Chuseok 2013

Chuseok is the Korean version of Thanksgiving. Koreans get together with their families and pay respects to their ancestors. One of the first things we were told when we got to Korea was that traveling on Chuseok is a pain, however most foreigners do it despite the warnings. I mean, who can pass up a 5 day weekend? So when Adrienne and I FINALLY decided on where to go, most of the flights were booked, so we got horrible prices and inconvenient times. But hey, we were going to JAPAN!

But then the nuclear reactor started acting up again and all of our Korean friends, co-workers and students were telling us not to go because it was too dangerous at the time. We really did do some research, and it was kind of all a "maybe it is, maybe it isn't" situation, but what really had us thinking was the travel arrangements and the money. Once we really thought about it, we were going to be spending about $800 for 3.5 days in Japan. I really didn't want to be rushed, but I really didn't want to back out either. So after much deliberation and thought, we decided to cancel our plans and stay in Korea for Chuseok.

Kaleena, Krissy, Adrienne and myself at the Gyeongbokgung Palace 

It actually worked out really well because Kaleena's sister, Krissy, was visiting from the states and we all had a really good time.

First on the agenda was heading up to Seoul. We've been to Seoul a few times, but I hadn't gone to any of the palaces, and I can't turn down an excuse to go shopping. So we shopped a bit and visited my favorite street, Insadong, that has cute little craft shops, pottery, traditional crafts and super tacky souvenir shops. We also headed to one of the palaces which, to be honest, was much like the Forbidden City. I'm starting to think that, if you've seen one palace, you've seen 'em all.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Year of the Rabbit

We also decided to head to Busan for a few nights. We wanted to enjoy the beach before it got too cold. Well, if you know me at all, you know I hate the beach, particularly laying out on the beach. What I was looking forward to was strolling on the beach, drinking coffee and/or a beer (depending on the time of day), people watching and enjoying the beautiful sight, sound and smell of the water. We spent an awesome night chatting on the beach, enjoying the full moon and watching a few small fireworks being set off by people on the beach. Oh, and eating some AWESOME Korean BBQ.

Busan at night

Amazing BBQ

Just before sunset

Morning Haeundae 

The main reason for wanting to go to Busan, though, was to see the temples. Note to self, don't try to visit temples on holidays. They are PACKED. But they were beautiful. One was inland and one was on the coast. I'd seen pictures of the second temple before from friends that had visited... It looked beautiful, and man it didn't disappoint. Though extremely overcrowded, we had a great time watching little kids play around and the weather was beautiful, so it was a great day.

Beomeosa Temple

Yonggungsa Temple

The crazy line to get to the temple, and it wasn't always moving

After returning home, Adrienne and I decided to rent bikes (though they were free- you just leave your ID) and bike along the river and I also decided to take a full day and rest (it was vacation after all). We also decided to hike Palgongsan again, but we made it a short hike because the bus ride there was RIDICULOUS. It was so crowded that Adrienne was LITERALLY pressed up against the window, face first, and I was supporting my entire body weight on one arm against the window in order to stand because we decided to give our seats to two older ladies.

Biking along the river

Palgongsan

Next year I really hope to get tickets before they are all sold out so I can leave the country, but it was actually really nice to hang out in Korea and see what my "home country" had to offer.

Holi Hai- The Festival of Colors!

Today may have been my favorite day in Korea so far... possibly the best day in my life...

Hundreds of Waygooks (foreigners) came from all over of Korea to participate in the Hindu festival for celebrating the coming of Spring.

We arrived to Haeundae Beach a little before 11 am, registered and received our hats and packets of colored powder. We hung out for a bit, were given free snacks and beer, then the fun began!

There was throwing of the powder, dancing, cheering, spraying of champagne, and just an all around good time. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking. 

After, we headed to a wonderful Indian restaurant for lunch (my first Indian food!) then a few of us to a traditional Korean spa (a jimjilbang) to clean up (we couldn't very well ride all the way home from Busan covered in paint). If you are wondering, yes, a jimjilbang is where you strip down to your birthday suit and walk around to different pools (that are ladies only, there is a men only side as well) that are different temperatures. After you are finished with the baths you change into the provided PJ type clothes and go to the different sauna rooms (that are co-ed) and relaxation rooms. I napped here for a little, then headed back down to join the rest of the group to head back to Daegu.

This is definitely one day I will always remember. 

Hello Busan!

This weekend I traveled out of Daegu for the first time since I arrived... and we went BIG! On Friday after school, Adrienne, Kaleena and myself headed to the train station in downtown and hopped on a short 2 hour train ride to Busan. We arrived and had a 10 minute walk (if we hadn't gotten lost) to our hostel.

Here it comes!

On the train to Busan

When we arrived, we were greeted by several other Daegukins waiting for us and we were shortly joined by several others. We decided to head out to dinner, where we ate (slightly expensive) Korean BBQ and were joined by several native Koreans. The conversation and company were great, but they decided not to join us for drinks at the pub. After a few drinks, a few of us decided to turn in, while the rest stayed behind to continue the evening.

Our new Korean friends

The next morning a few of us headed to the large fish market in town. The Jagalchi Market sits right on the water, and you can find any type of creature food you can imagine. The stalls went on for ever, and we kept finding little areas that had even more seafood. One of my favorite memories was finding 2 men playing a traditional Korean game, kind of like chess, right on the waterfront. It was interesting to see the Korean people in their element, women selling the catch, the men bringing it in. In the building, you can go have your fresh fish prepared for you and you can eat it raw, right there. It doesn't get much fresher than that. However, we decided to pass and go for a little shopping and bibimbap for lunch.

The beginning of the fish market

Little men playing the chess-like game

Fishing boats

Building where you can eat your raw fish

Best bibimbap, EVER

After lunch, we headed to H & M to do a little shopping (and by a little I mean drop some serious dough). After we had broken the bank, we went back to the hostel to meet up with the others and go out for a Chinese dinner. Man let me tell you, we had NO IDEA how spicy it was going to be! We struggled to get through dinner, but it was a great time.

Spiciest Chinese dish

After dinner, a friend of mine from college, Mark, joined me and the group for a night stroll on the beach. It was absolutely beautiful outside (though a little cold) and getting to talk with everyone and enjoy the beautiful beach was so relaxing. We hung out for a bit, dipped our toes in the water (my first time in the Pacific Ocean!)  and then headed inside to warm up. The pub we ended up in was on the 14th floor of a building that was extremely narrow and had beautiful views. I couldn't believe how wonderful the sight was.

The beach at night

Kaleena and myself

Myself and Mark

Group hanging out on the beach

View of the bridge from the pub

View of the beach from the 14th floor

I didn't stay out long because I had a long day ahead of me, so I went back to the hostel to get some shut eye... up next, HOLI HAI!!!