Julian’s Korean Blog
First Entry
Sunday 4 April
Okay people, these entries will be as brief as possible. I know some blogs can go on forever but I will attempt to make these strong and fast; like a punch in the mouth. Please refer to Miss Helen Chin’s blog page also, as we will be alternating from week-to-week.
Orientation: Seoul
Bang, we arrive. Fresh and inspired after our 20-hour stay in Taipei airport. Customs is so relaxed it is ridiculous. We walk out with our luggage and are aware of the long bus ride ahead. 10,000 WON (AUS$10) each it will cost. A man in his forties approaches and offers to take us to the University in his “taxi” for around 80,000 WON. We haggle and then decide to leave it. He is very persuasive but we still refuse. Two men in uniform then approach us. They take us to the ticket office to buy our tickets. One of the men is filming us. I’m not one to say no to appearing on camera but I prefer my money to be paid to me first! I ask the other what the hell is going on and he hands me a card. It says: “The man who just offered you a ride wasn’t a taxi driver…we have removed him from the premises…”
Not a bad welcoming committee, eh?
Very grateful, we get on the bus. One hour later we are off it with all our gear. It is 9pm Friday night and we are meant to catch a cab for less than 5 minutes to the University where everyone already is. I’m already regretting failing to take some true Korean language classes as Helen and I get in the taxi. We make it and meet our coordinators and roommates. My roommates’ name is Mike, he is a Filipino Canadian who I swear looks and sounds Mexican. You know what I mean, Essay?
Okay so orientation is awesome. 5 days of classes, field trips and Seoul nightlife. Saw this live show called Nanta! It is like Stomp but in a restaurant kitchen with Korean chefs and humour. Very funny and talented stuff. We are in the honeymoon phase people.
PS – Check out my mug and drawing. They rule.
Bang, we arrive. Fresh and inspired after our 20-hour stay in Taipei airport. Customs is so relaxed it is ridiculous. We walk out with our luggage and are aware of the long bus ride ahead. 10,000 WON (AUS$10) each it will cost. A man in his forties approaches and offers to take us to the University in his “taxi” for around 80,000 WON. We haggle and then decide to leave it. He is very persuasive but we still refuse. Two men in uniform then approach us. They take us to the ticket office to buy our tickets. One of the men is filming us. I’m not one to say no to appearing on camera but I prefer my money to be paid to me first! I ask the other what the hell is going on and he hands me a card. It says: “The man who just offered you a ride wasn’t a taxi driver…we have removed him from the premises…”
Not a bad welcoming committee, eh?
Very grateful, we get on the bus. One hour later we are off it with all our gear. It is 9pm Friday night and we are meant to catch a cab for less than 5 minutes to the University where everyone already is. I’m already regretting failing to take some true Korean language classes as Helen and I get in the taxi. We make it and meet our coordinators and roommates. My roommates’ name is Mike, he is a Filipino Canadian who I swear looks and sounds Mexican. You know what I mean, Essay?
Okay so orientation is awesome. 5 days of classes, field trips and Seoul nightlife. Saw this live show called Nanta! It is like Stomp but in a restaurant kitchen with Korean chefs and humour. Very funny and talented stuff. We are in the honeymoon phase people.
PS – Check out my mug and drawing. They rule.
PHOTO 1: MY AWESOME CUP I'M MAKING IN THE CERAMIC VILLAGE
PHOTO 2: GANDOLF!! YOU SON OF A GUN!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!!??
Gwangju: It begins
For those of you who don’t know. Gwangju is a small city (1.5 million people) in the south-west of Korea. We arrive after a 4-hour bus trip from Seoul and meet our co-teachers. Mine are really cool, two ladies, one is our age (27 in Korean years) and the other is in her late-thirties. We all disembark. No phone. No means of contact. Thankfully Helen and I live not 3 minutes walk from each other in the area of Sangmu and our middle schools (11-13 year-olds in English years) are just down the road from one another.
Day One of School: Unbelievable. I got told the students were excited about my arrival. But nothing like this. I’m David Beckham. No bullshit. I can’t walk down the corridor without being swarmed. It’s cool to have all this attention. I hope the students will ride this positivity all year.
To be continued……
For those of you who don’t know. Gwangju is a small city (1.5 million people) in the south-west of Korea. We arrive after a 4-hour bus trip from Seoul and meet our co-teachers. Mine are really cool, two ladies, one is our age (27 in Korean years) and the other is in her late-thirties. We all disembark. No phone. No means of contact. Thankfully Helen and I live not 3 minutes walk from each other in the area of Sangmu and our middle schools (11-13 year-olds in English years) are just down the road from one another.
Day One of School: Unbelievable. I got told the students were excited about my arrival. But nothing like this. I’m David Beckham. No bullshit. I can’t walk down the corridor without being swarmed. It’s cool to have all this attention. I hope the students will ride this positivity all year.
To be continued……
Andy (the man from Alabama) and me in The Wa Bar, Seoul
Behold!! The Almighty Singing Tree!
Helen and I in the woods
Me with Sonny (one of the Epik Coordinators). She and the others were so fun and awesome to be around. Thanks for everything!!
Helen and I in the woods
Me with Sonny (one of the Epik Coordinators). She and the others were so fun and awesome to be around. Thanks for everything!!
Love your work - keep it up - am actually laughing out loud at your narrative! Peace out David Beckham
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