My apologies for taking so long on this entry, it has been quite an adventure thus far. I started out in Seoul, made my way to the Hynix Learning Center in Yongin, and am now currently located in the Gyeungnam Province. However, since I didn't write enough about Yongin, I'm going to backtrack a bit. I'll begin with where I left off.
My last adventure in Seoul moved me from the figuritive Square 1 to Square 2, in what I like to call the "cultural square maze" of Korea. While this maze is comprised of thousands upon thousands of other squares (and other shapes I'm sure), this step is essential in the process of becoming better acclimated to Korean society. How did I get to the elusive square 2? It wasn't easy. It involved being yelled at on the bus for being too loud (Koreans are known to be extremely blunt when it comes to foreigners), going to a Nore Bang (Karoake Bar), and ultimately what I will address at the in my next entry; my wonderful experience with the remote controlled toilet.
Up until this past Saturday (Feb. 21st) I was stationed in Yongin, where I took classes that providing strategies, ideas, methods, etc. We had teachers perform sample lectures that involved magic, singing, dancing, and just old fashioned powerpoint (could have done without that though). Here's a glimpse into one of our classes (with some additional laughter):
As great as these classes are, that's really not what I'm here to talk about. I'm here to talk about the mucho sexiness that exists in Korea that I must discover. So lets begin our journey.
First things first. I have experienced what many describe as a travelers nightmare: my passport was pick - pocketed while I was in a local marketplace. Yeah. And while that may seem like a god awful thing, the upside to this is that it gave me a chance to skip classes and go to Seoul during the day time (as well as see the American Embassy in all its splendor), which turned out to be a beautiful, fascinating, and enlightening experience. Life is all about looking at the upside of things after all.
So at 7 in the morning I headed to the American Embassy, located at the Gwanghwamun stop in the government sector of Seoul. Now, I'm not quite sure how many of you have been to an American Embassy in another country, so let me tell you about it. Here is an exterior shot of it:
Going inside the American Embassy is like a fantastic secret club that only Americans can get into. Ultimately once you flash your Passport or license, you get unlimited access to their spa, free massage room, jacuzzi, bathhouse, restaurant and bar. They also have a great fitness center for those looking to drop that extra pound or two; you know, shed some weight for the Korean babes.
Well, at least that's what it should be like.
Yeah, I know that you're jaw dropped at the news. Mine too. Its not like that at all! Who knew, right?
I walk into the embassy and was stripped of my camera and phone, and anything else electronic (and thus was unable to take a photo of the inside) they could find. Inside it's much like the DMV; you get a number and go to the booth that you're called to. What a disappointment! Most importantly though, I successfully managed to get a new passport sent to the school I will be working at. Now had the afternoon to myself!
So when I go outside and turn to the left, what should I see but part of the jazz districtof Seoul, a jazz cafe complete with stage, auditorium, and lounge area. JACKPOT! Here's some interesting shots:
What I find most interesting is the fantastic setup of
the audience with couches (as seen at right).
Now realizing that I still have the rest of the day free, I take a stroll outside and GUAH! What do I see? A KOREAN PEACE RALLY! A young bunch of ruffians are expressing their extreme distaste for the current Korean president, as apparently the majority of Koreans ages 20 - 30 do not support the President. My camera was running low I used my phone so I apologize for the poor quality. The photo on the left contains the protesters (with signs, and next to me was a few people with megaphones, etc.), and not 30 feet away was members of the Korean military, armed with shields and sticks, in ready attack position. I didn't know what was going to happen, but I decided not to stick around to find out. I have better adventures to attend to.
Afterwards I took the subway to the Hongik area near Hongik University (coincidence? I think not!). There I discovered a beautiful indoor/outdoor art gallery which I present to you now!
Inside I found a closed room containing slaves who are being forced to paint for money!
No I'm just kidding haha. But seriously, the paintings that these students are creatinge are for their architecture, design, and fashion university that is located nearby called Hongik University. Here, students are hard at work (as you can see through the window of the door to the far right) finishing portraits, painting canvases, and creating designs.
I believe the most interesting of all the paintings I found was this one (as seen to the immediate right).
Frankly, its trippy.
Not only is it a fascinatingly built school (specifically on the inside, with its utter simplicity (my camera died but I snapped a few pictures with my camera phone that will hopefully serve the purpose), it is also a hotspot late at night that is filled with young international students and live music from the blues to Korean pop. It is only a matter of time before I get my groove on here, and blow the crowd away with my newfound breakdance moves.
Oh...did I forget to mention that? Yeahhh...must have slipped my minnndd... Don't know how that could have happened hehe. I'll get to that in just a moment though
Getting back to the Hongik University. I apologize for the poor quality of the photos but it was taken with my phone camera so as to be able to at least record it. Left is the main entrance of the school, a huge archway overlaying the main street in the Hongik area.
The next 2 pictures reminds me of an important point. One of the things that I have noticed in Korea is the extreme materialism. South Korea, in its attempt to imitate Western and American fashion, styles, and culture, has created a generation of people who have become extremely concerned with their appearances, visible in many different facets of the culture. Don't get me wrong, this is not to say that America is not a materialistic country as well. However, its prominence in Korean society can be found in the overarching amount of stores everywhere related to clothes, makeup, design, etc.. These stores are bustling all the time!
Even moreso, the programs on TV illustrate another aspect of the culture which to me spells materialism. They eminate a scary similarity to our own reality TV shows, but contain characters that who are less diverse, and prizes that focus around money, women, and many materialistic objects (cars, clothes, etc.). Once again, I am not saying that this is not present in American society, because without a doubt I know that it is. Instead the fact that it is so prevelant here to me is just a point which struck me quite sharply. I believe that it is simply more evident because there is such a strong desire to Westernize that it has resulted in Korea adopting the most superficial aspects of our own society, as they are the easiest to eminate. The pictures below are what made me begin to think about this concept. It is in regards to the fact that there are mirrors in Korea everywhere!
Now the mirrors. I'm not talking about small ones (they have that too, and everywhere at that). I'm talking about big ones; in the subway cars, the elevators, the bathrooms (the stalls too), showers, floors, ceilings, on some phones, etc. People are constantly checking themselves out;adjusting things, etc. Seeing these mirros so often made me begin to think about these thoughts. So how does this all relate to Hongik University? From the minute I walked into Hongik University, it was like M.C. Escher's "House of Stairs".
Despite being a design institute, it lacked the design the my mind equates with that word. The university was simplistic: Straight, undecorated halls, plain numbered doors, and an endless staircase. I walked into the elevator and I entered an endless vortex of mirrors that made me blink twice (seen below). The only door that had anything of interest on it besides a number was this one (bottom right).
Here are the endless stairs that fade into oblivion. I spit down this puppy and never saw my loogie hit the ground.
Oh dear.
Moving on (as it was getting late), I decided to head back into the town and take a few more pictures of just some things I found interesting; venues, bars (I walked into a bar that was playing some great classic rock and roll), buildings, and a dog that had quite possibly the longest tongue to body ratio I've ever seen (it stretches probably another two inches when fully extended).
Dog Tongue
Here are some of the more classic rock and roll venues, etc. Particularly take note of the title of the picture on the left, Shooters and Cocks...
Sorry that was just too good to miss.
Not sure if you can make this out, but there is a drumset, bass, guitar, and singer here rocking out
I made my way back to the subway and waited. The wait wasn't long, as Korea has one of the best transportation systems out there; you can get just about anywhere you need to for very cheap. Now, anyone who has spoken to me about public transportation knows that I love the NYC subway system; it gets you where you need to go, fast and furious baby. However, there are two differences between the New York and Korean Subway systems.:
First is something that I noticed on the way into Seoul, in the morning. I have never seen so many people going into an all out sprint before. The minute the subway door opened, they were off. It was like a marathon! I could barely keep up; they were off and going for their transfers or their cabs or their destinations, but wherever they were going they were going fast. Don't see that in New York. Hoochie Mama!
The second main difference that I saw is the extreme organization and rules that make this system function so well. Whereas in New York people clump out of the subways and pile in as quick as they can, here there are lines for elders, a spot for normal pedestrians going both in and out. People line up just as you would wait at the grocery store; it is all labeled with arrows and symbols. I caught a quick picture of it on my camera (below).
The arrow facing down is for the people exiting, the arrow facing up to the left is for normal pedestrians going into the subway and the one on the right (which has a handicapped symbol that you can't really see) is for elders and older men and women. The minute the train stops, our little pedestrian "trains" starts moving, quickly and efficiently.
Waiting on the train (approx. a 1.5 - 2 hr journey) I was forced to stand the entire time as there were so many people on their way home from work. There I met a woman on the subway named Sun Hyun Lee, who spoke to me about her love for english culture and america. We spoke so much that we both missed our stop and had to turn around. Don't have a picture of her but just want to make a note of what an awesome person she was.
As this is an extremely long entry (trying to put everything in), I will split the rest into another entry (which I am finishing shortly!). Sorry to end so abruptly, I'll keep 'em comin.
Tell me your comments! (toilet story is in the next one heheh)
Some other pictures:
Another picture of the outdoor gallery:
Below: My Texan Friend Caleb looking delicious, and to his right a bustlin' street during the daytime
Below: (Left: Two bald guys sitting next to each other on the bus,
Right: A broken camera screen that I thought created an interesting design)
Now...Ready for some wierdness?
My Australian's friend's neck! (Below)
Oh, and before I forget. A special note to Albert Brontolo: You bum...you haven't looked at my Blog. Major points lost there my friend.
The next entry will be up by tomorrow!
Annyeung Kasayo!
dude, this is so much to take in. all very incredible!
ReplyDeletei think you should be a secret agent, maybe.