A Tale of the Adventures Had by Gabby in Places That Were Not Jungwon University, the Marble Prison, but Still Within the Land of Korea.

안녕 여러분!
It's Day 51 and I'm now in the lovely land of Hwacheon - my home for the next year!
I've escaped from the marble prison!

I will give you all a tour of this place eventually, but I still have some stories from earlier to share. As I said last time, I did manage to have some adventures this summer outside of the marble prison (believe it or not). Now I would like to share them with you.
(note PINK equals link from now on! Click away!)
Ahem.

And now for,
A Tale of the Adventures Had by Gabby in Places That Were Not Jungwon University, the Marble Prison, but Still Within the Land of Korea.

The slightly insane young-person, Gabby, escaped from the marble prison one weekend on a magical bus that led her to the land of lights, KPOP music, and drunk foreigners: Seoul.
She had a trusty companion, Rachel, who was the mastermind behind the escape. The plan was as follows:
1) While almost all the other ETAs go on a temple stay, we run in the opposite direction (get on the bus)
2) Once we arrive in the Seoul paradise, eat all the food possible, build stamina.
3) Acquire the necessary tokens to achieve full tourist power (metro card for Rachel, SD card and camera charger for me)
4) Find the safe zones and build army (go to cafe with wifi and message friends in Seoul to meet them)
5) Capture all the Pokemon, become the pirate king/hokage/avatar, bring balance to the force, defeat Voldemort, destroy the ring of power, master the four elements, free ourselves from the Matrix, find El Dorado and the Holy Grail, reunite the Koreas... (Do fun things with our friends).

Most of this did go according to plan… except the area we were in was mostly cute clothing shops and skincare stores (Master Rachel knows basically all there is to know about skincare and helped me choose a moisturizer). But that meant no electronics stores… and no charger for Gabby. Thus no camera.

And then our friends were not free that evening we were in Seoul. So we never built our army…

And we didn't really do anything too crazy. We just ate bingsu and went to a norebang for a chill evening. I didn't become the pirate king. Still have the One Ring. Voldemort is sipping a martini now. No epic adventures really that day… (dreams crushed)

The next day we just had a few hours, so we went to Itaewon (aka the foreigner district of Seoul) to meet Rachel's friend. While killing time, we stumbled into the antique district… and there were endless antique stores (all closed because its 10 am on a Sunday). There was one store that was like a super antique store. Like an antique roadshow blown up antique store. Like I can image an epic, artsy photo-shoot or creepy music video with someone dressed up like an abandoned doll staring at you with glassy eyes all happening here. These photos sort-of not-really capture the feeling:

There was old fashioned bathtubs, creepy-giant Santa statues, all those rocking horses and clocks you see in the photo.  Just about anything you'd expect at a circus. All at this ridiculous antique store. I felt revitalized. Like I'd discovered a new civilization or the answer to the world. It was an experience and I recommend all future set designers and prop masters to go here.

Rachel and I went back to Jungwon University that afternoon for more mandatory meetings and workshops. And our brief respite was over.

We went back to Seoul again, but this time as the whole Fulbright army just last weekend. We spent more of that weekend on the bus than anywhere though… from departing Jungwon at 5:30 in the morning to the hours and hours we spent trying to go north (to Hwacheon! Making Korean news again) on Sunday. No corn was gifted in the morning, but instead awesome party lighting made the ride:

Well, that and the 물 kingdom my bus created. The back of the bus seats are higher than all the other seats, making the special few feel like royalty observing their subjects. Rachel was our 물 king, Julia our queen, Leanndra our fool, and I, the bard, who usurped the David bard. Everyone else, the commoners who made our king doilies… maybe you had to be there. >.< Just know I sang a lot of epic songs, channeling some Monty Python "Brave Sir Robin".

(I also spent time rolling on the bus floor, and I must have fallen onto a seat because I've got a distinct seat-handle-shaped bruise on my… on an unpleasant part of my body.)

On our free day in Seoul, I went to Eat Your Kimchi's new cafe You Are Here. It was so much fun. I'm a fan of Eat Your Kimchi (I've seen about 80% of all their videos) and meeting them in real life was akin to meeting a movie star. It's hard to believe they're real and that you're talking with them. Here is the "selfie" Simon took with us:

The cafe is super cute too! Here's Micia posing out front, and a view from the second floor:

 Me schmoozing (I hope to video edit for them someday! Gotta talk while I can) Also check out Martina and my floral coordination. >>

Moving on from Seoul weekend - I went hiking in Goesan another weekend before Korean finals.
So hiking round 2 also happened. I don't have many fun stories to share… but here are some fun photos:

It was a very nice day...

And there were swings!

To close this very long post:

Funny Korean English Things

I was trying to find gift bags for my principal and co-teacher's gifts, but they all have awkward English, French, and/or hearts all over them...

And that's all folks!

Tomorrow is my first day going to school! Many more adventures to come.

_Gabalicious

Final Goesan adventures

Hello, world! I apologize for my absence… recently we've been beyond busy, like busy to infinity and beyond busy.

It's Day 47 and I leave Goesan tomorrow to go to my placement!
WHAAAAT?
Yeah time just disappears like that… so…
We've got a lot to catch up on. Let's get started.

I'll divide these adventures with, adventures in Goesan and adventures in the great beyond (outside Goesan (still in Korea folks)). I might just have to share the other adventures next time.

GOESAN ADVENTURES

So do any of you remember my numerous grievances with the couple culture that is magnified to infinity and beyond in Korea? Korea loves matching shirts, hats, bunny ears (in Lotte World esp.), shoes, everything. And it get obnoxious when you see it a billion times every day. Well, Ewha was like a magnus nucleus* of couples and dating, so in comparison, this summer has not been so bad.
But! I have found evidence of the impossible. My first night out in Goesan, we were walking in town and I saw on display in a store what I imagined only jokingly last time:

"Cute couples with matching plastic surgery and underwear <- LOL JK NEVER HAPPENING ㅋㅋ "

Well, there in the window, was the matching underwear of my nightmares.
I unfortunately did not take a photo.
FEAR NOT! I kept a look out in town, and while the window display was changed by the time I found the store again, I found something recently that takes couple culture to a whole new level.
Is your sense of adventure and the thrill of romance dull? Want to try adding a new element to spice things up? Find a friend and get ready! Announcing: THREESOME COUPLE UNDIES

This next story is just something cute and sweet - when I went to visit an elementary school with an ETA last month, there was this adorable artwork on display.

It's about reuniting Korea.
Stuff like this makes me hopeful for the future and nostalgic for the power of children's dreams.

Last Goesan story!
I went out for lunch with some classmates after we finished our Korean final last week. Like finals in college, I didn't really sleep the night before. I had the whole messy-student-look going for me (glasses, no makeup, giant T shirt).
Now with this background information, allow me to explain what went down.
A friendly 아줌마 old lady talked to us a bit. Shared stories of her daughter who is studying in Canada.  She made sure we had lots of food and complemented our Korean. We made eye contact several times, but I didn't directly talk to her very much.
Over half way through our meal, she suddenly walks up to my shoulder, places her hand on me, and asks very seriously, 남자? 여자? Basically asking if I am a man or a woman, with more emphasis on thinking that I was a guy. She then went on to explain that she thought that I was the most beautiful boy in the world. But, after figuring out I'm actually a girl, just sort of wrinkled her brow and walked away. It was a good laugh when it happened. Even now I sort of shake my head a bit, and wonder if I should be happy that I could be taken for a beautiful male.. That is beauty stereotypes for you… "short hair = man" for many old people.

Anyways - to close our Goesan story, here is a beautiful Goesan sunset!

I'll try to post again soon because there are plenty more stories to share!

Bye for now!

-Gabs

* I realize that this is not a real term. But I thought it sounded cool... THIS IS MY BLOG I do what I want.

Placement updates!

Hey again! It's Day 33!

This just in:

There was an ETA last year named Gabrielle. She is white. I think her birthday is in January. She cut her brown hair into a pixie cut (I may have stalked her on Facebook). She taught at Hwacheon Elementary School.

My name is Gabrielle. I am white. My birthday is in January. My brown hair is cut in a short crop. I will be teaching at Hwacheon Elementary School.

…

WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?????

But actually.
I am kind of paranoid about people who have the same name as me, and cannot help but feel like I have to compete with them and prove myself. This person has way too much in common with me. My mind is freaking out.

Will my students be confused? Will they compare me with her all the time? Will they talk behind my back like, "I like the other Gabrielle better." "Gabby teacher is not as good." "I wish the old Gabrielle was still here."

Yes. I'm being irrational. But I can't help it!
I considered putting down on my preference form that I do not want to be in the same town as a Gabrielle from last year, but, thinking it as a joke, thinking that that was too obvious, no way would I be near the other Gabrielle, and I didn't put it down.
Now I'm at the same school as a teacher named Gabrielle?? 진짜 멘붕.

To add to my worries, apparently Korea doesn't understand insulation and so the buildings… well, they aren't insulated.
Quick reminder - I'm in the coldest province with reported winds from Siberia.
So, um, if you see me after this winter, I think I'll have a new look going for me:

WINTER IS COMING

I am getting more than slightly overwhelmed…

안넹!!

Come on over to the border

Happy August everyone!
It's Day 29 and I have got some news for you.

Just last night (well, now two nights ago) we had our all-important, future-deciding, friend-dividing, super-secretive Placement Ceremony!

Ladies and gentlemen, the results are in. I will spend the next year in Hwacheon 화천!

Let's learn about Hwacheon!

Hwacheon is a rural town in the greater Hwacheon county.  Hwacheon county is the little red area in the north of the map. It is part of Gangwon province (the dark grey area). In South Korea - (the whole map, duh).

1) It's the coldest province in Korea.

Like we-get-freezing-Siberian-wind cold. And are basically-on-mountaintops cold.

I promised myself, after surviving Boston winters, that I would never live in a cold place again. A place where, when you walk outside, the air hurts your face. A place where the snow sticks around until March or April.

On the positive side… at least I am super prepared for the cold. I got my snow boots and everything!

And who knows what type of superpowers I will gain from this experience. Watch out world.

 2) We have all the festivals. We turn the freezing misery of winter into tourist profit with ice festivals. (But, like, actually, a reported million people come to Hwacheon every year for this stuff.)

And a very special, catch your own trout, ice fishing festival!

And in summer there is a lovely, refreshing tomato festival.

And a creative raft festival. 

3) We also are supposed to have some of the best Samgyupsal. 삼겹살 (Pork meat for Korean BBQ) 

4) The population of my entire county is only around 24,000 (about 90 of them are foreigners). But since we are right on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), aka North Korea is my neighbor, there are army bases and camps and training centers (also the 6-month training center for North Korean defectors is in Hwacheon!) So the population is actually a bit bigger. And tourist season it is a whole different story.

I guess my encounters with the marching soldiers earlier this summer portended my army fate... 

5) I am over five hours away from Micia (she'll be in Daegu). I am still avoiding thinking about this. We both just expected to be together (or at the very least near by each other…) Nope. Cannot accept this. (denial stage of grief people. It's real)

Feels (brought to you by KDrama drama)

Micia, I am going to miss you.

6) More fun facts

County Flower - Azalea

"Symbolizes harmony and unity of county residents.

Emblem for the industriousness and tenacity of county residents. " 

County tree - Dogwood

"Shows the image of Hwacheon where green mountains flourish

Emblem of the rise of the people to develop their unlimited potentials "

County bird - Nightingale (I don't think it's the same nightingale we are used to…)

"Shows the scenic beauty of Hwacheon

This bird that enjoys bathing, signifies the county residents that live amidst blue mountains and clean water"

AAaaaaaaaand that's all folks.

Come visit me in North Korea!

Wuv,

Gab gab