Oceanside Hotel Incheon

... It was not really as informative as it could have been and was poorly made, but it gave us a good idea of what we were there to observe. (For example, did you know there are many Buddhas? I believe that anyone who reaches true enlightment is referred to as a Buddha.) We tried our hand at a bit of caligraphy. I even thought about attempted a bit of chanting, but resorted to pure observation shortly after getting lost in the booklet. Most of the chanting was done with palms ...

... and maintenance personnel. All the other times I've been here, this airport is bustling with activity.<br><br>Part of me is already missing the things I've taken for granted at home: a stable job, the comforts of home, the security of family and friends... but whatever. We all need to grow up some time.<br><br>Boarding time at 7:50.

... of these. I figured that this was for the H1N1 or Swine Flu scare, and that would be the last I heard about that. <br><br>Oh no.<br><br>Right off the plan you were lined up and had your temperature taken with one of those ear thermometers that babies use. I was fine and got access to the airport. That makes sense I guess. Detain them before entering the country. Nothing wrong with that. That's probably all I will hear about the Swine Flu.<br><br>Wrong again.<br ...

... desire to travel and see stuff. We'll be surfing, beaching, hiking, and partying all summer on the east coast and down in Busan when there's waves. I found a web site compliments of Nathan, the<br>Seoul Board Riders club pres. It shows the swell in Asia and I am prepared to hop on a train, bus, or even plane to get better at a sport that I can do for recreation as opposed to the intense days as a collegiate wrestler.<br><br>I head to Toronto on Wednesday where my ...

... a train and a sky lift that take you to different sections of the "park" to buy tickets for the various attractions. Oh yes, this park has attractions! The Contemporary Art Museum, a massive amusement park called Seoul Land, the botanical gardens, and.....a zoo!!!!! Let's not forget the cherry blossoms! They were absolutely beautiful! After about a million pictures of cherry blossoms, we bought sky lift tickets and went to the zoo ...

... with spears, Bow and Arrows, and flags that marked the specific unit of which they were a part. With the ceremony over our guide took us into the palace and carefully explained all of the sights that were unfolding before us as we walked thru the grounds of this ancient site of Korea. The history and traditions of these ancient people was here for us to absorb and remember. And we will always remember this part of Korea. From the castle we headed to a well known and well ...

... the teacher's lounge getting talked to. Apparently she was in trouble because she left yesterday after her classes and the school couldn't find her. I guess they needed her to substitute for a class. So, yeah, we are not allowed to leave the school unless we have been here for 8 hours! Even if our classes are all finished! If we don't have any work to do, then we are supposed to ask for work (yeah, 'cause that will happen!) or just find something to do! What a ...

... and August, so in some ways it's better to get the first one out of the way. I am definitely not a morning person though! As time goes by, I am becoming more and more comfortable with the job, and with my responsabilities. I knew that the first couple of weeks would be the toughest because of my inexperience, but it's a great feeling when you see the kids opening up in class, and you sense that they are warming to you. We teach the 'nokjiwon' students who have ...

... private area and a relatively uncomfortable reclining chair to sleep on. Even the few hours of sleep was welcomed. I'm craving coffee and I've noticed that the closer we get to going home, the longer my short list of things I take for granted becomes. I can't wait for little things - hot water, not having to use bottled water to brush my teeth, fresh salads, ice (without having to ask if it's from mineral water or from the tap), clean western toilets, and so ...

... I got off the metro and made my way to the train station to get the 9:43 KTX to GwangMeong... When the train was pulling up I could tell that there was something different just from the lights which are set lower and farther apart than the average diesel locomotive. Indeed the long sleek snout of the thing(modeled on a sharks head), together with the aerodynamic fairings in front of the wheels ...