Busan Hotel

... in Korea, there's always a fresh crop of new people excited to be in Korea, and in need of someone who already knows the ropes... I like being that person anyway, the transition-er. So I've enjoyed meeting new people. Anyway, these new friends have kept me busy, and kept me from doing too much wallowing. <br><br>I've started taking Korean classes finally. It's kinda hard, but I think I'm hanging in there. I'm glad ...

... at Busan. Not impressive!<br><br>Anyway, the negativity all changed when the director took me to dinner with her husband and hot sister. Shame none of them spoke ENglish but the food was delightfully Korean (table with a big bbq girdle in the middle for the pork and side dishes... mmm) and filled me up.<br><br>I was then left to my own devices at around 6:30 so I went for a wander around my area. Happily I'm within two minutes walk of ...

... into a more strenuous one than I'd envisaged, but I was rewarded with some fine views. It began with a subway journey to the north of the city, to a temple called Beomeosa. I've been to more awe-inspiring temples before, but it was still worth a visit given its setting high up in the mountains. However, I was soon to go even higher, taking a cable car from close to Oncheonchang subway station. My destination was Geumjeong Sanseong, a mountaintop ...

The school actually gave us a four day weekend for Children's Day! Children's Day is a huge deal here. Most businesses are closed. My students were shocked to hear that no such holiday is observed in the states. They tell me, "but Teacher, children are the future!" Honestly, that is what they told me! Ha! Anyway, we hopped on the KTX for a three hour ride to Busan for the long weekend. Immediately, the contrast between Busan and Seoul is remarkably ...

... Korea and they let me drive a phat Jeep Rubicon on the beach. And that I believe in the Conundrum of Korea in my mind. Generally as a group they seem to be rather standoffish yet individually they can be really quite nice. On the other hand I'll be going back to a country where the convention is to be nice to someone's face yet talk smack behind their backs. Further I'm not looking forward to having everyone ...

... but the only military presence was the RAN. I thought the South Koreans might at least have turned up. In the afternoon we went to a special commonwealth forces ceremony attended by Prince Andrew. Once again we were the only military representatives. I think everyone else forgot the Korean war ever happened. Anyway, after tea and cucumber sandwiches with the Prince, a couple of Aussie politicians and a few Australian army ...

... There's all kinds of corporal punishment. Hands on their heads, kneeling on the floor for hours, writing lines, standing touching your toes for an hour. I don't know what they do, but it makes me sad to see their punishment. Then again, from most of the teachers, I've seen only warmth and care--EVEN while the punishment is being carried out!! The punishment occurs pretty quick, but shoot, these kids know the consequences, I don't know why ...

... of Busan as exactly like walking the streets of Seoul, or probably any other city in Korea. The same shops, the same stalls, the same food, the same taxis, the same customs crowd the streets. Busan has the coast, the port, the beach, but I have barely caught a glimpse of these. I have been too busy at film festivals or loitering around the university district, or the markets. What has endeared me to Busan has been the friends I have made there, and also the ...

... to return once we had checked in and had had a bite to eat to hire a mode of transport for the afternoon. This level of friendliness and eagerness to help foreigners was to become a running theme of the trip - I have never been anywhere where people have shown such kindness and generosity than the past week in Korea. It made all three of us vow to be better citizens when we return to our home countries - rather than avoiding the Japanese tourists stood in the ...