Road Trip, April 16-18,2010

Al took Friday off and we went on a week-end trip with our Korean friends.  What an adventure!  We travelled by taxi, bus, subway, train and ferry.    This is our friend Sunjoo, one of our travel companions.  As you can see she is ready to go.

Unlike Al who was not quite awake yet.

The trains were old and quaint.  They do not make very loud announcements at the stations and the train only stops for one or two minutes.  We missed our stop and had to backtrack to our destination by taxi.

Considering we were a group of three adults and one four year old all carrying knapsacks, we had a very cosy ride, especially through the twisting mountain roads at top speeds.

We travelled about 70 km to the region of Cheongpyeong.  Our first destination was a little French theme village called Petite France.  The Koreans love museums and theme parks featuring different

cultures.

We then took a bus to our pension.  Al could not get over the decor of the bus.Our first pension was called Echo Valley and the second was Opera House. They were similar with a dining room table and chairs, but the living room had no chairs or couches in the Echo Valley.  We sat on floor chairs (I can't think of a better name).  The Opera House had a couch for which I was very grateful.  

Both pensions had two bedrooms, one completely empty and one with a bed.  Our friends got quilted mats which were rolled on the floor,with pillows and comforters. Our bed was covered with the same mat, comforter and pillows. There were no sheets. 

 The bathrooms did not have a separate shower stall or tub.  There was a shower head attached to the sink fawcett, and  a drain in the floor so the room also served as a shower. It was weird getting the entire bathroom soaked.  However, they have heated floors throughout which was wonderful and the bathroom dried quickly.

We were in a rural setting near Cheongpyeong Lake which is a very popular resort area for Koreans.  This is not a place where foreigners frequent as evidenced by no English signage, and no English speaking staff including the bus and taxi drivers. Breakfasts consisted of a noodle soup with kimchee the first morning, and fish (dried pollock) soup, rice and a korean pancake made with mugwort we had picked from the side of the road.  We tried new dishes like pickled garlic, lotus root, quail eggs and HOT pickled peppers.  We drank an alcoholic beverage made with rice.  I can't call it wine and I can't call it beer.  It looks and tastes like yeast fermenting in water and tastes absolutely dreadful!  But, after the first glass it didn't seem to matter and the whole bottle was polished off.  

Our second destination was Garden of Morning Calm.  This is an absolute must for anyone who likes flowers and gardening!  Only pictures can do justice to this heavenly place.

On Saturday, we took the ferry to Nami Island which is situated on the middle of the Han River.  In the past this place was transformed into an island during the rainy seasons.  It became and island with the construction of Cheongpyeong dam.   Ferries come and go constantly from morning til night and during the summer months the crowds are not to be believed.  

The gardens are incredible.  

 We took a bicycle buggy ride, Al's driving is NOT to be believed. 

 The paddle boat ride was much calmer and enjoyable.  Al wanted to go bungee jumping, but luckily the age limit was 13-50 years.

Despite Al's disappointment with the bungee jumping we had a wonderful week-end.

Business in Seoul

We finally decided on our holiday plans for May and  picked up our tickets from the travel agent.  This time I took my camera so I could get some shots to share with you.  I wanted to do this  because Mr. Marco Polo has been such a kind, patient and accommodating gentleman.

Mr. Polo is fluent in English and has been able to provide sound advice and custom tours along with hotel reservations and airline tickets.  I would definitely recommend him if you find yourself in Korea and in need of a travel agent.  He is located in Itaewon, Seoul.

My first impression was that  of a somewhat shy, quiet man.  However the prospect of having his picture taken illustrated another side.  Not only is he loving the camera, he also wanted to show off his considerable talent with the alto saxophone.  He is very proud of his instrument which is a Mark VI.

Should you find yourself in need of his services he can be reached at:

      okmarcopolo@gmail.com       flymarcopolo@yahoo.com
      Mobile: 010-2757-2300



Al and I have a  favorite restaurant also located in Itaewon, called La Cigale Montmartre.  No surprise that it is French and it's specialty is mussels.   There is a large variety of sauces which are exquisite and not only are the portions very generous, but the prices reasonable.

Cheers until next time!

Spring Has Arrived!

March has marched by and I am convinced that wherever you are, this is a drab time of year.  Most of the correspondence I  received sang the same song..... Same old, Same old.

April has arrived, spring has arrived and I feel rejuvenated.  Once again we enjoy going for walks, and I see the trees are beginning to bud.  The "yellow dust"  has arrived from China.  Apparently the style of farming in China and the high winds this time of year cause large clouds of dust to travel across Korea.  This is similar to the dust bowl conditions of the dirty thirties in the United States.  However, the Americans learned from their experience and changed their farming methods.  As I understand it, China is not able to change due to the costs.  Cars are covered with dust and many wear masks.  So far I have not found it too bothersome.

I am familiar with the popular snack  chicken wings.  The equivalent of this in Korea is chicken feet.  They are boiled then marinated in a hot chili pepper paste and then grilled.  I have seem them prepared but have not tried them.  Before you think I am loosing my bravery I will say that I ate a seafood pancake consisting mainly of octopus and quite enjoyed it.  Today one of Al's colleagues gave him a popular Korean snack of baked eggs.  These are eggs that have been covered in Soy sauce and baked slowly in the oven.  The egg white is light brown in color and quite rubbery in texture.  The flavour is difficult to explain but I can say I am not really a fan.

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter.

Mother Would Be Proud

My mother, an immigrant from Germany, had the uncanny ability to scope out anyone German within a hundred mile radius no matter where she was.  I used to find this humorous and would frequently tease her.
I never appreciated this behaviour until now.

Yesterday, I decided to enjoy the beautiful warm sunny weather and went to Seoul to explore.  It was a wonderful day.  I marvelled at the number of different restaurants within a few blocks; Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Greek, Mongolian, Moroccan, French, Ethiopian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, American, Spanish.  Then I found a German restaurant and a short while later a German deli.  When I walked into the deli with the delicious aroma of meats and sausages and saw the fresh sour dough buns and apple strudel, and listened to a gentleman in the corner speaking German,  I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

I have never felt homesick, and adjusting to new foods I have generally considered an adventure.  However, hearing, seeing and smelling these memories of home and my childhood was bittersweet.  Yes I miss home.  My answer to this was to purchase a few of my favorite things and surprise Al with a meal of rouladen.

Will I return to that deli?  Probably, if I can find it again.

Is It Spring Yet?

I feel like a five year old constantly asking "Are we there yet?"  One day it is warm and sunny and no hats, gloves or heavy jackets are needed.  The streets are wet with melting snow and I am anxious to capture the spring blossoms with my camera.  Then it snows and the streets are treacherous with ice!

I know it is only February but I am impatient.  In Winnipeg, it is cold or colder but at least there is no question.  In Korea one is teased.  Today I turned off the heat and am sitting with the window open.

  Is it spring yet?

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

February 14 is Seollal Lunar New Year's Day in Korea.  It is celebrated for three days February 13 - 15 where stores are closed and people return to their  home towns and provinces.

The year 2010 is called GYEONGINNYEON the year of the Tiger.  From what I have learned, the tiger is the symbol of faithfulness and justice.  The tiger is a proactive worker and very charismatic.  People born in this year are gifted with a strong sense of justice, strong mind and passion.  They are well liked and often become leaders.

Al and I were going to venture into Seoul this week-end but  decided against this.  We learned that the one hour trip would take three hours!! Three of Al's colleagues confirmed this.  During this holiday,  Koreans return to their home towns and provinces to perform ceremonial rites and pay respects to their ancestors.  Traffic is congested and trains are booked as people visit first the husband's family and then the wife's family.  All radio stations broadcast special live traffic updates due to massive migration of people. One of Al's colleague is not looking forward to her trip to Busan (normally a 6 hour drive) she says that it will probably take 8 - 9 hours.

People buy gifts of food for friends and family.  My trip to E-Mart yesterday was a nightmare!   I have never seen so many people, there were even security guards directing traffic at the gates.  All the carts were in use and you had to be extremely aggressive to move through the aisles. At the same time there was an underlying sense of respect.  There was no shouting, pushing or rudeness!!!  In all the hustle and bustle I had forgotten to have my fresh vegetables weighed and priced.  No one was upset when I held up the check-out line as the staff had to take my produce back to be priced.

According to Korean tradition, it is believed that ancestors return on this day to enjoy the holiday food prepared for them.  An ancestral tablet is placed  on the rites table alongside the dishes and drinks.  These ancestral rites also symbolize the descendant's prayer for a good new year.

A happy Lunar New Year to all.

Cheers until next time.








 

Weather Report

Here it is, almost the end of January.  As luck would have it Korea has had the heaviest snowfall in recorded history.  You can imagine the havoc it has caused.  No cabs were available for two days.  Buses got stuck and passengers were told to get out and walk. The newspapers describe S. Korea as being a new magical place to visit, and take in the winter wonder land.

Then the temperature rose to more normal ranges and heavy fogs set in.  I did not venture out on these days because I had enough dealing with the driving when the road conditions and visibility were good.  However, I do like the fog, it is so thick I feel like I am in a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

With the melting, fog and drizzle and cooler temperatures at night the icy conditions are treacherous!!  I could not believe it when I saw workmen with blow torches melting the ice on walkways.
Koreans are quite hysterical about the cold, people will often wear parkas, hats and gloves indoors.  At the gym, they wear ski jackets while on the treadmill.  Meanwhile I am creating quite the puddle of perspiration in my t-shirt and shorts.!!

We had a bit of a surprise at a restaurant last week.  When I picked up my glass of water, I found that they serve hot water in the winter.  Al and I both liked this once we got used to it.

I am aware I am exhibiting a Manitoban trait by blathering on about the weather.  At the convenience store I have befriended a very pleasant Russian girl.  The other day I made a remark about being tired of the cold.  She looked me in the eye and said in a serious tone "If you don't like it you can move to another country."  I don't think I'll mention the weather again.

Cheers from winter wonder land!