Noryangjin Fish Market

Noryangjin Fish Market is said to be one of those places you must visit when in Seoul, so Sammie & I strolled through the market (wishing we hadn't worn sandals) and witnessed the sights of overfishing at its best.  Photos courtesy of Miss Sephton :)

Rows upon rows of these venders all selling the same sea creatures.  I'm told you can pick out your dinner & have someone cook it for you on site.

A wide variety of seafood, packed on ice.

If sensitive to smells, I would recommend NOT venturing here lol.  It really is quite the sight to see though.  I read the best time to go is at 4:30 a.m. once the fish auction begins.

When we went, only about half the market was open, but there was still an abundance of food to choose from.  Seafood is a main staple in the Korean diet, but I got the impression that much of what we saw would just end up as waste. There was just too much!  Too many venders offering exactly the same options in an ENORMOUS warehouse where styrofoam coolers seemed to be the main form of storage & refrigeration.  

The words 'environmental nightmare' kept popping into my head constantly while strolling around Noryangjin.  But, it's best not to be too judgmental...given I come from a country where we have our own Mordor...

...a.k.a THE TAR SANDS OF ALBERTA....where this has been said, "the air is foul, the water is being drained and poisoned and giant tailing ponds line the Athabasca River". ~Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians.

Hmmm...perhaps Noryangjin isn't so bad...

Monsoon & Museum

It's rainy.  I haven't been to a museum yet...and now I think it's the perfect season for it.

Enjoy some photos from the National Museum of Korea :)

I loved loved loved the paintings...





...and the crowns & ornaments...



...and the rusty old armour...



...and BUDDHA!

Only 41 days left in this beauty country. Where did the time go?

"you will learn..."

I was recently in contact with my old grade seven teacher and he had mentioned the following in an email...

"you will learn that it is sometimes difficult to measure success in the profession that you have chosen..."

 

As my first year of teaching & learning comes to a close, I couldn't agree with him more.  There were some very difficult times...but, this past week proved to be one of those moments where perhaps some measure of success could be noted.  I was lucky enough to receive countless letters and cards from my kiddies expressing their thoughts of our time together.  I couldn't have been more proud of them while reading their words.  In every letter I could see 'personal bests' from each student.  We sure learned a lot this year :)

A weekend in Jeju...

 I treated myself to a weekend getaway on Jeju Island.  Who went? Just me, myself, and I.  I didn't have a plan or really know where I was headed, but that is just the way I like to travel.

I started my Saturday at Yongdaum Rock and just chilled, watching some fishing.

 Then I stumbled upon the Port while hiking east of Jeju city.

Eventually, I found my way to Yongyeon Pond.

Then a lovely bus trip along the coast towards the west side of the island.

Which way to the beach? Made my way to Hyeopjae Beach.

 

Spent four hours at the beach, which included a two hour nap under an umbrella I rented for 5,000 won.  People watching and reading was how I spent the rest of the afternoon. Only on Korean beaches are children running around naked and adults swimming fully clothed.

Looking for the bus stop to take me back to Jeju City, I found the most beautiful campsite next to the beach and this fabulous little eco park.

 

 Meet Bertie, an ostrich I watched attack a Korean that got too close with a camera.

Cactus juice, anyone?

This man looked so peaceful.

 Found some lava caves...

This park is located on a site that was a supposed wasteland...

Peace?!  Hopefully someday...

The amazing peacocks puttin' on a show.

I've come to be a fan of the dragon :)

Leaving the park I could see the coast and snapped a nice shot of the ocean...and then saw this sign. Things you don't think about while strolling along paradise.

The sun was setting on my ride home, which made for the perfect drive along the coast.  I didn't get back to Jeju City until nine that evening and I hadn't had any dinner yet. Feeling too tired to sit in at a restaurant, I went to the Family Mart and grabbed some kimbap and ramen noodles.  Little did I know, my healthy state would change for the remainder of the trip.

During the night I awoke in a sweat and in severe pain.  It would seem I would have every single symptom one could have when suffering from FOOD POISONING!!  No need for details...but the rest of the evening was utter hell...especially since I was sharing a hostel room with four other girls.

Feeling my pain, a girl from Singapore gave me some medicine but on this advice, "I have something for you, but only if you are brave enough to take it. It is Chinese medicine and will help you...but don't be scared."

Desperate, I followed her directions and took the vile.  An hour later, my symptoms subsided, but things get a little strange.  I was feeling super high with the strangest body aches.  I decided I couldn't let this ruin my day any longer and I needed some tea.  Finally I left my room and joined others in the rec area.

A Korean man and I started chatting and he discovered I was from Ontario. He had lived in Vancouver for two years so we were discussing Canada. All of a sudden he broke out into the Canadian National Anthem and was singing to me.  And being as high as I was on Chinese medicine, I joined him.  People stared...and I laughed...and laughed.

Feeling pretty good, I then decide to go to Loveland. It was pretty far from where I was, so I caught a cab and was on my way.  

Breezing our way across town and listening to some crazy type of Korean music, I started thinking about my parents and got a little teary eyed.  Suddenly, I hear a familiar song on the radio, but not just any song. This is a song that my Dad loves by Kansas.  Perking up, I start belting out the lyrics.  The driver seeing that I like the song, turns it up full blast and gets right into the groove with me.  So here we are, groovin' to 'Dust In The Wind', me singing and him dancing and driving, when we finally reach Loveland. 

When I stepped out of the taxi, I thought Loveland was closed because there were no cars or buses in the parking lot.  I found out after that people were parking at another lot near Loveland, just not at Loveland. Hahaha.  Here are some pics I'm willing to post lol.

While travelling around the park, the Chinese meds wore off and my symptoms came back with a vengeance.  I hauled ass to the airport six hours before my flight in hopes of catching an earlier one.  The Chinese gods answered my prayer and I was in the air within the hour headed back to Seoul.  I even received a refund of 18,000 won because my flight was miraculously cheaper.  Unfortunately, the flight home was unbearable, but luckily I had an aisle seat and it took less than an hour to return to Seoul.

Although, the last 11 hours of my vacation were a little crazy, I had such a fabulous time...and it made for a pretty entertaining tale.  Enjoy :)