Mountain Explorations

The week has been crazy. Last weekend was the first one I actually spent at home, so I definitely took advantage of the time to relax and do some more exploring of the area. I slept in on Saturday which was much needed, then hit up the farmers market to re-supply my kitchen with organic deliciousness. I never know what new bargains I'll find in the maze of produce, but this week it came with the 6 lb bag of black beans  I recieved in exchange for the 5,000 won (about $5) I handed over. Needless to say beans will not be in short supply any time soon. The evening came with drinks and good company at the plastic table of a local corner store, one of the many activities that ceases to amuse me.

The new ride.

Sunday became the long-awaited bike purchasing day! I finally have my very own wheels complete with a bell and a headlight. Naturally I took it for a test ride, which turned into an amazing 4 hour journey through the mountains and surrounding villages. I started out towards the mountain "Ilimsan" which was much farther away and a much steeper climb than  expected, but the tiny trail I decided to take led me directly into an undeveloped village that was apparently not used to sweaty foreigners passing through on bicycles. Regardless I said hello and managed to get some pictures in the emptier areas... hopefully not causing too much distress. The scenery remains to be completely surreal, and I feel the magnitude of  how beautiful it is can only be fully understood through experience; an experience I can hopefully share with a few potential visitors in the upcoming year.

Once I made it partially back down I decided to take a different route that looked interesting, this time leading me into an army training center. I started walking around outside the gate to take pictures of the trail and excellent view, soon to be stopped by an army official carrying a machine gun and yelling something that probably wasn't, "nice day for a bike ride." So my journey continued.  It turned out to be a great day, and a sufficient introduction to the bike adventures ahead.

I've done some traveling to nearby cities in the past month, and even though they're all equally engaging I  love returning to the peace of Jangheung. It's always interesting to feel like you're in the right place at the right time, usually because it takes awhile to adjust to any particular place. But that feeling is something I constantly get here, and even though I'd hoped for something similar this placement has turned into something increasingly ideal for me, and for that I also feel increasingly lucky.

Back to school on Monday! A new week brings new events. It's currently mid-term season in the public schools, causing a lot of added stress among the students and staff. There were a lot of schedule changes and added lessons in the mix with a staff volleyball tournament at a neighboring school (meant to 'keep good relationship' but intensely competitive and required careful strategy), extra after-school classes, a day of online training, a hike with the principle and science teachers, and a random teacher seminar on Thursday.  Lots of business, which also made the week fly.

I set out for the big city of Gwangju on Saturday to rejoin some travel companions and to get my fix of civilization. Lunch consisted of an international food festival that was 15 different stands set up from around the world, an excellent way to grab some comfort food and try numerous (6 to be exact) other international entrees. Our group then split off until dinner later that evening, so I spent the rest of the day exploring  the festival downtown and and watching the numerous different kinds of live music scattered throughout the streets. It was a full day, and didn't actually end until 5:00 the next morning when we realized that dancing is tiring. Friday I'll be heading to Seoul, which should be yet another memorable excursion.

Random happening of the week: Running towards a Buddhist monk on a trail, who raised his arms in a giant wave yelling, "HELLO! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!" I yelled back, "Thank you!" with the same level of energy...prompting him to come towards me for a giant embrace. What a welcome. It was a very emotionally charged and happy few seconds.

Jangheung river valley- 10/2.

"Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we sense them. The least we can do is try to be there."  -Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

More again soon! Have a fantastic week.

Teaching. Learning. Living.

 It has officially been six weeks since I made the move to South Korea. I've spent these weeks taking in my surroundings, adjusting to everyday life, and embracing the new culture that will indefinitely become my own. For one of the few times in my life, I had no idea of what to expect before I arrived. I applied to the program with a limited knowledge of what it actually entailed besides the obvious "teaching English in Korea," and a comment my sister made 2 years ago while discussing future options that went something like, "My friend is teaching in Korea, wouldn't that be crazy?" Regardless, I wasn't motivated by the details. I figured I could join the fun of facing a discouraging economy before going back to school, or do what I'm most passionate about and start an adventure in the meantime. Now I'm here, and completely consumed with the unpredictability, curiosity, and experiences that each new day comes with. 

With that, I was dropped off 5 weeks ago in front of an obscure metal door and cement steps that would lead into to my new Korean oasis, complete with plants growing through my windows, no A/C, and neighbors with adjoining rooftops who hang their laundry on my patio, take the liberty of folding mine, and yell an occasional "Hello" in my kitchen window as I make coffee in the morning. Night three in the house came with a typhoon  strong enough to blow shoes across the room (with windows shut), and cave in the roof of a fellow teacher's house. Day four: the first day of school and introduction to my new students, 500 middle school girls via school-wide assembly. Day five: a woman knocks on my door, yells something in Korean, and runs in and out with an armful of underwear.  If 'unpredictability' doesn't sum it up, ridiculous would be a close second.

Teaching. 
One of the words I would have never associated with myself before this year, but something that has grabbed me far beyond what I had initially expected. In the past couple years I've discovered that I have a growing passion for children. Something that yes, may come as a surprise to many who have known me for awhile. Now I teach in an all-girls middle school that I can see from my roof and where I spend the majority of my time. I lesson plan for and teach 500 different girls a week, lead a weekly teacher's workshop, two after-school programs, and commute to an entirely different school on Fridays. The majority of students are wonderful, and having no prior experience, I'm starting to understand what it actually takes to be a good teacher. My job is busy, crazy, stressful..and great. You have a choice to give it everything, and so the saying goes:  it's all in the experience.

Learning. 
A real journey answers questions that in the beginning, you didn't even think to ask.
-180° South


Yes, I am here as a teacher. But the experience of living abroad and traveling in itself comes with discoveries that are impossible to teach, or be learned any other way. I watched a documentary called, "180° South," last summer about a group of strangers who sail  to Patagonia over a six-month span. Overall, the documentary itself could've been done better despite its alluring story of adventure. However, it included a quote (above) that perfectly articulated why travel has such a profound impact on your life. When you throw yourself into a new culture, you immediately put yourself in a position of vulnerability. Ideally you're open-minded, overly aware of your surroundings, and automatically prepared to find the things you weren't looking for. Coming here has once again reminded me of the opportunities for personal growth. I'm here to teach, and also to learn from the people, places, and experiences I encounter. I'm excited to say that this new chapter will have a an outcome that I can't even begin to predict, or ever forget.

An island, a sunset, and a sleeping bag.

Hiking the volcano, Hallasan.

Living. 
I live in a small, Southern city called Jangheung. It's surrounded by mountains, divided by a river, and considered one of the two "slow cities" in Korea, meaning the goal is to "improve the quality of live in towns while resisting the fast-lane, homogenized world so often seen in other cities of the world." (Yes that is from wikipedia). What the city's known for is organic farming, wilderness, preserved traditions, and the biggest farmer's market in Korea...bonus! It's peaceful and beautiful, all things I personally think make a good set up. I've gone hiking with my principle on one of the nearby mountains and found countless other trails through the hills, so I've had a lot of fun exploring what the area has to offer and taking full advantage of the perfect running routes.

 I'm also one of 5 foreigners in the town who all teach in the area. I love the rural factor of Jangheung, but it's definitely been nice to have that crew around to hang out with. The people are great, and never any less excited to see you no matter how many times you interact. I forget that I stand out so easily here, but am always quickly reminded by the loud, "Hello!'s" from a block away and the relentless, and sometimes uncomfortable amounts of curiosity from children and 90 year old farmers alike.  There is an awesome feeling of community, and I'm constantly taken aback by the overwhelming acceptance and kindness. It's always interesting, and so far I can say that life is good.

The adjoining rooftop community.

Jangheung market.

Fellow teachers: representing Canada, America, and Ireland.

And so the year and blog begins. I'll be updating periodically and thoroughly appreciate hearing from all of you, so I may be across the pond but don't be a stranger. More soon.