Work Shenanigans

I'm onto my last few weeks at work. My last week I will end up having pizza parties with all my kids, this week has been exams so I've managed to get away with some games and even a movie. Just gonna keep this post up to date with anything fun we get up to until I leave.

July 1st - They stole my shoes! Ended up with me and 4 kids all wearing each others shoes - not particularly comfortable on my part. This is one of my small, young and bright class. The kind where they study hard enough that you don't mind a little misbehaving.

Today the kids were making a hand tree. They were meant to write a message about themselves, apart from the predictable red hand and "You die!" there was this lovely one. With EPIK screwing me around I certainly do feel very x 30 old! To the right is a typical boys response to any drawing activity.

Korean Wedding

Wedding Hall

On Sunday (hungover but surviving) I headed back to Daegu for Eva's wedding.  We used to work together so Sophie, Sunny and the school boss came from work.  Sometimes Koreans get married in a church which is longer, but most of the time they opt for "Wedding Halls".  My friend compared it to a bread factory.  The one we went to was called Versailles and had a picture of a disney-like castle.  Obviously they've never been!  They had 2 wedding floors, with the main room, an entrance and waiting area and a side room where you can get a couple photos taken with the bride.  Eva looked really beautiful and her dress resembled a giant flower.  The groom had on the traditional shiny shiny suit.  Outside the wedding hall were TV screens (used for when the hall is already full so people can see).  Before the wedding it was showing a slideshow of cheesy, over photoshopped pictures. They walked into bagpipes over the soundsystem.  Pretty sure it was a Beatles song at the end too.

Traditional Tea Ceremony Room

The ceremony was quick and simple.  As much time was spent taking photos afterwards as the actual vows. Julian seemed to think that it was quiet for a wedding ("because they're old").  The family were wearing hanbok.  We all then went upstairs to the buffet which was pretty good.  I guess they just constantly have food cooking and going out when they're busy with weddings.  The family then went down to the basement (I took a peek and some photos after lunch) where the newly weds had gotten changed into hanbok and were taking part in a traditional tea ceremony.  I'm not sure really what was going on, but at the end the mother-in-laws bowed and then hugged each other as if welcoming each other into the family. 

Busan Drag Prom

After California Beach/Gyeongju World we took a cab out to the KTX station.  The driver really knew Gyeongju - a couple times he'd zoom the wrong way down a tiny little single track road, at one point it was the access road for school playing fields - so that we could avoid traffic or a busy intersection.  Hopped on the KTX direct to Busan (only 40 min which was nice).  It was just me, Mark, Rachel and another 2 Koreans in the last traincar but we got told off for laughing too loud :-S



Quick dinner at KSU - potatojeon which was nasty and makgeolli.  Then Mark and I went to Jess' apartment to try on all her clothes.  No exaggeration.  We got ourselves all prettied up, did our hair, nails and makeup and hit the town!  Got quite a few looks walking back to the bar, literally stopped traffic.  It was quite amusing going in to get a beer and having the little old man there do a double take.


Almost Famous was really busy (and really hot).  Jess and others dressed as the village people put on a show which involved jumping up and dancing on a table!

California Beach/Gyeongju World

Fairly quiet night - chicken in Gaksan with korean friends.  Lauren went home last week so was still hungover from Thursday night. 키위 막걸리 and 소맥 until 4 am do not a pretty Jono make.


Saturday - CALIFORNIA BEACH!  Got an express bus early in the morning to 경주 and then a cab from there.  There is a KTX station but it's miles outside of the town.  Presumably they run buses all the way out there but I don't think we saw one.  The water and theme parks are out near the big lake we went to see the Cherry Blossoms.
We'd tried booking cheap tickets online but they sold out.  Kinda surprising as it wasn't really that busy.  A bit cloudy but warm so maybe it was quieter than usual.  50k (about 30 pounds) got us entry to both the waterpark and theme park.  We did the waterpark first.  Shelley still had my swimshorts from the weekend before - gave me a little present.  I thought it was on purpose!  I returned them, although she later suggested them for the drag prom.


The Lazy River was one of my favourite, kinda wish you didn't need your life preserver the whole time.  Went on a couple slides and other things.  X-ride was good, waited about a half hour for it (annoyingly not many other people were waiting behind us so we always seemed near the back).  With 4 people you really fly up and down either side.  The Wipe Out was really good too - kinda like being sucked down a giant drain but with some fun twisty tube beforehand.  There were a couple super high fast water slides.  WARNING: Make sure you don't have any zips/metal bits on your swimshorts near your bum.  They won't let you on the slide!  I went back and changed into a spare pair, even that had a tiny metal eyelet circle on the pocket and he refused me in that.  I'd asked at the bottom of the stairs about it, and they'd said it was fine so I bothered the guy asking him in korean to give me scissors so I could cut them - he actually removed it himself, ripping a little hole in my pocket and then said I could go.  There was actually some applause from the watching Koreans!

Showing off our sexy life jackets

The best ride there was a pair of slides where you get into this vertical.. chamber.. They close the door, speak to you in Korean then the floor disappears and you drop vertically for a couple meters before sliding around and out really really fast.   Friends got to hit each others button (no pun intended) and a couple of the guys working there were purposefully playing tricks on people - "Are you ready?  5, 4 *hits button* 3, oops.."


Lastly, there was a big hot pool with massage jets.  There were people napping in there it was so lovely and warm. Now I've got the taste for water parks I wanna try Caribbean Bay in Seoul (biggest in the world).
  Gyeongju World was pretty good too.  The hanging rollercoaster was by far the best - short line so went on it a few times.  Went on a big spinning one as well - yelling in Korean things like "I don't want to die" and "I'm going to vomit".  The girls were shielding their faces whilst laughing!

Climbing FAIL / EWorld / Exco Pool

Trick Art

I was really, really, x20 looking forward to going climbing! However, the large climbing wall near the Daegu Stadium will be closed for refurbishment until the end of July. Mark, Joe, Laura and her Korean friend Diana. Grabbed Ginseng Chicken stuffed with rice for lunch then went to a gym near Daegu Bank Stadium instead. Got Laura's friend Diana to call them when we couldn't quite find the right building, only to be told they were closed (and told off for calling as they were in church).


So we decided to go to EWorld (used to be Woobang Land). We took the cable car up to Daegu Tower. There's an icerink, teddy bear museum, trick art as well as the sky jump which I still haven't done.

ZE:A Children Of Empire

Went on the usual rides, except for the flume which had a giant queue. A couple of the singers/entertainers (Gag Concert) from the band ZE:A (said Je-ah). 황광희 was the only name I caught. He just happens to be the Guinness World Record holder for putting on 252 T-shirts. The konglishi for a comedian here is Gagman - which sounds more like someone who works in the adult fetish industry than a kpop band. We avoided them as much as possible as they were surrounded by huge crowds and TV crews. It was better to wait until they'd left to go on the ride without queuing.

Jono Hamster Run!

As we were there fairly early for once the animal petting zoo was open. Saw the cutest panda mice. Got told off for picking one up. They also weirdly had a big long trough with tiny fish for you to touch. There was the cutest little monkey, I really wanted to take him home, until he got a GIANT BONER. I don't know if I should feel insulted or complimented? I'll do neither and take it as an exception. Diana made a joke and suggested the bf and I are a couple.  Then didn't believe us when we said yes!


Last we went into these big inflatable balls on a large pond near the entrance and Haunted House. Honestly the best 5000 won I've ever spent. You get in, they blow it up and then push you onto the water. It's big enough to stand up in, and there's a big zip that keeps the air in and water out. It took a little while to stand up, especially as balance isn't my strong point.

Fighting!

Managed to get up and even run for a bit. After a while though it got kinda hot and sweaty (not the best when you're already hungover). You're only in there for 7 minutes but you'd be surprised how tired and sweaty you can get in such a short time! After rolling around like hamsters on the water we headed to a 찜질방 near 반월당역.


We went to the Jjimjilbang near exit 1 of Banwoldang station. It's under the Green Core Apartments and had the usual stuff there. Plus point: massage jets in a big pool. The cold bath was FREEZING but right next to the steam room. Bad point: no sleeping mats if you're planning on passing out after drinking downtown. Dinner at 소래 then the usual drink.



Sunday Laura, bf and I went to the pool on the roof at the Hotel Inter-Burgo near EXCO. There were Korean men in the tiniest little pink speedos. A lot of really oily, shiny flesh on show. There was also the first time I've noticed 'white face' - koreans who have put lots of sunscreen/whitening cream onto their faces so they resemble mimes. There was an actual tan line around their face.



Next weekend - Busan Drag Prom!

Couchsurfer / New Flat

The other foreigner teacher at my school did a midnight run - he hadn't been here six months so would've had to pay for the school back for his flight to Korea.  So I got his apartment, and marking.  Got kinda annoyed at one particular teacher in particular leaving a pile of homework diaries without the teachers name on or asking me before.  I was kinda tempted just to tell her where to shove them.
I also had a couchsurfer (David) stay a couple nights.  
He arrived Weds just after I'd moved my stuff, hadn't even had time to unpack anything.  He's from Israel so I had a few questions for him.  My friend Jenni back in Edinburgh is converting to Judaism and also wanted to know more as she wants to go to Israel.  Pretty quiet and uneventful, wish he'd been here so I could show him what fun Daegu is over the weekend.  We did however swap movies so I've now got the jungle book to sit and watch - I've not seen it since I was a kid.  Instead of Just The Tip Thursday we stayed in and watched Bruno.  Plans for this weekend were Gyeongju, but are now rock climbing.  Time to break out my shoes and harness for the first time in 10 months!

Dadaepo Beach Party

Headed out to Busan to Dan's 다대포 Beach Party.  They are extending the Busan subway out that way but until that's done (~2016) it was quickest/cheapest to 괴정역 and taxi from there.

Indian Dancing

On the beach there was an "international festival" with a tent and troupe of dancers representing every continent (except Antarctica).  Spoke to some of the people there and watched the performances.  Each tent had been set up by people who had volunteered.  Korea has had the fastest turn around of any country, going from relying on foreign aid during the 80s to mid 90s.  By 2008 however the economy had grown, the GDP increased to 15 times 1980, and Korea was donating aid of more than 1.7 billion usd (excluding the aid sent to North Korea as part of the Sunshine Policy).  In 2009 South Korea doubled it's aid to Africa - where only 30 years ago some countries were sending aid TO Korea).  All this means is that these days many South Koreans volunteer abroad in places all over the world, bringing back with them traditional costumes, dances and songs.  There was no singing this time, but I was moved last summer at the Andong Mask Festival that the Korean youngsters there knew a few Swahili songs.

On the beach we set up a braai, Dan had bought a pile of wood for a bonfire (ended up with 2 rival bonfire groups actually).  I was seriously tired from the night before, but some beer and sunshine helped!  Ate some burgers, met some new people, wandered around the walkway along the cliff edge by a park and the sea.  Saw Shelly and some others crossing the river, Mel on Dave's shoulders.  Next time Shelly tried that the tide had come in a little too much - turns out iphones don't like seawater.. :-(

Kids playing in the fountain during the day

About midnight someone suggested skinny dipping.  After some soju and beer I was down too.  Ran off onto the beach, Mark and I dropped our stuff and ran in (Mark keeping his cap on).  It was only the 2 of us who weren't in boxers.. and when we got back Shelly had stolen our clothes.  This was the point that we really noticed how many korean couples were still walking up and down the beach for a romantic stroll.. Mark had his cap to cover his dignity, and his clothes were promptly returned to him.  Shelly however ran off with mine, which lead to me running after her naked threatening to jump all over her naked unless she gave me my pants.  Pretty sure she enjoyed it.  Not one to be embarrassed I put my boxers on and dried by the shower.  There are more photos but honestly you see too much..

We went out to the big fancy water and light show by the main road - it was set to music and pretty impressive.  They played different music at different show times.  The 3D projector at Mokpo was very cool, but this was much bigger, brighter and wetter.


Stayed with our new Irish friend Rachel, made Dave sleep on the couch.  Next day we went to see Prometheus in 4D - got squirted in the face when there was blood and gore.  Also saw the cutest little animal shaped 만두. 

Ulsan Beach / 50th Post

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, 3 Men in a Mug

Happy 50th post!  We had a Wednesday holiday this week so I headed through to see the bf and Ulsan friends.  Went to the beach at Gilcheon 길천 which is about halfway through to Busan.  It was a nice beach but i'm pretty sure it would've been quicker to go to Haeundae as the  buses are express.  There is a train station there too but I'm not sure how often they run.


On the way there we saw a few strange things.  My favourites were the big wooden penis and giant cup.  Man Tea!

Gaymas! Seoul Pride! 퀴어!

Seth, Erica, Dirk and I headed straight (or should I say gay?) up to Seoul after work on Friday night.  Dropped Dirk off at the bf's on the way in, never to see the outside of a gimp cupboard again.  I wonder if he's still there, gag ball and all?  Probably not - ball gags and other such things are ridiculously difficult to purchase in Korea.  Which is where the 13th Annual Korean Queer Culture Festival comes in.  Without acceptance, there can be no stores :-p

Ring my bell

Me being a dick

LGBTQI (henceforth referred to as Gay or Queer, which ever I feel like to be honest) people are pretty much ignored in Korea.  It is generally assumed that Queer Koreans simply do not exist, or if they do it's due to being enticed and seduced by Queer 외국 (foreigners).  Along with any STDs, Gay is another transmittable disease coming into Korea with all these evil English teachers.  Oh, and AIDS, all foreigners have AIDS.  If such blatant racism is allowed here, it's not surprising that homophobia is prevalent.  On a lighter note, when trying to disguise peoples voices on the news here they often use this helium-like effect which reminds me of Alvin and the Chipmunks.  They also use giant, yellow, smiley faces when covering things that may be "naughty".

Anyway, enough Debby Downer, on with the parade!  Bring on the Gays!   The parade was on the new river between Euljiro and Jonggak stations (see the map).  The new river Cheonggyecheon 청계천 itself is really nice to wander through - it was a motorway until 2003 when then Seoul Mayor, current president 이명박 started an urban renewal project to restore the stream that had been buried under concrete for almost 50 years.

There were warnings on the sites not to take photos of anyone without their permission, and not to take photos of peoples faces.  People are concerned that they will get fired if their work finds out they're gay.  I don't know how much of this is paranoia - a gay Korean I know is out at work, and my Academy know about myself and my previous coteacher.  For the same reason Koreans (outside of Itaewon anyway) won't use Grindr as they think all straight Koreans know about this, so their boss and friends are lurking on Grindr to catch them out!  Honestly, if I saw my boss on Grindr it'd because he's there for the same reason!  Instead they use Jack'd which they think their boss doesn't know about.

Despite the "no-faces" warning there were plenty of people taking photos and videos, and I didn't see anyone annoyed.  There was a big fairy fair, lots of stalls and a big stage with performances.  Afterwards everybody watched/joined in a big parade.  The parade kept of starting and stopping though as they closed off intersections for floats and people to walk through.   Lots of pink and feathers.  Additionally, there was a nearby children's day event and families were standing by the side of the river watching the Queer Parade.

Saturday as on Friday ended up in Itaewon on Homo Hill.  It was pretty fun and busy.  After the Parade though we headed for a nap in our Itaewon Hostel.  Then it was on to Hongdae for the Drag King show.  This was kinda disappointing but the DJ there was pretty good (and Erica hooked up).  Played a really cool version of BYOB and the obligatory Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger but mixed with KPOP.  Late night on the Hill.


Sunday we were up really early, had to hunt down a place for breakfast - went to CopyCats again, the service was terrible as usual.  The bf paid for us to go to Healing Hands to get a couple massage.  Even had our feet covered in hot wax.  There was an amusing bit halfway in where the lady massaging me wanted me to sit up, so tried pulling my arm.  I, however, thought she was stretching my arm and just lay there until she nearly fell over!  Next weekend, Dans 다대포 beach party!