Friday, November 27, 2009

Beijing





















So I had been unable to post for about a month because, stupid me, didn't know how to turn the site back to English. Well, now I did and I forgot to put the bust part of this entire experience so far: BEIJING. During Korea's version of Thanksgiving, called Cheusok, I was able to spend 4 days in Beijing China. I went with 2 of my new and now very close friends Melissa and Shannon. At the same time we were there it was the countries 40th anniversary so they had shot something in the air to clear the polution. The weather was the most beautiful I have ever felt the entire weekend. Clear blue skies with cool winds. The first thing we were able to go to was the Summer Palace. During the Ming Dynasty the Emperor had a palace surrounding an amazingly beautiful lake and inbetween amazing green hills. I could have stayed there all day. There was a amazing temple on the top of a hill. We took a boat ride on the lake. We learned a lot of history. There is a corridor there that is in the guiness book of world records for being the longest. And it is all hand painted, every banester with a different scene on it. We also went to The Great Wall. AMAZING. So big and breathtaking. Again, I wanted to stay all day and just sit and take it all in. Down from the wall we ziplinned! So much fun. We also went to Tienniman Squar and the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is huge! One of my favorite parts was getting to go to the Olympic Park. I was able to go into the Birds Nest (where the oppening ceremonies were held) and the Water Cube (where Michael Phelps won all his gold medals). I even bought a fake gold medal. We also went to the Silk Market. That is pretty much huge 6 story swap meet where you bargin for fake designer shoes, purses, clothes, makeup...... everything. I spent more money than I am willing to admitt but I am glad I did it. They would give you a price about 10 more than you should pay and when you give them the price you want to pay, no matter how good of a deal or not, they all respond the same way: "you joking me, you funny lady, no seriously give me your final price...." We also had famouse duck for dinner. It was not bad but not something I would choose again. We went to the zoo to see Pandas. And we went to an acrobatic show. I got so much stuff! All in all, Beijing gave me more than I was expecting.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Dr. Fish





So there is a thing that they have here called Dr. Fish. There is either a message parlor you can go to or a coffee shop. But the gist is that you put your feet in a tank of little fish and the fish eat at the dead skin on your feet. It feels so crazy. You can't help but squeal and make funny faces. They kept asking us to be quiet because we kept laughing so much.

Halloween, Korea style

















We had haolloween party for our kids!! It was so much fun. All the teachers dressed up. I just threw together a pretty aweful costume of a fairy. There are limited resources here for costumes. They don't really celebrate it. But a lot of my kids dressed up. We went out that night and sang karaoke!!

November Lantern Festival
















The Chungachung River is a small but beautiful and decorated river through part of the city hall part of the city. They had a lantern festival last night. There were so many beautiful lanterns from Korean focklore, to Chinese, to European monuments. They also had a drum show going. Unfortunately it was FREEZING. I believe about 32 degrees around the time we were walking around at 7pm. I don't know how I am going to survive the winter if it is going to get colder. Can't wait to go snowboarding though!