Best Western Hotel Dongdaemun Seoul

... to prevent global warming. They bicker and fight locking each other in legalities and name calling; preventing any real progress from coming to fruition. This is my solution to the problem, while probably not too ethical, it is a solution. Lock 'em both in a sauna. A in their suit and B in their lab coat. Crank the heat up every 10 minutes and I assure you they'll be shaking hands on the right agreement needed for the human race in no time at all.

Thanks for reading always.

... lunch to go our own way shopping.


We then wandered around a bit, got our bearings and went to our favorite souvenir shopping area. But first we stopped by this big photomosiac wall to take pictures. It reminded us of when we worked together at Fort Lewis and we always had a puzzle going in the SGM office.

We also would see these big bouquets outside ...

... I can do whatever I want and I got to pick my top 13 students. I actually wish all my classes were like this. I really do love the 13 girls I picked and am excited to work with them for the next 20 weeks.

Enough of the work talk! Play time..... Over the past weekend Eric, Mike and I went to Seoul for the first Annual NBA Asia Challenge. 5 former NBA players (Dominique Wilkins, Robert Horry, Vlade Divac, Tim Hardaway, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar [coach ...

So, if I was going to have to turn 30 i thought that Korean would be as good a place as any to do it, and for anyone looking for a birthday with a difference I would highly reccomend it.

After a leisurly start, opening a few birthday cards I had brought along and a jokey travel bag kit from Tara & Brian (containing all the must haves for travel in Korea; vanity mirror - of course!; eye mask; neck pillow; fancy ribbon bra decorations ...

... Dave, Susie, Tom, Sean, and Jamie. We rode a train that went along at 185mph. It was very smooth, quiet, and tremendously comfortable. There was even a refreshment car with arcade games and private booths with massage chairs. I would suggest the train for every continental trip wherever it exists. The States could use a system like this. There was no worry of hijacking, nobody even checked our tickets, and there is no bother witha bunch ...

... save a few won from not getting one at the airport). No luck. I also went to coffee shop near Yonsei and piddle on the internet for a few hours. At Yonsei, I just hung out and talked to a few people. I was dog-tired, so I tried to nap there.

Actually, the funny thing is that I woke up from my nap a few times a bit scared. I think I was having a nightmare! It must have been a funny sight seeing a foreigner ...

... not there to meditate; I was there to eat. The "grandfather" at our school (the director's 80 year old father) went and spoke with them one day, telling them that I was vegetarian and asked if I could eat with them, as there is little I can eat from the school's lunches. Initially I felt very uncomfortable doing this, asking for food, but I went anyways. I learned what to say and how to ask and made the trek to the temple. They greeted me warmly and quickly prepared a ...

... I am unpacked in my tiny little apartment, a place I'll call home for the next year. Right now I can't even imagine being here for a year. I can't stop thinking, why am I here? I'm not even sure if I want to be here. I'm not sure I want to be away from my family and friends for another year. I miss home already, but I've got to make the most of this experience and can't dwell on that.

I can't wait to get internet in my room, but now I am hearing that I have to wait until I get my immigration card first. And that takes about 2 weeks after I have the results from my medical check up. So....they took my blood today! I was completely freaking out!!!!!!!! I remember my mom told me to stay hydrated, so from the moment I woke up this morning I have CONSTANTLY been drinking water! We (Elena and I) were escorted to the hospital in the next neighborhood (its ...

... figure, stepping past another comatose figure on your way home. After all, it's just another part of life so very far from home.



[Nov 2009: I've noticed that this travelogue gets more visitors
than any of my others including my recent India blog. Wow! It's amazing
that you're reading it, but who are you? I'm very curious to know and
would appreciate if you left comments so I know what you think. Thanks
again for reading! Dave/darkstar.]