Blog Da World (Life as a global nomad.)

Well That Didn't Happen!

2010-10-14T05:12:00.002Z

First time I've been back to the blog in a long-time. The India blog didn't happen as you can see, just not the access to the Internet. So that one ended up on paper. As did the Borneo trip later that year, and the Bali trip this summer, and the trip back to the UK.

I don't think this blog will honestly get used, as it should be, again until we have another major trip to multiple countries. Glad to see it's still up though, and apparently that many people are still reading it. It is a good snap-shot of a brilliant time. And I hope it's of use and interest of those who come across it.

Life In the Slow Lane

2009-02-14T08:35:00.000Z

Days just slide by one after the other. Goan beach time is one long blur of nothing. Decisions like should I go in the sea, of should I order some food, become the hardest of choices.

James and Tracy arrived last night. So today some of us are suffering a little. Today Mum and Dad arrive, as does Krissy I think. Tomorrow Lara and Samantha's dad and Kath. Then that's everyone.

Already I'm feeling the strain of the partying. Kingfisher beer is lethal when drank in high volume. It's full of all sorts of nastiness. You can do this thing, with a glass of water and a bottle of Kingfisher. Quickly turn the bottle upside down in the glass of water. You will see all the glycerine that's in it come pouring out. It's quite a sight.

They're Here!

2009-02-11T05:33:00.002Z

At at least he is! That being Jeff. He randomly found us laying on the beach outside our beach huts. The first to arrive of the guests. Next I think is my brother. Then the floodgates open and the other 8 people will trickle in.

Seriously, being looking forward to people arriving. Do the group gathering thing before the wedding.

Go Go Goa!

2009-02-10T06:50:00.002Z

Well we left Kerela, after a quick tour of the beautiful and tranquil back-waters. A not too bad train journey found us in Goa. First stop Colva, which is pretty shit. Like a badly rundown UK seaside town that time and taste forgot. So a night there was more than enough.

We headed nearer to Benaulim Beach and plonked ourselves at a place called Coco Huts. A basic beach hut/restaurant place on the beach. Good enough for now, but we already want to press on further south (only by 5 minutes), closer to where everyone will be. Samantha has a touch of Delhi Belly, so that move is on hold until she feels up to it.

Well the wedding stuff is all in hand, and The Leela where we are having it, is stunning. It should be for the price. The call it an 'almost' 7 star resort. Whatever that means. Hey if it's good enough for the Clintons, it's good enough for us. Seriously though, it is something else. And will be a memorable backdrop for our wedding.

We are really just waiting now for people to start arriving. Which they will over the next few days. I think most people arrived around the 14th. Although we are waiting on Jeff, as he said he be here in a couple of days, a couple of days ago! Trying to maintain contact is not easy, with so little Internet facilities around. Dare I say, I miss Korea for it's easy Intenet access everywhere.

Beach Bum

2009-02-05T06:33:00.002Z

Beach Bum (n): A condition whereby the sufferer has a white rear-end, when compared to the rest of their tanned body.

Still in Varkala, leaving sometime tomorrow. Trying to arrange a backwater boat trip, but not sure which option to take. We need to be at Cochin station, to get our train to Goa at 10ish at night. There are numerous ways in which we can get there, so we need to balance time, money, and what Samantha wants.

It's been nice just chilling out here for a few days. But I feel ready to move on to the next part of the journey. Goa is now in my sights. Meeting with friends and family. Having a big dinner together, hanging-out together, just doing stuff as a larger group. And obviously the lead-up to the wedding.

We have to meet up with our wedding planner, finalise the arrangements. Then there are dresses and suits to get made, as well as a ring to source. Hell! That's going to take a while, with Samantha being so bloody picky! (joking my love.) But in all seriousness, I am ready now to start getting on with that stuff, don't want a last minute rush, as most things we do usually are.

Like I say, I've enjoyed Varkala. The beach is nice (today we are checking out the black beach), the water is warm, the people friendly. The other tourists and travelers are a good mix of people from all places and all walks of life. So not too much of the hippy-drippy gap-year bullshit, as that is tempered with 50+ Germans on a resort package deal. There do seem to be a lot of Germans here, disproportionate to the other nationalities. Anyway, we'll see what we get in Goa. Probably more package deal people, and more gap-year students traveling on mummy and daddy's credit card.

Incredible India

2009-02-03T06:24:00.002Z

I was going to post here regularly, but internet in India is patchy at best. We've been here a week now. Did a crazy week touring the north. Agra, Pushkar, Rathambore, Jaipur, Delhi. All good fun, but tiring. So we flew down to the very south, grabbed a train, and now find ourselves in Kerela, Varkala to be exact.

Next Goa! I would post the pages and pages of diary I have... But the sun is shining and the surf is calling.

Hong Kong Again!

2009-01-24T12:09:00.002Z

Second time in Hong Kong in less than a year. Didn't think that would happen. Anyway, just passing through. We have a 3 hour layover before we catch the connecting flight to India. So spending it emailing people, checking facebook, the usually time filling nonesense.

Looking forward to the heat of India. As we left Korea it was freezing and thick with snow. So it will be a major contrast going into that humid Indian heat. Can't wait!

India Bound... Time To Start-Up The Blog!

2009-01-23T11:01:00.002Z

In much less than 24hrs we'll be on a plane to India. Another country for me to tick off the list. Samantha has been there before. This time it's all different. Not just a holiday on the hippy trail. The culmination of this trip will be our wedding. Goa is the destination, via some of the major sites India has to offer.

So dear little blog, your services are needed again. Once again we are going to 'blog da world'. Just hope that there are sufficient internet places in India for us to post our pics and keep people informed of where we are.

Summer Camp

2008-07-25T08:16:00.002Z

Well back from the UK and right into the crazy world of English Summer Camp. We've been at a week now, and it's been full-on all the way so far.

My class is called the Sky Blue Shooting Stars. The name was democratically decided by the class. In fact all choices have been pretty democratic in the group, which accounts for the randomness of the name, the class flag, the actions for the chant, etc...

These kids live here at the university for 3 weeks, so they can get an intensive blast of English. It's a major operation. Around 270 kids, 18 teachers, each with teaching and general assistants, plus all the other support staff. We've basically taken over most of the huge lecture building at the university.

Well tonight is the chant and song contest. So the kids have been drilled on camp chants, a class chant and song, as well as accompaning dance moves. Some staff take this all too seriously, while others realise it for what it is and don't put the intense pressure on the kids to be winners. There is far too much of that sort of thing in their little lives as it is.

Fun first and foremost is my philosophy. Then again, that's pretty much my philosophy on life in general. And look where that's got me!

I Could Keep Uploading Photos But...

2008-07-06T17:52:00.002Z

I like seeing photos on the blog, but they take so long to upload...

Please just check the albums. Links below!

This Is England: Part 1

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43966&l=33017&id=538194318

This Is England: Part 2

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45652&l=4e41d&id=538194318

Cheers!

Me At Ye Olde White Hart

2008-07-06T17:50:00.000Z

Perfect! Hot summer's day in Hull. Sat outside a pub, with a cold beer.

Pub Crawl Round Hull

2008-07-06T17:48:00.000Z

Not really! But we did go to quite a few pubs that began with Ye Olde!

Mucking About In The Beck

2008-07-06T17:36:00.001Z

In English countryside really is pretty in the summer.

Reeth ( Swaledale, North Yorkshire)

2008-07-06T17:34:00.000Z

God's own country!

England: Day... Oh well into it by now!

2008-07-06T17:06:00.002Z

Not having much chance to access the internet. Not like fully networked Korea. Oh well!

So we've done most of what we planned to do. Seen almost everyone we wanted to see in the Yorkshire region. It's best to check to facebook link, to see the photos and the people, and of course the places we have been.

We spent a lot of time at Samantha's parent's house in Swaledale. Using it as a base. From there we visited Alex and Charlotte at the Arden Arms, went to Hull, and York. So covered a good proportion of Yorkshire.

The next leg is across to the Lake District. To see Samantha's Dad and Kath. Then down to Birmingham on Thursday to hook-up with my brother James. I've not seen him in 8 years, so that should be good. After that we have to fit in our mate from Korea, Rob, in Winchester. Then back to the London area before we fly out.

Still so much to do.

Facebook Photo Album!

2008-06-24T11:37:00.001Z

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43966&l=33017&id=538194318

Here you can view all our pics!

England: Day 1

2008-06-24T11:27:00.002Z

Made it back. It was a-hell-of / hellish journey back. Was up about 48hrs, on the go for about 30 of them. Coming home isn't easy, good job we only plan to do it every couple of years.

Anyway, it's all good. Spending time hanging out in airports is made much easier with access to business lounges. It just takes the edge off. Well, here we are, landed last night. Heathrow is a shit-hole, it's got to be said. After being in other airports around the world, you realise how truly shitty Heathrow is. Shame it's most peoples first impression of England.

Anyway, we managed to escape Heathrow Hell. Which isn't easy. A huge sprawling place, with no sense of planning, and little direct means of escape. A £60 taxi, just 5 minutes up the road found us at Samantha's Auntie Jane's. (£60... That's about $1,000,000). Oh things are so expensive here. A few glasses of wine, watched the dawn, and went to bed.

Now it's our first day here. I'm sat looking out the window at a lovely sunny day. A light breeze playing in the branches, as the Thames rolls majestically below. Nice!

Samantha And The Swans

2008-06-24T11:25:00.000Z

Their protected don't you know!

Sitting By The Thames With A Cuppa

2008-06-24T11:23:00.001Z

What a good start to any holiday. Summer morning sitting by the Thames with a cup of tea.

Comin' Home!

2008-06-24T11:19:00.002Z

Our flight out of the Land of Kimchi. Cathy Pacific to Hong Kong. We'll be spending some time there on the way back. Can't wait!

Light At The First Semester Tunnel

2008-06-18T05:23:00.002Z

Time has flown. Can't believe it's the end of the first semester at Suwon University. I know I always say about not up-dating the blog. It is down to a mix of laziness, settling into daily routine (so not having anything of great interest to say), and using facebook.

Most everyone I know uses facebook, so they are fully aware what is going on. We communicate all the time, often in real-time, so a blog seems useless at times. Except really for my and Samantha's own record of our life and times.

Anyway, as I said the first semester is at an end. In less than a week we will be flying back to the UK for our hols. Not that there will be much relaxing going on, as we'll be flying around all over visiting people. Samantha's family are dotted all around the country. I have James to see, if we can get it together. As for my kids! Well that's another matter. Not looking likely as it stands at the moment. Shame!

It's been good working for a university. We have another semester to go, and maybe another year if they renew our contract. Which I feel they will. Yep, this is an easy life. Good pay, short hours, easy work-load. Perfect! This is what a little hard-work and a random degree can get you. Also some luck and a few good friends, with the ear of the Korean management.

Well I'm sure the blog will become active again when we hit the UK. As we'll be on our travels. Which is the point of the blog really.

Long Time No Blog

2008-03-26T04:56:00.002Z

It's been ages since I last wrote a blog. Guess partly to being busy shifting over to Suwon University, and partly as a year into living in Korea, there isn't so much new news to tell.

Life is just everyday life, but I just happen to live in Korea. Although that's from my perspective I suppose. As to others life here would be interesting, and worthy of noting down in a blog every-so-often.

Well the big news is, we now are working at The University Of Suwon, as English Professors. Now that's one in the eye for many people. That waster from 'ull, working as a Professor?! How the hell! Well sorry, but hard-work, dedication, and being dead-jammy! That's how.

And get this, along with the easiest job in the world, comes... A 'free' 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment, overlooking (as Korea goes) fields and mountains. Can't go wrong really. I do say the 'easiest' job in the world, but that's not totally true. Even though, all the people I work with would say that is the case. However, you have to be able to teach, even in a small way. Oh and understand the basic mechanics of the English language. So that cuts out 90% of Brits right away, who'd not be able to do the job. You know, you've got to take a perspective on these things sometimes.

The Mysterious Hamburger Dog Of South Korea

2008-02-10T08:34:00.000Z

The Mysterious Hamburger Dog Of South Korea

Movies...

Ali Baba Hamburger Dog

http://apps.facebook.com/goanimate/movie/33629

Hamburger Dog In Wonderland

http://apps.facebook.com/goanimate/movie/22513

Enjoyed the movies... Join the group!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6487398390

Picture Of A Very Christmas Samantha

2008-01-02T03:57:00.001Z

Christmas Eve, on our way to Zapi Bar to meet the guys.

Picture Of The Guys At Zapi Bar 1

2008-01-02T03:56:00.001Z

Ah Christmas Eve! Zapi Bar, good to go!

Picture Of The Guys At Zapi Bar 2

2008-01-02T03:54:00.001Z

Trying to be all very cool and thoughtful on Christmas Eve.

Picture Of My Christmas Jumper

2008-01-02T03:52:00.001Z

Offering advice to Samantha on the preparation of Christmas Dinner.

Picture Of Friends Enjoying Christmas 1

2008-01-02T03:51:00.001Z

Kenny, Brian and Cal.

Picture Of Friends Enjoying Christmas 2

2008-01-02T03:48:00.000Z

Derek, Jorge, Warren and Samantha's head!

Picture Of Jorge And Warren Chillin With A Hep Cat

2008-01-02T03:45:00.000Z

Lara's cat has become very chilled in the time its been staying with us.

Another Christmas Comes And Goes

2007-12-26T12:39:00.000Z

Well it's Boxing Day night, so that's Christmas over with for another year. We had a great Christmas Day. Had most everyone round, who was around. There were 10 of us, all squeezed into our place. We did the whole Christmas thing. Samantha and Justin had made crackers a couple of weeks ago. We borrowed a small oven from Justin, so we could make roast potatoes. We had the lot, full veg, meat and gravy main, homemade soup starter, even had Christmas pudding. Brian supplied that, he'd been sent it by his parents.

So the day went like any other Christmas. Loads of mates, food and drink and good laughs. I'd downloaded a plethora of alternative and traditional tunes, as a soundtrack to the day. We even did cheese and crackers later. Oh, and we started the day with Bucks Fizz. Brilliant.

We are tired now, it was a long day. But well worth it. Anyway, we've only got 2 more days at work, then we are off again for 5 days. Maybe this time we will do the ski trip. As the last block we just hung-out at home mostly. It was good not to do anything, plus we were both a bit under the weather.

Well on top of all that. Our best Christmas present was being offered the jobs at Suwon University. So in March it maybe Professor Richard and Samantha. We just have some paperwork we have to get together first. If that all goes to plan, then we will be good to go!

The Weeks Just Fly By

2007-12-17T14:41:00.000Z

Nearly Christmas, can't believe it. In fact it will coming up a year since we've been here soon.

It's been work, work and work. Night's out, hanging with friends. Meeting new people, and generally living our life here. We've been to birthday parties and Christmas parties. Mainly waiting until it's our time off. We only get 2, 5 day blocks, but it's better than nothing.

Still trying to work out what we will do next year. So many options, it makes our head hurt. I think we'll think clearer, after we have had time off, and a good rest. This stretch of working has taken its toll. Feeling a little fried at the moment.

Picture Of Jorge And Samantha

2007-12-17T14:39:00.001Z

It was Jorge's birthday, so he decided that he wanted to do the cruise. We'd talked about doing it since the summer, but just not got round to it.

Picture Of Us On The Han River

2007-12-17T14:37:00.001Z

It wasn't as cold as we thought it would be. Doing the tourist thing, and taking a Han River cruise.

Picture Of Warren On The Han River

2007-12-17T14:35:00.001Z

A very cool image, despite Warren getting in the way!

Picture Of Jason Looking Very Pretty

2007-12-17T14:33:00.001Z

Yes Jason, all very Pebbles Flintstone.

Picture Of... Hmmm! Kebab

2007-12-17T14:27:00.001Z

What better after a night on the beer? KEBAB!

Another One Of Those Quick Catch Up's

2007-12-04T10:45:00.000Z

I can't believe it's been so long since I last made an entry. Time is really flying at the moment.

Well Ben has gone back to England now. We made him go to the Korean Fold Village, as he'd never been in the year that he'd lived here. So on the last Sunday before he left, Samantha, Brian, Ben and myself went there for the afternoon. It was good to see the various shows that they put on, as we'd missed them last time Samantha and I went there. Afterwards we hooked up with a few people, that wanted to say their final goodbyes. Saturday, was spent in Seoul. We started our Christmas shopping, as we need to send stuff overseas. In fact we managed to get most of it done, which was good.

The week in between at school, was uneventful. Telephone interview, which means a couple of late nights ringing up trying to catch the kids in, and not at some other academy.

Last weekend was Jorge's birthday. Friday we just hung out at ours, and had a 'pizza party'. Few of the guys came round, and a pretty good time was had by all. If a little of the fun was a Warren's expense. But that's just how it goes. He shouldn't have fallen asleep among a bunch of people who'd had a drink and were looking for some laughs.

Jorge had decided that he wanted to do the Han River cruise on the Saturday. So being the birthday boy, he got his wish. Luckily it wasn't that cold and evening, so it was a pleasent trip up the river and back again. Quite a few made it to the cruise, and then we met up with more later, and headed for Itaewon. By the end there was a pretty big gang of us hitting the bars and eateries. As always, we stuck it out until the very last. Well we had to, Jorge was with us and we couldn't let him down. We had to make a proper night of it, and into the next morning, and little into the next afternoon. Hmmm! It was a bit of a long session.

Anyway, Sunday late afternoon was one of the more eventful periods. Mr. Oh rang up and said he wanted to take us for food. Which is unusual. In fact has never happened before. So we knew there was something on the cards. Nothing was said all the way through dinner, just general conversation. Then after, he said he wanted to show us his new school! Now we had suspected that he'd bought another school, since he'd been spending less and less time at ours. Turns out it's a really nice school, one for the more elite of the Suwon area. He was short an English teacher in the morning for kindergarten, and asked if we'd consider filling in. I was the only one of us both available at the time he wanted, so I agreed. He's given me his cycle to use, so it only takes 5 minutes door-to-door. It makes a change, and we'll end up with an extra $100 a week, for what is only 45 minutes a day work.

So there you go, the quick catch-up. Think I managed to get everything in there. Oh, one more thing! They resubmitted our CV's to the university as more people are leaving than they first thought were. So you never know! Fingers crossed again, I think!

Picture Of Polly And Jack

2007-11-28T02:43:00.001Z

Why his mother gave Polly as an English name we don't know. Jack... Well he is the monster of the school. Into everything, and loves been thrown in the air! "Teacher! One, two, three... GO!"

Picture Of Apple Class

2007-11-28T02:41:00.001Z

These are Samantha's tiny tots.

Picture Of Ziwi Class

2007-11-28T02:39:00.000Z

We both have to deal with this bunch of little maniacs.

Picture Of Banana Class

2007-11-28T02:37:00.001Z

That's my lot! I've really come to love 'em in the time I've been teaching them.

Picture Of Kindergarten

2007-11-28T02:35:00.001Z

The whole bunch of 'em, little darlings.

Picture Of Samantha With Neil

2007-11-28T02:32:00.001Z

On our kindergarten outing. Riding the dragon train!

Picture Of 3-4 (SF)

2007-11-28T02:31:00.001Z

Those crazy boys!

Picture Of Samantha And Sylvia

2007-11-28T02:28:00.001Z

In the staff room at work.

Not This Time

2007-11-23T08:54:00.000Z

Well, we didn't get the uni job that we applied for. Although after the weird interview, it's probably a good thing. The place was not what you'd call normal! Anyway, it is what it was! An exercise in being able to get to interview for such positions. At least we know we are in the ball-park, and not totally wasting our time.

We are however looking at a move down south next year. Busan is looking quite attractive. Another big city, but on the south coast. Lot's of nice islands nearby, both Japan and Russia only a short trip away. And it'll be great to be near the sea in summer.

There are plenty of jobs down there. So getting one would not be an issue. Just that we can be picky. If not university, then public school. And not High School, but probably Elementary or at a push Middle School. Sick of belligerent teenagers. They don't want to be there, you don't want to see their pathetic faces. Not conducive to a pleasent working environment.

And Another Weekend Slides By

2007-11-19T12:56:00.001Z

They are really flying now. Before we know it, it'll be Christmas, then New Year, and then not long before our contract will be up.

We had a fun weekend. The week at work ended with at trip to the fortress in Suwon with kindergarten. Friday night was an odd one. We'd been to Neighbor with Jorge and Jason, and was on our way home quite early for us. We are approached by this Korean guy. Turns out to be the owner the Japanese restaurant we'd been to earlier in the week. So invited us for a drink. Being polite we accepted, and ended up going back to his restaurant. He opened it up for us. We chatted, drank wine and ate oysters. Not bad! Not bad at all!

Anyway, we got to bed in the early hours, but still managed to get it together for Saturday. We hooked up with Kenny and Jorge. Well Jorge had crashed on our sofa. We had all decided that we needed to think about Christmas shopping, as we'll need to send stuff overseas. Another day if Insadong and Itaewon, digging around for suitable Korean presents for family and friends.

After a bit of a long trip home, we arrived back in Suwon. We'd arranged to hook up with Amy, as it was her birthday of Friday. Another night in Neighbor with the guys. Our new friend from upstairs joined us. Unfortunately we've forgot his name. Which is a bit awkward. Anyway, we had a good night drinking and chatting.

Sunday came with both Jorge and Kenny crashing over from Saturday night. We just hung out, didn't do much at all. Kenny eventually went home, and we went out with Jorge. We just hung out locally, grabbed a afternoon beer and some fried chicken. A good end to a good weekend.

Picture Of Us All At Carne Station

2007-11-19T12:53:00.001Z

What do you get when you put together 20 odd westerners in an all you can eat and drink place? Some serious casualties, very early in the evening!

Picture As We Poured Out Of Carne Station

2007-11-19T12:50:00.001Z

Full on all you can eat food and drink, we all fell out of Carne Station.

Picture Of Ben And A Rack Of Beer

2007-11-19T12:49:00.001Z

These things are great. What a brilliant invention. A whole rack of beer delivered to your table.

Picture Of British Hard Men

2007-11-19T12:46:00.001Z

Yeah! Don't mess or we'll have ya!

Picture Of Kenny And Me At Praha Castle

2007-11-19T12:43:00.001Z

I loved this place so much, we just had to bring Ben here for his leaving do.

Picture Of Bad Singers

2007-11-19T12:41:00.001Z

All the fun of a Korean karaoke room. This is the perfect way to end any drunken night.

Interview And Ben's Do

2007-11-12T05:12:00.000Z

An eventful weekend. Saturday we had an interview at Suwon University. A little strange, as a few of our friends were also there at the same time, waiting to be interviewed. We didn't take too much from the experience. We never expected to get an interview, as we thought that we didn't meet the standards set-out in on the internet advert for the job.

So getting the interview, was enough for us. What comes of it, in a positive way, will be a bonus. At least we now know that we can get to an interview for university, and we know what to expect from it when it comes.

Saturday night was Ben's leaving do. A big gang of us met to catch the 3003, into Gangnam, as we'd booked a table for 16 at Carne Station. In the end I think a good 20+ made it, so it was a bit of a squeeze. We all ate and drank our fill, some more than others. We then hit Praha Castle, where we went for my birthday, and partook of their racks of beer that they do.

By this time some of the gang were starting to fall by the wayside, having indulged too much early on. The last remaining hardcore did the usual Korean thing and hit a karaoke room. I think there was about a dozen or so made it there, although a couple took the opportunity to use it to sleep. How they managed to sleep through Ben's singing I can't imagine. I thought I was bad, but hell! Ben has got to be the worst singer on the face of the planet. Seriously, that is no word of a lie. He's really that bad!

After destroying many a good song, we need food. Early breakfast. Sad to say, but the 24hr Burger King looked really good. After our fill it was homeward bound. We didn't get back to Suwon until about 7.30am. Needless to say Sunday was spent sleeping and relaxing, so we'd be fresh for school today.

Photo's of Ben's do, are on facebook for all to see. Or at least those with a facebook account. I will post some here very soon.

The Weekend Already

2007-11-09T09:15:00.000Z

Last week and this for that matter have been so busy. We did the whole Halloween thing at school on the Wednesday. The night before I'd gone along to the poker school that we've started with a few of the guys.

Wednesday night we went out with Char from DCT's, for shellfish BBQ. She brought along a friend, to act as would be interpreter, for those more confused moments. That was good. We've not eaten a lot of seafood since we've been here, as a lot of our friends don't like it. So the opportunity to try so many different types was great.

Thursday we went to Bennigan'd with Chris, to get a steak fix, and then onto the movies.

Friday we went to Belle's (one of our teacher's), for food. Esgel the new Korean teacher was also there. It was fun just to not only hang-out with them socailly, but to get a look-see at a ordinary Korean home. After that we mat up with the guys at Zapi's, as usual!

Saturday, Samantha and I went to Seoul shopping for winter clothes. Things are starting to get chilly here, so we needed to stock-up on jackets and jumpers. We then went over to Hongdae, as it was Rolph's birthday bash. The whole gang (practically) turned up, and we had a brilliant time chatting, drinking and watching the fire show that staff put on. Justin, Samantha and myself being the hardcore British contigent lasted the longest, and ended up singing and dancing the night away at Go Go's Bar.

We spent the night over in Seoul, crashing at Justin's. After grabbing some late brunch with the man himself, of omelette and rice (a good hang-over cure), we made our way home, and just crashed out. It had been a very long social week!

This week has not been as busy, but has been equally as hectic! A couple of nights out, too many too late! Photo's at school for the kindergarten year book, which should be great when it comes out. All dressed in their graduation gowns, they looked so cute. We have an interview at Suwon University on Saturday day, and we are out in Seoul on Saturday night for Ben's leaving party. So another busy week!

The Art Of Party

2007-10-29T03:52:00.000Z

After not doing much, being ill and all, we made up for it this weekend. Saturday we went into Seoul with Sara teacher from school. She's an artist, so took us around some of the arty areas of Seoul that'd we'd never see if we didn't know about them.

So starting in Insadong we saw some little back street galleries, and then wandered over the Cheondong where there are many many small galleries. It was nice just milling about in a very chilled cultural rich area. We ended up coming back with loads of freebies. The best being a signed poster. We met an artist at one gallery, who happily gave us signed copies of her work.

Saturday night was a Halloween party at Psycho Bar in Anyang. So Dorothy and Samantha got all dressed up as Geishas, as they bought all the stuff when in Japan. Ian already had his Batman costume, and Jorge, well he just looked scary. I didn't know what to do, so a mask I'd bought did me.

We got some serious double takes traveling to Anyang on the subway. One particular child was stunned when he came across Batman stood on the subway platform. The party was great fun, particularly when Jorge and Brian got up and rocked the place.

Sunday was recovery day. We didn't do anything. Got up and crashed out watching TV and surfing the net all day. A perfect way to spend a Sunday.

This week we'll be doing Halloween stuff at school, so more dressing up and feeding the kids candy. Fun for all!

Picture Of Batman On His Bat Bike

2007-10-28T11:47:00.001Z

Oooh! Scary red eyes. Ian outside our apartment, before we set off for our night out at Psycho Bar.

Picture Of A Geisha On A Subway

2007-10-28T11:45:00.001Z

Samantha looking inconspicuous on the subway ride to Anyang.

Picture Of Us Arriving At Anyang

2007-10-28T11:43:00.001Z

Scary aren't we? Psycho Bar here we come!

Picture Of Ben And Brian

2007-10-28T11:40:00.001Z

No Ben! Wearing chapstick does not constitute a Halloween costume.

Picture Of Two Geishas

2007-10-28T11:11:00.001Z

And one confused looking Batman!

Picture Of The Some Dodgy Glam Metal Band

2007-10-28T11:01:00.001Z

ROCK!!!

Picture Of Jorge Rocking Out

2007-10-28T10:59:00.001Z

Jorge showed his guitar skills, by playing up a storm.

Picture Of Jorge And Me

2007-10-28T10:53:00.000Z

Jorge and me, just after he'd rocked the joint!

Sick Of Being Sick

2007-10-23T02:45:00.000Z

Well after all that, I didn't manage to do the half marathon. Samantha and I have been sick for going on a week now. Only a cold, but hell it has hung on in there.

This weekend, which was supposed to be the weekend of the run, we just hung out at home. We're pretty much over it now, which is good. Hopefully this weekend, we can make something of our time off.

It is Halloween weekend, and there are plans to dress up and do the whole thing. I do not have a clue what I'm going to do. Not a lot of stuff lying around to create a costume out of. I'm sure I'll come up with something at the last minute.

We're now starting to think about what we are going to do after this contract finishes. As we've mentioned before, we'd like to do university work. That means we have to put together a package of stuff for the application. Easier said than done, but I'm sure we'll get it sorted.

Picture Of Me With Dorothy And Ian

2007-10-15T13:40:00.001Z

After the races, we hooked-up with the guys for food. The place gave them the aprons, so as not to spoil their lovely going-out-on-the-town clothes.

Picture From Saturday At The Races

2007-10-15T13:38:00.001Z

We introduced Chris to horse racing. He was hooked right away. This was his first win!

Picture From Jenny's Leaving Do

2007-10-15T13:35:00.001Z

I'd forgotten to mention this in my update. But we went out with all the staff from work, for Jenny Teacher's leaving do. Jenny is the one sat next to Samantha. It was a nice meal, and fun to spend time with them all, outside of work.

Picture Of Samantha With Her Crackers

2007-10-15T13:32:00.001Z

Samantha went here specifically to get crackers for all the cheese she'd bought at Costco.

Picture Of Kenny

2007-10-15T13:30:00.001Z

We found this shop down an alleyway, they sold loads of 'Western' food stuffs.

Okay So This Is Another Catch-Up Piece

2007-10-15T12:54:00.000Z

I've just done a quick Japan catch-up piece. It's been going on 2 weeks since we came back. Time has slipped by. In that time, I've had my 38th birthday, bought a guitar, met a famous Korean clothes designer randomly, worked, been to the races (again), been down to Songtan to see Kenny, and hung around at home.

My birthday was fun. I didn't expect much, if anything. I mean when you reach my age, a birthday is just another day. Samantha and the guys made it a good one. And a long one. It started I suppose on the Friday after Japan. We went out as usual to Zapi's and met up with the gang. Birthday wishes started flowing in then. I had a bit of a skin full, but nothing so unusual for a Friday. We ended up back at ours, with Jorge, chatting and listening to music. This carried on into Saturday. Well into Saturday.

Saturday came, and a slight hangover, after some sleep. We were went to Seoul with Jorge, Dorothy and Ian, to Carne Station. This was part 2 of my birthday thing. We met Justin there. Carne Station, is an all you can eat and drink place. It's great! Well being my birthday, I partook of a couple of whiskeys, as its usually very expensive here in Korean. That set me up for the night. After Carne Station, we went to a traditional Bravarian hofbrauhaus, where you could buy a rack of beer. Literally a rack, of 10 pints of proper beer. Woo hoo!

Needless to say the trip back to Suwon in the taxi was a little hazy. Once again however we ended up in Zapi's with all the guys!

My actual birthday was on the Monday, buy we had Wednesday off. So it was back to Zapi's on Tuesday night for more birthday celebrations. Samantha had stashed a cake there, which was brought out at the appropriate time. The bar was full with everyone we know. So it was pretty hard to fit us all in. But we managed. Another good one, and finally an end to the birthday times.

So back to work, no more holidays until Christmas.

The next Saturday, this was the trip to Costco day, with Dorothy and Ian. It's a huge trade warehouse place in Seoul. An American company. This is where we stocked up with enough food to see us through the Apocalypse, and I picked up a guitar, a birthday treat to myself. This is where we met this bizarre clothes designer. A guy called Andrea Kim. Apparently very famous here. He reminded me of a bad drag queen.

Sunday we went to Kenny's stomping ground. Which made a nice change. Strange place though, hanging out in Osan, where the big American Airforce base is.

This weekend we just did the races again. But on a Saturday this time, just to be different. That was it really. A quiet one, which was good.

Well that's it. I could have expanded, but I can't be bothered. Update done. I will stick-up some pictures to illustrate. Oh there will not be any birthday pictures, they are all on facebook, for those who wish to see them. I wouldn't advise it, as I don't look so good in most of them.

Japan A Retrospective

2007-10-15T12:35:00.000Z

I should have wrote this piece when Japan was still fresh. Just not had the time. Well with time now between Japan and I, I can look back in retrospect, and consider it from afar.

As I've said before, I enjoyed Japan. Despite that in reality I should say I enjoyed Tokyo, as that is where we were almost wholly. It would have had more impact had I not been living in Korea, which has many similarities. I fact, and I know the Korean's hate it said, but Korea is following Japan, but with far less flair and style.

That's the thing about Tokyo, it has style with more style on the side. The place, the buildings, the people. From the hardcore chic of Ginza to the down and dirty side of Shinjuku. The neon is even more stylish artistic than that of Korea. Seoul, tries to be one of the most happening world capitals, and believes that of itself. It is unfortunately sadly mistaken. They should take a leaf out of Tokyo's book, as how to really pull it off.

The same goes for the people in Japan, they are more friendly and out going. You do not feel like a freak in Tokyo, as you can so easily feel here in Korea. Also even if the people there couldn't speak English, they would really put themselves out there to help a lost and confused traveler. Not that Korean's are ignorant, but they are less inclined to approach you. Less inclined to help generally, and get mighty frustrated at the communication breakdown. They simply are not yet equipped to deal with foreigners, and don't understand us.

Anyway, as I have said before. Japan lived up to my expectations. Which after a lifetime of dreaming about, was a pretty tall order. I must, I will go again, and explore further. I take this trip as just a taster of the things yet to be revealed by Japan.

Picture Of Mt. Fuji

2007-09-30T10:20:00.001Z

Shot as we flew into Japan, I caught sight of Mt. Fuji.

Picture Of Japanese Not Gambling

2007-09-30T10:19:00.001Z

Gambling (or not) Japanese style. These places are everywhere, a racket of a million ball-bearings rattling through these machines. Pushinko, I think it's spelt.

Picture Of Ueno Market

2007-09-30T10:18:00.001Z

Down by Ueno station, an old market area. As you can see the subway system runs directly on-top of the buildings.

Picture Of Asakusa At Night

2007-09-30T10:16:00.001Z

One of our first sights of some serious neon signs.

Picture Of Asakusa Market

2007-09-30T10:12:00.000Z

The market strip that runs from Senso-ji to the Thunder Gate. Lots of good shopping to be had here.

Picture Of The Biggest Crosswalk In The World

2007-09-30T10:10:00.001Z

The biggest crosswalk in the world, in Ginza, just outside the Sony Building.

Picture Of Samantha And Dorothy

2007-09-30T10:08:00.001Z

I 'heart' U. Dorothy and Samantha having fun at a big light box we came across.

Picture Of The Tokyo Skyline

2007-09-30T10:05:00.001Z

At the top of the Government Building. Not much more amazing than the Tokyo skyline at night.

Picture Of The Bright Lights Of Shinjuku

2007-09-30T10:04:00.001Z

The very image of Japan I always imagined.

Picture Of An Almost Empty Market

2007-09-30T10:02:00.001Z

Ma-haaa! Scary ghost-like images suddenly appeared in the empty market.

Picture Of The 100 Yen Shop

2007-09-30T09:59:00.001Z

100 Yen Shop. We'd wanted to find one of these places, and finally a happy Samantha did some shopping.

Picture Of Another Buddha

2007-09-30T09:57:00.001Z

Daibutsu a huge bronze Buddha, built in the 13th Century. In 1495 a tsunami that hit Karakura wiped out the temple that used to house this statue.

Picture Of An Old Man At The Temple

2007-09-30T09:55:00.001Z

Picture Of Hasedera Temple

2007-09-30T09:53:00.001Z

The main Hasedera temple building.

Picture Of Me Chilling At A Temple

2007-09-30T09:50:00.001Z

A small corner of the temple complex that I really liked.

Picture Of Kamakura

2007-09-30T09:31:00.001Z

Kamakura, from the temple overlooking the bay.

Back At Home, Back At Work

2007-09-28T07:11:00.000Z

Well Japan was a buzz. Back at home now, and ready for some serious chillin' out. Need to recover. Glad we only have had 2 days at work before the weekend. Then it's going to be a do nothing weekend. Even though it is Club Night tonight, and my birthday on Monday, I'm just not bothered to do too much at all.

Maybe go out for a quite drink with some mates, and that'll do me. The sofa, and in front of the TV is where I want to be most of this weekend. Plus I've got, photo's and a blog to update with all the fun from Japan.

This Is The cRaziest Shit eEVr

2007-09-25T22:36:00.000Z

I am sat in a booth, overlooking the central Tokyo skyline. Around me is a TV DVD PC and PS2. Around me as far as I can see are other similar booths. Its the early hours, the sun is up now. These places run 24hrs. You have access to games, movies, free food and drink. A shower if you need it.

People get lost in these places for days on end. Paying by the hour. Sailor suited school girls wander through through the back streets below me, on their way to school. skyscrapers reach for the clouds, multi-level highways criss-cross high above ground. Every sci-fi film is laid-out before me, and it is real. Tokyo is the future, now. What every geek sci-fi reading school boy ever dreamed of.

These entertainment rooms are the ultimate expression of all this. You plug in to the latest technology, by the hour. Full immersion, techno overload. Hook in and chill out. Escape the world for a while. Also its cheaper than a hotel room, and far more interesting. Couple more hours we will have to fly out back to Korea.

Going to chill out to a movie, maybe send another email, throw a coffee down my neck and flck through a comic book. All at the same time.

Tokyo First Impressions

2007-09-23T00:35:00.000Z

We landed into a clear and unusually warm September day, into Tokyo. The flight was less than 2 hours, giving us glorious views across Japan. Especially outstanding was the view of Mt. Fuji sticking through the thin cloud cover surrounding it.

Once landed and through immigation, we caught the Skyliner from the airport into Tokyo itself. The journey was around an hour, we were both tired and dozed on and off through the trip. I tried to stay awake, so I could soak in the atmosphere of the real Tokyo, the suburban sprawl that goes on for mile after mile. New squashed tight against old, tiny houses sandwiched between low-rise apartments. Buildings gradually started to reach for the sky, as we got deeper and deeper into the heart of the city.

Apart from the expected, huge billboards, and a general abundance of advertising everywhere, my first impressions of what I saw were as follows: The buildings, some only seemingly a few feet wide are crammed together so tight, that you could probably cross a whole district from rooftop to rooftop, without once pausing to cross a gap that maybe to wide for you to leap across. The subway system often when above ground runs across the self same rooftop. Literally the tracks sit on the roof of houses and shops. The ground shaking ever so slightly whenever a train thunders by.

There is the courtesy in Japan that you hear about. Unlike South Korea, the cars stop at intersections, and give priority to pedestrians. They even drive on the "right" side of the road, like us Brits. The many bicycles weaving through the pedestrian traffic takes a little getting used to, but you quickly learn to up your sensory awareness on such matters. Also despite the areas we have seem so far being old, Tokyo is a very old and in places tired looking city. Or should I say it looks "lived in", comfortable like an old slightly thread-bear armchair. Tokyo is clean. Not clinically clean, but unscrupiously tidy.

Well it's our second day now, and the day we get to see most of the city. Once we've sorted out our accommodation. We've got to shift over to another hostel this morning. No big hassle, just a minor pain-in-the-arse. After that, it's breakfast at Denny's, which the American's among our party seemed to get all excited about when they saw it. After being fed and watered, then temples, parks, weird Japanese customed tribes of teenagers, neon, sleaze, high-rise skyscrapers, technology beyond imagination, strangeness, cultural quirks, huge cross-walks (the worlds biggest and the worlds busiest here in Tokyo), and many many other photo opporunities to bore everyone ridged with.

Right I'm off, going to find a vending machine. Shouldn't be so hard, there is 1 for every 20 people here, so many to choose from. They have them on every street corner, selling everything you could ever imagine that you could fill such a machine with so that it maybe despensed at your convenience. Except after closing time! Yes some vending machines shut down at certian times, we found out late last night. Oh, well another quirk of those quirky Japanese.

I'm Turning Japanese

2007-09-21T10:11:00.000Z

Less than 24hrs, and we'll be there. In fact less than 12hrs before we set-off on our way there. Yes, yes, YES!!! Japan!!! I'm going to Japan. We're going to Japan. That being Samantha and myself, Jorge, Dorothy and Melanie. We all leave and (obviously) arrive at different times, but we'll be hooking-up around this time tomorrow. Jorge being the last to arrive.

It's not even just going to Japan. It's Tokyo, that mind-blowing metropolis I've dreamed of going to ever since I was a child. I can't wait to soak it all up. To take in one of the ultimate cities in the world. Neon, saki and vending machines. Probably all rolled into one, with a flat-screen TV running Japanese cartoons for good measure.

Well must go, Samantha has finished class. The pizza is on order, we are good to go. Home, pizza, pack, chill, catch some Z's. If that's possible, and then outta 'ere by 4.45am tomorrow morning. Whoo-Hoo!

Party, Run, Party

2007-09-17T13:13:00.000Z

Well it's been one hell of a busy weekend, we really crammed a lot in, as you will see from the photos below. And they only tell half the story. I now will tell you the rest.

I suppose I should start at the beginning, as it will confuse you dear reader if I started anywhere else. Friday night, Samantha and I shot home, showered, ate and went out. It was Kristin's leaving party, and she wanted us all to go down to Osan, about a half hour south of Suwon. This is a town with an American base slap bang in the middle. So plenty of cheap bars, and juicy girls.

So we hooked-up with Kristin's friend Petrina, and got ourselves to the bar in Osan where we were all going to meet. We got there, Kristin was there with Alan and Wahrena, just waiting for Dorothy and Ian to show. I got asked my age by the bat owner, who himself it turned out was only 3 years older than me at 40. This amused me no end, and of course made me feel pretty good. A good few beers there. I particularly enjoyed the 1000ml beers that only cost 4000 won.

I got chatting some of the military guys, and got drawn into a long conversation with one called James. A Black Hawk pilot who was there with his crew. I shared in no end of rounds of shots with them all. It bemused some of our lot, as knowing me, they knew that these guys would normally be the last people on the planet I would hang with. True, but I like to mix it up, and talk to different people. It's what makes the world and a night out interesting.

After Osan, we grabbed subway back to central Suwon. There we met with Chris, Jorge, Ben and Amy. Wahrena and Alan had got off earlier. Alan was a little tipsy to say the least. Pressing naked bum up against the subway window when he got off, pretty mush confirmed that. And gave to passengers a good old laugh, at the same time.

Well the night carried on, as we finally settled into Team Bar. The place where the do the fire entertainment every so often. The whole gang had a good time, drinking and chatting. Before we knew it, it was gone 5 in the morning. Most people drifted home-wards. Kenny was going to stay at ours again, but said that he may as well get the first subway back home. So we had to keep him company, of course. That meant going to Dear Bar, our usual 'one for the road' hang-out in Suwon central. Chris came with us, doing pretty well on his virgin cocktails. We saw Kenny off, and made our way home. It must have been about 7.30am by the time we got to bed.

Despite the late night, we got up bright eyed and bushy tailed. The Japan gang were to meet up to discuss what we are going to do. So Dorothy, Jorge, Samantha and myself went and met Melanie in her neck of the woods to thrash out the details. After that we did some shopping, and went back to Suwon. Jorge carried on the subway, as he was off out again! We grabbed some food with Dorothy and Ian, then went home for an early night, as we had to be up very early to do the Terry Fox Charity 10km run that Dorothy had bullied some of us into.

So 5.00am Sunday morning Samantha and I dragged ourselves out of bed, met Dorothy and Ian at the station. We'd rang Jorge, as he was supposed to be coming too. He was in a Nori Bang (karaoke) with the guys he'd gone out with the previous evening. So we didn't think he'd be coming. Next thing we know, while we're stood on the platform, he rings us. He's here, not to do the run. But he did say that'd he do the 5km walk with Samantha. Not too bad for a bloke that hadn't had any sleep.

So we all went into Seoul, meeting up with Erin and Selina, Dorothy's friends, on the way. It was about 7.30am when we got there, ready to put ourselves through some kind of torture. The run started, and I started to do something I've never done and never thought I'd ever do, or could even do. I ran, and I ran, and I kept running. Running without slowing, stopping or anything for at least 7 to 8km of the course. Not bad for someone who doesn't do, physical fitness, who thinks
exercise is a dirty word. I shocked everyone, including myself. I only slowed down when I did, as I'd achieved far more than I expected, and didn't want to push myself too far. I ran the 10km in about 50mins, a respectable time I think.

Selina and Erin came in together first, out of our lot. Ian next and me not long after him. Dorothy was about 10 to 15mins behind me. Samantha and Jorge, turned up not long after, after doing their walk. Job done, we went home. Still early afternoon, which seemed weird.

That evening. we went to Neighbor Bar, our local hof. It was Nicole's birthday party. Jason has arranged for a suprise gathering. We had to all hide down the side alley, while Jorge rang her pretending to be a potential 'Korean' blind date. The funniest thing I've heard in so long. She went stood out the front to take the call, so we all sneaked in the back way and hid from view. Jumping out when she came and sat back down.

Well the night ticked along nicely. Plenty of people turned up, for it. It was also Kristin's last night, so it was nice for her to see everyone before she caught her flight the next morning. We left relatively early, as we once again had to be up at stupid-o'clock. Kristin stayed at ours, and we said that we'd see her to a taxi at 6.00am. It wasn't easy to get out of bed, after the weekend we'd had. But we did it, and saw her off.

Now it's Monday night, nearly 11.00pm. I'm feeling a little stiff, but not too bad considering. We are only a few days away from Japan, and all is good with the world. Hey, it's a hard life you know!

Picture Of 2 Men And 2 Litres Of Beer

2007-09-17T13:08:00.001Z

Yep, that's right, 1000ml glasses of beer. A good way to start the night!

Picture Of A Drunk Man With 2 Sober Women

2007-09-17T13:06:00.001Z

Alan was well on his way, and this was still early. not that long after this we got to see his arse, and it wasn't the last time that night either!

Picture Of Kristin, Kenny And Samantha

2007-09-17T13:04:00.001Z

Kenny hooked up with us for Kristin's leaving party, as he lives only 5 minutes away from here.

Picture Of Me With My Mate James

2007-09-17T12:59:00.000Z

James here is a Black Hawk pilot. He became my new 'best' mate while in Osan. A proper full-on, 'kill-em all and let God forgive them', sort of guy. Interesting to talk to, if not a little scary.

Picture Of Us At Team Bar

2007-09-17T12:58:00.001Z

We made back from Osan, and hit Team Bar in central Suwon.

Picture Of Samantha And Chris

2007-09-17T12:56:00.001Z

Chatting until the wee hours.