Weekend Trip to Namhae

Korea celebrated Buddha's Birthday on Monday, May 28th. So myself and several other "about to lose our mind" teachers were fortunate enough to have a 3-day weekend. I joined Erin, Gillian, Wassim and a little over 150 other foreigners and headed down South for Namhae. A weekend that was supposed to be full of adventure and relaxtion, turned out to be a weekend of headache and poor planning. Korea is generally pretty amazing when it comes to offering reliable travel groups; however, for anyone already in Korea or who is planning to come here I do not suggest using When in Korea (WinK). I'll explain why...

We left Seoul around midnight on Friday to get to our destination. The plan was to arrive at a jimjilbang close to the harbor and sleep for a few hours before we were able to ride the ferry to our next destination. As we arrived we found out that the jimjilbang was booked and no one could get in. By this time it was 4:30am and we were forced to sleep on a cramped bus for about two hours. Gillian and I felt daring so we decided to venture out around the creepy harbor and find a restroom. (FYI - the buses in Korea don't have restrooms) We conveniently found a little restaurant where an old woman lead us to her apartment above and allowed us to use her own restroom. I mean only in Korea would that EVER happen!

After napping, it was finally time to board the ferry and head over to So Mae Moor Do Island. The 1.5 hour ferry ride was absolutely beautiful! It reminded me so much of Thailand.

Finally, we arrived to So Mae Moor Do. So blissful!

We were told we could walk around, drink, and eat for a few hours. Well WinK neglected to inform us that by walking they really meant hiking and there was nothing but crackers and junk food to eat on this island. So while Gillian and I had on flip flops and dresses, we certainly hiked in style and rocked that island.

The hike was definitely worth the view. It was simply breath taking!

On our way back to the harbor most of us were exhausted from lack of sleep. The ferry was equipped with floors that one would find in a jimjilbang, so most of us literally just crashed on the floor next to each other and passed out. Again, that would only happen in Korea!

That evening we had a pork bbq and hung out around the beach. Although the beach wasn't amazing, it was still a beach and I was extremely happy.

Sunday all 150 of us got up and went to the Garlic Festival. Yes, that's a right! The Namhae area is one of the largest producers of garlic in Korea. Here we were able to try black garlic, along with drinks made of garlic. It was all very interesting! Oh and not to mention, I got to pick some.


photo creds to Erin

After stuffing our bellies full of garlic and smelling absolutely wonderful, we headed over to another island where we were to go sea kayaking. Of course with our luck, the kayak company over booked. So unfortunately for myself and several others, we didn't get to go kayaking. Instead, we walked over to the beach and hung out for a few hours until everyone finished.

To end our weekend vaca, everyone went out on the beach and shot off fireworks. So much fun!

Despite the organizational issues that occurred, I had a great weekend getaway. I went with 3 other fabulous people who helped make the trip amazing. It was also so nice to meet new people and be by the beach. This warmer weather is really making me miss home. And by home, I mean Norfolk/Virginia Beach. Only three more months to goooo! Can't wait!

Jenn xoxo

Lotus Lantern Festival and More

May is definitely a month of celebrating here in Korea. Parent's Day, Children's Day, Teacher's Day, and Buddha's Birthday are all celebrated this month. 

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Children's Day at ILS. During the month prior to this day, we handed out heart stickers to the students for good behavior. They in turn were able to exchange those hearts earned into ILS bucks. We set up a movie theater room, stationary shop, toy store, and a beauty salon. I was assigned to the beauty shop where I painted nails for days. It was the cutest thing! 

Amongst many of the holidays I've celebrated here in Korea, one of my favorite was Teacher's Day. Teacher's Day is celebrated on the 15th of May. I wasn't really expecting much from the day considering I feel that teachers in America aren't appreciated as much as they should be. As I walked into school at 9:50am last Tuesday, I was literally bombarded with gifts and smiles from meh babies. I received lots and lots of cookies, skin cream, candles, and flowers. I felt so appreciated!! 

That same evening my director had prepared a Teacher's Day BBQ. Us teachers set up chairs on our outdoor patio and cooked samgyeopsal. It was so tasty! 

Later that weekend, I attended Yeon Deung Hoe or Lotus Lantern Festival. This is a festival in honor of Buddha's Birthday which is on Monday. I first attended the Eoulim Madang (Buddhist Cheer Rally). This was really awesome to see! Imagine about 30,000 people in their traditional hanbok costumes, along with monks from all over the temples in Korea rallying together with laughter and dancing. There was even an old man who sat behind us who made sure we got off our rumps and danced. So much fun! 

After the rally we headed to get seats for the Lantern Parade. Lucky for us, we scored front row seats. Korea's pretty amazing when it comes to putting on events. When we arrived, there were chairs already lined up along the street for spectators. 

                                                             

The parade was so awesome! I wish you all were here to enjoy it with me. I saw thousands of lanterns that lit up the sky, monks for days, and many traditional Korean bands.

I must make a note about the generous hospitality I felt all day while I was celebrating Buddha's Birthday. At the beginning of the parade an older man greeted us and made sure that we had lanterns to light for the parade. Then, throughout the parade, those who could speak English would yell out, "Hello! Thank you for coming to Korea!" In addition, I was asked by several people that day to take pictures. I didn't really know why, but I loved. I felt like a celebrity! Korea definitely has got a way of making me feel welcome. I love you Korea!

Lucky for me and for Buddha being born on Monday, I get a three-day weekend. A much needed three-day weekend that is! I'm heading down to Namhae with some great girls that I KNOW will bring the fun. Also as a side note, I have booked a trip to Hong Kong in July for my summer vacation. I can't wait to experience more of Asia with Lauren! 

Miss you all! FOUR months!!! 
-Jenn 

xoxo

A Tour of the DMZ

I finally have some time to write about my tour of the Demilitary Zone (DMZ). Lauren and I had booked a trip through USO about a month ago to go up North and visit the DMZ, along with the Joint-Security Area (JSA). The DMZ is one of the most recommended places to visit in Korea and is the only place where North and South Korea can hold talks. The weather was cold and dreary, but made the experience THAT much better.

        

To begin I met Lauren in Seoul around 8am to cab it over to the military base where the USO office is found. We departed Seoul around 9am and made the 1.5 hour drive up North to our first stop which was The Third Infiltration Tunnel. This tunnel was the third tunnel found in 1978 and was built by the North Koreans for a surprise attack on Seoul. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside due to the extremely tight space. This was nothing more than an extremely long hike down to a cave that was almost impossible to hike up. 

Next, we made it over to the Dora Observatory. On a clear day you are able to see many parts of North Korea because this is the closest part of North Korea that you can see. Of course, as I stated, the weather was awful and extremely foggy. So instead of scoping out the North, we watched a movie. HA!

After our movie, we headed to Dorasan Station. This station once connected the North to the South to allow the shipping of cargo. They restored the station a few years ago to later close it due to political reasons from the North. We stayed for about 20 minutes and were able to get a ticket and tour the station, inside and out. 

By this time it was time for lunch. Our tour took us to a cafeteria where we had a Korean lunch and were able to purchase bottles of North Korean beer. I heard beer and HAD to jump on the chance to try it. I mean who ever gets to say, "Oh yeah! North Korean beer is so amazing or so disgusting?" Our tour guide told us we were not allowed to drink the beer on the tour so I brought it home to try with my friends. I'm still waiting for the right moment to open that bottle of mystery. To be honest, I'm a little scared.

After filling our bellies with kimchi and bibimbap, we headed to the absolute BEST part of the tour, the JSA. Our group was taken into a room on Camp Bonifas to be briefed on the history of the North and South. Before our history lesson, we were asked to basically sign our own death wish. The document below was just a little reminder that we were about to enter an area where we could be attacked at any time. This is when things really started to get real.

We were asked to leave everything on our tour bus except for our camera and umbrella. We then transferred to a military bus that took us in the JSA. Our tour guide for this part of the trip was a US soldier. He explained to us that the roads we were traveling on had minefields and explosive-laden cement walls that are designed to pretty much collapse where you are in the event of an invasion. He then proceeded to inform us that every bridge and highway in Seoul is built the same. At this point, I was beginning to think I was absolutely crazy for going on this tour.

The next part of the tour was probably the eeriest part for me. We arrived at a building where we were separated into two lines and reminded of our rules. Our rules were basically to make no contact with the North Korean soldiers. As we walked through the doors to the backside of the building, I felt my body become stiff with fear. I was looking at a North Korean soldier literally less than 50 yards away. 

At one point I remember asking Lauren for a reminder as to where I was not allowed to take pictures. Naturally, Lauren began to point. I quickly slapped her finger down as I was afraid of being shot or something. 

Our group was next directed into a building that had many tables and chairs, along with two South Korean soldiers. We all gathered around a table in the center of the room. Our guide then informed us that some of us were in South Korea and some were in North Korea. After finding out that I was in North Korea, I became a scared little baby and was ready to run for the hills. The flagpole and microphone on the table in the picture below shows the line that seperates the Korea's. This is the only place where the North and South can be in the same room.

I took pictures with these two soldiers below. We were instructed not to stand too close, for they may break us into pieces. Each South Korean soldier has a master in taekwondo (hence is why they are standing in these stances) and another form of martial arts. 

We then hopped back on to our bus and went to another over look. Here we were able to see many parts of the North. First is North Korea's fake village. This was a village built specifically for show. Not one person lives in this village and every building is empty inside with no floors. 

The flagpole below is the largest flagpole in the world. It weighs close to 600lbs. and takes about 30 people to put up and take down.

Next is the propaganda tower. This tower was used to send propaganda to Camp Bonifas to try and lure the American and South Korea soldiers.

As we departed the JSA, we drove past The Bridge of No Return. This bridge was used for prisoner exchanges after the Korean War.  

This was such an amazing trip to experience. I'm so happy that I was gutsy enough to go and visit an almost war zone. This really put things into perspective for me in knowing that the war between North and South is very real. After going on this tour, I definitely feel as though I'm always being watched though. I do strongly recommend this trip to any and all people who visit Korea.