Chuseok, 2009. . .

So, I’m into my second year in Korea and just finished celebrating my second Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving).  Though there were no trips to Hooters (see last year’s Chuseok post), I still had a lot of fun.  This year, my school brought in Hanbok (traditional Korean dress) for all the foreign teachers and we played games with the kids.  You can see my Facebook pictures here.

Other than Chuseok, the big excitement at ECCs across Seoul is upcoming open classes.  This is when all the parents of our kindergarten kids come in and watch a class.  It’s all staged- we practice for weeks.  My class is doing the solar system.  It’s been a hassle as all the staff are really stressed, but everything is finished for my class and my kids have been doing well.  After open class is of course, Halloween.  I’ll be sure to post again with some pictures from school and the aftermath/parties I go to.

I posted last time about being single again.  Getting dumped has been really rough, but I’m getting better with each passing day.  Once again, thanks to everyone back home for their support, as well as my wonderful cast of co-workers, you have been excellent.  I would also like to send out a hearty WHO-DEY to all the Bengals fans out there.  I’ve been keeping up online, thanks to the NFL Network.  As a lifelong Bengals fan, I keep waiting for the bottom to fall out, but I have to say this is the best Bengals team I can remember seeing.  Now only if a meteor could take out the entire Brown family. . .

I promise another post after Halloween.

My apologies. . .

So, people may have noticed that Colin Teacher hasn’t posted since February.  Being lazy is the main culprit.  But, I’m going to make a go of posting again.  As the last Strange Seoul in Korea, I will do my best to carry on in the tradition of my good friends.  I’ve really enjoyed the past six months.  I resigned a contract with my ECC and took a vacation to Ho Chi Minh.  Most recently, I came back to America for a week to go to my brother’s wedding in Asheville, NC.  It was a great time and a wonderful ceremony.  Here’s a link to my Facebook pictures.

Here are my pics from Vietnam:

Ho Chi Minh

The Mekong Delta

The Saigon Zoo

The Vietnam War Museum

Unfortunately, I also have some sad news to impart.  I am now single again, though not by choice.  I want to thank everybody who’ve already given me a lot of support.  It’s pretty rough right now but I’ll get through it and solider on for another year here in Korea.   I promise to post again in less than six months!

PS- It was brought to my attention that the link to the pictures from my brother’s wedding was bad.  I’ve fixed it, sorry for that.

Farewell to our Home Away from Home

The fantastic folks and friends of Seokkye ECC gathered for a last hurrah as the Strange Seouls bid a fond farewell to Asia and head back to the states. Held at the illustrious ACE Noraebang, we started the evening with huge pitchers of beer and lots of sidedishes. After a few hours of talk and picture taking, we got the party started in the Noraebang! There were K-pop hits and American standards, stunning performances and screaming fans. An awesome time was had by all as the party raged on for more than 8 hours! We have had the time of our lives here in Seoul and we will always keep close to our hearts the many friends who made this experience possible. We love you all so much and will miss you terribly. We hope however, to stay in touch and keep our friendships strong no matter how far apart we may be. Thanks for Everything!  To view photos from the evening click ==> H E R E

CandyCaneSammy and The Dragon bid Farewell to Bibimbop and Soju

The Strange Seouls recently had a visit from some very special world travelers: JT Dragon, Educator to the Chi-town Munchkins, and Sire Sammy, Holder of the Candy Cane Camera.  These two college colleagues spent two weeks taking in the sights of Seoul. They visited palaces, a baseball game, a kindergarten song festival, and, best of all, the Strange Seouls. 

Spending Sire Sammy’s birthday in Itaewon, the Strange Seouls gathered at a popular hookah bar with some Korean friends.  It was a good beginning to the journey, as it would be filled with booze, laughter and adorable photo ops. 

After a few more nights in Seoul, the couple headed off for Jeju Island, the land of romance.   The island was a very special trip for the two and they returned with a lovely souvenir, even if it was at the cost of some sandals.  They then returned to their Strange Seouls and continued the sight-seeing and entertainment.  After a Noraebang in a small setting, the Strange Seouls invited their Korean co-workers to come and join Sire Sammy and The Dragon for a few drinks and a sing-song.  It was a magnificent night that included Ace of Base, The Village People, New Kid on the Block, Madonna and much much more. 

Thank you very much for your visit, worldly travelers. We enjoyed your company and the reminders of Chicago that came with your visit.

Take Me Out to The Bawrl-game-uh!

To pay homage to the birthplace of George Washington, The Bill of Rights, and Twinkies, we thought we’d spend our nation’s birthday patronizing the greatest of American pastimes: Korean Baseball.  It was a scorcher with the top rated LG Twins taking on the 2nd place Doosan Bears. The Twins took the early lead scoring 8 runs in the 4th inning to overtake the Bears’ paltry 2.  As the sun went down and the beer cans emptied, the Twins decided to really kick-ass taking the game to an 11-2 finisher. Luckily, on their way into the stadium, the Strange Seouls had arbitrarily selected to support the Twins based solely on the hilarity of their spirit wear.

No hotdogs or peanuts and if you want a beer you need to stumble down the narrow stairs and through the crowds to get it, making this an altogether different ballgame. But you can leave the stadium to visit the Domino’s Pizza, KFC and Burger King just through the gates, and best of all you can bring in all three at the same time, in copious amounts that just scream, ”Hey Look at me. I’m a fat Democracy-lovin’ American.”  Then you can gorge on said American delicacies while knocking back more Korean beer and doing the wave. They do indeed have the wave here. They also have a chant to the tune of Puff the Magic Dragon!?! We added a little Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the nonexistent 7th inning stretch(they do theirs after the 5th) and badda-bing-badda-boom we’d made a little bit of the good ol’ USA right here in Asialand. Thanks to all the fans who didn’t understand all our horrible English heckling and to the makers of Hite beer for making this wonderful 4th of July possible. See ya soon America!

What Defends Both Freedom and The Sex-Trade?

Now the Strange Seouls have really begun to mark off some of the sites to see where the American Military is concerned.  Visiting the DMZ and crossing over to Commie North Korea and God-fearing Seoul, traveling around Commie China, sight-seeing in Commie Vietnam, the Strange Seouls decided it was time to stop by the army bases that defend our freedoms from cruel communist encroachment. 

Already having been to the Yongsan base in Seoul thanks to a freedom fighter who is now working hard in Afghanistan, the Strange Seouls made their way to the Osan Air Base, south of Seoul.  The base is in Songtan a small town filled with the necessary amenities for our American troops serving abroad: prostitution dens, nightclubs, hookah bars, street hawkers, and American fast-food restaurants.  Plus, each business is fully staffed with English-speaking Koreans waiting for you to spend the American taxpayers hard earned dollars.

Our freedom fighter at the Osan Air Base is a gentleman who goes by the name “Princess.”  It’s a long story…  Needless to say, he knew all of the best restaurants in the area and then took us on base to breathe fresh American air.  Of course, there is the usual overwhelming joy when a red-blooded Hoosier steps onto an army base and sees Taco Bell, KFC and other 5-star eateries providing their cuisine to the troops, but to have the opportunity to purchase American underwear was the real cherry on top. 

After spending American money on American soil, the Strange Seouls headed out to the streets of Songtan for some good ol’ fashioned army town antics.  A local hookah bar where customers blew smoke bubbles around the bar was the first stop.  Then, Princess took us to a club and we spent the rest of the evening with loud bass music and drinks.  It was a lovely journey made all the lovlier thanks to Princess and his Canadian overseer, Nadine “The Bully” Monster.  Oh, and one extra little note Ms. Monster hurt her arm recently and is resting up.  The Strange Seouls wish her a safe and speedy recovery, even if she is a cold-blooded Canadian Monster.

Nami Island: Nature’s Retreat

The two wonderful people you see pictured on the left are two friends of the Strange Seouls.  They introduced the Strange Seouls to Nami Island, a famous island retreat for Koreans.  The Island is known for being the setting for an extremely successful romantic television show. In fact, the very bench these lucky souls are sitting on once held the tookis’ of the two main characters from the program.

Besides breathtaking natural sights for the eyes to enjoy, Nami Island has other intriguing treats for the visitors. The Strange Seouls enjoyed their first ever Segway ride, they road a small scenic roller-bike contraption (We peddled along a track while trying to take pictures of the tiny train that went around the island), and some really serious bird-watching (giant camera and tripod not provided).  The Strange Seouls really enjoyed having an outdoor picnic with their friends. It was a beautiful retreat from the fast-paced life of a Seoulite.  We highly recommend anyone with the time to visit Nami Island and bring a Rummikub set to enjoy as well.

Thank you very much to our two Korean companions for showing us such wonderful sights.  If you would like to see some for yourself then just click ===> H E R E

The Canucks return to their Frozen Wasteland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a sad day in the Land of the Morning Calm.  Sam-teacher (pictured on the right) and Tanja-teacher (the whitey pictured on the left surrounded by Koreans) are returning to their frozen hellscape of Canada.  They are finished with their contracts and it is time for them to go home.  They likely miss their Tim Horton’s and maple syrup, so I guess it is not all bad. 

The Strange Seouls are very sad to be losing their mentors from YBM-ECC.  Sam was the first person to take us to a meal in Korea…he took us to the BEST galbi restaurant we’ve had in Korea.  Dr. Lane, as he is known to his followers, will likely return to his street performing position in Canada.  He is a famous white rapper from North Bay (famous for Canada anyway, I think 15 people know him).  Sam will be missed by his multitude of kindergarten students. 

Tanja, the real veteran of ECC, has just completed her last stint at ECC.  She’s had a four-and-a-half year run at ECC.  She knows how to whip 5-8 year old kids into shape using English and her repertoire of songs.  She is thinking about going on Canadian Idol and attempting to win with her rendition of “Faces, Happy Faces.”  So, be on the lookout for the next Canadian-American crossover. 

You will be missed.  We are very sad that you’ve left us.  But, we know Canada will be happy to receive its children into its cold, Socialist embrace.

For those who would like to see the 8 hour drink-fest that was their going-away party, click H E R E

A Tour to a War-zone…Awkward…

After a night of baseball, drinking, a Noraebang, and more drinking, the Strange Seouls set out EARLY for the USO tour of the DMZ. Running on two hours of sleep and some sausage McMuffins, we arrived less than full of enthusiasm for our 7am bus. But with a little sleep on the overly air-conditioned bus we made it into the Joint Security Area at just about 8:30am. We signed away any rights to sue in case of enemy attack, got a 10 minute overview of the history of the Korean War and we were ready to roll. The Joint Security Area allowed us to to get right up to the Military Demarcation Line and even cross over in to North Korea while inside a building. Not exactly a stamp in the passport, but over the border none-the-less. Outside we stood at the edge of the free world and gazed boldly into the red face of Communism. Not to worry though- Glorious Leader Kim Jung Il has plenty of cameras pointed at the tour goers so we didn’t get too bold. In fact, we were not aloud to point, gesture, or otherwise provoke the nothern side. This was good advice in light of recent North Korean news of the nuclear persuasion. After the Joint Security Area we grabbed some lunch, hit the gift shop and journeyed on to the 3rd tunnel. It’s a steep hill in and out, but we got to see a real North Korean secret invasion tunnel. Finally, we headed home to crash. And there it is. We’ve been in North Korea and lived to tell about it. We even bought the t-shirts to prove it.

If you want to see some photos click H E R E

A Visit by some Buckeyes and some Hoosiers

 Please allow the Strange Seouls to introduce you to some strange souls.  Pictured on the left are two travelers from the land of Freedom and Economic turmoil.  On the right in her regal Korean Traditional Garb is one called Mimi or “The Provider.”  She is a powerful figure from the Cincinnati drug trade. The one on the left is her bespecticled slave, Brian.  In this photo he is adorned with a red Korean hanbok uniform and an alluring smile.  However, due to the Hoosier blood in his veins, Brian is drawn to baser things like beer, race cars, toothless companions and Cornhole.  Make no doubt about it, friends, Mimi wears the pants and Brian wears whatever he is commanded to wear by his genetically superior better half. 

Their visit entailed many wonderous adventures: we visited the DMZ (see above post for details), we went to Everland, we had a rooftop cookout, we saw an extraodinary musical performance, but most of all we ate food supplied by The Provider. 

Add to this duo two other mysterious figures.  One a quiet Hoosier.  Little is known of this woman.  Nancy was the name given; however, her origins and intentions in Korea are still unkown.  She seemed well-read (especially for a Hoosier) and eloquent.  She may be Slave’s caretaker when The Provider is absent.  The final addition to this group is Genevieve, “The Baby,” one of Mimi’s offspring.  The Baby is empowered to access the Provider’s funds and grant wishes to the Strange Seouls.  The Strange Seouls wished for food a lot…their wish was granted. 

Because there were so many fun activities, we will tell you the one that concluded our journey with these strange souls.  The Miso Musical performance was a breath-taking exploration of Korean dance, music and story-telling.  It was by far one of the best performances we’ve seen to date.  The drummers were energetic and precise, the female dance troupe were multifaceted professionals and the musicians kept the musical flowing beautifully.  The female dance troupe not only glided accross the floor but also showed off their drumming talents.  It was an extremely memorable show.  The Korean musical was an enchanting story of love with the backdrop of the changing seasons and a spectacular musical and acrobatic performance. 

Yes, the four strange souls arrival was marked with lots of fun, lots of laughs and wonderful adventures.  We must give a special shout out to The Provider for giving us so many memorable evenings for no charge.  We were very fortunate to have family visitors in Seoul.  Now, however, they must return home to Ohio’s warm embrace.  We look forward to seeing them again.  We had a great time.  Thank you so much!!!