Sunburn, BBQ and all that Jazz
Trip Start
Aug 30, 2005
1
9
49
Trip End
Aug 29, 2006
Outside Jochiwon,
Korea Rep.
Monday, September 5, 2005
September 4, 2005:
After my harrowing encounter with the Korean road - it wasn't technically a highway Kelsey, but your point is well-taken from the email about things I wouldn't do in Canada I shouldn't do here - it was Korean BBQ time. Well now that is an experience only a few lucky Westerners have experienced I should say. I didn't know you could BBQ rice cake, eggplant and solid pork fat. Ummmm reminds me of McDonald Fries, coronary bypass.
I was able at this BBQ to meet one of my almost mythical Korean co-teachers whom I have seen niether hid-nor-hair of. She wasn't exactly what I expected, but her English is quite good so that's a good start. So thats 2 down and 5 to go if you are keep track... I'm not.
It was actually a wonderful evening filled with mostly Korean conversation, but they tried remarkably had to include me. Then the kids showed up with a troop of growing boys (and girls) whom quickly devoured the remaining food. Even in Canada I have never seen a plate of cookies dissolve before my eyes the way it did that fateful night. Wow. I guess it is because they so rarely eat crap, that when they do they go all out.
During the entire evening I was fielding questions about the status of my feet after walking for 10KM +. Really they were very concerned offering foot baths, commenting on how sore they must be. I guess when you thik about it walking 10KM in Korea is like 1000KM in Canada, when you compare size - I gathered not alot of people walk (apparently for very good reasons ie death).
The following morning I woke up and my neck felt sore, I thought it might be meningitis. I turned out that I had recieved a rather sever sunburn the previous day during my excursion. I would not have thought it were possible; it was so overcast I couldn't even see the bloody sun. Noone told me there was a hole in the ozone layer over Korea... I thought was a gift from the world to Edmonton only. I even had sunscreen on, but the humidity routed its effectiveness as I was sweating like a mule in the Sahara (please, create your own mental image of that one).
Well now onto Monday and the week of adventure and misadventure...
