Snowstorm

Winter in Korea is really long and it sucks. I am tired of being cold!!! As I have said many a time: I like winter, I like to visit it and then go back to the beach! :-) I am just really spoiled and grew up where during the winter you can surf and ski in the same day, if you wanted. A few weeks back there was a ginormous (yes, it IS a word) snow storm in Seoul, and I was not pleased. I shot this video to share, and then never got around to it. Maybe if you watch it, Spring will come. One can only hope.



2/18 EDIT: I got it to upload on youtube... now I'm on youtube. awesome... or not. anyway hopefully it works now!!

Namdaemun

In Korean, 'namdaemun' (nahm-day-moon) literally means 'south gate.' Late Sunday evening, the South Gate of Seoul, regarded as Korean National Treasure no. 1 (literally, they number them) partially burnt down. Saddest of all is that the authorities suspect arson. The gate dates back to the beginning of the Joseon dynasty, constructed around 1395. It became a huge symbol of national pride after the Japanese destroyed the city walls around Seoul in the early part of the 20th century, and then when it suffered major damage during the Korean war. From what I have read, it's going to cost about $21 million and take about 3 years to fix. Major bummer. For those in the US, it basically equates to Capital dome smashing in. Yeah. Luckily I got a few pictures of it before Christmas.

So here it is, as it was:


And now:

I really hope they find who did this, although, to be honest - I am afraid for what may happen to them.


UPDATE: 2/12, they caught the arson.. and it was an old man in his 70s!! I guess he was doing it as some sort of statement because he was unhappy with the government. I guess most people are less mad with him than they are with the lack of protection the gate had given all that was needed to burn it down was a ladder and a few cigarette lighters. Still... super upsetting.

Jim Jim Bang???

I'm hanging out in the lobby of the "hot spring" our tour is visiting over Lunar New Year. But as far as hot springs and Korea go - I'm 0 for 2. A hot spring here is not outside surrounded by the beautiful mountains and scenery with boiling natural water... it is more of a glorified public shower. Known in Korea as (and I am guessing on the spelling here) a Jim Jim Bang. I skipped out b/c I already took a shower today. I thought I'd just chill with Andrea and watch strange Korean game shows instead. To each his own Korea.. to each his own - but when it's a public shower, tell the westerners it's a public shower, not a "hot spring" ... because it's not.

Lunar New Year!

Happy New Year! (again - unless you are in an Asian country) We have a few days off from work so of course all of us expats are taking the chance to do a bit of traveling! While some of our friends have ventured to Beijing, Japan and Thailand; Mullen and I decided to go on an adventure! We are currently in a part of Korea called Gangwando (North Eastern part of the penninsula) and at a fairly small but really nice ski resort called High 1 (?) - we are in condos and sleeping 8 or 9 to a room... which isn't all bad and gives a great chance to meet new people! We went night skiing tonight and have all day tomorrow to ski as well. The resort is a bit small but not bad. They have decent snow and nice curving runs! You barely have to turn at all, just follow the run down - so it's really easy to pick up a lot of speed! I am hoping that it's not too crowded tomorrow so that I don't take any poor Koreans out!!

After tomorrow we will go to Seoraksan which is supposed to be, like, the best National Park in Korea. Supposed to be really really beautiful... unfortunately my camera battery is dead and I haven't found an LCD charger!!! :( I will have to buy a Kodak funsaver tomorrow and depend on Mullen for photos this time around. I am a bit nervous because our hike sounds like it might be ... intense ... and I don't have any hiking boots. I didn't want to shell out 50 bucks for one trip so... hopefully my Asics will do. Cross your fingers that I don't slip off the mountain! And everyone enjoy your Lunar New Year's!!


Erica


PS: February 7th is my Grandmother's 93rd birthday. She's amazing and all around cooler than you! So, Happy Birthday Grandma!!