Why is everyone laughing at me?

Trip Start Aug 07, 2007
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of Korea Rep.  ,
Wednesday, October 3, 2007

This write will be a mass exodus of memories that  I can remember from my last entry. I am starting to slip from traveler to resident of Korea. Settling in has been good. Work is going fantastic! After my workout tonight I went into the hot hut as I like to call it. I had my MP3 player going with some AC/DC. How ever it was not loud enough for me to drown out the laughter that erupted inside the hut. I unplugged one ear and looked around to notice several women sitting around the base of the hut in circle. Thinking I had invaded some womens only night in the hut I smiled and waved. They smiled and waved back. As I was not being scolded out I assumed that I was OK...just random that I entered with all women in the hut. One of  them asked me my name and I replied Kevin. I decided to make a game of  it and see if I could last longer than the women in the hut. I think in situations where you are a complete outsider with no knowledge of traditions and customs as well as language, it helps to amuse yourself to keep the mood light Artifact
Artifact
 . Needless to say I out lasted them all at 11 minutes (when in reality they probably spent more time than me in there).

Me and Korean women...Friday night after dinner at the Terrance (a local pub round the corner of my apt) with the teachers and some GI's (which is very common) some of the ladies were off to support the troops while Jill, Scotty (an Ottawatonia...if that word even exists) and I went to find Karaoke or pool. Our search lead us to the Bar Soul. A nice bistro on the second floor of a 5 story building a short walk away. The prices were more in line with Seoul pricing and North American pricing. As the red lights along the walls dazzled me I ordered a Jack and Coke by pointing to a bottle of Dr. Daniels special. Scotty had the same and Jill was pleased to have a White Russian. The bartender was hot and we subsequently attempted to communicate with her in English. She helped us with some Korean too! When she, 24, found out my age she called me uncle. I had a good laugh. Well  2am and Scotty and Jill were off. I decided to stay and sip on one last drink. She told me some words. I blurted out "alfdknaosjdbi" and she laughed. In the end I was trying to speak Korean to the owner, another patron and the beautiful bartender. They all had good laugh. Not sure if all this laughter over the past few days is with me or at me. Either way it was good fun! I am about to head over to Bar Soul to meet some friends. I am armed with a Korean/English dictionary this time!

Today was Gym day. It's a big event for the whole school. Admin. rents a gym and people to run games all day. It was great fun! Students and families were there. There was events for mothers, fathers, and grandparents as well as the students. The competition in the air was high but in the end all had fun Building in Seoul
Building in Seoul
 . I was MC for a game where each class lined up and had to listen to a clue that I gave and had to identify the word on a word wall. To all those teachers reading this, I have come to realize that words walls are awesome and  important. Thanks for all that showed me! To round out the day each class sang a song that they have been practicing in front of the entire gym full of people. Brave kids!!!!

I will add some pics from a trip to a palace this weekend. Can't remember the name though...

Left my USB cord at my favorite PC last week and when I came in today they showed me it. WOW! I was very happy...kamsa hamnida (thank you).

Kevin Teacher
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