Maremons Hotel Sokcho

... me thinks. I think the thought of possibly getting some sleep on the bus kept me going but that sooooo didnt happen! Billy had kept me a seat at the back of the bus (like being in school again) and just got chatting with everyone on the 'Norae' bus - most of whom had skipped downtown straight to the bus, and others who decided they'd just carry on drinking! (Later Drew regretted this a little - i wish we'd seen him on the slopes) but overall a great group ...

Ahhh November 11th... a time to celebrate the end of the 1st World War, a time to appreciate veterans. Right?

If you happen to be in Korea on November 11th, you are lucky enough to be a part of "Pepero Day" which, while not as important on a world wide scale, is still a fun (and delicious) holiday.

What's Pepero? Well, it's simple. Pepero is a snack. Yes, there is an entire day dedicated to a snack. To be fair though, Pepero are ...

As the weather keeps growing colder and colder (and windier and windier), I've noticed a trend in which I get home from work around 5:30pm, make dinner, and then DON'T leave my apartment until I have to work the next day. After a week or two of this, I started realizing that the life of the hermit isn't too conducive to staying healthy or sane. So after a week of pondering, I eventually took action and decided to join a gym. There is one not too far from my house, and Robb and Allyson, a ...

With less than two months left on my contract, I am psyching myself up for going back to England and spending Christmas and New Year at home. This year has been a huge learning curve, and I know I've become better and better at teaching as I've gained more and more experience - my recent lessons with the first and second graders have been superb, even if I do say so myself! I feel sorry for the third graders right now though as they are under intense pressure. Their parents don't help ...

On Monday, all the students at my school had a half day because of a big standardized test they have to take. Surprisingly, all the teachers got to have a half day as well! I was stoked! Going home at noon! Then I found out that at noon all the teachers were going to get lunch together! Great! Then I found out that after lunch all the teachers were going hiking. Ok. And at SOME point I found out that after the hike all the teachers were going to dinner. uhh? What happened to my Monday ...

Being a rare breed in Korean has to led to some real interesting comments (supposedly compliments) regarding my appearance. All of these are real things that have actually been said to me.

"Your face is so small"
This apparently is a really good thing in Korea. I was also informed that it's scientific fact that Koreans have bigger faces than Americans. I, meanwhile, am sure that NO PART of my body is smaller ...

... ingredient everywhere you don't want.

I went to e-mart (the big department/grocery store where you can buy anything) and bought cheese. It tasted like squid.

I swear there are days when the RICE at the school cafeteria has hints of squid.

A simple bowl of seaweed soup. It tasted like squid.

I'm pretty sure that certain candies and beverages have squid in them.

The worst happened just a few days ago. Always a sucker for free samples, I was at ...

... to lead him off the trail) ummm meet who?

Boyf: We . . . can . . . can . . . we . . . .we . . . can .. . .meet? M-E-E-T? (yes he actually spelled out loud for me)

Mary: (THROW HIM OFF THE SCENT!) I'm going to Gangneung this weekend

Boyf: (ALWAYS undaunted) We . . . I . . .drink? We . . .drink? 5?

Mary: Ohhhhh I'm going to Gangneung this weekend

Boyf: We . . .drink?

Mary: (Feeling the edges crack) I'm leaving. I'm going away. I ...

... Boyf: Mary (eyes roving all over the bus ) pretty.

Me: Thanks!

Boyf: (encouraged) Mary . . . .(his eyes are swimming around in totally different directions - which one should I look at?) . . . nice.

Me: Thanks.

Boyf: I . . . . like . . . .(still trying to decide which eye I should look at) Mary.

Me: Ok.

Boyf: (obviously going somewhere with this new theme) Mary ...

... from one coast to the other in less than 3 hours.) Near Sokcho is Seorak-san, a national park with rugged, rocky and green mountains where we rode a cable car up and did a nice but steep and scary hike at the top. We visited a Buddhist temple at the bottom of the mountain and did a 6km/2 hour hike to a waterfall in the valley. That night we went to Waterpia, a brand new water park next to ...