Good News! Being sick in South Korea means you still have to go to work. What are sick days? Never heard of 'em.
Joseph and I have been going back and forth with being sick for about a week now. Nothing serious, a cold/light flu. Back home we might have taken a day off or two at the beginning to just rest and sleep it off and hopefully wake up the next day rested and feeling a bit revived. Welcome to Korea...the land where this doesn't happen.
Korean's do not take days off for being sick. If a Korean gets sick (or expat alike) they go to the hospital/doctor office (interchangable in most Korean cities). What is a doctors office like in Korea? It is the same as back home except much less crowded and there is not much of a wait time. If you are waiting it is because the computer is running slow and they need to put in your ARC number. While you are waiting it is customary to take your blood pressure and perhaps weigh in [in front of everyone]. All of this done in the waiting room. Next you see the doctor in his or her office. You sit in a chair and the doctor is at their desk in front of a computer. You tell them your symptoms and they type them in and decide what you have. Something I felt was really strange was how the doctor checked your mouth: he had two stainless steel cylenders with stainless steel tongue depressers in them. One holding used and one holding new ones. Interesting. Next, temperature and breathing are checked and then I was asked if I wanted a shot or pills (pills please as my director was in the room as well translating and I somehow didn't think he'd be asked to leave the room) and then a spray of stuff up each nostril that made me want to chuck him out of the window.
After this a few steps out of his office to a UV machine that I was told to put on my nose to get rid of the germs. Um...doesn't that defeat the purpose when I am holding that within an inch of my nose and it hasn't been cleaned? Maybe that is just my OCD kicking in but I would think it would be sanatized after each use?
I digress...left the doctors office and went downstairs to the pharmacy for my pills. 5 pills each day for 3 days, 3x a day for less than $2.50. Name brands as well. Not too shabby. Days total expense? Approximately $10.
We really, really miss our sick days from back home but this isn't too bad because as the doctors and our teachers at school continue to tell us: Korean's don't like to take off work so everything needs to be done faster and better as far as doctors and being sick is concerned. We were also told that it is so rare for Korean's to take a day of for being sick that if they (or foreigners) take a day off the president/principal will come to your apartment and see if you are okay and acutally take you to the hospital/doctor's office.
Still miss those sick days though.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Land of Vanity
Korea is the land of beauty and vanity. Women walking around with an eye patch covering one eye is the norm. Women and men alike carrying the latest designer or faux designer purse or satchel. Most of the commercials on Korea TV are of beauty or fashion products.
Joseph and I have been told and also witnessed this for ourselves that a lot of women really want "Western eyes." They do not want the eyes they were born with, hence the eye patches. It is a common present for high school students and recent college graduates to have this simple eye correction surgery. In addition, contact lenses making women's eyes resemble the dewy fawn look are increasingly popular from news anchors to your local gimbap shop patrons.
Have Joseph and I joined this movement of beauty and vanity? We have not, but we are considering several options when the time is right.
Why not wait until we are back home? Well this is something South Korea does very well. They have it down to an exact science from start time to heal time (on any procedure). Everything is done faster and arguably better. Did I mention most of these procedures from hair removal to surgeries are done at a mere fraction of the U.S. prices? For example, a procedure to remove all of the hair from your legs (male or female) is on average, about $200-$300 USD from start to finish. In the United States this procedure would have varying costs from male to female as well as be on average, $400 USD per person per area.
South Korea is not a third world country. Any procedure from dental work, acupuncture, surgery and/or hair removal are all taking place in top notch facilities with well trained doctors and staff doing their best. A chemical peel is done so quickly and effectively that the patients are back at work the next day. As one doctor put it, "Koreans work hard [6 and even 7 days each week] and play even harder. Anything done has to be done better and faster so they aren't out of work." English speaking facilities is a definite challenge, but you shop around to find the place that works for you.
Works for us!
Joseph and I have been told and also witnessed this for ourselves that a lot of women really want "Western eyes." They do not want the eyes they were born with, hence the eye patches. It is a common present for high school students and recent college graduates to have this simple eye correction surgery. In addition, contact lenses making women's eyes resemble the dewy fawn look are increasingly popular from news anchors to your local gimbap shop patrons.
Have Joseph and I joined this movement of beauty and vanity? We have not, but we are considering several options when the time is right.
Why not wait until we are back home? Well this is something South Korea does very well. They have it down to an exact science from start time to heal time (on any procedure). Everything is done faster and arguably better. Did I mention most of these procedures from hair removal to surgeries are done at a mere fraction of the U.S. prices? For example, a procedure to remove all of the hair from your legs (male or female) is on average, about $200-$300 USD from start to finish. In the United States this procedure would have varying costs from male to female as well as be on average, $400 USD per person per area.
South Korea is not a third world country. Any procedure from dental work, acupuncture, surgery and/or hair removal are all taking place in top notch facilities with well trained doctors and staff doing their best. A chemical peel is done so quickly and effectively that the patients are back at work the next day. As one doctor put it, "Koreans work hard [6 and even 7 days each week] and play even harder. Anything done has to be done better and faster so they aren't out of work." English speaking facilities is a definite challenge, but you shop around to find the place that works for you.
Works for us!
Goals for Korea
No, we didn't just pick up and move out of the country and happen to fall in South Korea. It was a carefully planned and thought out idea that grew into something both of us said, "why not?" instead of, "why?"
Our reasons for moving to South Korea vary but we decided to make some goals for while we are here:
1. Travel around Korea--both North and South. Yes, there are a few tours taking brave persons North of the border. We are brave.
One such tour takes you to a city in North Korea called Kaesong City. It is a day trip and you have to be very careeful about the pictures you take. At the return crossing back into South Korea the officers check the pictures you have taken on your camera and if you have pictures you should not it could be a troublesome situation.
2. Travel to Japan. This can be a day trip amazingly enough. Or at least a weekend trip. We are able to take a ferry from Pusan to 3 local areas in Japan. We are saving money for this as it can get expensive. The Lunar New Year is looking like a distinct possiblility for this trip. We have also learned that expacts jump onto this ferry if they need to leave the country for a few hours for their Visa's to be extended or other similar reasons.
3. Visit China. Specifically Shangahi (The Orient Express, of course). It is also possible to take a ferry to China as well althrough it is more ideal as a long weekend adventure. We are looking forward to going to see many aspects of China from eating scorpions (a friend said they taste like chicken, but crunchy) to walking on the Great Wall to sitting in the Orient Express.
4. Travel to as many places in the Orient and in Asia as we are able.
We have such a great opportunity living here. We want to make sure we do as much as we can and see as many places and experience as many cultures as we can.
We love to travel and being here allows us to do just that. There are other goals we have as well, but they are better off not being published on such a public forum.
Our reasons for moving to South Korea vary but we decided to make some goals for while we are here:
1. Travel around Korea--both North and South. Yes, there are a few tours taking brave persons North of the border. We are brave.
One such tour takes you to a city in North Korea called Kaesong City. It is a day trip and you have to be very careeful about the pictures you take. At the return crossing back into South Korea the officers check the pictures you have taken on your camera and if you have pictures you should not it could be a troublesome situation.
2. Travel to Japan. This can be a day trip amazingly enough. Or at least a weekend trip. We are able to take a ferry from Pusan to 3 local areas in Japan. We are saving money for this as it can get expensive. The Lunar New Year is looking like a distinct possiblility for this trip. We have also learned that expacts jump onto this ferry if they need to leave the country for a few hours for their Visa's to be extended or other similar reasons.
3. Visit China. Specifically Shangahi (The Orient Express, of course). It is also possible to take a ferry to China as well althrough it is more ideal as a long weekend adventure. We are looking forward to going to see many aspects of China from eating scorpions (a friend said they taste like chicken, but crunchy) to walking on the Great Wall to sitting in the Orient Express.
4. Travel to as many places in the Orient and in Asia as we are able.
We have such a great opportunity living here. We want to make sure we do as much as we can and see as many places and experience as many cultures as we can.
We love to travel and being here allows us to do just that. There are other goals we have as well, but they are better off not being published on such a public forum.
Facts about Jrock
Facts About Elizabeth
[Joseph is next]
1. I love my husband
2. I'm in love with him, too.
3. Yes, there's a difference
4. I don't like being wrong
5. But I will be the first person to admit it when I am
6. I don't think being wrong is bad, I just don't like it
7. I love my family.
8.I am a happy person: I see the glass half full
9. I like feeling pretty
10. I love being married
11. I didn't think I would
12. I want to be a stay at home mom/wife
13. I'm smart
14. And intelligent
15. Yes, there's a difference
16. I love teaching
17. I am a great teacher
18. It really bothers me I didn't get my National Board's Certification but there wasn't any point because it wasn't going to be acknowledged by Florida anymore. Thanks, Rick Scott.
19. I missed my National Board Certification by 5 points.
20. That makes me mad
21. I love goals
22. I need a new goal
23. I am a list person. If it isn't written on a list I have no idea what I'm doing
24. Research says successful women use lists.
25. I am a successful woman
26. I am not hard to figure out
27. I am passionate
28. Sometimes that isn't a good thing
29. If I am upset with you or don't like you, I will tell you.
30. If I tell you I am not upset, I'm not upset.
31. My dad is a genius
32. So is my mom
33. I love my grandmommy--she's 91 and fabulous
34. Don't make fun of me saying 'grandmommy;' so would you if she was as awesome as mine.
35. Most influential male role model is my dad
36. My parents taught me what not to do. The rest is a piece of cake.
37. Life isn't hard for me to figure out.
38. It's the details that screw me up
39. That, and the unanswered questions
40. I have to ask questions; specifically, "why" and "show me the research"
41. I am a good person
42. I will give you anything I can
43. I will help you with anything you need
44. Until you screw me over
45. I'm not sure if I'm forgiving
46. It depends on the situation
47. I don't use the word 'hate' --I think it is too powerful
48. I prefer the word 'dislike'
49. I don't hate anyone
50. I greatly enjoy my life and the people in my life
51. School and learning are fun for me
52. I have no secrets
53. Unless you don't really know me
54. I will answer [truthfully] anything you ask me
55. Make sure you ask the right question
56. No, I don't think that is evasive
57. Or lying
58. I can't be summed up in a list.
59. I'm worth more than that.
60. There is much more to me than what is on this list (I couldn't end on an odd number)
[Joseph is next]
1. I love my husband
2. I'm in love with him, too.
3. Yes, there's a difference
4. I don't like being wrong
5. But I will be the first person to admit it when I am
6. I don't think being wrong is bad, I just don't like it
7. I love my family.
8.I am a happy person: I see the glass half full
9. I like feeling pretty
10. I love being married
11. I didn't think I would
12. I want to be a stay at home mom/wife
13. I'm smart
14. And intelligent
15. Yes, there's a difference
16. I love teaching
17. I am a great teacher
18. It really bothers me I didn't get my National Board's Certification but there wasn't any point because it wasn't going to be acknowledged by Florida anymore. Thanks, Rick Scott.
19. I missed my National Board Certification by 5 points.
20. That makes me mad
21. I love goals
22. I need a new goal
23. I am a list person. If it isn't written on a list I have no idea what I'm doing
24. Research says successful women use lists.
25. I am a successful woman
26. I am not hard to figure out
27. I am passionate
28. Sometimes that isn't a good thing
29. If I am upset with you or don't like you, I will tell you.
30. If I tell you I am not upset, I'm not upset.
31. My dad is a genius
32. So is my mom
33. I love my grandmommy--she's 91 and fabulous
34. Don't make fun of me saying 'grandmommy;' so would you if she was as awesome as mine.
35. Most influential male role model is my dad
36. My parents taught me what not to do. The rest is a piece of cake.
37. Life isn't hard for me to figure out.
38. It's the details that screw me up
39. That, and the unanswered questions
40. I have to ask questions; specifically, "why" and "show me the research"
41. I am a good person
42. I will give you anything I can
43. I will help you with anything you need
44. Until you screw me over
45. I'm not sure if I'm forgiving
46. It depends on the situation
47. I don't use the word 'hate' --I think it is too powerful
48. I prefer the word 'dislike'
49. I don't hate anyone
50. I greatly enjoy my life and the people in my life
51. School and learning are fun for me
52. I have no secrets
53. Unless you don't really know me
54. I will answer [truthfully] anything you ask me
55. Make sure you ask the right question
56. No, I don't think that is evasive
57. Or lying
58. I can't be summed up in a list.
59. I'm worth more than that.
60. There is much more to me than what is on this list (I couldn't end on an odd number)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Day trip to Busan (11-13-11)
We were asked Friday by our co-worker if we wanted to go to Busan on Sunday with her and her husband. Hmmm. Chin-cha? Interesting and why Busan?
There was to be an educational conference, of sorts, taking place at a Foreign Language College. Of course we had to go.
Wake up at 3:30am. Dress and catch a taxi to the train station. Arrive a little after 4am. Wonder why we are here this early when the train doesn't leave until 5...looking around for a coffee place to be open and then remember--too late--that the world of Korea coffee doesn't open until 10am. Dang it.
We meet up with our coworker and her hubby and board the train. They wisely arrive about 10 minutes before the train left. Things run on time here in Korea (I know, right?).
We board the train and try and sleep most of the way there of the 3 hours.
Arrive bleary eyed and a little less sleepy and take the taxi to the college. We have to admit here that we were not expecting a great conference. We have been to our share of conferences back in the United States and most are great while others are sorely lacking. This one was surprisingly okay and actually informative. We had coffee, snacks, etc. as a breakfast and we were given a coupon for lunch (and reminded not to lose our coupon several times during the morning). Cambridge Press, Harcourt and eFuture were there along with Costco giving out coupons, cookies and discounts on memberships. There were maybe 200 people there to attend and there were 6 presenters speaking about how to better teach English Language Learners.
This is all information Joseph and I have learned and mastered in our State side trainings and teachings; however, it was lovely to get a foreigner view on how to use these strategies to our advantage in Korea.
After the conference was over we took all of our goodies and decided to go to the world famous fish market. It was awesome. A street filled on all sides with fish vendors and most of those vendors having a shack in the back nibble that vendors speciality. We walked around and settled on one of the vendors for dinner. Six whole fish and a plethora of refillable sides (the usual) for less than $30 USD for four adults. Okay. We left soon after with bellies full of fish and wandered across the incrediably busy street to Busan Film Festival Street and Food Street where tons of people go nightly to sample the goodness of food and film. The night we were there (Sunday) was no different. Packed and crowded as sardines in cans we wandered around and slightly wished we hadn't eaten because there were several things we all wanted to try.
The train ride back was interesting. Joseph and I had standing room only tickets which means that we play musical chairs all the way back to Daejeon. We stand until there is an available seat then we sit until that person comes to claim their purchased seat. Then we stand and repeat. Picture a crowded cattle car (without the smell) and you have an idea what the train looked like on our way back. We actually got a permanent seat about an hour left of our journey and were able to sit the rest of the way without changing. Nice. Got home about 1am and crashed. Awesome day in Busan!
There was to be an educational conference, of sorts, taking place at a Foreign Language College. Of course we had to go.
Wake up at 3:30am. Dress and catch a taxi to the train station. Arrive a little after 4am. Wonder why we are here this early when the train doesn't leave until 5...looking around for a coffee place to be open and then remember--too late--that the world of Korea coffee doesn't open until 10am. Dang it.
We meet up with our coworker and her hubby and board the train. They wisely arrive about 10 minutes before the train left. Things run on time here in Korea (I know, right?).
We board the train and try and sleep most of the way there of the 3 hours.
Arrive bleary eyed and a little less sleepy and take the taxi to the college. We have to admit here that we were not expecting a great conference. We have been to our share of conferences back in the United States and most are great while others are sorely lacking. This one was surprisingly okay and actually informative. We had coffee, snacks, etc. as a breakfast and we were given a coupon for lunch (and reminded not to lose our coupon several times during the morning). Cambridge Press, Harcourt and eFuture were there along with Costco giving out coupons, cookies and discounts on memberships. There were maybe 200 people there to attend and there were 6 presenters speaking about how to better teach English Language Learners.
This is all information Joseph and I have learned and mastered in our State side trainings and teachings; however, it was lovely to get a foreigner view on how to use these strategies to our advantage in Korea.
After the conference was over we took all of our goodies and decided to go to the world famous fish market. It was awesome. A street filled on all sides with fish vendors and most of those vendors having a shack in the back nibble that vendors speciality. We walked around and settled on one of the vendors for dinner. Six whole fish and a plethora of refillable sides (the usual) for less than $30 USD for four adults. Okay. We left soon after with bellies full of fish and wandered across the incrediably busy street to Busan Film Festival Street and Food Street where tons of people go nightly to sample the goodness of food and film. The night we were there (Sunday) was no different. Packed and crowded as sardines in cans we wandered around and slightly wished we hadn't eaten because there were several things we all wanted to try.
The train ride back was interesting. Joseph and I had standing room only tickets which means that we play musical chairs all the way back to Daejeon. We stand until there is an available seat then we sit until that person comes to claim their purchased seat. Then we stand and repeat. Picture a crowded cattle car (without the smell) and you have an idea what the train looked like on our way back. We actually got a permanent seat about an hour left of our journey and were able to sit the rest of the way without changing. Nice. Got home about 1am and crashed. Awesome day in Busan!
Carmen...the Opera 10-29-11
Opera. Some hate it, some love it, some don't know what it is and most don't care. What is Opera? It is an artform in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score usually in a theatrical setting. There are elaborate costumes and sets and is part of the Western classical music tradition. Most Operas, though certainly not all, are performed in the Italian, French, German, and Russian languages. Opera was first brought about in Italy at the end of the 16th Century.
Another great performance in Daejeon this past weekend with Joseph and I and 2 good friends. We were fortunate to see the opera, Carmen in all of it's eleborate goodness. The performance was wonderful--the performers doing a splendid job. The entire opera was performed in it's original language, French, and the Korean actors did well. There were suptitles in Korean on either side of the stage for the audience to be able to know more of what was going on.
The performers were accompanied by a full orchestra and they did a very nice job as well except for ONE french horn player who was so flat--he must have been tone deaf not to hear himself and I can't believe no one around him told him about himself--at least he was 3rd or 4th french horn. Lee Ann and I winced each time he played and we were in completle sympathy about Hannibal Lecter eating the flat Flutist in the movie, Red Dragon (great movie). It made us giggle. Our seats were in the second balcony on middle stage right and still had an excellent view and were able to hear everything we needed to hear. Wondeful performance (except you, flat frenchy--you were terrible).
If you are not familiar with Carmen, you may read about it here.
Audience performance etiquite. You know, don't get up while the performance is going on, don't talk, turn your cell phone off, etc. All of us should know these basic fundamential guidelines to performance etiquite. I have to say the Korean's do a great job at these "rules" in the more expensive seats. If you are fortunate enough to sit in the upper balcony you may not have the same set of guidelines to follow. The opera was almost 3 and half hours long. That's a long time to sit still in the dark. I must say that I am impressed that the Korean people do a great job of turning their cell phones to the silent position. No vibrating or ringing--not even once. I wish American's did that. There were several children of all ages above 6 (younger than 6 are not allowed) that did wonderfully during the performance. There is not an announcement before the performance saying to turn off cell phones, but there is a reminder that children 6 and younger need to be in the play area and not in the hall.
A great night at the opera for less than 10 USD. I'm sorry, but that would have never happened at home with the same calibar of performance from both the actors and musicians. After the opera we went to dinner at a resturant not far away where the only item they served (basically) was a "bab" [rice] bowl. You are given about 20 or so side dishes on your table and each person gets a very hot bowl of rice and a raw egg. You choose your sides and put the raw egg on top and mix. The bowl is so hot that it cooks the egg almost instantly. It is delicious.
A great night had by all of us and we are looking forward to more.
Another great performance in Daejeon this past weekend with Joseph and I and 2 good friends. We were fortunate to see the opera, Carmen in all of it's eleborate goodness. The performance was wonderful--the performers doing a splendid job. The entire opera was performed in it's original language, French, and the Korean actors did well. There were suptitles in Korean on either side of the stage for the audience to be able to know more of what was going on.
The performers were accompanied by a full orchestra and they did a very nice job as well except for ONE french horn player who was so flat--he must have been tone deaf not to hear himself and I can't believe no one around him told him about himself--at least he was 3rd or 4th french horn. Lee Ann and I winced each time he played and we were in completle sympathy about Hannibal Lecter eating the flat Flutist in the movie, Red Dragon (great movie). It made us giggle. Our seats were in the second balcony on middle stage right and still had an excellent view and were able to hear everything we needed to hear. Wondeful performance (except you, flat frenchy--you were terrible).
If you are not familiar with Carmen, you may read about it here.
Audience performance etiquite. You know, don't get up while the performance is going on, don't talk, turn your cell phone off, etc. All of us should know these basic fundamential guidelines to performance etiquite. I have to say the Korean's do a great job at these "rules" in the more expensive seats. If you are fortunate enough to sit in the upper balcony you may not have the same set of guidelines to follow. The opera was almost 3 and half hours long. That's a long time to sit still in the dark. I must say that I am impressed that the Korean people do a great job of turning their cell phones to the silent position. No vibrating or ringing--not even once. I wish American's did that. There were several children of all ages above 6 (younger than 6 are not allowed) that did wonderfully during the performance. There is not an announcement before the performance saying to turn off cell phones, but there is a reminder that children 6 and younger need to be in the play area and not in the hall.
A great night at the opera for less than 10 USD. I'm sorry, but that would have never happened at home with the same calibar of performance from both the actors and musicians. After the opera we went to dinner at a resturant not far away where the only item they served (basically) was a "bab" [rice] bowl. You are given about 20 or so side dishes on your table and each person gets a very hot bowl of rice and a raw egg. You choose your sides and put the raw egg on top and mix. The bowl is so hot that it cooks the egg almost instantly. It is delicious.
A great night had by all of us and we are looking forward to more.
Turkey Day...Almost
Thanksgiving in Korea? Who'd of thunk?
As most of us know, Thanksgiving is a traditional holiday in the United States. Other countries have their variation, but "Thanksgiving" is all U.S.A.
How does one celebrate this United States holiday in Korea? Take some awesome friends and even a family member and throw in a great dinner and the "whatcha thankful for" speeches and that's about it.
Thanksgiving this year was celebrated in South Korea. With my husband, sister, and two people who should be part of the family. The day itself was not celebrated due to us working. That was strange because at home we have had the entire week off. Oh, how that is missed! The weekend came and with it so did my sister and a few friends. Saturday began with shopping for last minute items to ship back home for Christmas (believe me, that is a blog in itself) and then joining up with Kate, Amy and Lee Ann so we could all finish our shopping. Joseph met up with us later and we all went for dinner. Shabu shabu. Delicious. It is a bowl of boiling water surrounded by a BBQ grill and then you have Korean [cow] meat and you grill that at your table. There is a plate of raw veggies: cabbage, carrots, beets, onions, and sprouts. There is also rice paper that you dip in rose water and add the meat and whatever veggies you like, add sauce and wrap it up. Think non-fried spring rolls (Billie Jo: Pho' 97). After your wraps, meet and veggies are gone, noodles are added to the boiling water and then eaten. After they are gone, if there is any water left in the bowl, rice and an egg are added along with more veggies and stewed until a thick rice type porridge is created. It is too delicious for words. A few of us had cameras but neglected to take pictures. Don't worry, a blog will be dedicated to the stuff Joseph and I normally eat as soon as we have enough pictures to do it. We sat at the table for a few hours talking and eating and then were kicked out simply because Koreans don't sit at the table and talk. It isn't their culture. None of this socializing business. They go to bars for that. So we moved our party to Cafe Benne which is a coffee and gelatto shop. We sat in there for a few more hours and ate gelatto and laughed and then it came around to 'whatcha thankful for?" Even in Korea, this is one tradition that has to be done. Every one of us groaned and moaned but then we all put up our best and came up with some pretty awesome things about what we are thankful for.
Without giving specific information we are thankful for...
*the opportunity Korea provides us
*drama free environments and people
*great friends and food
We didn't even miss the traditional American Thanksgiving food--almost.
Korea Rocks.
As most of us know, Thanksgiving is a traditional holiday in the United States. Other countries have their variation, but "Thanksgiving" is all U.S.A.
How does one celebrate this United States holiday in Korea? Take some awesome friends and even a family member and throw in a great dinner and the "whatcha thankful for" speeches and that's about it.
Thanksgiving this year was celebrated in South Korea. With my husband, sister, and two people who should be part of the family. The day itself was not celebrated due to us working. That was strange because at home we have had the entire week off. Oh, how that is missed! The weekend came and with it so did my sister and a few friends. Saturday began with shopping for last minute items to ship back home for Christmas (believe me, that is a blog in itself) and then joining up with Kate, Amy and Lee Ann so we could all finish our shopping. Joseph met up with us later and we all went for dinner. Shabu shabu. Delicious. It is a bowl of boiling water surrounded by a BBQ grill and then you have Korean [cow] meat and you grill that at your table. There is a plate of raw veggies: cabbage, carrots, beets, onions, and sprouts. There is also rice paper that you dip in rose water and add the meat and whatever veggies you like, add sauce and wrap it up. Think non-fried spring rolls (Billie Jo: Pho' 97). After your wraps, meet and veggies are gone, noodles are added to the boiling water and then eaten. After they are gone, if there is any water left in the bowl, rice and an egg are added along with more veggies and stewed until a thick rice type porridge is created. It is too delicious for words. A few of us had cameras but neglected to take pictures. Don't worry, a blog will be dedicated to the stuff Joseph and I normally eat as soon as we have enough pictures to do it. We sat at the table for a few hours talking and eating and then were kicked out simply because Koreans don't sit at the table and talk. It isn't their culture. None of this socializing business. They go to bars for that. So we moved our party to Cafe Benne which is a coffee and gelatto shop. We sat in there for a few more hours and ate gelatto and laughed and then it came around to 'whatcha thankful for?" Even in Korea, this is one tradition that has to be done. Every one of us groaned and moaned but then we all put up our best and came up with some pretty awesome things about what we are thankful for.
Without giving specific information we are thankful for...
*the opportunity Korea provides us
*drama free environments and people
*great friends and food
We didn't even miss the traditional American Thanksgiving food--almost.
Korea Rocks.
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