Nelsonites Re-unite

This past weekend, Harry invited me (and friends) to tour Yeongdo and go for dinner with his wife, Angelina and daughter, Mikaela. So I invited two high school friends from Nelson who are teaching English here. Kayla has been living in a city just outside of Busan for the past month and Luke has been in a city three hours from here since the spring. It was great to see them again and to spend time with Harry and his family. We are so lucky to have such enthousiastic and generous hosts!

It's getting chilly...

... so Breeze treated me to Korean-style porridge and tea. I'm going to help him with his English so he can MC at the Busan Swing Festival next August.

Il commence à faire froid alors Breeze m'a invité à manger du gruau coréen et à boire du thé. Je vais l'aider avec son anglais pour être le MC du festival de swing à Busan l'été prochaine.

Llegó el frío así que Breeze me invitó a comer gachas coreano y a tomar té. Voy a ayudarle con su inglés porque va ser el MC del festival swing en Busan el próximo verano.

O frio chegou então Breeze me convidou para comer mingau coreano e tomar chá. Vou lhe ajudar com o inglês porque ele vai ser o MC do festival swing em Busan no verão que vem.

だんだん寒くなっているから私はBreezeさんと粥やお茶をいただきました。Breezeさんは夏にブサンのSwing FestivalのMCになるから私は英語の表現を教えてあげるつもりです。

Wonderful Weekend

JeongEui invited me to spend a weekend at her parents' house in Hadong. We had a great time exploring and practicing Korean and English :) I'll let the photos speak for themselves except to add that the last one would be better as a video to see the octopus tentacles wriggling!

Always Explore

Shortly after coming here, I discovered the public exercise machines, hula hoops, and beautiful pathways at the UN Memorial Park about a 30-minute walk from here.

Then just last week, I discovered exercise machines and hula hoops as well at a pagoda and picnic area at a beautiful hilltop park right behind the dormitory!

Waffle Sunday :)

 

Since I discovered this waffle stand that serves light, crispy waffles filled with ice cream for less than $1, we've made it a habit to go on the 90-minute walk at least once a week!

Depuis que j'ai découvert ce magasin qui vende les gaufres légères et croustillantes, remplies de crème glacée pour moins de 1$, nous avons pris l'habitude de marcher les 90 minutes au moins une fois par semaine!

Desde que descubrí esta tienda que vende wafles ligeras y crujientes, llenos de helado por menos de $1, lo hicimos hábito de caminar los 90 minutos por lo menos una vez por semana!

Desde que eu descobri esta loja que vende wafles leves e crocantes, cheios de sorvete por só R$1.55, temos hábitu de caminhar os 90 minutos pelo menos uma vez por semana!

この店でアイスクリームが入いるおいしいワッフルが70円以下で買える。見つけてから、毎週一回以上90分歩いて、ワッフルを買ってくることにしました。

Lest We Forget

I wore my poppy proudly at the Turn Towards Busan Commemorative Ceremony at the United Nations Cemetery to remember those who fought and gave their lives in the Korean war and in other conflicts. Shall we remember and not let it happen again.

Seoul Summary

 

I went to Seoul to write the long and tedious Canadian Public Services Exams at the embassy and had to go swing dancing after, of course :)

 

I stayed at Alan and Monica's house and we made banana pancakes and chocolate chip cookies! And went to see the fall colours in the park.

 

While there, I met up with past Selkirk students for dinner and karaoke. Penny is doing his Masters degree, Jeremy is now an engineer for Hyundai/ Kia, and James is a salesperson for the Soju we drank that night.

Saturday night I paid the $10 entry fee to the 24-hour bath house (Jjimjilbang) where I relaxed in the hot pools and steam room and then attempted to get some sleep on a thin mattress in a room full of snoring people. It was worth it for access to the baths, but definitely only possible for one night.

On Sunday I went for lunch with Christina, who lived with my family 8 years ago and who, at age 19, is looking all grown-up compared to when we last met 2 years ago.

Taking the slow train

November 3rd, 2011

Train: Mugunghwa 1216
Depart Busan: 12:50pm
Arrive Seoul: 6:02pm
Price: 26,500won
Scenery: Beautiful
1.5-hour conversation in Korean with an ajuma who gave me fresh peanuts and mandarin oranges: Priceless

광안리 (Gwangan Beach)

Gwangan Beach is lined with bars and cafés that have a beautiful view of the Gwangan Bridge.

Le plage Gwangan est bordée de bars et cafés aient une belle vue du pont Gwangan.

La playa Gwangan está llena de bares y cafés que tiene buena vista sobre el puente Gwangan.

A praia Gwangan está cheia de bares e cafés com uma vista boa do ponte Gwangan.

グワンガリは、美しい大橋を面しているバーやカフェがたくさん並んでいます。