You must realize that we are in a small city that is a part of one of the largest cities in the world. People who live here in Ilsan think that it is quite small, compared to the heart of Seoul, which is about 45-60 minutes by subway. Many of our experiences have been not only with Korean culture, but also with 'big city' life. Because of the size of the city, there is a lot of western influence. It is interesting to see things that Koreans have adapted, especially when it is mixed with their own styles and customs. One of the funniest things is the influence of American music here. The American songs that the Koreans know, and like, are quite random and include: Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, the Spice Girls (Ben and I sang that during our first Korean Karaoke singing room experience) and an eclectic mix of eighties and early-nineties songs. At the gym yesterday, we were next to a very strong Korean man who was singing aloud. He was singing "It's rainin' men...hallelujah...it's rainin' men." While he was lifting weights. As we left the gym and the elevator doors closed behind us, Ben and I said to one another, "Does he even know what he was saying?!"
Us singing "Wanna Be"
I mentioned the Western influence. This is the women's bathroom at a German Pub-style restaurant. Yes, that is Keanu Reeves. Why? I don't know. I had to take a picture so that Ben would believe me when I said there was a giant mural of Keanu on the wall of the restroom. Like I would even pretend that there would be a giant mural of Keanu on the wall.
We took a lovely tour of the Han River, which allowed us to see the city of Seoul from the water.
We visited the Namdaemun Market, an open air market that was full of clothes, local cuisine, some fresh vegetables, and other small stores. And full of people.
The characters under the logo read (each bundle of symbols is one syllable) "Suh-ta-bok-suh-koh-pi" and mmm it is still delicious. This is the only store that has the store name written in Korean, because it is in a traditional district of town. All others are in English.
Visiting with an old friend in Seoul! We have quite a representation of Northern Indiana people here in Seoul. Deanne was among other friends from the South Bend area that we met with, and who we will visit more during our time here.
Meet a few of the ladies from LMC school: Kalii (US: she left after our first week here), Atsuko (Japan: our manager), Kyung-min (Korean receptionist), JaYoung (Korean teacher), Noriko (Japanese teacher), Razel (She's from the Philippines, but is married to a Korean. She teaches English, but is leaving soon--we are taking her classes). They were dancing, they don't always pose for pictures like that.
And the men, who, along with Jen, make up the entire English department at LMC. Ben, the handsome one, Thomas (Tom-he's from Canada) and Lawrence (South Africa). Atsuko likes to squeeze into pictures, too.
3 comments:
Hi Jennifer~
I am excited to read about your adventures and to learn that you and Ben are teachers in Korea. What an experience! I have often wondered what you were doing. Jill sent me your blog address today so I will be following your adventures. Happy Thanksgiving.
Love, Mrs. D.
Keeahnoo Reevz. That's fantastic. I don't even know how to spell the guy's name, and they already have him up in their bathrooms. Am I way behind the times, or are they just way ahead?
And I think it would be creepy to have someone plastered on the bathroom wall like that. And it's not like he's looking straight ahead at the wall, like the Urinal Rule Book states you should--he's totally looking into that first stall! Is there not as big of a stigma on bathroom time in Korea?
Oh, and it took me a little while to decode the "suh-ta-bok-suh-koh-pi" thing, but that's terribly clever.
Miss you guys.
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