My Failed Trip to Jeju

Suncheon Gardens

Well, the title doesn't make me sound very optimistic, which at first I wasn't, but my failed trip actually turned out to be not so bad. Let's start from the beginning.

Because of the midterm exam period at my school that takes place during three days (Monday - Wednesday), followed by a national holiday on Thursday and Friday (Children's Day), I basically had a week of "Spring Break". I was excited because I had planned a trip to Jeju Island and was finally going to cross off a few things on my bucket list, such as hiking the tallest mountain in Korea, Halla Mountain.

Hanging in Yeosu

Here's how it went down: Monday morning, I packed up, excited, ready to go. I booked my bus ticket to Gwangju, headed out and had a smooth 1 hour bus ride. The sky was cloudy, but I knew the rain wasn't supposed to come until the evening. I get off the bus, take the subway to the Gwangju airport. About a 30 minute transfer. Weather still looking promising. I get to the airport, attempt to check into my 3:00 p.m. flight, when the lady at the counter tells me my flight has not been delayed, but "on hold" while they check the weather conditions. I briefly look outside and it hasn't even started raining, nor did it feel particularly windy when I was walking in. She advises me to take a seat, wait, and stare at the flights screen anxiously. So I do so. And less than one hour later, they canceled my flight. I heave a huge sigh, pick up my bag, and get in line to discuss my options. The same lady talks to me and tells me she can put me on a 7:30 flight. I didn't really want to wait around for 3 more hours, but I still wanted my trip to Jeju to go as planned. So I sat back down and waited.

Gabby comes to Gwangyang!

Another hour and some change later, the 7:30 flight gets canceled. By this time it IS actually raining outside, although it's not anything we all haven't experienced before. I get back in line, too tired to deal with this. She advises me that the next available flight isn't until the next evening at the same time (7:30 p.m.). My trip was only due to be Monday - Thursday because other friends would be visiting throughout the weekend, and I decided that one full day and some change on Jeju Island wouldn't be worth it. I made the quick decision to cancel my entire trip. I'm just happy that she provided me with a full refund for my round trip tickets.

Ssireum (Korean-style wrestling)

After my vacation was canceled, I called a few ETAs in Gwangju to see what they were up to. I ended up getting pizza with my friend Tiffany and sulking in my sadness about having to put off my hike to Halla Mountain. After dinner, I hopped on a bus back to Gwangyang, a bit peeved that my entire day was wasted on transportation for nothing.

The next morning I woke up, feeling refreshed and my bitter feelings had passed. I was excited to stay back in Gwangyang now because I could explore some more gems of my awesome placement city. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I hung out with friends in my city, relaxed, and just enjoyed some down time. I ended up being quite productive and getting a lot done with things related to Fulbright Korea Alumni Relations, apartment cleaning, catching up on some leisure reading, etc.

Basketball

On Thursday, an ETA friend (Gabby) from waaaay up north (Hwacheon) came to visit the south for the weekend! I was excited to show her around and hopefully introduce her to some of the beauties of Gwangyang, Suncheon, and Yeosu. Gabby arrived Thursday night and we had some famous ~Gwangyang bulgogi stew~ and called it an early night. Friday morning we met up with our other friend Tiffany and decided to go to Yeosu due to the maybe rainy weather. It ended up being a poor decision on our part because everything was so CROWDED. We went to the aquarium, spent 23 bucks, all just to be shoved around by Korean families and children whining everywhere we turned. Although it was a super neat place, the experience was ruined by the crowds. After the aquarium trip, we had some lunch and decided what to do next. We wanted to check out an island but figured that would also be insanely crowded and ultimately decided against it. THEN we thought about going to a super beautiful temple but found out that the bus only comes once every 40-60 minutes. We didn't want to wait around, so I attempted to find a place to walk to. I found a small mountain and navigated our way there, only to our dismay that it had taken us to a shack halfway up the mountain. We turned around, defeated. This day was a bust.

Preparing for warm-ups

We trotted back down and just decided to go back to Gwangyang. On our way down, we came across a plaza full of people and FREE FOOD. We got makgeoli and pajeon, a Korean favorite. The locals laughed at us as we sipped our rice wine and devoured the pancake. It was delicious and it lifted our moods for awhile. We headed back home, cleaned up and rested, and met up again in Suncheon for dinner. This time, we would have much better luck. We went to one of my favorite barbecue places, grilled some meat, and were feeling good. We wanted to go dancing afterwards, but our favorite club was closed, so we decided to go bowling. While bowling, we met some Korean guys who ended up paying for us. Then we all decided to go to noraebang (karaoke room) to sing and have fun there! We had a good night singing and dancing with our new friends... while also not having to pay for anything! Haha.

Tug-o-war

On Saturday morning, we headed to Suncheon to do some sightseeing. We went to the Suncheon Bay and Gardens. Although we had a few navigation issues, overall it was a beautiful day with beautiful sights to see! The gardens are especially beautiful during the springtime, showcasing model gardens from all around the world. It is a perfect place to stroll around, relax, and enjoy nature. By the end of the day, we were worn out, so we called it an early night by watching a movie and passing out. And just like that, the spring break week was coming to a close. Sunday morning arrived, Gabby went back to Hwacheon, and I prepared for the next week of lessons at school.

Victory for class 1-1 in tug-o-war

Although my plans didn't work out the way I had originally planned, I am glad that it was more spontaneous. I had a great time relaxing, hanging out with friends, and just taking it easy. I went into the next week ready to get back to teaching, although it was another short week. The boys only had three days of school because Thursday and Friday were designated as "Sports Days". Sports Day is a huge event -- especially at an all-boys school. The boys work in teams (their homeroom classes), design their own uniforms, and participate in various sports activities such as basketball, soccer, foot volleyball, ssireum (Korean-style wrestling), and track and field events. They don't have to worry about studying and can let loose! They order their favorite foods, enjoy ice cream, and freedom (for two days). It was fun to watch them play, compete, and see them smiling nonstop (not common during the regular school days).

Enjoying the action

The teachers have also been active in sports-playing. We are preparing for an area-wide volleyball tournament, so we have practices three times a week for two hours after school. My arms have never felt so sore. Haha! I am excited though, as I love competition and hope to win the tournament. Stay tuned to see how our team placed.

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Winter vacation begins

After the New Year, I finally had some time to relax back in Gwangyang - but not for long! The first full week of January, I held a four-day English Camp at my school. Students in both the first and second grades were able to participate.

Bowling with the students

Snack time

The English Camp was phenomenal, to say the least. It was so nice to have small class sizes (12 students in each class), so I could work individually with the students and focus on their needs more specifically. The English Camp ran Monday through Thursday, from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. From two to five p.m. we held our specific English classes. I recruited two other ETAs from the Fulbright Program to help me this week. So, there were a total of 36 students and were split into three different classes. Every hour they would rotate classes between the teachers. We worked on story telling, persuasive essays, speaking skills, and presentational tips in the English language. I was so impressed with the effort and determination my students put into this camp! I learned so much about each student than I would normally be able to do in class sizes of 30+ students.

After the three hours of class, we ate dinner together at the school cafeteria. From there, we got to do sports club activities!! The students could choose between bowling or ice skating. I chose to do bowling for my activity, and I was able to play with all of the boys who also chose bowling. It was so much fun being able to interact with them outside of class and see their personalities shine through. The students really improved their English skills as well as their bowling skills.

Our group

After the sports club activity each night, we had snack time! I loved snack time, especially hanging out with the other teachers and interacting with the students. We had chicken, pizza, and sandwiches for our snacks (yum!!). My favorite part of English camp, however, was AFTER snack time. After snack time, students could choose to go home for the evening or to stay and talk/hang out with the teachers for awhile. Many of the first grade students wanted to stay and hang out with us. We decided to play a game called Mafia. At first I was worried that the students wouldn't be able to play this game because it requires a lot of debate and English-speaking skills that they might not have developed. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The boys were so good at explaining themselves and debating back and forth between one another. Their critical thinking skills were impressive. It was also fun for me because I could show them a more relaxed side of me that they don't always see in the classroom. I bonded with the students a lot during winter camp, and I will always remember how much fun we had together!

At the top of Baegunsan

Aside from Winter Camp, my home stay family took me hiking at the mountain here in Gwangyang, named Baegunsan. It was a cold and challenging hike, but it was a lot of fun going with my home stay parents. We left early in the morning, and the hike to the peak took about two hours. When we got to the top, we ate lunch together. It was so windy and snowy! After we came down from the mountain, we decided to go to the spa to relax and feel super clean. This jimjilbang did not have multiple hot and cold baths like other spas do, but it did have multiple saunas. I relaxed for a couple hours with my home stay parents and passed out for awhile too. After the spa, we came home and crashed. I was sore the next day from climbing so much.

With my host parents

My most favorite form of mountain activity is skiing! I was finally able to go skiing this season with a friend and her husband, who have season passes to a ski resort nearby. Yesterday, we left early in the morning to make the two hour drive to the resort. I was able to ski all day and we even did night skiing, which I haven't done before, so that was super exciting for me. I only crashed one time, and that was because a Korean woman didn't know how to stop and was going straight down the mountain and top speed. She crashed right into me. Luckily I had been paying attention to what was going on behind me, but I couldn't manage to turn in time to avoid her.

A view of the ski slopes

Skiing is so different in Korea than in the United States and Europe. People are certainly not as cautious here as they are elsewhere. I am convinced some of these people don't even take lessons before they try skiing or snowboarding. My friend and I saw one guy crash into four people and knocked them all over at the end of a run because he didn't know how to slow down. Another guy was wobbling all over the place and going way too fast down a black diamond course. He crashed two or three times but every time he got up he always passed me and crashed again. I don't know why he was on that course. I am just glad that I wasn't severely injured... haha! Even though it was dangerous, I definitely want to hit the slopes again before the season ends.

Hitting the slopes in my ugly outfit

This upcoming weekend I will begin my two-week traveling with my orientation roommate. We are traveling to Hong Kong and Thailand and I couldn't be more excited! This week I will be prepping for the trip and making sure I have everything I need. I will just be carrying my hiking pack on my back, so I have to be smart about packing light. Luckily the weather will be warmer where we are traveling, so I won't need my winter coat. I am very excited, but also a bit nervous (I always get anxious before I travel abroad)! My next post will likely be in February after my journey concludes. Stay warm, everybody!

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From Fall to Winter in a Jiffy!

Wow, the weather sure has chilled since my last post. In fact, Gwangyang experienced its first snowfall of the season yesterday - on the first day of December. None of it stuck, but it was fascinating to see all of my boys react and stare longingly out the windows of their classrooms.

My walk to school

With the weather cooling down, leaves falling on the ground, and the holiday season rolling around, I admit that I am feeling a bit homesick. Last week I taught my boys about Thanksgiving, which they were all eyes and ears (probably because of all the food pictures). Here in Korea they don't celebrate Thanksgiving (obviously), but it was nice being able to Skype with my parents and family before heading off to school on Thanksgiving day. Luckily, I was able to get a taste from home when we had our foreigner Thanksgiving dinner in Gwangyang this past Friday evening. We even had a turkey!! I was so happy to eat some dark meat, alongside some pastas, casseroles, and homemade desserts. The dinner rolls were clutch (always my favorite part of Thanksgiving meal).

Enjoying some new Korean cuisine

Many of my friends will be traveling back home for two weeks, and a part of me is envious. However, I know that I will enjoy my first Christmas holiday away from home because other foreigners, some coworkers, and I will be celebrating together (without all the gift-giving). Plus, my parents are coming to visit me in February, so I count that as my Christmas gift! I am very excited to show them around Korea and what my life is like here.

Pig skin and pig intestines

Aside from Thanksgiving celebrations and the first snowfall, I have been staying busy with my teaching and new responsibilities as the web editor for Fulbright's Infusion Magazine, as well as getting the ball rolling on creating an Alumni Newsletter for Fulbright Korea. My host family is great, and last week we celebrated our 100 days of being together! Last night they took me to eat 곱창, which is cow or pork intestines, along with 돼지 껍데기, otherwise known as pig skin! I know, I know, it sounds absolutely disgusting as first, and I thought so too. But, I gave it a go and it is so tender and so delicious! It is considered a delicacy to eat this in Korea, and it is quite expensive. My host family said that we should celebrate the first snowfall by going out to eat, and I am certainly glad they introduced me to one of my new favorite foods of Korea.

Pretty fall colors on the walk to school

My boys and I have been having a lot of fun in class. A couple weeks ago, we took a couple class periods to learn how to play rugby, and then attempted to start our own game (no tackling, of course). I tried to do two-hand touch, but it ended up getting pretty physical anyway. Luckily, no one was hurt. But the boys loved it! I also did a trial run-through of making the chicken pot pie. I will be making a massive amount of that stuff during finals, so I wanted to make sure I had the proper ingredients here in Korea to do so. All went well, and the boys are ready! It makes for a hearty winter meal, too.

Rowdy boys playing rugby

My winter break begins on Christmas Eve, so I am plugging away until then. I am feeling a bit worn out, but my boys have final exams next week, and I get to cook chicken pot pie for them, and that makes me happy! They have worked so hard this semester, and I am very proud of them. It is hard to believe I have already been teaching them for four months, so I consider this a nice celebration and end of the year party for us.

Chicken pot pie!

I will be gearing up for some winter break traveling, too! I am planning to visit Hong Kong, Thailand, and Cambodia with one of my Fulbright friends during January. Then, my parents will be here shortly afterward in February! I will go back to teach a new semester come March. Until then, enjoy the winter months everybody - Gwangyang is much warmer than what I am used to (although today it dropped into the low 20s).

Happy December!

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