all in Korea, only in Korea
Monday, February 8, 2010
Valentine's Day is New Year's DayValentine's Day is New Year's Day. Would you believe that? It just happened that Seollal or Chinese New Year is on February 14th, Valentine's Day. I've been staying here in Korea for almost 10 years and it's my first time to celebrate Valentine's Day as a Chinese New Year. So, instead of going out with my hubby to have a date, I have to stay in my parent in laws' house to help with the cooking, preparing food and washing the dishes. And what is worst about it is, the 3 days vacation is on Saturday, Sunday and Monday again. Why are vacations always happen on weekends? Enough for my complains, the calendar won't help me anyway.
We are going to my in law's house after work on Friday evening. My hubby wanted to go there on Saturday evening but after watching the drama last night, we realized that we needed to go there earlier so that we could help them a lot. Unlike what we always did before. We always arrived there when there's a little thing to do so I always go with the dishes and couldn't help a lot in cooking. I felt so sorry for my sister in law who always did the side dishes. I never heard her complained but even when she doesn't, I have to do my job as a myeonori (daughter in law).
Labels: korean lifestyles, occasion
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Korean Culture Part 321. Give cash when you attend a wedding. There's a counter at the entrance of the wedding hall. They received and give envelopes for the visitors. You are expected to give money and not gifts when you attend a wedding.
22. It's his one year birthday party. In Korea, a baby's first birthday party is a big event. Some guests give gold rings to the celebrant. The most interesting on this celebration is when the celebrant picks one of the objects that are put in front of him/her like money, string, pencil, microphone, etc. Each object represents the future of the baby. If he grabs money, the kid will become rich; pencil means he will study hard; string means he will have a long life; and microphone means he will become a singer.
23. Ready to get on and off the bus. Buses are a common mode of transportation in Korea. The route of the buses are seen inside the bus. You can also check the time of the bus arrival at the bus stop. So you know if you'll be late or not. Buses also have stations where it tells you where it stops and what the next bus stop is.
24. I got married to Mrs. Kim but I'm not Mrs. Kim. In Korea, the women keep their family name. Unlike in many countries, after getting married, you should follow the man's family name.
25. Often go out with co-workers. I have a co-worker who wrote all our birthdays. Every month, there's a birthday party so we have to dine out together at least once two or three times a month not to mention the suprised dine-out from our boss like when the company is working well, the employees are having a hard time or if there's a job well done.
26. They are not fighting, they are just talking. You'll hear noisy people outside. They seem like fighting each other but if you listen to their conversation carefully, they are just talking and not fighting.
27. Chocolates for Men on Valentine's Day. Koreans celebrate Valentine's Day differently. Instead of men give chocolates to women, ladies have to give chocolates to guys. For youngs, they give chocolates to their friends. Boys give chocolates to boys or girls to girls, etc.
28. Candies for Women. If women give chocolates to men on Valentine's Day, now it's men's turn to give candies to women. It is called White Day or Candy Day which is celebrated on March 14. Again, young ones give to anyone.
29. Special plastic bag for your trash. In korea, you can't just throw away your trash. There's a special garbage bag to throw out the trash. These bags are available in different sizes. They are 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 liters.
30. Cook your order. At some restaurants, the food is cooked at the customers' tables. There are grills on the table where you can cook your order specially samgyopsal, daejigalbi, seogalbi, etc.
Korean Culture Part 1
Korean Culture Part 2
Labels: korea/koreans, korean culture
Monday, February 1, 2010
Gokseong Train VillageLocated in Gokseong Jeollanamdo Province, Seomjingang (Seomjin River) Train Village is one of the most exciting trip not only for kids but also for olds. I was with my mother in law the first time I went there (yes, this is my second time) and my mother in law said she remembered her old days with the train. The white smoke coming from the steam locomotive, the train sound and the slow movement of the train reminds her old times. It's not surprising then why there were many old people came to experience taking the KORAIL Tour Service. It's the slowest train that I've ever taken. I felt like having a body ache after the 30 minutes one-way journey of about 10 kilometers. We just bought the one-way ticket cost 4,000 won each and hubby followed the train to Gajang Station to pick us up.
When you reached the tourist sites, somebody will announce about the sightseeings. The scenic view is really wonderful!
While waiting for our departure time which was 11:30 a.m. we walked around the beautiful theme park. The theme is so wonderful. You will never get bored.
You can also see lots of farm animals like chickens, goats, ducks, etc.
These cute rabbits caught my attention. Are they couple rabbits? They are so cute!
You can also enjoy your favorite food at the train restaurants.
They shoot lots of films in this area. One of the famous movie is the taegukki.
While I was walking around in this film street, I felt strange. I could imagine life back in time. The area looks like in the old days.
You can also rent rides for only 3,000 won ($3).
Labels: scenic view, sightseeings, travel
Friday, January 29, 2010
Korean cultures Part 211. Is it funny? Different cultures have different ways to express embarrassment. Sometimes and embarrassed Korean will laugh. But that doesn't mean that they like what happened.
12. Where's your hometown? This always asked when you meet someone. Koreans are happy if you have the same hometown with them. What is more if you entered in the same school. My hubby found out that the man downstairs is my hubby's senior. They went in the same school but different years. The man went to school 10 years earlier than my hubby but they have good relationship now.
13. It's what they called Noraebang (Karaoke bar). Koreans like singing so when there's gathering together, going to noraebang is a must. At noraebang, you are forced to sing even when you just sing like a frog. They don't care as long as you sing korean songs. They will just surprised to hear you singing korean song and not the kind of voice that you have.
14. There's a 1st batch, 2nd batch and 3rd batch. When you go out with co-workers or friends to go dine out, expect to have the the 3rd batch. First batch is having meal outside with soju (alcohol) or mekju (beer), then 2nd batch is going to Noraebang (#13) and third is going to Night Club. You can leave after 2nd batch. You are not force to join the last one.
15. Its not unusual to see two men dancing together. It's not unusual to see two girls or two boys holding hands together. And so do two men dancing together.
16. Housewarming party. Once you moved to a house, you are expected to throw a housewarming party. I did it three times. Once for my co-workers, another for family and relatives and third for my friends.
17. That sign is backwards. It's opposite. The sign in Korea is read "Clothes 60%-40% off". They said most people look with the first number so the first number is the biggest to attract more customers.
18. What are those long needles for? When you're sick some will advice to try the Acapuncture. It is a branch of Oriental Medicine that involves using long needles. The doctor inserts the needles into the various parts of the patient's body. I never tried it, though! I'm scared!
19. Go to the hospital and get a shot for your cold. You go to the hospital because you have a cold. At the hospital, they will give you a shot. But after that, you'll feel strong and healthy again.
20. Go to work or school even when you're sick. Koreans don't always miss school or work. My boss had an operation on weekend and he came to work on Monday. We even didn't know that he had an operation if he didn't walk strangely. Students go to school too as long as they can stand.
Click Korean Cultures Part 1
Korean Culture Part 3
Labels: korean culture
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Korean CultureBefore you come or visit a foreign country, you have to learn first about its culture. So here are some of the Korean Culture if you're planning to visit Korea, you're getting married to Korean, or have decided to work in Korea.
1. Don't use red pen when you write a name. I always have red pen at work. It's very easy to remember what I wrote with the red pen and I use it to correct things. I even wrote names with the red pen. But my students were surprised, they said we can only use red ink if we write the name of dead people.
2. Assigned sitting at the Movie Theaters and Express Buses. If you watch a movie of go to another city, there is a seat number in the ticket but you can choose the seat that you want by telling at the counter and it will be given to you if it's available.
3. There's only one bowl. When you order food in the restaurant, it will come in one bowl. Koreans eat soup together. One bowl for everyone!
4. The music is too loud. The music at the supermarket, department stores, and even someone who's just listening to his MP3 on the bus has very loud music. I don't know why they are using earphones when other people can hear the music.
5. There are a lot of the same businesses. There are lots of stores, restaurants, karaoke bar, and other the same businesses in one area.
6. It's hard to find your size. Most jeans have the same lengths. If the waistline fits on you, then they just cut it to fit your length size. It's also hard to find your size if you have big body.
7. Lots of side dishes. If you go to the restaurants, you'll often see several different side dishes served. These side dishes don't cost anything extra. Korean have different kinds of side dishes when they eat even at home. Lots to prepare and lots of dirty dishes.
8. Take off your shoes. You're not allowed to wear your shoes inside the house. Even if you go to the restaurants you have to take them off. Koreans wear shoes that can put on and take off easily.
9. Dial 114 or 119. It's opposite! Instead of 411 for information and 911 for emergency, you dial 114 or 119.
10. Never call by his/her first name. Koreans are much more formal so never call the names specially those who have higher position than you. You can call Teacher Kim, President Kim, or any titles they have.
Click Korean Cultures Part 2
Korean Culture Part 3
Labels: korea/koreans, korean culture, korean lifestyles, tips
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Gamami BeachI don't like swimming but I like going to the beaches. The sea and waves make me feel relax and comfortable. I think the waves carry all my stress in the middle of the sea. It all washes away the stress so I feel fresh and comfortable. It's winter but I invited my hubby to go to the sea. Not to swim because he knows that I don't go to the beach to swim. Besides, it's winter so no one will go to the beach to swim in this kind of season. As you can see, there isn't anyone except us.
I remember this place. I think I've been here once. The name of the beach is familiar to me. I've been here a few years ago. Anyway, here's Gamami Beach which is located in Hongnong-eup, Yeonggwang county, Jeollanam-do.
The beach lies at the Yellow Sea no wonder why the water looks like slightly yellowish.
Look what I saw. Is it a dead jellyfish? I don't know what it is. Do you?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Boseong Green Tea PlantationI went back to Boseong Green Tea Plantation last month. It's the biggest green tea producing center in Korea. It is located in Boseong-gun, South of Jeollanamdo Province. It's beautiful landscape attracts people who visit there. I don't usually like visiting the same places. Once I've seen an attraction, I don't wanna visit there anymore but going to Boseong Green Tea Plantation makes me feel like going there even for several times. I feel relax and comfortable when I see the beautiful cedar trees at the entrance of the plantation and along at the adjacent road of the tea fields. And the tea bushes rising in regular curves are great.
But I don't know why there are tombs at the center of the plantation.
These lovers caught my attention. A lady who got a piggy back ride from a guy. They looked so happy. Green tea plantation is a memorable place for them.
I didn't notice this lake when I first went there. It added beauty to the plantation.
Labels: scenic view, sightseeings, travel
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Recreation Forest in HwasunBesides from the fresh air and good environment, here's what we can enjoy at Anyang-san Recreation Forest.
On the way to the forest are beautiful white mountains covered with snow.
The road is beautiful but narrow and dangerous because you have to climb up and down the mountain. But you'll enjoy every sights going to the forest.
Here's the forest. Isn't it more beautiful with snow? We walked around. There's 20, 30 and 50 walks it depends on where you want to reach. But it took us almost two hours to go back to our cabin because of the snow. We walked slowly and carefully.
In the forest, there are mushrooms plantation. I didn't know that they were mushrooms if I didn't see the signboard. I thought they were cut down to use as fire or coal. Pardon me. It's my first time to see mushrooms plantation.
Inside the forest is this resting area. We didn't see anyone walking. I don't know if it's because it was too early to get up and take a walk or because of the cold weather and snow.
And here's the dancing bridge next to the mushrooms plantation.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Anyang-san Recreation Forest AccommodationWe didn't have any plan last New Year's Day but my hubby said that we had to do something special on that day. We didn't know where to go. But before that day, we thought of going camping. It's winter but we wanted to experience how to sleep in the tent in winter. We have sleeping bags and we planned to bring some thick blankets. But we changed our plan because of the snow. It snowed a lot before that day.
My hubby googled about the Recreation Forest and Anyang-san Recreation Forest in Hwasun appeared so he called there and asked for the accomodation. It's not expensive so he made a reservation and started to pack our things.
Here's the cabin where we stayed for 2 days and 1 night. There are lots of cabins built logs produced from Anyang-san (Mt. Anyang). We didn't expect many people there but when we walk around at night, we saw lots of people having barbecue outside. My hubby and I just made barbecue inside using fry pan and stove because it was too cold.
There are grills to use for barbecue and wooden couch outside but we didn't use them. I played snow ball fight with my hubby so I used the snow from the bed.
Here's what's inside the cabin. There's a small refrigerator, closet, rice cooker, tv and my hubby never forget to bring his xbox to play during the night.
Here's the kitchen and on the right is the bathroom.
Outside is a playground. There are swings and slides and even basketball court and soccer if you like sports.
Next, i'm gonna show you the Recreation Forest.
Edited: Here's what i'm talking about. The Hwasun Recreation Forest.
Labels: accommodation, days/ holidays, recreation forest
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Korean Basketball LeagueDuring our vacation (that was last week), we went to Jeonju to watch Basketball game. It's my first time to watch Korean Basketball League. I don't like sports but my hubby does. But I don't think he likes basketball because I can't see him watching it on tv. One time, we talked about going to the Basketball Stadium so we did.
We arrived there early so here's what we saw. The rehearsal and the players stretching before they will face the battle.
They show on tv so here are the reporters and writers.
Before the opening, the dancers/cheerers show their talents. They are so sexy and cute.
During the game, that I always take a photo of them so the security guard came to me and asked me not to take a picture during the game. hehehe...
I had so much fun watching the game specially the audiences. The stadium was full.
There were also lots of events like games, raffles, dances, free stuffs, and here's what I like the most. The proposal time!
I enjoyed the game so much. It's really far different when you watch on tv and in person. Even when you don't like sports, you will feel like joining the cheering for the players. I don't have favorite players but I cheered for KCC Jeonju. KCC Jeonju Fighting!
By the way, the game started at night so we decided to have Shabu Shabu before we entered the basketball stadium.
Labels: games, living, sports, stadium, TV program, visit Korea
