Equal Marriage

So the Equal Marriage (Scotland) consultation is rounding up.  Show your support and put your name down.  If you're in any way undecided, heres a couple videos that will convince you:

Pillow Fort / 경주 / Thanksgiving

Another busy weekend, quiet night Friday in 각산.  Saturday morning I had 한국어 학원, afterwards headed out to a pension outside of 경주.  Dropped our stuff off, built a pillow fort, and then did some touristing (visited some tombs).  Sophie and Julian said it was fine to climb up them.  Got shouted at when we got to the top, presumably because there were signs saying not to.  But as I was up there anyway I took some photos and then climbed down.  So used my 위국 allowance on Sat to trespass.....


We grabbed some traditional gyeongju roll things which were delicious and headed to an old palace which overlooked a nice (manmade?) lake.  Sunday was really lovely so we hit a temple.  The picture with the coin is showing that its the same pagoda as is on the 50 Won.  After that headed to 울산 for Thanksgiving, which ended up being a little Christmassy which was nice.  Lots and lots of delicious food, even made mulled wine and played some games.


I've also booked skiing/snowboarding for the first weekend in Jan which should be super fun.  Gotta go pay for it today so money'll be tight until next Friday -thankfully payday is coming just as I'm going to Seoul for SantaCon.  Quiet weekend next week, will head through to Busan and maybe hit the Daegu Botanics after Korean school as I've heard that its nice now in the greenhouses.

Korean Countryside, not a tower block in sight!

This tower is on the 50W

Seoul

Hostel Garden

Headed up to Seoul after work Friday.  Got up in time to get the tube to Hongdae.  Dropped stuff and had a few pre-drinks before hitting clubs with some friendly people from the hostel.  Hostel itself was clean, warm, cheap and friendly.  Will stay there again for SantaCon in a few weeks.  
Hit a busy, western style club first.  I tried "저는 여자예요" to get in free, only to be told that ugly girls pay double ㅠㅠ.  After that hit a kinda indie-bar which played good music.  Grabbed some food, and fell into the hostel about 6:30.  I'm surprised I didn't have a killer hangover Sat.

Thats right ladies, I'm superman

Sat wandered around a ,홍대 market with terrible smoothies before heading out to 이태원.  Greek lunch and a wander round the foreigner district and then onto 동대문.  Big shiny buildings, and stages set up everywhere with people performing (as well as members of the public competing).  I showed off my strength by lifting a giant shoe.  Honestly I'm that strong.  Must be all the 김치.  Got lucky in a DVD방.  Lets just say that blacklights later on were none too kind.  And the gentlemen kinda responsible insisted on pointing this out..


Hit an Irish style pub back in Itaewon that could have been anywhere in the UK for all the white folk.  Was amused by a Korean guy who drank too much and passed out asleep - the two ladies he was with headed out without him lol.  We hit homohill, Mark knows the owner so got in a free round.  Then to an american filled club, Jimmy threw up and we headed back.  Sunday was nice and quiet, HUGE brunch again in Itaewon, tried and failed with my local guide Vincent to find an adult store.  Late lunch in Sinchon and headed back to Seoul station via the shiny new AREX.


Already looking forward to SantaCon on the 10th!  Gotta head dowtown at some point to get my outfit!

Cocktails and Sodomy

Well the blog title certainly got your attention.  You dirty so-and-so you.

Suseong Lake

Friday night was pretty normal, grabbed bbq ribs (accidently) with Elliot in 각산.  Afterwards hit downtown.  Grabbed a bottle of 소주 on the way to the subway and sat drinking that.  Saturday I had my Korean class downtown.  Felt a wee bit rough getting up at 10 for it. After that grabbed lunch with Mark, and headed to Suseong lake.  There's a small amusement park there (see photos).  Wonderful fun.  Wanted to rent one of the peddle boats with giant duck heads and sit and drink beer in the middle of the lake but alas by the time we wanted to go.
Went to an all you can eat place (Hotel Ariana) because it was Shelly's bday.   Its all you can drink and they have their own micro brewary.  I was just pleased to drink something other than Cass/Hite/Maxx.  I saw Levine play again downtown at Urban, such a good time.  Ended up being a rather late night/early morning again.
Sunday I had Shabushabu for the first time, really good and delicious, and an excellent way to get rid of the hangover.

Samhuin

Well its been quite the week and a half.  Last weekend was Halloween so we had a party at work for the kids.  This entailed 3 shopping trollies full of sweets.  

EMart Shopping

I'll take you to the candy shop

As it was Elliots birthday, we went back to 부산 for the 불꽃놀이 (fireflowerplay, or fireworks to you and I).  It was a lot busier, and drizzling, but still good fun.  Then back to 대구 for Halloween.  Due to lack of costume I got facepaint and vamp teeth.  Didn't realize the paint was actually paint.  It burnt a little as it dried, quite unpleasant.  Went to an amazing chocolate place the next day though. Then there was that horrible work week thing.  Those things in the middle of weekends.   Not sure why we put up with them.  (Actually, come Thursday which is payday I'll remember quite clearly why I do the 2-9:30.  Doesn't have the same ring to it as 9-5).

This Friday I cooked Thai red curry for Sophie, Julian and Mark.  Turned out surprisingly well considering I couldn't get all the ingredients I needed.  Herbs and spices are almost impossible to get, so I had to do a lot of substituting.  It tasted good though.  Saturday I went to Korean school and then Sophie had a 1st birthday party in 울산.  The kid picked out money so apparently he'll be rich, or a banker or suchlike.  

Ulsan Forest

We went to one of the Ulsan Scenic areas - a big pine forest near the beach.  Saw old men on little islands cut off from the sea fishing.  Also saw this rock which is meant to house the dragon soul of some old Korean King.  Would've taken a photo but 바터리 없다 (phone was dead).  Amateur planking ensued.   Had fish and chips for dinner, and a couple of drinks.  Went to this foreigner bar, which was empty so we had the run of the place.  Played some pool (lost really badly), turns out Julian knows which end of the stick to hold.  Then for Sophies friend the bar staff put on a big fire show, never seen anyone firebreathe with alcohol - they just grabbed bottles of spirits from the bar!

Students Drawing

Quiet day and night Sunday, watched a bit of V for Vendetta as it was Bonfire night.  Tried a new 막걸리 place.  Plan for today is to finish off the curry with Sophie for lunch, and then teach my 10 classes.

Before I forget, anyone I know with a smartphone go to this link and I'll give you my username.  Its essentially free texting and photos over the net.