I'm Back

OK, so it has been about two weeks since my last post and I apologize for the lack of updates. As I am sure you know, China is a communist country and is known for a certain amount of information control. In accordance, the Internet is control ed by the government, which means that certain sites are blocked from use. This includes Facebook, Blogspot, Youtube, and even my Canada.com email website. I have been keeping up with typing my blog on my word processor and will start posting shortly but today I am so tired today (after more than 30 hours of travel yesterday) and have alot of cleaning up to do, so I think I will try to get the posts done up tomorrow. I am also trying to decide if I should post everything at once or post one every day for the next two weeks.
Anyways, it is great to be home and sleeping in my own bed and I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of their summer.

Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen

A strange title for a blog but it is actually the name of the final episode of MASH. It seems fitting to me because before I came here really most of my exposure to Korea came from that television show.

Tomorrow at this time I will have arrived in Beijing and will be starting the next leg of my trip. I look forward to this next step in my summer adventure and can't wait to meet up with Becca on Monday night. I will do my best to keep updating my blogs but am unsure what kind of Internet access I will have while traveling so nothing may get posted until I am back in Canada or maybe my schedule will be very busy, in which case the updates may be sparse.

Yesterday afternoon was our graduation ceremony. We were welcomed by the dean of the international program. We watched a great slideshow that the staff had put together (which we received a copy of as well) and they then handed out awards for the friendliest, most enthusiastic and most photogenic students. Much to my surprise, I (along with 2 other students) got an award for most enthusiastic. I want to thank Sean and the student/staff for picking me for this award, I'm not sure if I would consider myself most enthusiastic but it is nice to receive anyways.

We were then presented with our diplomas which came in a very nice folder and a gift from the university which was a cell phone trinket with the schools name and logo. The group from each school was called up to individually recall their thoughts on the program. We all took the opportunity to thank the organizers for their wonderful work in making this program the huge success that it was. We were the last school to go and I was the last person to speak so everything had pretty much been said but I made my little speech thanking everyone who was involved and saying goodbye to all my new friends.

After some closing remarks we made the 15 minute walk to a beautifully decorated restaurant that had an amazing buffet including someone making fresh sushimi. After the supper we spent over an hour taking photos together and saying goodbye to some of the people who were leaving Friday night or first thing Saturday.

We had a room check at 10 PM and then the majority of the class went to a local bar for a celebration party. There were several people who had never been to a bar and had never really ever danced before so I think it was fun for pretty much everyone involved. The bar we were at only had one bathroom with several stalls and then some urinals behind a partition (well one of them was, the other was out in the open), it was a really strange set-up. One thing I have found here is that there is not alot of privacy in the bathrooms, it seems the urinals are always in full view of the door, which seems to always be open. Or there are numerous large windows into the bathroom.

Anyways, the fact that we seem to always leave late when we head out combined with the fact that the bars are open until 6 or 7 in the morning (the shops are only open until 11 or 12, slackers) it is hard to know what time it is when you are out having a good time. So we didn't get back until closer to 5, kind of late but considering it was out last night together and I had nothing important to do today, it was not really a big deal.

So this is it, my 4 weeks in Korea is done and it has been an amazing time. Tonight I will get my things ready to go, and maybe head out for one last walk around the business district. I will catch a bus to Busan in the morning at 7:40 and then fly out at 1.

If any of my fellow UIP students are reading this I will miss you all, have a safe flight and best wishes in all your future endeavours. If I am ever in your corner of the world, you will be hearing from me and if you are ever in mine, my door is open.

I want to thank Sean Park for his countless hours of effort in making this program the great success that it was. He would spend all day with us and then have to go to his office and do his normal job at night. This is in addition to having to direct the students to the places they want to go and get dragged out all over the place. In addition, his staff did an awesome job helping us out with all of our requests, including chaperoning us to Busan and coming to supper with us to help us order. They have been awesome and I think them from the bottom of my heart. This goes for all of the Korean students who have been so incredibly helpful from the moment I stepped off the plane. My roommate SungTae has been the best roommate I could ask for and I look forward to keeping in touch with him and wish him all the best on his trip to Thailand this summer. To my new friends from Regina, I want to thank you for letting an old man like me tag along with you on your travels, on nights out and at meal times, I value your friendships and hope to see alot more of the 9 of you once we are back in Regina and hope you all enjoy the travels you have planned for the rest of the summer.

Goodbye to the Republic of Korea.

Thoughts on Korea and Personal Enrichment

Today is the final day of my program. It has been a really enriching experience personally and educationally. I have made friends from around the world that I hope I will keep in contact with for the rest of my life. If not, I believe I am a better person for knowing each and every one of them and have learned more about the people of many countries in this world. this experience has confirmed what I have always thought, that being that even though we come from different backgrounds, religions and experiences, people are essentially the same when it comes to our core hopes and desires. We all want safety and happiness for ourselves and the people we love, we want to live a fulfilling life (whatever that may mean to each of us), and we enjoy interaction with others and grow from the friendships that we cultivate along the way.

In 48 hours I will be boarding a plane in Busan that is headed for Beijing. I will be sad to leave my new friends and sad to leave this beautiful country, but at the same time I am happy to be able to see Rebecca and am looking forward to being home in a couple of weeks to reconnect with old family and friends. In this spirit I have made a list (in no particular order) of the things I will miss and the things I will not miss from my time here.

Things I Will Not Miss About Korea and the UIP Program

1. Being away from my beautiful wife Rebecca. (Even though the list is in no particular order, this is the thing I will not miss the most) Everytime I am away from home it simply confirms the fact that she is my soulmate and the person I am will happily spend the rest of my life with.
2. Living in a dorm. I enjoy and get along with all the people here but do not enjoy the noise and constant activity of living on a floor with so many other people. Partly has to do with the fact I am so much older than the rest of the guys and just not into being loud and rambunctious any more. Also confirms the fact that not buying a condo near the University was a good idea.
3. Humidity. Walking outside and being immediately wet is not my idea of a good day (unless it is raining.) For all the weather problems we have in Saskatchewan at least we our heat is a dry heat. Being a big guy, dampness already comes naturally on a hot day, I don't need the atmosphere to help me, although it is nice that everyone is wet.
4. Being in a loud group. I am a quiet person, when I travel to cemeteries or temples or office buildings, I think you should be quiet. Tough to accomplish when you are with a group of 60 people in their early 20's. This is part of travelling in a group I realize, but has been my biggest annoyance during my time here. I think I am just too old.
5. Trying to dry clothes on a drying rack. This ties back to the high humidity here. On a hot summer day in Saskatchewan your clothes are dry in like an hour. Here you are lucky if your clothes are dry in 2 days. By then your clothes already are starting to smell funky again.
6. A lack of sidewalks. Most streets here are very narrow, have parking on both sides and have no sidewalks. Add the fact that there seems to be a serious lack of traffic rules and that although the streets are barely narrow enough for one car but are always open to 2 way traffic and walking is definitely an adventure. The saving grace is that vehicles drive quite slow and always watch for pedestrians. Drivers are always considered at fault in a car/pedestrian accident but I think this would be of little consolation after getting hit.

Things I Will Miss About Korea and the UIP Program

1. The Korean people. From the moment I arrived the hospitality has been amazing. From the program coordinator to the student staff and the rest of the students, all we have to do is ask for anything we need. They seem to enjoy having us, but I am sure they will be happy when we are gone and they do not have to act as translators/babysitters for a bunch of foreigners anymore.
2. The rest of the students in the program. As I mentioned, the best part of this program has been the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I know that if I ever travel to Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Romania, Czech Republic, Germany, Morocco, and parts of the US, I will have people I can talk to if I need advice and people I can call on when looking for a good place to eat and a good person to eat with. And I hope they feel they can do the same if they are ever in Regina (it being the travel hotspot that it is.)
3. Korean food. It is generally hot and spicy and almost always relatively healthy. The social aspect of eating, although a new experience for me, has been fun. I have enjoyed 95% of the things I have tried (although I couldn't bring myself to eat the bugs they sell on the street) and am bringing some recipes home that I hope Rebecca will enjoy. I have never been a huge fan of pork but have enjoyed it here (which is good because it is in alot of dishes.)
4. Korean T.V. Soap operas are big here, every morning in the dorm all the guys and girls are sitting one way so they can see the soaps that are on the big TV. Andrew and I have been enjoying a particular one that is set in ancient Korea. The shows are shown straight through followed by 10-15 minutes of commercials (which are almost always hilarious). I am not a fan of reality TV but a show with 5 celebrity guys that do a serious of different jobs or tasks is quite funny. Now if only I could understand what they are saying.
5. Business districts. 4 or 5 story buildings towering like canyon walls on either side of the narrow street, every floor having a business with a brightly coloured and lit sign. Stores that are smaller than my bedroom that are packed with goodies. Street vendors selling all kinds of food from deep fried stuff(??), waffles filled with ice cream (which I hear are quite delicious), and huge trays of cooked grubs line the street level, intermixed with clothing and shoe stores and small restaurants. The areas are usually crowded with people and feel alive.

Although my list of things I will not miss is longer that the list of things I will miss, I can assure you that with the exception of missing Rebecca, the things I will miss far outweigh the things I will not. I hope this helps give you some insight on my personal experiences and thoughts on Korea. I will be off to my graduation ceremony, group supper and party and will spend the next two days saying good bye to friends. After that I am off to meet Rebecca in Beijing to spend two weeks touring that country. As long as I have access to the Internet, I will continue to post updates and will probably update at least one more time before I leave Korea.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Kickin' Around Ulsan and Keepin' Things in Order

Wow 4 weeks have really flown by! It is hard to believe I have been living in the Republic of Korea for almost 4 weeks. I have seen some amazing things and made alot of new friends that I hope I hope I will have for life. If not, I know I am a better person for knowing so many people from so many diverse backgrounds.

In the morning yesterday (Wednesday) our scheduled class was a second look at International Development Cooperation of Korea. Lucky for us (it was not very exciting the first time around) the class was actually on Korea spirit and culture. The class was put on by the Diamond Sultra Recitation Group (?) and involved a several displays and a short movie on some of the cultural treasures of Korea (the Seokgulam Grotto and the Kamunsa Temple Sarira Reliquary). This was followed by a live performance of a ritual performed by a family that entails children bowing to their parents in something that is done on the lunar new year. It was very interesting and several people from class had the opportunity to go up front and play the role of the parent. The 2 children were probably under 6 years old and looked so cute in their traditional Korean clothing. Of course I did not bring my camera because I thought we were covering something else so I do not have any pictures but I will be sure to get some from some of the others.

The afternoon was our Taekwondo class. I admit that I was dreading this class due to the fact I am not in the best shape of my life and am not the most coordinated person in the world. Add the fact that I have not seen one piece of clothing in this country that actually fits me and I was not real excited. The gymnasium was extremely hot and the outfit (uniform?) was more like a canvass than anything else meaning it had no breathing ability at all. But hey, the bonus was that it actually fit me (more or less)! Before we got our turn, the group gave us a demonstration that was an amazing combination of skill and showmanship. After the show, I went through the steps of doing the stretches and learning the punches, kicks, and blocks and have to admit that although I was absolutely pouring sweat (as was everyone thanks to the heat) I really quite enjoyed it. I am sure my form was absolutely horrible but I enjoyed it no less. At the end of the session we were allowed to try to break a board with either our foot and I was able to accomplish it with 1 kick (the boards are not exactly hardwood, but hey give me credit anyways.)

In the evening I went with some friends to our favorite BBQ restaurant and after some good socializing I returned to the dorms early and called it an early night.

Today was our final class of the program. Like I said it is hard to believe I have been through 4 weeks of the program already. It has been a great time and I could stay longer but definitely miss Rebecca so much and am looking forward to seeing her on Monday in Beijing. Our class this morning was on globalization and basically covered topics I have studied in many classes in the last year so it was definitely not very exciting. the last 3 classes before this one were really good (the best of the program) so today was a little disappointing but I realize not every topic is exciting for every person.

This afternoon we visited the Ulsan city hall and council chambers. We were welcomed by the deputy mayor in a conference room that had numerous photographers and cameramen. After watching a "10 minute promotional video" (everyplace we have gone in Ulsan has had a 10 minute promotional video that tends to be over the top and narrated by the same over the top American announcer.) Don't get me wrong, the video was good (as all were) I just find the whole situation amusing. We then had a group photo and then moved on to the city council chambers.

At the chambers we were welcomed by the vice-chairman. While he was giving his introduction speech, the coordinator of the program told me that they wanted to do an official presentation of a gift to a member of the program (on behalf of all members of the program) and asked me to go up. Within 10 seconds I was up in front of everyone accepting the gift while having my picture taken by numerous photographers. I did my best to remember all of the Korean gift giving/receiving rules (such as receiving the gift with both hands) and hopefully I did not offend anyone.

After that part of the ceremony, our class was given use of the chambers in order to have a debate. They asked for someone to chair the debate and several people volunteered me as the person to do so. So I went up to the chairman's seat (which is on an elevated platform) and called the meeting to order with three bangs of the gavel. The topics we debated revolved around North Korea and nuclear weapons (these topics both together and separate.) There were several good points brought up and I think the debate went well (even though people were very shy about coming and giving their opinion in most cases). I have had several people tell me that I did a good job as chairperson so whether I did or they are just being nice I will assume I did well. lol

Almost half the class stayed down by the city hall to do some sightseeing and find some new restaurants but I came back with the buses and had a quick supper and after finishing this post will spend the night reviewing for our final exam tomorrow. From what we have been previewed and I am thinking the exam should be very easy (we can do part of it tonight if we want, a question on our opinions on the program.) I would still like to do well on the exam (even though the class is only marked as a pass/fail) so I think I will spend the remainder of the evening reviewing and possible writing my answer to the essay question.

Tomorrow afternoon is our graduation ceremony followed by a celebration and then everyone plans on getting together and going out one more time while we are still together (some people actually leave tomorrow but most leave between Saturday and Monday.)

Anyways, wish me luck and have a great day.

An Engrish sign near the dorms, I usually don't post stuff like this but this was too funny.

Hot Topics - Korean Food and North Korea

Today was an interesting day. In the morning we were lectured by Brain Myers, and American professor who teaches in Busan. His lecture was very informative and, I felt, looked at North Korea with more of a neutral tone than most. I am sure he interjected some of his personal biases (but what lecturer doesn't) but I think he gave us some valid information that helps us to be more informed on issues related to North Korea. He has a book coming out in October of this year titled "The Cleanest Race" which I recommend anyone interested in propaganda or North Korea should take a look at.

We had 4 hours off this afternoon, which most people used to catch up on their sleep but I used to catch up on some email and reading. At 4 PM the buses picked us up and took us to a cooking class. We were taught how to make Jeyuk Bog-gum (a spicy pork dish) and Hae-mul Pageon (pan-fried sea-food green onion). The pork dish was very spicy and was delicious and the other dish (which was described as Korean pizza) did not turn out quite as well but was very good as well. Our workspace in the kitchen was at the far end from the air conditioner and it was smokin hot by the time we were done.

I am now back at the dorm and am getting ready to go out for a beer for a few of the guys.

Have a great night.

Dion

Busan Revisited

My weekend was pretty quiet. I went for a couple of beer with Andrew on Friday night and then spent Saturday finishing my essay and catching up on a few things like trying to get all my things organized for the next leg of my trip. Saturday night I headed for supper with friends and then hooked up with another group of friends to go few a few drinks, overall it was pretty calm. Sunday it rained quite heavy most of the day and I just read and played around on the computer heading out at suppertime to find something to eat (the rain had finally stopped by then.)

My tourist information book for Busan is titled "Everyone wants to revisit Busan," and this must be true because I made my second trip there today (third if you count my flight in.) Today we went as part of the program's itinerary.

As with my last trip to Busan, I really found I did not have enough free time to really see things I wanted to see (although we did have 4+ hours of free time.) One thing that I wanted to do and that we did as a class, was visit the United National Memorial Cemetery in Korea. Unfortunately, it turned into an experience that just bothered/angered me alot. There just seem to be so many in the group who have no respect for the sacrifices that were made. It especially surprised me when that it was mainly Korean and Americans, the two countries that had the biggest losses in the Korean War. People still found it necessary to constantly laugh and joke around. I thought it was disrespectful, especially considering that the father of our tour guide (a Canadian named Leo Demay who grew up in North Battleford and Regina) is interred in the cemetery. I realize that it is maybe that most of the people here are very young and have too much energy, or that maybe they have never had the misfortune of losing someone close to them, or just that I am a crotchety old bastard, but the antics really bothered me and I think if they were not interested they should have stayed on the bus. I also realize that when I was that age, many of the people I knew were just as indifferent towards the soldiers that fought for our freedom in World War II and it is unfortunate but maybe simply a product of the freedom that those people died for is the right to forget or simply not care.


Afterwards we stopped at Haeundae Bathing Beach where we had a picnic of McDonald's followed by free time. I hopped on the Subway and went back to the world's biggest mall to buy a magazine that I wanted and look into going skating at the ice rink that is there. I picked up a photo magazine that is mainly in Korean that I hope to use to learn some more Korean but I did not feel like spending the 7000 won to go skating so I went up to the rooftop lounge and took in the views of the city for a while.

I then went in search of the Olympic Park (Sculpture Park) but had no luck in locating it so stopped back at the Busan Museum of Modern Art to look at the sculpture they have outside (unfortunately the museum was closed.) Not having a watch and only having a vague idea of the time, I hopped back on the subway and headed back to the beach to meet up with the group. Unfortunately I was an almost an hour early so I just hung out and chatted with some of the other students.

The next stop was the Busan Aquarium where we were able to view aquatic life ranging from fish, octopus, penguins, eels, rays, and sharks. It was quite interesting. We then had another couple hours to find some supper and meet back at the buses. I went with a group to a 3d ride and then we went looking for some supper. While at the aquarium a couple of the girls bought some assorted dolphin memorabilia for Laura so I am sure we were quite the site walking around with the blond girl wearing dolphins on her head and holding a large dolphin balloon.\We wandered around the area by the beach for a wile looking for a restaurant and finally settled on TGI Fridays where Jess told the waitress it was Laura's birthday and she was serenaded by several of the wait staff and given a photograph to mark the occasion.

After a long day we finally got back to Ulsan after 9 and relaxed for a while before turning in.

Tuesday we learn about North Korea and Korean cooking, should be interesting.





Take care. Dion

Bang a Gong (well, actually a Jing)

Thursday dawned with a very heavy rain coming down (I am told that it is monsoon season here although there has not been too much rain.) The rock steps that we walk up on our way to class had a river running down them. My 6000 won umbrella has definitely paid for itself by now.

In the morning we had a Canadian that works at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery Korea (in Busan) here to lecture us on the Korean war. His lecture was very interesting (first time in 3 weeks there were basically no students talking during the lecture) but his personal story was even more interesting. He was adopted as a child and found out 3 years ago that his birth father was killed in the Korean war (with the PPCLI at the famous battle at Kapyong) and his single mother (his parents were engaged) gave him up so he would have a good life. After finding out information on his father he made a pilgrimage to Korea and while here had a revelation that he should move to Korea. He returned to Canada, sold all his possessions and moved to Korea with no job and no plan and within a few months he was working at the cemetery and had already talked to several people that knew his father. It was very interesting.

In the afternoon we heard a samulnori performance (traditional Korean folk music). It was an amazing performance, how they can stay together for that amount of time and at that pace is really amazing. After their first performance we were allowed to go on stage and try any or all of the instruments, there was a Kwaengwari (a small cross between a gong and a symbol), a Buk (bass type drum), a Jing (a small gong), and a Janggu (a double sided drum.) I gave the Jing a whirl and it was fun. The sound vibrates for a very long time. The group then performed another song, this time with more elaborate costumes (including hats with long tassels that swirled as they moved their heads) and instead of sitting they danced around the stage. After the performance we were able to get our pictures with the performers. When I got my picture taken with one of them he grabbed me and gave me a big hug and that was my picture with him. I find people have less expectation of personal space when dealing with the same sex in this country than we do and it always takes me back abit when someone is in my personal space here although because I know it is the culture I do not let it bother me.

Last night I finally started my essay and got about a page done before deciding I was not happy with it and grinding to a standstill. I will give it another try tonight after finishing my blog.

After two days of rain, the sun came out with a vengeance today. And it was horribly humid. This being the case we were of course scheduled to spend the entire day outside. This was my second trip to Gyenongju (I went there last Saturday with my homestay.) Today we went to the museum (which I did not go to last week) and looked at various relics from the area. For a little background, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom that unified the Korean peninsula in 668 A.D. We then went to the Bulguksa Temple and Seokgulam Grotto (both of which I visited last weekend.) This time I was in a group that included the coordinator for the program. He was able to tell us quite a bit about the places and the tour with him was very informative and worth the second trip. At the grotto I was able to get climbed up the hill before most of the group and able to enter the cave just as some other people were leaving. Another person and I had the grotto to ourselves for a minute and it was nice to be able to observe the huge Buddha statue (the biggest Buddha statue in Korea at 3.48 meters high) in silence even just for that period of time.

By the time we got back to the school I think it is safe to say that everyone in the group was totally wiped out. The showers on our floor went for more than an hour straight as everyone refreshed before heading out for supper.

Tomorrow I will put the finishing touches on my essay and enjoy my last full weekend in Ulsan. Several people are heading to Busan for the weekend and I am tempted to go along as I would like to go to the UN cemetery (we actually go to Busan on Monday and visit the cemetery but we are only there for an hour and I would like longer), but I can't really justify making the trip just to do that so I will find something to do here in the city.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. Take care.