Moving Day!

Today we are moving out of the dorms and taking buses to our provinces. I will be in Jeonju for the next five days. I have done so much over the past week and have been too tired to write about it till now. Starting on Sunday I started getting sick and I'm not better. I did feel well enough for the talent show yesterday but I haven't been going out at night.

Friday night, group 6 went out for norebong (kareoke). I sang Under the Sea and joined in on other songs. I didn't drink more than one shot of soju and I was very glad for that. Others (I won't say who :) needed help back to their dorms so I became a designated sober escort.

Marcelle, my Foreign group coordinator with a tambourine. Why the Koreans think kareoke is better with tambourine's I have no idea but there were about six of them sitting on the table for us.

  On Friday we had our explore Korea day. My group went to Cheongnan while others went to Daejon. All the cat groups went to Cheongnan and the dogs went to Daejon. My group was the tigers and we spent most of the day with the cheetahs.  We had to go to the market, the post office and the coffee shop. The rest of our day was free time. Here I am with some other tigers: Monika, Kaisha and Reuben.

 We took the train! We didn't have sitting tickets though.
To the left is dried octopus you could buy at the market.

Brown sugar filled 'pancakes'.

 I took the video sideways and I don't know how to turn it. This machine makes rice crackers. It's amazing to watch. We stuck around for quite awhile.

 Ted the cameraman found us a restaurant for lunch.

 Just like in Seoul, we had photos we had to take of specific places. On the left is just my group the tigers. On the right is both the tigers and the cheetahs.

 Here we are at the post office!

The next day was Seoul. The Cookin Nanta performance was incredible. Anyone who ever visits Seoul has to see it!!!! We couldn't take photos inside so I have nothing to show you but I'm sure you can look it up online. This photo of me and Becky was taken before it started.




 
After we had lunch in the Myeong-dong district. Then we went to the 63 building which is the tallest in Seoul. NEVER visit 63 during a weekend. It was packed. I went around with Ratna. We never found the way to the top so I didn't get to see the view. People said it was smoggy anyway.







We saw the sea world which is the second largest aquarium in South Korea and the wax museum. The most realistic wax doll was Michael Jackson. Ratna and I got 'octopus balls'. The Japanese pop them straight into their mouths, but when Ratna did that, she really burned herself. After 63 we split up.

Those who were headed back to the university took the bus and the rest of us went to the subway. My group went out to eat. I had fried chicken which was delicous after a week of spam. We stayed a night at a Jimjaebong (bath house). It was mucThere were lots more saunas but fewer baths. I liked the cold sauna and the ice sauna. I am so obviously a winter child :)
When I was in the cold sauna a little girl came over to me and started staring. I said hello and motioned that she could sit next to me at one of the last open places. She and her older sister sat down. The little girl said, "Hello. What is your name?" I replied,"My name is Lisa. What is your name?" At this point she broke into excited giggles and couldn't speak anymore. I did notice in the ice sauna that she was peaking in at me. The next day at the subway I had another girl say hello and several school children said hello to me and waved when they exited the 63 building.
Sunday morning we went shopping and I tried to call Chigan. I found that I had written her number wrong so we found a PCbong so I could check my email. I was disappointed that there was no one playing Starcraft there and only one guy playing World of Warcraft.
Here are all the games they have downloaded on the computers. I think very few girls come here judging my the state of the bathroom.

 We were able to meet up with Chigan at Seould station and went shopping and had lunch in Myeong-dong.

Monika, Justina, Alex, Kat, Becky, Amy, Lindsey and me on the subway.

 Monday and Tuesday were are last days of lectures. There was only one notable one. Mr. T, a magician came in a taught us some simple tricks we can do in the classroom for our children. On Monday we met with our POE (provincial Office of education). Yesterday was the talent show. I sang Sweet Violets, and everyone loved it. Group 6 did a huge production and we won second place!!!!! I will try to get the videos here.

I have to take my luggage to the buses now so I'll continue next time.
~Lisa