Shouting Korea!!!!

If you notice in the image above, the sign says "Shouting Korea." I didn't really think this was a clever motto for the World Cup audience here in S. Korea. I mean really, I was thinking, a group of some ad people sat around for days racking their brains for the perfect motto to express Korea's 2010 World Cup audience fervor and all they come up with is 'Shouting Korea.'

Well, the motto is befitting. We needn't watch the game to know that S. Korea scored a goal...perhaps we need to just open a window. (In reality a closed window doesn't change a thing)

Seoul is a beehive of humans. People everywhere. Apartments swarm the landscape and are built at least 10 stories high. The warm nights open the windows of all these rooms where everyone...everyone....is watching the game while eating fired chicken, bar snacks and grilled fish. Now imagine hundreds of these windows, dozens of restaurants and the passing taxi all shouting at the same time as your walking home from a late night at work. Then you know...we scored one.

Maybe those ad guys know what they're talking about.



Update: We had the awesome opportunity to watch Korea's last World Cup match on a "jumbo screen" outside our apt. (literally right underneath our room). One of our 'wayguk' (white people) friends here had an ambitious idea to set a projector up so we could all watch the game together. We had a great time.

Which made the loss all the more heartbreaking....oh 내가 슬픈지!!!!!

Seoul Land -- (please don't sue us Disney)

Temperatures are getting warmer here in Seoul and that means outdoor activities are sought by young and old. Our middle school is kind of taking a break this week and having random activities for the students: camping, visiting colleges, etc. But one that we were invited to topped the cake, so to speak. Yes....Seoul Land. Korea's very own Disney style theme park. For the folks back home in So Cal just think Knott's Berry Farm with a smack of Disney copyright violations. Yes there is an Adventure Land, Tomorrow land, Fantasy Land and an Epcot-like sphere in their World Plaza.

Dani and I had a great time. There roller coasters where fun and fast but eventually made me feel a bit queasy. Also, they had some 3-D shows. One with Brendon Frasier called "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (clearly adapted from the low budget film), where he speaks some very masculine Korean.

All in all, not a bad day.

Make the Music stop!!!!

Above are some photos from outside our apt from the day before the election. I couldn't resist the opportunity to have my photo taken with the enthusiastic supporters of candidate number "2." His music blaring as usual, and speeches abounding, we couldn't miss the opportunity to get involved.

While photographing the festivities (at 8am mind you), one of the other candidates himself posed for a picture with us! The first picture at the top is him, and as you can see that he is a bit worn out from weeks of rallies. But that is why these guys get the line of ladies (e.g. see the line of ladies in green) to help out daily by shouting random Korean phrases at you as you walk by (presumably in support of their candidate).

Well, after all this excitement we are glad that the music stopped and we can rest knowing that we have no idea who these people where or the outcome of the race.

Disclaimer: The views and options of the candidates pictured in this blog in no indicate support by the owners of this blog. Pictures taken with the candidates and their supporters are merely for the cultural record of those involved.

The Main Palace

Here are some pictures of our visit to Gyeongbok Palace.

This is the main palace in South Korea. The Chosun Dynasty got it's start in this location, which is the ancient glory days for the peninsula. A number of the buildings where rebuilt after a few Japanese evasions.

The grounds are simply beautiful and the structures are rather nice. Unfortunately, Danielle and I are ignorant of most of the history and significance to this place, so we certainly need to go back as we learn more about Korean culture and history we will need to go back.

But in the meantime, we are dumb Americans....

Some Church Folk

We have been blessed to find a small gathering of believers here in our area (Guro District). Coming here to Seoul I knew that there would be many churches. And there are churches...everywhere. I simply assumed there would be such a focus on English speaking that there would also be many services offered in English. And there are....just not so much in Guro.

Through a Korean co-worker we found one of the only English services in our area (we still haven't heard of any other English service). Well, it is about a 30-40 min walk from our home and has only a handful of people. But that is the way we like it; our church back home has a similar vibe.

The group has a few Koreans who are really interesting in growing in the understanding of Scripture. Which is nice and opens up some great conversations and fellowship.

All I can say is that God really provides for his people.

Our Neighborhood

This is our neighborhood. It is large 15 story building in with restaurants in the bottom and a plaza. Really this is normal, but we have one of the nicer/newer complexes in the "Guro" area of Seoul.

In one of these photos you can see our apt window. We are on the bottom (really 2nd story) to the far right.

Another picture has "Soo Espresso." Our local cafe. Really, it's not that good. But it is there if I need it! And sometimes I need it.

The food here is pretty good to. We just when to a restaurant downstairs with another teaching couple from Canada. The place is good. Basically it is Korean BBQ that specializes in pork. But you take the cooked meat (yeah, I eat it) and wrap it in lettuce with various other things. Yet, the best part is that is was very reasonably priced. It was about $50 for a 4 people feast plus drinks!

Also, there are little restaurants which you can get a big meal for only $2-3. You just better like is spicy.


--TO

Cherry Blossoms!

Spring brought us the fantastic blooms of the Cherry Blossoms and Magnolia trees. It is really something to see. The first picture is looking at our apt building from a walkway just across the busy road. There is a nice nature trail not far.

The sad thing about these blossoms is that they don't last long. These pictures where taken last week and they already look like your average tree. God certainly makes us appreciate the beauty of his work by giving us such little time to enjoy it.

--TO