Sunday, April 24, 2011

So Far, So Good


These fan reaction videos never get old.  This is one that I stumbled upon when I was bored one morning in my apartment before leaving for school.  I know I will begin to miss Louisiana in the fall when the Saints begin their march to their second Super Bowl title.


Happy Easter everybody.  Honestly, I don't have much to write.  I am happy and content, so here are some more random observations:

1.  The weather here in Gwangju has been perfect.  During the day, you can wear shorts, or you can wear a jacket with jeans, and still be comfortable either way.  Nights usually require a jacket.  It's rained a few times here, but it doesn't pour down like it does in Louisiana, at least it hasn't done so yet.  The rains that I have experienced so far in Gwangju have been light and misty.

2.  Korean ladies cover their mouths when they laugh, blush, and/or experience a sudden burst of excitement.  It is feminine, as well as endearing.  I like the way they dress.  It is femininely conservative, and not revealing.  

3.  I love walking by groups of high school girls in school uniforms chatting away.  I'll hear some giggles, and one will exclaim in a Korean accent, "You are handsome!,"  or simply, "Handsome!"  It never gets old.  I'll reply with "Comsomnida (thankyou in Korean)!  You girls are very pretty!"   

4.  My earphones now serve the same function as car speakers.  

5.  I used a nonwestern toilet for the first time.  At least it was clean.  And I will leave it at that.  

6.  The quality of play in professional baseball here in Korea very good.  Keep in mind that South Korea finished second to Japan in the last World Baseball Classic, which fielded teams with rosters full of Major League Allstars from the U.S.A, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, among other places.  The pitching is not as good as it is in Major League Baseball, as there are very few dominant starters, but the hitting is superb.  Maybe the lack of quality pitchers can be attributed to the great hitting.  I also find that the fielding is not as crisp either, but the overall play is very good and entertaining. 

7.  Taxi rides are cheap.  A ride to church, which is a little less than three miles from my house is usually around 3,000 won.  A ride to downtown, which is a 15 minute cab ride is around 5,000 won.  Every cab that I have ridden here has had a well kept leather interior, a nice sound system, and has been spotlessly clean.  Compare that to a $20 cab ride in one of those minivans in New Orleans, where the seats are dirty, worn, and full of rotten dorito crumbs.  And not to mention, unlike Korea, tipping is strongly encouraged in the states.

8.  I have a new found appreciation for the Kings of Leon.  I have given their latest album, Come Around Sundown, another listen, and it is a fantastic album, and goes well with their previous works.  Contrary to popular belief, they did not "sell out."  Their popularity was inevitable because their music is that good.  They matured in their sound, and Come Around Sundown seems mellower than their other works.  Their music seems to match the vibe around here in Gwangju, which is why I always seem to dial them up on my ipod.  

Again, I am content.  The culture shock hasn't hit me as hard as others because my mother is Korean.  And what I experience here is similar to what I grew up with, only on a grander scale.  The difference is that I grew up with American culture also.  And my access to American culture here in Korea is through my computer.  The first mild frustration has set in.  I am unable to catch new episodes of The Office, as apparently, they are only available in the states.  I haven't missed American food yet because I have enjoyed sampling new Korean dishes so much.  So far, so good.    


This is a popular dish in Korea called Kimchi Chigae.  It is Kimchi cooked down in a spicy pork broth, and is another meal served in the restaurant below my school.  I have grown to love this dish as it has a unique spicy, and tangy taste.  As all soups are here in Korea, this dish is served boiling.   In the dish above it is pickled radish, kimchi, and cucumber namool.  In the package to the right is dried seaweed to be eaten with the rice.  This was a terrific meal for only 4,000 won.

1 comment:

  1. Chris, try this link for US shows and Movies...

    http://www.surfthechannel.com/show/473.html

    Have fun!!

    Ms. Pam

    ReplyDelete