Sunny Daze!!
Holidays! Sweet sweet holidays! I finally got a few days off from school and so I escaped to Busan, the second biggest city (next to Seoul) in Korea (3.8 million).
The yeogwan (small motel) was recommended to me by the Lonely Planet Guide (this book kicks @$$!). I got there and the old man so nice. He spoke not a word of English but he and I undersood one another just fine. The ondol (your basic blanket on the floor) was shall we say "cozy." The bathroom had a bag of garlic hanging on the wall as a mosquito deterrant! The next night I got upgraded to a better room, this one actually having a matress. Although I did have to share it. It was the first time I had seen a cockroach. I slept with the light on, so it would hide away in the darkness and wouldn't climb over my sleeping self.
I travelled via subway to Gupo market, which has a wide selection of clothes and korean food, especially fishy things. Amoung the stalls that I stumbled upon were some butchers shops. I had known what was here but finding it was accidental. There were dogs caged up, far too many for each crate, each one just lying there. And carcesses were laying in freezers and even on the ground for viewing. Now I know this practice happens in Korea, and I am a little intrigued about it, but it was actually a little more than I wanted to see. And the worst of it was that I was approached to buy a whole dog to eat! I politely declined saying that it was too big for just myself.
Busan is famous for it beaches. And beach it up did I go. Haeundae beach is the most popular beach, fun for you and about 500 000 of your closest friends! You couldn't see the sand for the beach umbrellas, which were highly needed for shade from the hot sun. Although I spent much of the day under an umbrella with my book (what a geek!), I did develop a nice glow to my skin!
Beomeosa is a Buddhist Temple founded in 678 AD. Even though most of its orginal buildings have been destroyed and rebult, it is still famous amoungst Koreans, especially for prayer and worship. And it has a great view of the mountains!
So I know I am no Goddess. And I know I am not butt ugly. So why were the people of Busan continually staring at me!? There are enough foreigners there to know what they look like. I am no different. I was used to staring when I was in China, but now I am not so used to it anymore. I find it rude and ignorant. There is a difference between looking and blanant staring. The least they can do is be a more subtle!
But all and all, my trip to Busan was enjoyable and relaxing. A great way to spend a few days before heading back to my wonderful students!
The yeogwan (small motel) was recommended to me by the Lonely Planet Guide (this book kicks @$$!). I got there and the old man so nice. He spoke not a word of English but he and I undersood one another just fine. The ondol (your basic blanket on the floor) was shall we say "cozy." The bathroom had a bag of garlic hanging on the wall as a mosquito deterrant! The next night I got upgraded to a better room, this one actually having a matress. Although I did have to share it. It was the first time I had seen a cockroach. I slept with the light on, so it would hide away in the darkness and wouldn't climb over my sleeping self.
I travelled via subway to Gupo market, which has a wide selection of clothes and korean food, especially fishy things. Amoung the stalls that I stumbled upon were some butchers shops. I had known what was here but finding it was accidental. There were dogs caged up, far too many for each crate, each one just lying there. And carcesses were laying in freezers and even on the ground for viewing. Now I know this practice happens in Korea, and I am a little intrigued about it, but it was actually a little more than I wanted to see. And the worst of it was that I was approached to buy a whole dog to eat! I politely declined saying that it was too big for just myself.
Busan is famous for it beaches. And beach it up did I go. Haeundae beach is the most popular beach, fun for you and about 500 000 of your closest friends! You couldn't see the sand for the beach umbrellas, which were highly needed for shade from the hot sun. Although I spent much of the day under an umbrella with my book (what a geek!), I did develop a nice glow to my skin!
Beomeosa is a Buddhist Temple founded in 678 AD. Even though most of its orginal buildings have been destroyed and rebult, it is still famous amoungst Koreans, especially for prayer and worship. And it has a great view of the mountains!
So I know I am no Goddess. And I know I am not butt ugly. So why were the people of Busan continually staring at me!? There are enough foreigners there to know what they look like. I am no different. I was used to staring when I was in China, but now I am not so used to it anymore. I find it rude and ignorant. There is a difference between looking and blanant staring. The least they can do is be a more subtle!
But all and all, my trip to Busan was enjoyable and relaxing. A great way to spend a few days before heading back to my wonderful students!
posted by Melissa | 9:29 PM
1 Comments:
Sounds like a wonderful trip Melissa. I love Busan and surrounding areas - I encourage you to also take a visit to Cheju-do and, if possible, zip over to Japan on the speed boat! Love the blog!
Ian
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