About Meh
- Marisa
- Marisa McCorkle. Blog about South Korea and my experiences here. http://ibuprofenforbreakfast.tumblr.com/
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
A Christmas Surprise
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Boshintang 보신탕
Finally, after a year of wanting to try this dish, I went with my friend Patrick for lunch.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Bigeumdo Island
My last vacation in Korea with some coworkers. It was a much needed 2 days on the beach on a little island off the coast of Mokpo. Fun times that I have trouble remembering.
Heart Shaped Beach
Our room that slept 6 people...on the floor
Breakfast
Where we hung our wet belongings
Our front door
A little trash here and there
Sadie <3
The rich-people pensions
Red peppers
Heading to the beach
Windmill beach
Mokpo
Me and Joelle
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Kimbap Nara
This is one of my favorite quick and cheap restaurants in Korea. They have no English on any of the many locations menus, so after searching the interwebs, I found a great blog with the description of each item in English:
김밥류, Kimbap Ryu, Kimbap selections
1. 원조 김밥, Wonjo Kimbap, Dollar Kimbap, 1,000 won: The most basic of Kimbap, fillings include damuji (a yellow pickled sweet radish), processed ham, carrots, some green, maybe spinach, and cooked egg.
2. 야채 김밥, Yachae Kimbap, Vegetable Kimbap, 2,000 won: Filled with various veggies including carrots and spinach. Little variation from Won-jo Kimbap.
3. 김치 김밥, Kimchi Kimbap, 2,000 won: Standard kimbap fillings (ham, eggs, carrots, radish) with a healthy dose of kimchi.
4. 계란말이 김밥, Kaeranmal Kimbap, Egg wrapped Kimbap 2,500 won: Standard fillings. The kimbap is rolled in a thin omelet, then sliced.
5. 치즈 김밥, Cheese Kimbap, 2,500 won: Standard kimbap fillings including a slice of processed cheese.
6. ? MIA
7. ? MIA
김밥류, Kimbap Ryu, Kimbap selections
1. 원조 김밥, Wonjo Kimbap, Dollar Kimbap, 1,000 won: The most basic of Kimbap, fillings include damuji (a yellow pickled sweet radish), processed ham, carrots, some green, maybe spinach, and cooked egg.
2. 야채 김밥, Yachae Kimbap, Vegetable Kimbap, 2,000 won: Filled with various veggies including carrots and spinach. Little variation from Won-jo Kimbap.
3. 김치 김밥, Kimchi Kimbap, 2,000 won: Standard kimbap fillings (ham, eggs, carrots, radish) with a healthy dose of kimchi.
4. 계란말이 김밥, Kaeranmal Kimbap, Egg wrapped Kimbap 2,500 won: Standard fillings. The kimbap is rolled in a thin omelet, then sliced.
5. 치즈 김밥, Cheese Kimbap, 2,500 won: Standard kimbap fillings including a slice of processed cheese.
6. ? MIA
7. ? MIA
8. 참치 김밥, Chamchi Kimbap, Tuna filled kimbap, 2,500won: Standard kimbap fillings including tuna, gagnib (sesame leaf), and mayonnaise.*
9. 소고기 김밥, Sogogi Kimbap, Beef filled kimbap, 2,500won: Standard kimbap fillings including beef.
10. 누드 김밥, Nude Kimbap, 2,500won: Standard kimbap fillings, like an inside out roll, with the seaweed on the inside and rice on the outside
12. 유부초밥, Youbu chobap, 3,000won: Like inari sushi. Some places heavily season the rice with vinegar.*
9. 소고기 김밥, Sogogi Kimbap, Beef filled kimbap, 2,500won: Standard kimbap fillings including beef.
10. 누드 김밥, Nude Kimbap, 2,500won: Standard kimbap fillings, like an inside out roll, with the seaweed on the inside and rice on the outside
12. 유부초밥, Youbu chobap, 3,000won: Like inari sushi. Some places heavily season the rice with vinegar.*
식사류, Shik Sa Ryu, Meal selections
13. 김치 덮밥, Kimchi dapbap, 3,500 won: Kimchi mixed rice.
14. 오징어 덮밥, Ojinga dapbap, 3,500 won: Spicy squid, carrot onion mélange served either atop, or next to a healthy serving of sticky rice.
15. 제육덮밥, Jaeyuk dapbap, 4,000 won: Stir fried pork, carrots, squash, and onions in spicy sauce served aside a plentiful helping of rice.*
16. 카레덮밥, Karae dapbap, 3,500 won: Rice topped with curry sauce, diced potatoes, carrots, and mystery meat.
17. 순두부 찌개, Sundubu Jjigae, 3,500 won: Sometimes fiery bubbling cauldron of soft tofu, freshly cracked egg (don’t stir if you’d like it hard boiled), chili peppers, inoki mushrooms, a couple clams, onions and deunjang (Korean miso) paste. Served with the ubiquitous fire retardant sticky rice.*
13. 김치 덮밥, Kimchi dapbap, 3,500 won: Kimchi mixed rice.
14. 오징어 덮밥, Ojinga dapbap, 3,500 won: Spicy squid, carrot onion mélange served either atop, or next to a healthy serving of sticky rice.
15. 제육덮밥, Jaeyuk dapbap, 4,000 won: Stir fried pork, carrots, squash, and onions in spicy sauce served aside a plentiful helping of rice.*
16. 카레덮밥, Karae dapbap, 3,500 won: Rice topped with curry sauce, diced potatoes, carrots, and mystery meat.
17. 순두부 찌개, Sundubu Jjigae, 3,500 won: Sometimes fiery bubbling cauldron of soft tofu, freshly cracked egg (don’t stir if you’d like it hard boiled), chili peppers, inoki mushrooms, a couple clams, onions and deunjang (Korean miso) paste. Served with the ubiquitous fire retardant sticky rice.*
18. 김치 찌개, Kimchi Jjigae, 3,500 won: Always fiery bubbling cauldron of kimchi, plenty of chili powder and raw chilies, onions and the odd mushroom in a pork broth. Served with the ubiquitous fire retardant sticky rice.*
19. 참치 김치 찌개, Kimchi Chamchi Jjigae, 4,000 won: See above with tinned tuna.
20. 된장 찌개Dwen-jang Jjigae, 3,500 won: Sometimes slightly spicy bubbling cauldron of dwen-jeong paste, inoki mushrooms, onions, clams and the odd cube of tofu. Korea’s answer chicken noodle soup. Served with the ubiquitous fire retardant sticky rice.
21. 갈비 탕, Galbi tang, 4,000 won: Short rib soup with garlic and green onion.
22. 소내장 탕, Sonaejang tang, 4,000 won: Soup made with Cow’s intestines.
23. 육개장, Yuk Jae Jang, 4,000 won: Beef and green onion soup in a fiery chili pepper broth.
24. 다슬기 해장국, Dasolgi haejangguk, 4,000 won: Hangover soup, usually made with ox bones and soybean paste. Featuring fresh water snails. Sometimes made with ox blood.
25. 우거지 해장국, Woogeogi haejangguk, 4,000 won: Hangover soup, usually made with ox bones and soybean paste. Featuring, as I understand it, shredded dried cabbage leaves. Sometimes made with ox blood.
26. 비빔밥, Bibimbap, 3,500 won: A staple. Rice in a silver bowl covered with various veg and gochujang (red chili paste). Carrots, mountain weeds, cucumbers, sprouts, etc.
27. 돌솥 비빔밥, Dolsot bibimbap, 4,000 won: See above served in a hot stone bowl and topped with a (usually) fried egg.*
28. 양푼 비빔밥, Yangpoon bibimbap, 4,000 won: Bibimbap served in a large metal bowl, usually serves two people.
29. 돈까스, Donkkasu, 4,000 won: A pork cutlet coated in egg and dredged in crunchy panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Usually served with a nest of shredded cabbage and rice.
30. 치즈 돈까스, Cheese donkkasu, 4,500 won: A pork cutlet graced with a slice of processed cheese, battered and coated in crunchy panko bread crumbs and fried.
31. 생선 까스, Sang sun kkasu, 4,000 won: Breaded and fried fish.
32. 오므라이스, Omu-ra-ee-su 3,500 won: Fried rice usually containing ham, carrots, Asian melon (zucchini-like) and a few peas for color wrapped in a thin omelet and smothered in ketchup. Good morning Korea!
19. 참치 김치 찌개, Kimchi Chamchi Jjigae, 4,000 won: See above with tinned tuna.
20. 된장 찌개Dwen-jang Jjigae, 3,500 won: Sometimes slightly spicy bubbling cauldron of dwen-jeong paste, inoki mushrooms, onions, clams and the odd cube of tofu. Korea’s answer chicken noodle soup. Served with the ubiquitous fire retardant sticky rice.
21. 갈비 탕, Galbi tang, 4,000 won: Short rib soup with garlic and green onion.
22. 소내장 탕, Sonaejang tang, 4,000 won: Soup made with Cow’s intestines.
23. 육개장, Yuk Jae Jang, 4,000 won: Beef and green onion soup in a fiery chili pepper broth.
24. 다슬기 해장국, Dasolgi haejangguk, 4,000 won: Hangover soup, usually made with ox bones and soybean paste. Featuring fresh water snails. Sometimes made with ox blood.
25. 우거지 해장국, Woogeogi haejangguk, 4,000 won: Hangover soup, usually made with ox bones and soybean paste. Featuring, as I understand it, shredded dried cabbage leaves. Sometimes made with ox blood.
26. 비빔밥, Bibimbap, 3,500 won: A staple. Rice in a silver bowl covered with various veg and gochujang (red chili paste). Carrots, mountain weeds, cucumbers, sprouts, etc.
27. 돌솥 비빔밥, Dolsot bibimbap, 4,000 won: See above served in a hot stone bowl and topped with a (usually) fried egg.*
28. 양푼 비빔밥, Yangpoon bibimbap, 4,000 won: Bibimbap served in a large metal bowl, usually serves two people.
29. 돈까스, Donkkasu, 4,000 won: A pork cutlet coated in egg and dredged in crunchy panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Usually served with a nest of shredded cabbage and rice.
30. 치즈 돈까스, Cheese donkkasu, 4,500 won: A pork cutlet graced with a slice of processed cheese, battered and coated in crunchy panko bread crumbs and fried.
31. 생선 까스, Sang sun kkasu, 4,000 won: Breaded and fried fish.
32. 오므라이스, Omu-ra-ee-su 3,500 won: Fried rice usually containing ham, carrots, Asian melon (zucchini-like) and a few peas for color wrapped in a thin omelet and smothered in ketchup. Good morning Korea!
33. 뚝배기 불고기, Ddokbaegi bulgogi 4,000 won: The king of protein at the diner. Stewing bulgogi meat amidst sweet potato (glass) noodles in a peppery savory broth. Served with sticky rice.*
34. 김치 고등어 뚝배기, Kimchi godeunga ddokbaegi, 4,000 won:
35. 짜장 덮밥, Jjajang dapbap, 3,000 won: Rice topped off with the sweet black bean sauce, jjajang.
36. 철판 치즈 덮밥, Chulpan chiju dupbap, 4,000 won: Fried rice topped with cheese, or chee ju, on a hot plate.
37. 철판 불고기 덮밥, Chulpan bulgogi dupbap, 4,000 won: Marinated beef atop rice on a hot plate.
38. 철판 김치 볶음밥, Chulpan kimchi bokkum bap, 4,000 won: Kimchi fried rice with peas, carrots and ham served on a hot fajita like plate.
39. 철판 새우 볶음밥, Chulpan saewoo bokkum bap, 4,000 won: Shrimp fried rice with diced carrots and peas served on a hot fajita like plate
40. 공기밥, Gong gi bap, 1,000 won: Plain white sticky rice
41. 호박 죽, Hobak Juk, 3,500 won: Thick pumpkin like porridge.
42. 단팥 죽, Danpat Juk, 3,500 won: A thick red bean porridge.
43. 소고기 야채 죽, Sogogi yache Juk, 4,000 won: Thick rice porridge with meat and various veggies.
44. 전복 죽, Junbok Juk, 5,000 won: Abalone and rice porridge.
34. 김치 고등어 뚝배기, Kimchi godeunga ddokbaegi, 4,000 won:
35. 짜장 덮밥, Jjajang dapbap, 3,000 won: Rice topped off with the sweet black bean sauce, jjajang.
36. 철판 치즈 덮밥, Chulpan chiju dupbap, 4,000 won: Fried rice topped with cheese, or chee ju, on a hot plate.
37. 철판 불고기 덮밥, Chulpan bulgogi dupbap, 4,000 won: Marinated beef atop rice on a hot plate.
38. 철판 김치 볶음밥, Chulpan kimchi bokkum bap, 4,000 won: Kimchi fried rice with peas, carrots and ham served on a hot fajita like plate.
39. 철판 새우 볶음밥, Chulpan saewoo bokkum bap, 4,000 won: Shrimp fried rice with diced carrots and peas served on a hot fajita like plate
40. 공기밥, Gong gi bap, 1,000 won: Plain white sticky rice
41. 호박 죽, Hobak Juk, 3,500 won: Thick pumpkin like porridge.
42. 단팥 죽, Danpat Juk, 3,500 won: A thick red bean porridge.
43. 소고기 야채 죽, Sogogi yache Juk, 4,000 won: Thick rice porridge with meat and various veggies.
44. 전복 죽, Junbok Juk, 5,000 won: Abalone and rice porridge.
분식류, Boon Shik Ryu, Foods made from flour ie noodles, dumplings, etc.
45. 떡볶이, Ddokboggie, 2,000 won: The street snack with chairs. Simmered rice cake (log form) swim in a sea of spicy pepper sauce augmented with odang (processed fish), cabbage, carrots, onions and leeks.
46. 라볶이, Raboggie, 2,500 won: See above and add Ramyeon noodles. Bonus!
47. 치즈떡볶이, Cheese ddokboggie, 2,500 won: See Ddokboggie, add cheese. Bonus!
45. 떡볶이, Ddokboggie, 2,000 won: The street snack with chairs. Simmered rice cake (log form) swim in a sea of spicy pepper sauce augmented with odang (processed fish), cabbage, carrots, onions and leeks.
46. 라볶이, Raboggie, 2,500 won: See above and add Ramyeon noodles. Bonus!
47. 치즈떡볶이, Cheese ddokboggie, 2,500 won: See Ddokboggie, add cheese. Bonus!
48. 치즈 라볶이, Cheese raboggie, 3,000 won: See Raboggie and add cheese. Double Bonus!*
49. 김치 만두, Kimchi Mandu, 2,000 won: Steamed kimchi, pork, noodle, leek, onion and chili-filled dumplings. Comes with a small side of soy sauce.*
50. 고기 만두, Gogimandu, 2,000 won: Meat, noodle, leek, onion and chili-filled dumplings. Comes with a small side of soy sauce.51. 물 만두, Mulmandu, 2,500 won: Small dumplings filled with meat and green onions, served in a pond of steaming liquid. Comes with a small side of soy sauce.*
50. 고기 만두, Gogimandu, 2,000 won: Meat, noodle, leek, onion and chili-filled dumplings. Comes with a small side of soy sauce.51. 물 만두, Mulmandu, 2,500 won: Small dumplings filled with meat and green onions, served in a pond of steaming liquid. Comes with a small side of soy sauce.*
52. 떡만두 국, Ddok mandu guk, 3,500 won: Sliced rice cakes, meat dumplings, egg, sliced green onion, melon (zucchini-like), and other veggies in a broth.*
53. 떡국, Ddokguk, 3,000 won: A dish traditionally served on the lunar New Year; sliced rice cakes, meat, and egg in a beef broth.
54. 만두국, Mandu guk, 3,500 won: Dumplings and veggies in broth.
55. 항아리 수제비, Hangari sujaebi, 7,000 won: Sujaebe, a vegetable and dumpling. soup served in a pot. Not sure what the exact difference between this and plain old sujaebe is except this is for two people.
56. 라면, Ramyeon, 2,000 won: Green onions and chili powder take cup of noodles to a new level.
57. 떡라면, Ddok ramyeon, 2,500 won: noodles and green onions with sliced rice cakes.*
58. 치즈 라면, Cheese ramyeon, 2,500 won: noodles and green onions topped with a slice of processed cheese. Sounds ill, but the melted cheese helps tone down the heat of the broth.
59. 만두 라면, Mandu ramyeon, 2,500 won: noodles and green onions with meat dumplings.
53. 떡국, Ddokguk, 3,000 won: A dish traditionally served on the lunar New Year; sliced rice cakes, meat, and egg in a beef broth.
54. 만두국, Mandu guk, 3,500 won: Dumplings and veggies in broth.
55. 항아리 수제비, Hangari sujaebi, 7,000 won: Sujaebe, a vegetable and dumpling. soup served in a pot. Not sure what the exact difference between this and plain old sujaebe is except this is for two people.
56. 라면, Ramyeon, 2,000 won: Green onions and chili powder take cup of noodles to a new level.
57. 떡라면, Ddok ramyeon, 2,500 won: noodles and green onions with sliced rice cakes.*
58. 치즈 라면, Cheese ramyeon, 2,500 won: noodles and green onions topped with a slice of processed cheese. Sounds ill, but the melted cheese helps tone down the heat of the broth.
59. 만두 라면, Mandu ramyeon, 2,500 won: noodles and green onions with meat dumplings.
60. 짬뽕 라면, Jjam bbong ramyeon, 2,500 won: Ramyeon served in a pot boasting clams, squid, and a few baby shrimp.
61. 바지락 칼국수, Bagirak kalguksu, 3,500 won: Hand cut thick noodles in an anchovy stock with short neck clams.*
62. 쫄면, jjol myeon, 3,000 won: Thick noodles with mixed with spicy sauce and various veggies like bean sprouts, cucumber, carrots and the like.
63. 스파게티, Supagaeti, 4,000 won: Spaghetti
64. 짜장면, Jjajangmyeon, 2,500 won: Wheat noodles topped with a sweet black bean sauce concealing some veggies, carrots, and meat-ham.
65. 나라우동, Nara Udong, 2,500 won: Thick and slippery wheat noodles in a binto (fish) broth with green onion and tofu skins.
66. 김치우동, Kimchi Udong, 3,000 won: Thick and slippery wheat noodles in a binto broth with a heap of kimchi.*
67. 해물 우동, Haemul Udong, 3,000 won: Thick and slippery wheat noodles in a binto broth with various seafood including clams and prawns, maybe a mussel or two.
68. 물냉면, Mul naengmyeon, 3,500 won: A sipcy soup of chewy buckwheat noodles in a cold broth generally topped with sliced cucumbers and a hard-boiled egg.*
69. 비빔 냉면, Bibim naengmyeon, 3,500 won: Thin white noodles and thinly sliced carrots, cabbage and cucumber in a fiery red sauce.
70. 잔치 국수, Janchi guksu, 3,500 won: Known as banquet noodles, or wheat noodles in an anchovy broth topped with sliced egg, meat, mushrooms and other vegetables. Traditionally served at large banquets.
61. 바지락 칼국수, Bagirak kalguksu, 3,500 won: Hand cut thick noodles in an anchovy stock with short neck clams.*
62. 쫄면, jjol myeon, 3,000 won: Thick noodles with mixed with spicy sauce and various veggies like bean sprouts, cucumber, carrots and the like.
63. 스파게티, Supagaeti, 4,000 won: Spaghetti
64. 짜장면, Jjajangmyeon, 2,500 won: Wheat noodles topped with a sweet black bean sauce concealing some veggies, carrots, and meat-ham.
65. 나라우동, Nara Udong, 2,500 won: Thick and slippery wheat noodles in a binto (fish) broth with green onion and tofu skins.
66. 김치우동, Kimchi Udong, 3,000 won: Thick and slippery wheat noodles in a binto broth with a heap of kimchi.*
67. 해물 우동, Haemul Udong, 3,000 won: Thick and slippery wheat noodles in a binto broth with various seafood including clams and prawns, maybe a mussel or two.
68. 물냉면, Mul naengmyeon, 3,500 won: A sipcy soup of chewy buckwheat noodles in a cold broth generally topped with sliced cucumbers and a hard-boiled egg.*
69. 비빔 냉면, Bibim naengmyeon, 3,500 won: Thin white noodles and thinly sliced carrots, cabbage and cucumber in a fiery red sauce.
70. 잔치 국수, Janchi guksu, 3,500 won: Known as banquet noodles, or wheat noodles in an anchovy broth topped with sliced egg, meat, mushrooms and other vegetables. Traditionally served at large banquets.
71. 비빔국수, Bibim guksu, 3,500 won: Wheat noodles mixed with various sliced veggies and meat in a spicy sauce.*
72. 콩국수, Kong guksu, 3,500 won: Thick wheat noodles in a cold soy milk broth usually topped with sliced cucumbers. Usually eaten in summer.
72. 콩국수, Kong guksu, 3,500 won: Thick wheat noodles in a cold soy milk broth usually topped with sliced cucumbers. Usually eaten in summer.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Boseong
Boseong is about an hour and a half bus ride from Gwangju. There, you can walk around the green tea fields, eat pork with green tea leaves, stroll through the surrounding hills, and eat green tea ice cream.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Best of the Best
Korea has plenty of things for foreign teachers to love. Here is a list of my top likes/loves:
4. Safety
4. Safety
- Being in Korea, or at least Gwangju, is the safest I have ever felt. I can come home alone at 4am, sleep with my door open, and no one will think anything of it.
- Jogging at night at home could be a bit scary in some areas of town, but in Gwangju I have never felt a worry.
- First, I will start with convenience. If you need something (say---eggs), all you have to do is walk out your front door, maybe 1 block or less, and there will be a store with them (or almost anything you need). I haven't had a problem finding anything.
- Also, life feels so easy here (almost to the point of too easy). No, most foreigners don't speak Korean, but our apartments are paid for and the Korean staff at school sets up our bills, so that is the only thing we need to keep track of. Other than that, life is pretty much simple.
- I must also note that the transportation is great. I had never ridden a city bus before coming here, and I am hooked! Taxis are super cheap and convenient as well.
- I probably comment on the subject of food too often, but eating and trying new food is something I enjoy. The food in Korea is outstanding. While many foreigners have cravings for food from home, and some even constantly whine about it, others are savoring Korea's goods.
- Some of my favorites: Mandu, Sun Dubu Jjigae, Kimbap, and Samgyeapsal
- I was the girl who said she would never have children. They terrified me, and still do sometimes, but something has changed that I can't explain. I seriously love these kids.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Lotteria
Here in Gwangju, we are somewhat limited for fast food (which could be a good thing for people like me). There is food that is "quick", such as Toast (a hot sandwich with egg, ham and cheese), Mandu (meat and kimchi filled dumplings), and Kimbap (think sushi with veggies and other things). And these foods are nothing short of delicious.
But, sometimes you just get the craving for greasy hamburgers and mexican food. [Un?]luckily, there is a Korean fast food chain right near my apartment.
Lotteria is as close to McDonald's as any of the fast food places I have seen in Korea. They have a variety of burgers (pork, beef, and shrimp) as well as french fries, mozzarella sticks, and sweet potato balls. Although it is no Mcdonald's or Taco Bell, it is the next best thing, and I am thankful for this little gem.
Oh, and did I mention they have ICE CREAM?!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Dos Mas? Si, por favor!
I ventured out of my house before noon, guys! And for a good reason...
I was invited to patron this teensy little "mexican" restaurant called Dos Mas. This is the 2nd mexican resaurant I have been to since being in Korea (Taco Bell is Seoul doesn't count).
This place was near Chonnam University (10 minutes from where I live by taxi), and sort of hidden in the back gate area.
The menu had burritos, nachos, french fries, tacos, and tequila. I got the burrito and it was filled with bulgogi (beef), rice, cheese sauce (think movie theater), spicy sauce, onions, and lettuce. The combo only cost 3,500 Won (about $3!!!)
It was definitely worth it if you live in the area...but for me, the transportation was 5x the price of the meal ($14 there and back...ouch).
But next time I am around there, I will definitely be stopping by for a quick fix.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Week in Cambodia
A great thing about teaching in SE Asia is that travel is relatively easy and cheap. I decided to take my week vacation and spend it in Cambodia.
We stayed in Siem Reap the first two days and saw the amazing Angkor Wat. Out hotel was The Golden Banana which was great. They helped us plan all of our day trips and our bus to Sihanoukville.
The day after Angkor Wat, we visited the Tonle Sap. This is the largest river/lake in SE Asia. We went to see the floating village, which is just that. Land is more expensive than living on the water, so extremely poor families will live in the floating village. There were dogs, pigs, and chickens on these homes, too. There was even a school on the water with over 100 students.
After Siem Reap, the next stop was Sihanoukville. We took the overnight (10 hour!) bus ride from hell. I actually slept the majority of the time, but I heard the bus driver was driving like he was having the worst LSD trip. Awesome. A few miles before our bus stop, our bus broke down, and the driver informed us we had to get off the bus. Upon exiting, all of the passengers were accosted by tuk tuk drivers and motor bike taxis. We got a tuk tuk, which is now my favorite mode of transportation, which took us to a booking place. It worked out in the end, and we booked our boat to the island of Koh Rong, which is a 2 hour boat ride from Sihanoukville.
The island was beautiful! There were only a few places with bungalows, and we stayed at the farthest accommodation from the "village". The Treehouse Bungalows were amazing...I am not used to things like no running water, sweating endlessly (really, I didn't stop once), and one matted, unbrushable dread on my head, but it ended up being totally worth it.
After a few days of snorkeling, playing with puppies, watching sunrises, laughing at roosters, and lazing around, it was time to go to Phnom Penh. It is the capital of Cambodia and there were so many things to see---the National Museum, Central Market, the Palace, tons of restaurants and street food, and pigeons?
Some of my favorite things about this trip was the food variety. Fish Amok is one of my new favorite foods. Also, how unbelievably cheap everything was was a huge plus (dinner and drinks for less than $5). The people were very kind and everyone seemed willing to help. I look forward to going back someday.
Some of my favorite things about this trip was the food variety. Fish Amok is one of my new favorite foods. Also, how unbelievably cheap everything was was a huge plus (dinner and drinks for less than $5). The people were very kind and everyone seemed willing to help. I look forward to going back someday.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Would you like to be sore for a week? Then go to Muju Mountain!
The hotel we stayed in was a break from the norm. I am used to staying in love hotels or hostels, but this was all the resort offered (for the cheapest price at 65,000 Won/night) and it supplied us with a tiny room, 2 floor mats, blankets, and pillows. I was afraid I wouldn't be very comfortable sleeping on the floor, but it actually isn't so bad. I would definitely do it again. I concluded that I am not the best snowboarder, it took me an hour to get down the mountain the first time, but I kept improving over the duration of the weekend, so I am looking forward to going back and practicing some more. Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Generocity of Koreans/Weekend Seollal Doings
This weekend was the Seolall Holiday in Korea and everyone celebrated the long awaited time off. I traveled up north to Hwacheon for the Ice Fishing Festival. The first night there, we didn't catch any fish :O After fishing, we were warming up in a tent by the heater and a man asked us if we like BBQ. Neither of us are the types of people to turn down the opportunity to 1. eat or 2. try something new, so we obliged and went to the back of said tent to see what was up. At first, we thought this may be a raping spot, but then Han Song-Jun turned out to be a kind chain-smoker (and possibly habitual liar??), but he made us 2 BBQ-ed fish and brought us out beers and makkoli. This made the night more more enjoyable, seeing as we lost track of time and our bags got locked in our lockers so we had no fresh clothes for the next day.
The next morning, slightly headachey after our past night's doings, we headed back to ice-fishing bright and early in hopes of better-luck-this-time. Well, we had it. We caught 8 fish in 15 minutes. We had some more BBQ-ed fish, this time our own catch, saw Song-Jun and thanked him again, and then went on our merry way (after sledding down this huge hill of course).
Our next stop was Uljin for the hot springs. We ended up getting in a little late so we stayed in the most fabulous and psychedelic love motel I have seen yet. We brought snacks and more drinks to our room and watched hours of tv (we don't have tv's in gwangju) and I took a bubble bath (oh yeah, no baths in Gwangju either).
The next morning we headed to Deokgu Hot Springs, but before jumping on a random bus we were told in broken English that would take us there, a very nice couple vacationing from Seoul asked us if they could take us since we looked lost and helpless. We went with them, every-so-trusting, but it hasn't failed us yet.
The Hot Springs were quite strange, imagine a water park feel, but instead of slides and rafts there were hot tubs filled with not only children but very very old people as well. There were all different levels of baths and such, as well and some indoor some indoor and some outdoor. The lemon or the jasmine bath were my personal favorites.
**I have a phobia of water parks and anywhere it's ok for a mass amounts of people to walk around barefoot, but since living in Korea this phobia has been simmering down a bit since I have to be barefoot quite a bit.
After showering, we hopped on a bus back to Uljin so we could try to make it back to Gwangju at some point that night. While at the bus station, a Korean man asked if he could help us with anything (again the only white people around), and eventually he ended up dropping us off at a crab restaurant that I was bitching about going to since before the start of the trip and picking us back up and taking us to the bus terminal.
**This crab dinner was excellent---my first time eating crab guts. The way Koreans eat is is they mix it with this rice and veggies and other things and serve it in the crab shells. A little nauseating to actually think about, but very tasty once you stop cringing and just eat the damn thing.
Sometimes it's hard to believe how nice Koreans can be. I will say, Americans and other cultures all over the globe may be just as kind, but this is the first time I have noticed a consistency in these actions. We were helped by 5 different people along the way, all offering their help by driving us places, feeding us, or helping with booking tickets for buses seeing us as lost or confused.
That being said I can't dismiss the two very awkward and dickish occurrences this weekend. These events don't have anything to do with Koreans, just assholes in general.
The first one was at the hot springs. We were sitting in a sauna and a little creepy man was sitting there beside us trying to practice his English. It seemed innocent enough until we got up and he hugged us, smushing me up against him and putting his lips on my cheek for what I would consider and uncomfortable amount of time. I can't describe this situation in any better way but he was trying something. After showering and waiting for our bus, he saw us in the lobby and walked up to me and reached his hand in my bag of chips (?!) and then proceeded to try to hug and kiss me some more. Well...
The second happening was on the bus from Daegu back to Gwangju. In the bus terminal an old (drunk) man tried yelling to us (like, ehhhh good job') giving a thumbs up. Sometimes these things can be funny, but when it continues for too long, it gets annoying. Turns out he was on our bus back to Gwangju. He was sitting towards the front so that was fine, but we were laughing in the back of the bus (yes, soju was involved) and he got up and walked back and yelled at us for laughing. This was just confusing after he was being so 'nice' to us at the bus terminal. And he said 'SHUT THE MOUTH' which made us laugh even more.
Nevertheless, neither of these events sway me from my beliefs on how kind Koreans are, but these things just happen.
Anyways, overall I had a fun holiday and am looking forward to the next one.
The next morning, slightly headachey after our past night's doings, we headed back to ice-fishing bright and early in hopes of better-luck-this-time. Well, we had it. We caught 8 fish in 15 minutes. We had some more BBQ-ed fish, this time our own catch, saw Song-Jun and thanked him again, and then went on our merry way (after sledding down this huge hill of course).
Our next stop was Uljin for the hot springs. We ended up getting in a little late so we stayed in the most fabulous and psychedelic love motel I have seen yet. We brought snacks and more drinks to our room and watched hours of tv (we don't have tv's in gwangju) and I took a bubble bath (oh yeah, no baths in Gwangju either).
The next morning we headed to Deokgu Hot Springs, but before jumping on a random bus we were told in broken English that would take us there, a very nice couple vacationing from Seoul asked us if they could take us since we looked lost and helpless. We went with them, every-so-trusting, but it hasn't failed us yet.
The Hot Springs were quite strange, imagine a water park feel, but instead of slides and rafts there were hot tubs filled with not only children but very very old people as well. There were all different levels of baths and such, as well and some indoor some indoor and some outdoor. The lemon or the jasmine bath were my personal favorites.
**I have a phobia of water parks and anywhere it's ok for a mass amounts of people to walk around barefoot, but since living in Korea this phobia has been simmering down a bit since I have to be barefoot quite a bit.
After showering, we hopped on a bus back to Uljin so we could try to make it back to Gwangju at some point that night. While at the bus station, a Korean man asked if he could help us with anything (again the only white people around), and eventually he ended up dropping us off at a crab restaurant that I was bitching about going to since before the start of the trip and picking us back up and taking us to the bus terminal.
**This crab dinner was excellent---my first time eating crab guts. The way Koreans eat is is they mix it with this rice and veggies and other things and serve it in the crab shells. A little nauseating to actually think about, but very tasty once you stop cringing and just eat the damn thing.
Sometimes it's hard to believe how nice Koreans can be. I will say, Americans and other cultures all over the globe may be just as kind, but this is the first time I have noticed a consistency in these actions. We were helped by 5 different people along the way, all offering their help by driving us places, feeding us, or helping with booking tickets for buses seeing us as lost or confused.
That being said I can't dismiss the two very awkward and dickish occurrences this weekend. These events don't have anything to do with Koreans, just assholes in general.
The first one was at the hot springs. We were sitting in a sauna and a little creepy man was sitting there beside us trying to practice his English. It seemed innocent enough until we got up and he hugged us, smushing me up against him and putting his lips on my cheek for what I would consider and uncomfortable amount of time. I can't describe this situation in any better way but he was trying something. After showering and waiting for our bus, he saw us in the lobby and walked up to me and reached his hand in my bag of chips (?!) and then proceeded to try to hug and kiss me some more. Well...
The second happening was on the bus from Daegu back to Gwangju. In the bus terminal an old (drunk) man tried yelling to us (like, ehhhh good job') giving a thumbs up. Sometimes these things can be funny, but when it continues for too long, it gets annoying. Turns out he was on our bus back to Gwangju. He was sitting towards the front so that was fine, but we were laughing in the back of the bus (yes, soju was involved) and he got up and walked back and yelled at us for laughing. This was just confusing after he was being so 'nice' to us at the bus terminal. And he said 'SHUT THE MOUTH' which made us laugh even more.
Nevertheless, neither of these events sway me from my beliefs on how kind Koreans are, but these things just happen.
Anyways, overall I had a fun holiday and am looking forward to the next one.
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