tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53844608705836091042024-03-13T05:31:16.082+03:00Mad Travel BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-52338875967455897352015-05-11T23:28:00.001+03:002015-05-12T11:29:34.371+03:00A Burners Journey to AfrikaBurn<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Burners Journey to AfrikaBurn </span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KINLku7nNknAZ5h_JSmRzJqcgBFp1OY7eDYQbL7F0Zqlqi4hYiZFmtmfLux9JJurj2ddx3cylx77HYEmD_N5Ct1KQ3YEicAMb1L9X-fXXwMvJhAWrcQQDduJhqJ6miRQZ3yiF7w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_6059.JPG" border="0" height="252px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KINLku7nNknAZ5h_JSmRzJqcgBFp1OY7eDYQbL7F0Zqlqi4hYiZFmtmfLux9JJurj2ddx3cylx77HYEmD_N5Ct1KQ3YEicAMb1L9X-fXXwMvJhAWrcQQDduJhqJ6miRQZ3yiF7w" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="379px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Steven Morrow </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Driving home from my first Burn in 2011, I knew I was hooked. I then immediately realized I was screwed. How was I going to make it to the Playa every August for the rest of my life? My first problem, being a teacher, is that the last week of August is possibly the hardest week of the year to request off. My next issue, the distance. Having spent half of my twenties abroad I knew making the long journey to Burning Man just wouldn’t be possible some years. I’ve been lucky enough to not miss one in the last four years, but having arrived at my new job in Istanbul two weeks late with just two days rest off the playa in 2014, I was fairly sure I wouldn’t be as lucky in 2015. So I was faced with the real possibility of missing a burn, but when you have a week long spring break that lines up perfectly with the second largest regional burn you take it as a sign and haul your dusty gear half way round the world to light some shit on fire! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are thinking of trading in the Playa for the Binnekring, Black Rock City for Tankwa Town and the Man for the Clan then come take a journey with me and decide for yourself ! Be warned this is just a slice of AfrikaBurn, as I can only share my perspective and my encounters. Take it as my decompression, my way of reflection and hopefully a way to offer a little insight to those who are considering something new. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-1d159a62-4491-65b3-af44-faf7fb905940" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Binnekring vs. The Playa </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Binnekring is smaller than the Playa and everything is pretty much </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">walkable</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You can get from one side to the other within 20 -30 minutes, although bikes are still a good idea because there is actually no trash fence so you can ride as far as you dare. About half of the people have wheels out there. On the brightside, this makes finding your bike in the masses a lot easier. On the downside, there is an increased chance someone will “borrow it.” Just like at BM it’s a good idea to lock your bike. Better safe than sorry. But do not make the mistake of buying a rusty old beach cruiser, the Binnekring is no Playa. It is covered in rocks, spiky bushes, dried up river beds and sneaky sand patches that will stop you dead in your tracks. In my opinion mountain bikes are much better suited for the environment. We purchased our bikes for a little more than a hundred bucks and were thrilled to donate them to our younger neighbors on departure. There is even a camp called Pedals for Peace that sells burners bikes before the Burn and will take unwanted bikes at the end of the week. They have partnerships with local schools and charities that they donate to after the Burn. So think of a bike purchase as an investment in transportation for the week and a donation, win-win ! One more important detail is that they drive on the left, which is good to keep in mind when cruising between theme camps.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_5839.JPG" height="276px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZPhr1u-W0VqqoKHkDpRS3VVraJeLc74IUZsF0SIhET8scP3et9Jn31vhOMQ-SKw7Oiua12rcBe7zpufF4-ZFH_0sFjTfLPzfNYjX7fzMrwBDIRWUzXrjVT6VDqd1fSQtus8SMMA" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="295px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Maddy Rolison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6053.JPG" height="277px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vmrDSnyypnfEizso9txflkxKz6SLrHyxCRKuB1mJOZQJOr44E1Q-a4VmvXj4nAFomrzArrF7PIXYLa9JgC4YVygH3bq7kngwYW1fwZjv9mtGQ_zPy59BcURSNSdv7rVnHAYtJnM" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="306px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Simon Callaghan </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Burning </span></div>
<ul><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<li><span style="line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;">The Burns were by far my favorite moments. They felt completely intimate and unifying. Afrikaburn is about one eighth the population of Burning Man therefore pretty much everything is one eighth the size.</span><span style="color: red; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are looking to see structures like the BM temple of 2012 or the Man of 2014 you might be disappointed, however if you are not expecting grander and bigger there are benefits to a more intimate setting. I personally really enjoyed the upfront view of the Clan, Temple and Subterrafuge burns. At each burn I eagerly waited for the fire perimeter to break and everyone to move closer to the burn site. Those moments felt very primal and tribal as people danced around the flames and several drum circles sprang up. I especially enjoyed seeing the way each piece burned, how it started, how each pattern burned in the wind, and how it eventually fell to the earth. Not sure if that’s because I am a raging pyro or because of the mind altering substances, but either way it blew my mind. The Subterrafuge (the five pillars) which was erected to protest fracking in the area, was by far my favorite burn, they were unable to burn it last year due to high winds making this years burn that much more meaningful. It was a beautiful burn, the colors were spectacular ranging from white hot to intense blues behind a backdrop of cascading stars. Fun fact: just outside Tankwa lies South Africa’s largest telescope, which due to it’s high location above sea level its one of the clearest, darkest, and best places for stargazing). The crowds cheered as every pillar crashed to the ground and relished in the burning embers for hours after the burn. This year the Clan burn was moved to Friday night along with Subterrafuge, and the Temple burned on Saturday. Organizers were a little concerned about getting people to observe silence on a Saturday night but rangers politely walked around during the Temple burn asking people to observe silence, and in the end it was a silent crowd of 10,000 watching the flames and embracing one another. </span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6068.JPG" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EG26mUyvqnmvrC5i52HShMsGDTaq0NLSrrTYD_mH_mNaLbecF7VOgcDJ4oe6f4yaajUD4Qjd_SHREseuzSCcp1gZ0cRkxCqKEPo5hS0WOyNATH3Ethm1Egf8sLC8hONuNkftjLs" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="214" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Steven Morrow </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6061.JPG" height="274px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/V7DAtFTxCwuL9vIAem85SQ81znCwjKhDTXufuqTtej8tKrBP3QJVHUQhqDrwLsxDNfYnyZQT617aCiDuKv0T75eOXKAEl-lZeVBnLT2gf1kgI64J4eNw86_IPTaX6qnfL4wzlvg" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="299px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Steven Morrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6052.JPG" height="274px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ox2Zr-lW-OKwwi1yBbq38GX1EnqoSqW_qIoVBR0Fb_0OGkpgyBgVba-9FPDLR14l06AtkCxQSxv1PIRjkqfUPIDIhn0vnEnE09XDoCyiOHzN0WBiD9nGulupDXtfI_RNPIKDYV0" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="298px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Kane Croudace</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Art</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The major scheduled burns were by no means the only things on fire. It seemed everywhere we looked on Saturday from sunset to midnight there was something burning. From artists burning small art pieces made of fabric and wood to the elaborate burn of 10 foot letters reading “Just Gonna Stand There And Watch Me Burn?” While I didn’t notice as many fire spinners and poi, I did witness one of the most beautiful performances by the New Moon Collective: a group of stilt walkers dressed and painted completely in white who attracted a large following as they danced across the Binnekring anchoring a huge long white balloon. The procession stopped inside of a ring of fire spinners before letting the balloon rise high in the air, leaving one woman to do an aerial performance symbolizing the birth of the new moon. I was left speechless by the elegance and beauty of the performers against the backdrop of a setting sun and a rising moon. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="11150149_914288131927662_9218979623599574909_n.jpg" height="214px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uXt854iZds4zWFrYoIIDIk1j6ROSaMGPxrPuq9QmEt7cdJDRHw6X5kmOyZ1dOPeHjr8EM8M67sT_UZwwnMxz5IdjsXvACQBTj72bpEx4f8hFxPvu450GZ0GDaPy6vQiWS4WxiUs" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="427px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by New Moon Collective</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sound</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SOOP ! as in Sound Out Of Place. One of my favorite concepts I took away, and one I think BM should consider adopting. The organizer put the loud theme camps at either end of the cornucopia, allowing a buffer zone for loud camping and a quiet zone in the middle. We camped in the loud zone, but I was never once bothered by sound from other camps. The music and sound stages were fewer and farther between but still offered a wide variety. One of our favorites was the Temple of Rock, which had a rocking band cranking out the hits all day long. Bubbles and Bass was a little slice of home and held down a bumping early morning party every day at sunrise that lasted into the late afternoon while (of course) they kept the champagne flowing. As mentioned before the scale of AB is smaller than BM, so obviously there are less art cars and mutant vehicles but remember AB is only in its 9th year, so people have not had decades to invest and build vehicles. There was definitely potential for the creativity and scale of art cars to grow. My favorite art car was the Spirit Train, a steampunk inspired train that was always pulling a crowd with their deep beats and sexy vibes. I often found myself dancing the night away there and running into friends we had met along the way.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="IMG_6003.JPG" height="242px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_WefLfFn840wlgHy-GfNlWbzdjC4A_poXxmIVNhXMLxmKvVrX59KXArAy-cp3yLinbwwkGkfc7jUW0A7I0CMp7FBhc15QjRnssuU_lXDm-tzICXGsg6bnMoBVwJBlu1ZndJMDlg" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="213px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Maddy Roison</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6070.JPG" height="158px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6VVmtgT0Gdq-zGpHXrrKbkSEvHr_TNk19yEgHUOxKh9JfpMb8GqkrL36vgWbYxI_lErLQIVn53h0Wu-Qz0cQQ7RSLKoOFUWqQJ5ItthoCaMC330Vz3hS_9WD2_0i-SrriD9Uzm8" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="282px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Self Expression</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One thing I was shocked by was the general lack of mass nudity. I didn't see a single shirt cocker! Depending on your feelings about shirt cocking that could be a good or bad thing. There was one camp that offered afternoon showers for 100% nude, and of course it was mostly old dudes. Towards the end of the week people started showing a bit more skin, but I am pretty sure I was the only one rocking the vag cleavage. I think this mostly has to do with SA being a bit more on the conservative side which is evidenced by the absence of the orgy tents and large representation of different sexual orientations. But none of that stopped me from walking around in the buff! I think AB could use a critical tits and a few shirt cunters. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="IMG_5780.JPG" height="336px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2LZdTlvhNV5JT6QuhLvcCTqVkVpSBUXAneU8c-vfj76ZjVhIW8YTHMaaIkTO_Kmm9ywD_lNkIXFifb1_V6sfiel0nzn8pnFoMSbYb4n2CfWlLmKbGVkWiTk-7ZKQFz72DG5c5Ac" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="236px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Michael Ross</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Loos </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speaking of holes, long drop toilets are awesome ! They don’t smell, they have a view, there was never a line and they were always clean. If you don’t mind a little less privacy and covering your poo in sawdust, it’s a great alternative to porta potties. One downside is it that they are located on the backside of the camping and there are only a few porta potties on the Binnkering, but the general consensus is if you pee on a bush it’s all good. I mean TIA (this is Africa) not Nevada! I honestly loved having nature pees all week and never once stepped in a porta potty. Side note: gray water is not as strictly observed as a BM, especially in the camp areas. And it seemed pretty much every camp had an outdoor shower, although I personally relish the fact that it becomes socially acceptable to not shower for a week.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XWVqpVvfTRG5sIGfrisipWJzUzWRo7q60Gj9J1T0s4U-Dht6wHoKFyno0Ptm2JKqC3pnCCd7mxm5BUJYPfZ2CPxUSU8ZnPnmJXDJie_yTSQdWsjZmbxH36pl5Sc_vshmkx8Y5Hw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_5796.JPG" border="0" height="200px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XWVqpVvfTRG5sIGfrisipWJzUzWRo7q60Gj9J1T0s4U-Dht6wHoKFyno0Ptm2JKqC3pnCCd7mxm5BUJYPfZ2CPxUSU8ZnPnmJXDJie_yTSQdWsjZmbxH36pl5Sc_vshmkx8Y5Hw" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="267px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Maddy Rolison</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Culture</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-1d159a62-44a8-aa36-264a-de1c26229086"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ethos, while AB upholds the ten principles of BM it also takes it one step further with an 11th principle that states ‘Each One Teach One.’ Meaning its the responsible of every member to take another under its wing and show them the way of the principles. This is a vital part of their community, as it is still growing with many virgins and those who have not had the opportunity to truly practice the guiding principles. Another phrase I walked away with was ‘One Burner One Shift’ which is really important in Tankwa, every person should take a volunteer shift, greeting, MOOPing, being a guardian of helping out at the DPW. With a smaller population it is even more important for everyone to participate and contribute. While this might take away from all the free shit you are used to getting at the Burn, it is an opportunity for you to provide it. This years theme was ‘the Gift’ and from the sounds of last year’s more sinister theme of Trickery, it set a good tone for the week and kept everyone is the mindset of generosity. There were only a few camps gifting hot meals like pancakes and grilled cheese, but we were offered ice cream and cold pops almost everyday. And we never‘ had to wander too far to find a hot cup of coffee or tea. Generally AB is much more accessible, especially if you have a last minute idea. It felt like there were less regulations and restrictions on theme camps and artists. The DMV and DPW both accept last minute applications for art cars and will go out of there way to help place an art project mid week and provide burn support. Artists have much more leeway to set up where they want and burn if and when they want.</span></span><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6075.JPG" height="254px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5Vm84HdlWTif6jpeOia-p7pGj6qSvdKpkOiyJhWmMBbefQy4Oov2BhsQ9A9aMhUv93b_Fmrv7JIBDHUR5Luvdtw2tup-FMizyf8p8R6chotIZrua6602KGq53mkp1ACZfd1XTdk" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="378px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Johan M Van Zyl</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Afrikaburners</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I didn't have many expectation but the crowd felt awfully familiar. There were lots of old burner types, moms, dads, college kids, and little ones of all ages and even teenagers, which are usually absent at BM. We seemed to run into virgins of all ages at every turn, but then again I guess we were virgins ourselves. I felt the crowd was more diverse, we met people from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, England, New York, and California but the majority were definitely South African. Either way, I am comforted by the fact that I could attend a regional burn anywhere in the world and meet like-minded, open and conscious people who uphold the same principles. It has undoubtedly sparked our interest in getting out there and meeting our burner community all over the world. After hearing great tales about MidBurn in Israel we are putting that one on our calendar for next year. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Waether </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the reports we heard it was a good weather year. I probably would have agreed with this if it weren't for the fact our camp was completely destroyed on the first night. The high winds ripped our shade structure out of the ground, despite having half a dozen heavy duty rebars and we nearly even lost our chairs. Understandable why it had prevented burns in the past and even caused entire camps to be up heaved and sent tents soaring in the air. But after the first night the wind was hardly noticeable, the heat in the day was never unbearable but still enough to be comfortable in little clothing. Once the sun went down the temperatures dropped quite significantly but not as bad as being deep Playa before dawn. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_6060.JPG" height="206px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5cflNgiWmTyaGUD26kM0kzhcoiPtE7Rufv3CZ8FdbFqceBecSwwsWgptkqo-JnXne6jZXw9Xk2XEyqiPv9OnBCe3ywAXfw0XOTfA9B7gPXZt8q-ycf8TIQJ4j38hC1tfVP9zm-Y" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="309px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;">Jonx Pillemer.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Road</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Po-pos! This had to be the best part of AB: No motherfucking cops! Yes there were friendly rangers and earth guardians but no undercovers, no federal agents, no one trying to bust you and basically no fucks given about smoking a joint whenever you like. Even the drive up was cop free, apparently there have been roadblocks in the past with the police checking vehicles but we never saw any. While we are on the topic of Entry and Exodus, there was no pulsing, no hours of waiting at the gates or staring at someone’s bumper for half a day. We traded that in for over 100km of bumpy and rocky dirt road. This gnarly road is know for eating tires, so it’s a good idea to bring a spare, but if you forget there are a few tire shops along the way. The route from Cape Town was pretty straight forward, there is even a beautiful wild game reserve on the way that's definitely worth stopping at, especially since they have large all you can eat meals. The best part of the drive was seeing the gangs of wild baboons scurry across the freeway, but make sure that your windows are up, or else they might try and jump in your car! </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_5408.JPG" height="178px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/S81Lm1_QJN5j5kQ0loX74ejRB2EnnDuLkDIGsFVwsQDxcBeO92OZ0LFhiU10awoVbbW1M5Rpv4K2p13N0xf6Jk-Yrx5XoZWlduEArAvPfzmfOVaXipcYrjv0Rx4NmBW4SlwbmIM" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="507px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Maddy Rolison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Verdana; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="IMG_6074.JPG" height="213px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/C20xckrfoSwgPa7sHzAUHbl7e4QMFY1SpBT4kuoe2tQdu0uFjpYUrreVDMnFHCJqVItRZgNaxuUBEi4Aflt83g1bWjZdh4x4Gmnr3V1Rau7Ql9noap_1WJ13xp_8y_2u-dERg60" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="319px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by ?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px;">Cape Town</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-1d159a62-44a9-c682-639f-797e5dc38c0e"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What really made the trip worthwhile was the few days in Cape Town beforehand. Breathtaking coastline with lots of little beach towns, friendly and energetic people, Plus tasty craft beers and ciders, and not to mention delicious and cheap wine. We found Cape Town super easy to navigate and were able to buy everything we needed for the desert (minus EL wire). Camping and wilderness adventures are big activities in South Africa, so you will have no trouble finding the supplies you need to survive for a week. If you are trying to rent an RV for the week, you might not be able to find a company that is willing to hire out an RV for AfrikaBurn, however if you don't mind tell a little lie you could have better luck. We had no hassles with the truck we rented and the company didn't seem to bat an eye when we returned it covered in dust.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I image the only things keeping most people from exploring more international burns are the cost and distance. In total we spent about $1500, that includes the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">rental car, gas, food, booze, party favors and camping gear ranging from a full length mirror to a tent, chairs, and shade. Although our flight from Europe was about $800 each, we felt the time we spent in Cape Town was well worth the flight cost. Generally I spent pretty much the same amount of money going to AB as I do going to BM. We were also extremely pleased that we didn't have to throw away any of our new purchases. We were able to find a home for everything we couldn’t take back with us on the plane.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In conclusion this is my advice: If you happen to be one of those unfortunate workers who only gets two weeks holiday a year and you are trying to decide between spending your vacation on the Playa or travelling or you just can’t get away for the last week of August, I would say come to Afrikaburn! You can spend a few days before and after the Burn in Cape Town but still get your week of indulgence in the desert getting weird with a bunch of open minded freaks. Your clothes and nose will still be filled with dirt and dust, you still get to dress up to your fullest self expression and you will probably have the best weeks of your year out there and get to ring the bells like you’re a virgin all over again. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_5775.JPG" height="240px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/auAfCwVTsgVr6nuwVIpCmvrascsmy3Mhl9UEBk41IvukEQ5zUetB4D-kg3vXJfSgPNJUgEcfLR2ouZK6MdA2Q6Kp51QJdRvl19skkyLUksJswGH28gdg5q4Xqd3DWKk5_IGNAoc" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="279px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Maddy Rolison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="IMG_5822.JPG" height="244px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2fxzjC9-7nNsX3CIo7UniQWHTBVU23x72nUHuduqdBRzp9Hpum7jR16pULwMcEpnNNzDi6urTr-RtjA4MkuVOkNAYvquogMf023O5oJNO1T-XcKNn2m8WiVGuFBtpPIE5fTvZQ0" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="325px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Maddy Rolison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-5023359243248209612011-05-03T23:03:00.001+03:002011-05-04T00:44:26.469+03:00Snow, Birthdays and Trains<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRmxp7yLDw2Oq-fCasRUqfdGEvPBXIJU5Yn8SMZCVQmpKRREbw4-Qx6oJkndhYhBwzSb86p1j9fnz0VpeyeZF90P5-_mGnCf0p8ejwEs0uLAGOqkfLUQEutePCNMPADoseNMUX4cJN98/s1600/P3130850.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDKUNywJPbVSKb0V9j3v3jhzQISCMsc2wsLF0J49jqxDm7BK5v597y0aC5cX3MTaAie_1DJJvfU9hQ2h-s1TqetqNb91kNU-Ev1ttEp1mdQuzyzjLGkeyuQoCGUYDkcx7f_bHf3FDbUA/s200/P2070683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602600038303565714" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px; " /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPBhkP3r3OBHIwNrxD-GQ_fMSRZmj6yaup1DCldVqHpQhQQ4Jn51c6oZJsm8OIWxVgh67yzI0c9J0YkPD9-uwY4llDo6wS3GtWKgcMJrhzG7UbQ8PqhqcsZXOnl9DIUlbw6NJ9ZWTK64/s1600/P4080972.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am sure there is any good excuse for taking four months off from my extra-curricular blogging activities but perhaps the fact that the Turkish government closed all access to blogspot.com sites would be a valid one.According to the news the shut down was due to a violation of copyright of one blog showing football matches but it felt more like the hand of censorship.Anyways there are ways round such restrictions but I guess I couldn’t be bothered, now its up and running so no more excuses for not updating. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ILwQ6K790vEUo8A8Ufcu7Ncyusq_-1qPE9z3YMYOxjuiFlpNleArHblNLdrHrmXhyuXPm9GzBYkLPDdBcLZFqH8nZhNN1pqKD0oua4FhGtTfNG2NhHWe75YZj2PREBkmB33yeJmW0Mc/s200/P3110812.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602604376973977618" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I believe I left off somewhere in January but I can’t really remember February besides the fact it was cold we even got some snow. In March my friend Byron, who I met in Thailand on myeacher’s training course and also taught in Seoul with me, came for a visit. Unlike me Byron committed to two years in South Korea and his first stop when his contract ended was Istanbul.</span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRmxp7yLDw2Oq-fCasRUqfdGEvPBXIJU5Yn8SMZCVQmpKRREbw4-Qx6oJkndhYhBwzSb86p1j9fnz0VpeyeZF90P5-_mGnCf0p8ejwEs0uLAGOqkfLUQEutePCNMPADoseNMUX4cJN98/s200/P3130850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602606709768674562" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qaz_MGb1k-Q3uP258GowjasYQCO-Fu66a-KqDe8X6E63alLH69V8KQIO4blGcxcLjjGYtKPkuX0Te-tFD1wXoP26y1SXxHd3TryXIXhEYEjIKROoI0cjmQS2jrRqgmVPjvuEQP2sGtk/s200/P2070737.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602601861563245730" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Iwas excited to show him </span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflR1U40s3T5Jv9ZPmxjzyHUj4wTWXdUb47KwsOCrYfn_6xZ0F6A5QiP-nwUpkvmGWRDcxZilruEm4APIpr80Jf2-8BBhHgcIlmfXy-IODHE3Io0UQzCa0eFRce22m6MNz5zYHvZrAADc/s200/P3130835.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602604387895614914" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">how different these two cultures are and help cure him of the reflexive bowing and the bad after taste of Korean food. He had a great time visiting all the usual tourist cities, meeting my friends and I think most of all, enjoying all the yummy desserts.It was great to really be able to compare the difference from my</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> life Seoul was wonderful but I truly believe Turkey is way more my style.</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMajZfC221wFNp1g6jW_0KY1x-fSgTjvjX704igjn1WiBpgTHlXc9NPmAgSyjMNNn6qABAafNFDMgzRn-qDT82eg3AEnzKfWS5Bhyjrn4CkOfi7D406rws5f7uCXMTKx8-ynvS9XVRcM/s200/P4070959.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602604392870033778" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwIS2kklwd-j7XwIcd1CsyJCBCennPAhv3OsBSYVqohZ7oZPe_wigiRzMW0Rj5BEA8_0yOiJOXOc5MKpblLZ49ECH8Uq2sGL8Yzly5V0UTiuQ9ZCIsdI3PehnnsSsNmNpf-gxTjWNAOw/s200/P4070962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602604395326294610" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">April was of course my birthday and in true Maddy style I had not one but two killer parties. On Thursday April 7th, I arranged to have a work/student party at my friend Kemal’s new bar.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgKckhyMUK8yDe6q9FV4np4tL4kuCjCgfFd3MqZI7kc89bxWd0QQTBSh1a5SEw-AFOJLbgiv3AU51duyay1cT8-sPfebqfc2fRFk17Llsp4kKNbbX75mKWAr-TdwH_zn2jANy0y_aJss/s200/P4070955.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602601871120680754" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My students were really awesome they got me some of the sweetest presents. I got a purse, two scarves, a dress, a blouse, jewelry, a starbucks mug (they know how addicted I am to soy lattes) and even a glass that has mine and Michael’s picture engraved on it. Sooo sweeet !! The party was pretty awesome all the teachers came and my students, we a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">ll got pretty lose. The party didn’t stop till nearly 4 am and I was defiantly paying for the next day.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11.1111px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">On my actual birthday I was pretty much bed ridden till 5pm, classic! I managed to pull it together and put my party dress back on for party #2. That night we threw a little shindig at my pad, luckily the rain st</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11.6667px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">opped just in time so we could enjoy my spacious terrace. It was a good turn out of my Turkish friends about 20 or so but the party didn’t last too long. My grumpy neighbor called the cops around 9:30 when there were about 5 people here. When the cops came they </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">agreed there so no problem and just gave us a little warning about the music. Unfortunately they should up a second time just before 12 and pretty much kicked everyone out. So we had to move the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">party to bar a little earlier then expected but it all was good. We danced the night away and it was another birthday to remember!!</span></div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrfGU1PxklLeoomi1VL6ISCOykQzUPuRUVtSQcQnKCazfbq2vALMiGZSeAKYpZs_a808TXNOqA1niM8jndno4l_SvrcOXE18xQIoBbnmHIx0VhRr1dcnr8KqKc5S7xCW1ZGkMzYft_I4/s200/P4080997.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602605386799325522" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Two weeks later it was visa-run time again. Due to a little procrastination and lack of funds Michael and I decided to take a train adventure through Bulgaria and Romania. We departed Friday night form Istanbul and arrived in Bucharest, Romania 20 hours later. The ride there was actually pretty enjoyable we had our own private sleeper carriage and pretty much spent the </span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCyOq2O4WEwaB4IHRbkU7LhQMTPtCYtN_E8ggjHdKZ9tgBopB_N4rwed752XedOT4ovVWhoVER61rxcdQzFqbrmlrgfbNUvX0bYazO1nHtTwnqjpIEw8-3eINJKOPLrvOwBLri0ugS4Q/s200/P4171129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602592007510859890" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">whole time chillin’ out watching movies and reading, while watching the countryside pass by. </span><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcw3chxCxqDuBBPxIU37CRpKBlVyi53_Mna88hYsx_H_lR38ClvPI2NJM9hyphenhyphenbpVen-6X5MeovKhFc1IrAYz2ocVgsKN7FbIRMklD5AUFqUVIUv9O1Brry6nWKes1GiA02Xlr3sgqTB2w/s200/P4161045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602597183087888866" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When we arrived in Bucharest we easily found a cozy hostel not too far from all the main attractions. We ate a huge Bavarian style restaurant that had a dozen beers on tap at a reasonable price. Which was a nice change from the over priced single choice beer of Effes in Turkey. We did a little exploring that night and surprisingly Bucharest was a pretty hopin’ city. Lots of bars and clubs with tons of young people, and even girls! (In Istanbul you’re lucky to find 10 girls in bar full of 60 men). </span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2L5Nubscja4i4BPCPA-hmyse_M6_ABuQjRLtrOW8HFyV-lcnsCDYclCBrqN_ugE_cfB7kxLQJ6SMTZz4ENPFU8x6wv5XHIWHxfEEowllSeluUbE_8FTVW-UpdXEXHp70vSPX9H5Bd48/s200/P4171088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602594993045796354" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span>The next day we set out to find Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania. Instead of going with a private tour guide, I entrusted Michael to “Jason Bourne” our way there. There isn’t so much a bombing tourist industry in Romania and therefore a lack of English. We took another 3-hour train ride to a smaller city in the north expecting to easily catch a bus to the famous Dracula Castle but after a few wrong buses and some unhelpful bus station workers, we found ourselves stranded and running out of daylight. In the end we decided to make the best of it (aka continue drinking beers) and grab some food. We finally aborted our mission and decided to get the next train home, we discovered we had missed the train back to Bucharest and the next one wasn’t for another 7 hours at 2:30 in the morning.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU4TZBIVZPJ34S5YuPqkfe5KTwTkKzPVdUpHm836IizFFsoDhyphenhyphen14AcXAyP02S6FrJ-b1OfHcjrprHlscjmhrIFBm6YuaZxcqN7kNcueD1m8wJGFo56h6fBXwRrMrMnliSwrLchGgg2ew/s1600/P4161053.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU4TZBIVZPJ34S5YuPqkfe5KTwTkKzPVdUpHm836IizFFsoDhyphenhyphen14AcXAyP02S6FrJ-b1OfHcjrprHlscjmhrIFBm6YuaZxcqN7kNcueD1m8wJGFo56h6fBXwRrMrMnliSwrLchGgg2ew/s200/P4161053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602594959602234466" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 166px; " /></a><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU4TZBIVZPJ34S5YuPqkfe5KTwTkKzPVdUpHm836IizFFsoDhyphenhyphen14AcXAyP02S6FrJ-b1OfHcjrprHlscjmhrIFBm6YuaZxcqN7kNcueD1m8wJGFo56h6fBXwRrMrMnliSwrLchGgg2ew/s1600/P4161053.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Trying again to make the most of it we grabbed another couple of bottles and started loitering in the station. In the ended we caught a small mini-van back to the city even though we were unable to get a refund for the train tickets, but the van ride was quite enjoyable. There was a very talkative and touchy feely drunk guy next to Michael, who had the same ideas as us for road trip drinking. The whole time the guy was spouting off in Romanian, cheersing us and making the driver pretty angry every time he dropped his liter of beer on the floor. We eventually got back to our hostel after being dropped off in the middle of Bucharest and disoriented.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV1uhJ62DZIW9eISaMMapST-RB81wvg_IG_pUYW9rhYfd1VxrxOXTFEEPbIc7pVBuJ9-IVJj1NAE06neTqu5akjBLnDPPvoP39d8ZwCMI_e9LGSvNQQ4yQlvDTxhxbKBs09Ugvg3kVfU/s200/P4161060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602592024325451042" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">much broke the whole trip. We were counting that on </span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The next day and our last day was a mad rush. We had been unable to exchange any Turkish lira all weekend; leaving us pretty </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Monday morning we could find a bank that would exchange our money, but no such luck. I spent an hour doing a crash course in all the tourist sights, snapping as many pictures as possible while Michael sorted out our train tickets home. Before we knew it we were running through the train station trying to catch the only train to Istanbul.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikXSbUyLZL3ot1rVhTN-k3CrcZImwDElQI4cJ0mzDGF8k-c5kcHkQLj43_tswtQAfRnNEk43czaaYo1SI0G6ddu49UhWOMhNH8-EQTYRwo9pcw2fSxN5tQ07ds33yWMtvqcFWFUDQqis/s200/P4161051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602597180827192994" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The journey home was anything but enjoyable we had skipped breakfast and spent our last dollars buying some snacks for the ride home. So for 12 hour journey through Romania we had a bag of chips, some juice and a chocolate bar. Still not sure why on an international train ride they wouldn’t have a proper food cart but when we finally got to Bulgaria around midnight we found a western restaurant that we were able to gorge out at for less then $8 each. The next 11 hours were even less enjoyable, our train was 2 hours late arriving and there was no sleeper carriage or heating. We were miserable trying to get comfortable in our single seats and use our extra clothes as blankets.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_VJMP2lYE-LpHRl-AYcY5HSL_HfzWUXZvxFgre5NQ1VYfpygwrR8-3ePZ9KFhG43OIx5a_uxgL3FmcKLFb3bHn1EqY2QvQyZJL5icY_e63K_67qaVk1G56SiFMeQTYKVeADhNpwxhVY/s200/P4171123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602592014292355842" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After the crossing the border into Turkey at 5 am, going through customs and sorting out our visa’s we were allowed back on the train which finally arrive in Istanbul at 11am! So all and all it was quite an adventure. From the little time I spent in Bucharest it was an interesting place with a lot of history. The trip was filled with a few almost missed or wrong trains, some money issues, another two stamps in my passport and getting another opportunity explore an unknown culture.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Back to life in Istanbul, I think my honeymoon phase might be over. It’s been six months of experiencing a rich culture and making lots of new friends but I am feeling like the time has come. I missed my sister’s 30th and my nieces 4th birthday this month and any day now I will be missing the birth of my 3rd niece. It’s these moments when you wish you could be in two places at once. Class loads are fading out as summer slowly approaches. I have had most my students for over 5 month, although it has been extremely rewarding watching their English skills exponentially improve, there is something stronger calling me home. I am not sure what the future holds for me at home, I am sure it will be a dose of reality and without a doubt some good times with old friends. So for now I am counting the days till summer!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-19663856458998260632011-01-25T11:37:00.004+02:002011-01-25T12:05:34.361+02:00Going Dutch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaLz5_UblRSrF1lgpuHCpoCmPj9qtxzZL7BBe8zBds27J5fM_h4oqNSzTDl7LsgAgwnRBu-3JBp7oXanxX8FW3ggNjfGWqF4ZdaBOX2n0-RNIKmPtyIyu9eC_W837RpTfFHUD2R97DcU/s1600/P1140530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaLz5_UblRSrF1lgpuHCpoCmPj9qtxzZL7BBe8zBds27J5fM_h4oqNSzTDl7LsgAgwnRBu-3JBp7oXanxX8FW3ggNjfGWqF4ZdaBOX2n0-RNIKmPtyIyu9eC_W837RpTfFHUD2R97DcU/s320/P1140530.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566057789506536322" /></a><br />Since I am technically an illegal alien in Turkey I am forced to leave the country every 90 days, but I like to think of it as free holiday. I looked up flights to Berlin, Spain and London but the cheapest ones were to Amsterdam, so why not. <br /> This was my second trip to Amsterdam, but the first was somewhat of a blur. It was 2006 and I went to Amsterdam with my study abroad program after spending a few nights in Paris. So the whole idea of international travel was well beyond my head, plus I wasn’t even the legal drinking age in America so I had yet to develop the matured taste for beer.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5EX6Jyd4qNN7zhQbJYBCom3QFNsE37s_sZX5MSnO0FlATyqXD_jKzm9tXN4IS4IDUJpIS9P48-_Ku7ghE28ehoceHMNqZDmrBiCWH4ErFoYBHobPYCKJPMJIJdZQz4VKa3P4Th6u5yI/s1600/P1150571.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5EX6Jyd4qNN7zhQbJYBCom3QFNsE37s_sZX5MSnO0FlATyqXD_jKzm9tXN4IS4IDUJpIS9P48-_Ku7ghE28ehoceHMNqZDmrBiCWH4ErFoYBHobPYCKJPMJIJdZQz4VKa3P4Th6u5yI/s320/P1150571.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566061987967759714" /></a><br /> I had originally planned to take the trip alone but at the last moment Michael worked some magic and arranged to escort me all the way to Amsterdam. We arrived in Holland late on Saturday evening; we had a small layover in Munich, just enough time for a proper German beer, pretzel and my favorite Ritter Sport chocolate. On Sunday the weather was surprising crisp and not too cold. I was fearing the worst, I thought I might be trekking through a foot of snow and trying to keep myself from hyperventilating but the weather was only slightly colder then Istanbul. We spent the day wondering the streets, taking pictures and just enjoying the peace and quiet. Amsterdam was a nice getaway from the chaos and noise of Istanbul. You don’t realize how much noise 18 million people make, especially when they all seem to be taxi drivers who love blaring their horns. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-vXkp8Xf7wM4jSiRE7bGAkBr9MH4SuTTo7YDgA1ZxK1mqBqHxUjtQFSx9RqT93hpFWe2NNY-5LJx-DTo5ZFNo03NwyGHWGJOYPaLdZeyIc3tFhUh0AOz4NMetfKkMAOfk7vRdFL8WOU/s1600/P1150568.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-vXkp8Xf7wM4jSiRE7bGAkBr9MH4SuTTo7YDgA1ZxK1mqBqHxUjtQFSx9RqT93hpFWe2NNY-5LJx-DTo5ZFNo03NwyGHWGJOYPaLdZeyIc3tFhUh0AOz4NMetfKkMAOfk7vRdFL8WOU/s320/P1150568.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566060484822212818" /></a>Amsterdam is so cute, all the precious Dutch people strolling around on their bikes; you can just feel how they are living the privileged life in the top percentile of the world. The streets are spotless, there are barely any cars and the people are extremely friendly. The food was not to bad either, of course we had plenty of French fries with mayo and ketchup, I had some delicious crepes and no trip to Holland in complete without a few Heinekens. I even had a chance to meet up with one of Sophie’s friends that lives in Berlin. It continues to amaze me as I travel to all the corners of the world that I am never far from friends. It truly is a small world and I am fortune to experience just some of its many wonders<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEk5ZQQgMAjA8uyV27MCVbgaJjeZU4qE61zhZHIFqjfMPrPUEb7zroBh8vKlwmu5bFMn1tvB4Hu9eoMdnj4xNlahbNTdcraVzWIRsQAh6LrM03ECP2aomb4sKt2JF2S88BloIXHqUA0Y/s1600/P1160612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEk5ZQQgMAjA8uyV27MCVbgaJjeZU4qE61zhZHIFqjfMPrPUEb7zroBh8vKlwmu5bFMn1tvB4Hu9eoMdnj4xNlahbNTdcraVzWIRsQAh6LrM03ECP2aomb4sKt2JF2S88BloIXHqUA0Y/s320/P1160612.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566057791107042386" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JERzpuzt435x4LmCTYbBWP1pqwY7By8WlsnPY6aFOYAHMmZ0b5xabZAx950aYzBYEFOgfGOPGeP6XFyM8vsbnJYnnFB0SYdQIGPZWunKcNt5ZDTjc5eiPWdGrKH7kc2ib-SqrSbF8LU/s1600/P1160595.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JERzpuzt435x4LmCTYbBWP1pqwY7By8WlsnPY6aFOYAHMmZ0b5xabZAx950aYzBYEFOgfGOPGeP6XFyM8vsbnJYnnFB0SYdQIGPZWunKcNt5ZDTjc5eiPWdGrKH7kc2ib-SqrSbF8LU/s320/P1160595.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566060487984310498" /></a> <br />The next few days where pretty mellow, the weather was grey and Amsterdam is not as crazy as most people like to assume. Dutch people are pretty reserved; the only rowdy people are the handful of drunk English blokes wondering the streets. Even the red light district is clean and safe; I mean for heaven sakes there are swans swimming in the canal just outside the windows with half naked prostitutes dancing in them. This imagine kind of sums up Amsterdam.<br /> .Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-39849086063112482402011-01-10T17:34:00.006+02:002011-01-11T12:05:59.390+02:00The Holidays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLsbj1tEuJtnB4GwWAUI0_OyodAVhiUD-QRABLvmybSOu0-QjIY2eSJRV5wVSftoTv_CPHXeYsuvw30BEg06673b7aORefnHMjx5KLC_lxcPCxsMspW333DKKay3NUJSPAwpkCGF6JhY/s1600/P1010500.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLsbj1tEuJtnB4GwWAUI0_OyodAVhiUD-QRABLvmybSOu0-QjIY2eSJRV5wVSftoTv_CPHXeYsuvw30BEg06673b7aORefnHMjx5KLC_lxcPCxsMspW333DKKay3NUJSPAwpkCGF6JhY/s320/P1010500.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560588923598952530" /></a><br />A second year away from home during the holidays and sad to say but its gets a little easier each time. The holiday season really was a blur, I guess especially in a Muslim country. We had a cheesy Christmas party at work, in which I received my awesome Tarkin binder. Christmas was pretty unusual this year but nonetheless a great day spent with close friends. I made a special Turkish breakfast and we spent the day singing bad Christmas songs and drinking Baileys. That night we had a nice Raki dinner with friends. Besides the missing visit from Santa or a stocking full of goodies, Christmas was still a holiday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eGw3w-9vNxIITrGco2aMNNzDDhvjRm5czZCYqe9eyqQ9zVYpOIWNu1hY13CZTpXawpyYjJhzTkI4rWxr91lRGshalJcV4M_HRq4mMuuRmUepc84WqRj9M-UhADUa9s7KXdalWxihUSY/s1600/PC240409.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eGw3w-9vNxIITrGco2aMNNzDDhvjRm5czZCYqe9eyqQ9zVYpOIWNu1hY13CZTpXawpyYjJhzTkI4rWxr91lRGshalJcV4M_HRq4mMuuRmUepc84WqRj9M-UhADUa9s7KXdalWxihUSY/s320/PC240409.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560585821031499426" /></a><br />Zane arrived in Turkey last Thursday and as always it so great to have a friend from home visit. You can relax a little bit more and reminisce about the good old days. Hard to believe we have been friends for almost 10 years and had the opportunity to visit each other around the world. It has also been very interesting listening to Zane talk about his experience in Kabul, Afghanistan and even a little eye opening for a bleeding liberal such as myself. We spent the majority of his visit hopping from bar to tourist attraction, foreign food restaurants and then back to cocktails. I finally had a chance to eat some Mexican food and some yummy sushi. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS8hhdKdm2umGuUkx6oNNpxGzdakpC7F0boJGlW3YMpJT3sM5R8_49hT5N8rjzHSF9FoKSzCAOMOzZZCIVWEpSN7MP3rpxfopK4c61GFvITGddGC7eMxRSnQ9I9rRJCJO9KJkEMVquGM/s1600/PC310438.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS8hhdKdm2umGuUkx6oNNpxGzdakpC7F0boJGlW3YMpJT3sM5R8_49hT5N8rjzHSF9FoKSzCAOMOzZZCIVWEpSN7MP3rpxfopK4c61GFvITGddGC7eMxRSnQ9I9rRJCJO9KJkEMVquGM/s320/PC310438.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560862606859377074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hxszkYOPqt7b2Vx-EMTh_2BxSKzAizZfB_7LOflPIh0MwWJPZrr-aybvREIcGMivMTnUkfSfowK1AyF-7DB2M2w1ltJfCNrvYPeKPFT4VkjwP_-Q54iBH240QJSpPws0o-7oLy0QlAc/s1600/PC310439.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hxszkYOPqt7b2Vx-EMTh_2BxSKzAizZfB_7LOflPIh0MwWJPZrr-aybvREIcGMivMTnUkfSfowK1AyF-7DB2M2w1ltJfCNrvYPeKPFT4VkjwP_-Q54iBH240QJSpPws0o-7oLy0QlAc/s320/PC310439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560853854513338562" /></a><br />The other great thing about having a visitor is having an excuse to do all the tourist things you should done already. We went inside the Sophie Mosque, which is being renovated to reveal all the Catholic paintings that were covered up. We also went to the Grand Bazaar, which was truly grand, over 4, 000 shops!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhVMPCoOVAqs9kvaUQpKQc5sEAulEThad1kK2G-LdEiqhVsHLRf30wwUjcDbxJ3P5BWOLdVtVjKLM3sDfY5MCOnyXXCp24diP22Uv3H98cHTmDtrD5hqchzOsvs2tFLUFoFUkR-OyhYg/s1600/PC310459.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhVMPCoOVAqs9kvaUQpKQc5sEAulEThad1kK2G-LdEiqhVsHLRf30wwUjcDbxJ3P5BWOLdVtVjKLM3sDfY5MCOnyXXCp24diP22Uv3H98cHTmDtrD5hqchzOsvs2tFLUFoFUkR-OyhYg/s320/PC310459.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560857305069280754" /></a><br /><br />New years were pretty awesome this year. Erhan and his friends decided to avoid the whole club scene by throwing their own party. We rang the New Year in style and I even had a special kiss this year ☺<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDTo2CNL3BvuUqZy0kaYcda18gNh8JklxS6aDGgdvka6auF-yXdLRNqK0w8Cq5OsyRLROqyrfqzUGqU96ZWqXR4M0XGc6ljtWreBZORTwYMPjzemJ2KYgYYAmGK-VgaDUiNHpf1omWTc/s1600/PC310440.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDTo2CNL3BvuUqZy0kaYcda18gNh8JklxS6aDGgdvka6auF-yXdLRNqK0w8Cq5OsyRLROqyrfqzUGqU96ZWqXR4M0XGc6ljtWreBZORTwYMPjzemJ2KYgYYAmGK-VgaDUiNHpf1omWTc/s320/PC310440.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560865389055636882" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />No better time then the first of the year to reflect on the last 12 months, and oh what a journey it has been! 2010 started off right, on the island of Boracay in the Philippines on one of the best vacations of my life. I truly feel in love with the country and I am already making plans to return for NYE 2012. I ended my year abroad in Seoul, saying goodbye to some great friends and an overall life changing experience. Next up was a 4 weeks tour of Thailand and Cambodia with the two greatest friends a girl could ask for. Once again Thailand didn’t disappoint and it was nice to return to my home on Ko Chang! After that I got a chance to visit Sydney, Australia a dream come true and a wonderful transition back into Western culture.<br />My return to America in April was just in time for my birthday and Coachella. My summer in Cali was unreal and better than I could ever had imagined. It was an honor to be there to walk down the aisle and share with Sarah her magical wedding. Meeting my raver family, starting weekly family dinners and Sunday fundays in San Diego are defiantly the highlights of the year. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjow0T75l6qQIESXet4By8wEw5qnOfg-fiYg2i0ZZoJO-NOiSxMldfQUSd-X2_ZbJgQKej9DKKT6REgOdLi0gA_4wygQvRXHchzagYQMsaTax8FZl1enaDcDaiE354jKB__h1-SFQwLJ9Q/s1600/Birthday+Weekend+2010+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjow0T75l6qQIESXet4By8wEw5qnOfg-fiYg2i0ZZoJO-NOiSxMldfQUSd-X2_ZbJgQKej9DKKT6REgOdLi0gA_4wygQvRXHchzagYQMsaTax8FZl1enaDcDaiE354jKB__h1-SFQwLJ9Q/s320/Birthday+Weekend+2010+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867001496517650" /></a>Sharing a bed, a house and new experiences with Brittany really showed me what the word friendship means. She was my rock, my energy, my inspiration and my best partner in crime. The end of the summer brought some tough times and a growing phase that sparked my need for adventure and lead me to Turkey. Since the moment I landed at the Istanbul airport I have been overwhelmed by the hospitality and the quality of friends I have met here. I am excited to start the New Year in Turkey and to continue building and enjoying my life in middle earth.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-36494222464193993392010-12-16T14:29:00.002+02:002010-12-16T14:30:28.862+02:00TarkanYou know I've been dying to share some Turkish pop without, so here it is Tarkan (the Justin Timberlake of Turkey) <div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F5nJymELoFY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F5nJymELoFY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-32838030466295656152010-12-16T13:38:00.004+02:002010-12-16T13:55:29.232+02:00Raki .. yes please !<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Life in Turkey is finally settling down. I moved into my new flat last week, we have had no hot water, no heat, no stove, no refrigerator or any furniture for the first week, but we did manage to have a little house warming party!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The party was not up to my usual standards, but of course a goodtime. It was great to see my new house filled with all the new friends I have made in the last 6 weeks.</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39CfwEgEaOF2CF8JvKme2MmLg7Y7AbEc6tDiuST5EBpeCgdGxQaNr6L0861EXuaIBruW17s5QXpkmTwsDkmC5FFKGxr3_U2MjF99f1LM9Bm2MhJNpxoR8l5jbR706mObYKN7f1pzmLGA/s320/PC040309.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551246342976829746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">My besties !!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The flat is super cute, like a dollhouse or a house for midgets. The place is unfurnished, which is why it’s so cheap but also why we are living with the bare essential. I did get over to Ikea this week and purchased myself a big girl bed. Sad to say, but this is the first time I have had my own bed and own room in almost a year. I think that means I am a grown up. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The flat is defiantly still a work in progress. No kitchen really or tables or any sofas but the location is perfect. A great neighborhood close to all our friends and just a 15-minute walk to my work (uphill). Work is at full speed. I am up to almost 40 hours of teaching, which means a lot more time lesson planning and way less time sleeping. But I an actually still enjoy going to work 6 days a week and my students are really cool. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>I wish I had more to report about Istanbul besides the fact that winter has finally arrived. We had a little snowstorm last weekend and the temperature most days has been around 10 degrees Celsius and I have no winter coat!</p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfkLGCI19C7X2VRcGqzgw8tk4o-oPNXMzWepPRBqqDYX4wvf1mwZcw8ldMMSNXe5pwnHOwS01XgvVqwmmF7WCjjJhUJy1gmvsuSIOnFRRQmanP-EugTS2OGoJHPx204CeVbL-8lpbmAE/s320/PB250253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551246338325296786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Last week, I did get to experience a traditional Turkish “Raki” night. Raki is the liquor of Turkey; it is really indescribable but similar to the Greek liquor Orzo or Sambuca. There is only one proper way to drink Raki, and that is over a long period of time in a big group and served with many different kinds of Meza or fish. Meza’s are the small dishes of cold appetizers such as cheese, potatoes, salad and a bunch of other things I don’t know the names of you eat before your meal. You mix the Raki with a small amount of water that turns the liquor a milky color. The affects of Raki are a little different then your typical alcohol. It’s not so much of a drunk feeling but I mellow, funny and chatty induced behavior. Overall an enjoyable night and another chance to add to my list of local drinks. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">I have had a fresh Guinness in Ireland (with some Jameson). </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">I have drank Sake in Japan. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Way too much Soju in Korea. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Buckets of SangSom in Thailand. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">A schooner in Australia. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Wine in Italy and France. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">A proper Cider in a London pub</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Tequila in Mexico, I just don’t remember it</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">A beer with Germans at Oktoberfest and some Jagermiester too!</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">And now Raki in Turkey </li> </ul> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-50130709120987010952010-11-28T15:29:00.005+02:002010-11-28T15:41:09.671+02:00My new flatHere is a little preview of my new flat and my new bestie Sophie ! You cant really tell but we have a great balcony with a pretty sweet view of the sea. We are planning to decorate our little dollhouse in boheiman chic/ happy hippy hut.<br /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTdBW5SIcVSlP3lQyoUdgrJzD5vakv-Fvzk_a46uVsrtfoSoB2l5afgu6vlU2Z1-_N1RqEkQmVDHsfDQYzejbVhoDJq8zqQF3x8mfexzy2l-qF0_EvKyl_i-i_a4892fGdcVaEFKmv1c/s320/PB250237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544593675271963842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDquIpZDapXc_qBa93dQ2GqgSxNZYT1aT6IZeC4MrD7Sr_wL2Rdg25kfMwn2G1XACYqbSV8kxx0aZDcs3AmeUfuVqhhYbOfg4FkXnryLhXhB0RxwZ_LTy3mR-ia9qhZ6bViYbqkM7JKFk/s320/PB250235.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544593669890480034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /> <div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBxRFu2PfeTv2O4cWiatCpJzH6NBu7U3sg6bP_bMY8u_XY0IFnaILYNEyxqT_sc1mklVkI0_xsqlePMx7wrbLEnrdvuiIPM8OO2R-4u04ibXOJ6vjg9dv2sUcdr3NSxGfkjFoZOqk5Z0/s1600/PB250243.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBxRFu2PfeTv2O4cWiatCpJzH6NBu7U3sg6bP_bMY8u_XY0IFnaILYNEyxqT_sc1mklVkI0_xsqlePMx7wrbLEnrdvuiIPM8OO2R-4u04ibXOJ6vjg9dv2sUcdr3NSxGfkjFoZOqk5Z0/s320/PB250243.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544593689372171602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz1Nq5iz6o_sRQjKt2gvaq8mBvpVmABHNFeSI9am8ej-AjyRp5qfLZJFvWQuVowrlqxImnbicNKgL6YBhDITOBhyphenhyphenl4eojYgPkwuVAsjs0gC2QwixDevi46nb5cu4mu1aWG9ZiEvndDZs/s1600/PB250240.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz1Nq5iz6o_sRQjKt2gvaq8mBvpVmABHNFeSI9am8ej-AjyRp5qfLZJFvWQuVowrlqxImnbicNKgL6YBhDITOBhyphenhyphenl4eojYgPkwuVAsjs0gC2QwixDevi46nb5cu4mu1aWG9ZiEvndDZs/s320/PB250240.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544593678993213506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYBTQsD1fh_Lhn-SR8buPVHg_-tbpIKPLJETZCgznAc4rO_s8qRS1Ka9QqgK_WftWMpnBaBhK9I6leiq80f52UlH2CVvZGvtXpOaDMIKpS2gKj3Sjf0-O5xWySrgY7vmrml_lodAKolA/s1600/PB250248.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYBTQsD1fh_Lhn-SR8buPVHg_-tbpIKPLJETZCgznAc4rO_s8qRS1Ka9QqgK_WftWMpnBaBhK9I6leiq80f52UlH2CVvZGvtXpOaDMIKpS2gKj3Sjf0-O5xWySrgY7vmrml_lodAKolA/s320/PB250248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544593697661698946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-5763424839788559202010-11-25T03:10:00.009+02:002010-11-28T14:17:40.834+02:00Kismet "Fate"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3_BA_hvQLG9CBhTW8sQvejBfxHVNfR9VI0I_Yidkt3qWiPKoDA9zd2IiNcAAG7-x78LSryOzS3hjGGd2G_Ahu-Vs-0cQYUUfGGsDPnutJud2hCOHs8-G7paLMYkfMZjCIuaQz4B1mZY/s200/PB140152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544561101219094866" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosnaGxmXvaZ1dovtW3My5nG6Z09eFqzTBscGW_uYJWziOX2z5AyxgL-VQEWpxi0qWOWpyVhu2KIhq7MSskGbVfL4zG0Fw0Z9oVM6hQOliEY7yJLbWo68eo28U_eZejU1U6YNqJ6kbWtI/s1600/PB060083.JPG"></a></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Really? I have been here a month! The time has seriously flown by, but I feel very adjusted to my life here (besides the fact that I am still homeless). </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Work is going quite well. I have decided to just work at one school and I have about 25 hours a week so far. I work weekend mornings and weekdays from about 2pm till 10pm, with Tuesday as my day off. Not your typical 9 to 5 but I think it keeps work from getting so monotonous and I am almost nocturnal now. Which is great in a city like Istanbul where everything is open late and you can get anything from beer to Chinese </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">food delivered to house 24-7.</span></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfV1qUEdkGCZ1LFH7y1yrEC7txVW395iQOS13MIM1tfae_sJKNJYEh-tghPotnKpKiOkBR5zf69WSpvQpW4EbeRI8nRQcIrqkpf3v7B4aAsaJ_fK92LFlSSoRq0qS4kit-3ZuGcM4-Abc/s200/PB050064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544554686623807170" style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After 2 weeks at Ali’s house, he has passed me</span></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmrZHSMrc88iK6qLKixMsSJiKvZM-__nB3fGPHCcEPAlqHIu_hi0BYbRPsPCz0kq58ie1jnpO7F6PvZaRqG_OC4qwrBGCUEG0O6gaVpr5c3C8tte5vLqrYBLlpbywEE2hY7tdKGj1KAI/s200/PB050057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544554680142748050" style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">along to his friend Erhan. I meet Erhan a few weeks ago at his birthday party and right away I knew this was a good guy to know in Istanbul. Erhan has graciously opened his home up to me, I am sure when he agreed to let me stay there he had no idea I would be there for the next 3 weeks. Erhan’s house is just a 20-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">minute walk to my work and his home is always lively and full of friends.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I feel very fortunate to already have a large group of Turkish</span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosnaGxmXvaZ1dovtW3My5nG6Z09eFqzTBscGW_uYJWziOX2z5AyxgL-VQEWpxi0qWOWpyVhu2KIhq7MSskGbVfL4zG0Fw0Z9oVM6hQOliEY7yJLbWo68eo28U_eZejU1U6YNqJ6kbWtI/s200/PB060083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544554660110845570" style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">friends. They include artists, models, photographers, designers, students, teachers and musicians, all very creative, intelligent and easy going. I spend my days drinking Turkish tea and coffee in the cafes and visiting friends at work and stopping by people’s homes for a chat. My biggest fear before coming here was being alone, and I think I have probably only spent 3 hours by myself since I arrived. I am always reassured that “I have met the best people in Turkey.” I am also sure that one of these days all that Turkish I hear will sink in and I will be fluent I no time.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzoglMahIWnPHSgzhO4IseBzeHo3031CyACWl-bGUKewz7AYx6JpIN8wU92oc1ccuiEgyWdlX9Bq0g-CWMA4FbaVpqAQaDvu4kWsXLOoeCk2tzAoOWmyz1eMgwl1jvUpwO1EOblufNgI/s200/PB060078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544554690866342434" style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px; " /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Last week was Bayram, the Muslim holiday to celebrate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son to God, good thing God intervened and told him to sacrifice a ram instead. So, each year Muslims recreate this act by sacrificing a lamb, cow sheep or goat. The meat is divided and given to relatives, friends and neighbors and the needy. Being a vegetarian, I was quite nervous about this sacrificing holiday, especially when I heard the city smells of blood for the whole week and there will be carnage everywhere. I have been lucky to avoid all scenes of massacre so far and any smells of blood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ8_qlBH6k-JwxN2jJTSkjS0iMq1YRky4waP27mqrpMMyf0f6NK8iALp12qY3DtTUZNc2XMQq62AF2QmKLMq6FBrzfNcOXekv0CDLgNkzcNsb4LrouodjjdkMFYCBxk8p__q0Fitz684/s200/PB150153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544561103047203586" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Due to Bayram, all schools are off for the week. Which would have been great if A. I had money and B. I was ready for a vacation. But Erhan was kind enough to invite me to his hometown, Izmit (just an hour outside Istanbul). I feel so lucky to be “going home for the holidays.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Izmit is a small suburb right on the sea, quiet and suburban. The holiday felt very familiar, lots of food, family, deserts and little kids in their Sunday best. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDLBn-rAaokL0piYEaVUN2sauycJf_dxwO0HC2HqWMglLjWZajsMoKfqD_54LGxHh4He-qiO3v9MGLmvSNyL9RqM4GdNLyuVR2eOL3QcWdxuZzTCO8dGGyVsnKYIOYWHWB8QlYainGiI/s200/149079_761966251607_24606446_42149615_7298379_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544554666418974178" style="text-align: left; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The rest of my holiday was mellow and uneventful. I did find some time to get a new tattoo. I have been thinking about getting another tattoo for a while, and when your new best friend is a tattoo artist, what better time then the present. I picked an Arabic style font in red ink with the “STARS” and “ALIGN” across my right and left wrist. It’s the title to one of my favorite Kaskade tracks (I am officially obsessed) and it reminds me to trust in fate.</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWaMhweaQua9e4dALkp5V_rqeuKB7Q1fC6_ATtdJcm3dg-PmHGCxXjBUxlw4FLcqCl7zLyqwpYvP42WDtJxIQl2qSL2GtsIwVMIVp0W4A8hyphenhyphen4co5VPKpQWimmG8Z8W4Mq_WcAayk7q5s/s200/PB140133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544561093160547570" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 157px; " /></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYI-aUsZxqDYfvnR0YmLKi4pFSLRxi4Le_oJ43GCadnGxCFNqC2r6t6VxX8urQSd6zGocbtRBeSrvH-L8gGwUK7isvxI50Tl-MtamSDkFBnbiQbTI1ncPBX6xpgIvG_whAZbJZZhhs0Q/s200/PB200215.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544562872884892242" style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDWfUcw21B3p8XaGqBB6GodcJ_RzJakIYmeyeTwe6eUBu16w4OAv-H-mLA1_FWbByt7Llr-cW7W6Q7Lm-mCUxx4jXq-AwSCTLtT84iuNljvZVXLvICGPlPovyy-77RNUx-P0NHyNP5WQ/s200/PB200192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544562866959222674" style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>On Sunday I went my first professional basketball game, which was pretty exciting because I got to see Mr. Alan Iverson play. It was only his second game with Besitkas and the fans were going mental. Apparently in Turkey games are so intense only one of the teams fans are allowed to come to the game. The entire time the Besitkas fans were chanting and singing. And the few times I had my friends translate what they were saying, instantly regretted it. Lets just say it was a lot of talk about players mothers and various body parts. At the end of the game the visiting team had to be</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">rushed off the court by the riot squad in full gear. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That’s pretty much all that is happening. I still love it here, I enjoy the chaos of the city but the kick back style of the Turks and I can’t get over Turkish breakfast!</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp4yoMukspYRoUFGhQQT4vH-ORSUGu-8gb2BX5xQe7_xfNmbzSEclVeeWNlsaDEzzPk6vJ6xbh5lJqrDdnCkTnRtlErSCKmZ0N9rnYyj4-W7usBHC7AIk3WmLPXNx760ASBiPx6mVBKQ/s200/PB080094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544561080075872002" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw1Nx0UC9uExDnPTK1yK0Zt5YeXg_PTJaKE2OR1X8qrtcQGDJ1ZiAwYUvmC5Ji_8_oQC5FJZ4tOU8X1G9210dy7qBdqH0jiBpmhSsq191sAedYNlmWx5BbG_zg4ijEvXVrTfjfwW3XmA/s200/PB080095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544561091914580898" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.8333px;"><br /></span> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-79714099208478634702010-10-30T16:49:00.017+03:002010-11-03T14:49:03.016+02:00I made it<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeAGl6fiOmJdcIqRolOygpwZHzmW9czHUgvQxVYSUmXaN55fg0C5E46y2lbj598OcJYs61YSacfpdKj_u9z-GA3WKa_TTAYFuopFVJxK14AGgiHL3l23ZVTHzo4nTYxcXVXxcdBB2458/s1600/PA230022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeAGl6fiOmJdcIqRolOygpwZHzmW9czHUgvQxVYSUmXaN55fg0C5E46y2lbj598OcJYs61YSacfpdKj_u9z-GA3WKa_TTAYFuopFVJxK14AGgiHL3l23ZVTHzo4nTYxcXVXxcdBB2458/s320/PA230022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533922137042389010" /></a><br /><br />Merhaba!! I made it safely to Turkey even though my flight was pretty horrendous. I had 2 layovers, no in-flight entertainment, hangover and stuck in the way back in the middle seats for each leg of my flight!! I didn't have the normal feelings of excitement and anticipation that you usually get before an international trip, just a headache and the feeling that I was in way over my head.<br />After a few moments of panic that no one was going to pick me up at the airport, I spotted Ali! He and his two friends came to pick me up and the first thing they did was take me out for a beer. That's when I knew everything was going to be okay.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqdrUI5VbUUxFoi3F5mz9TKj9XlYWICTQ4N9nRVy8ODKfk3nYVMow1D0BUq3NkA7o5JMeeneI6d0zyUheEg0UfeUae8Q7fsQu8Gwqu8zzkaKvOxsj97OyqBEuw62pY7arFKvfPTHW9yQ/s1600/PA230032.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqdrUI5VbUUxFoi3F5mz9TKj9XlYWICTQ4N9nRVy8ODKfk3nYVMow1D0BUq3NkA7o5JMeeneI6d0zyUheEg0UfeUae8Q7fsQu8Gwqu8zzkaKvOxsj97OyqBEuw62pY7arFKvfPTHW9yQ/s320/PA230032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533922793971118354" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqdrUI5VbUUxFoi3F5mz9TKj9XlYWICTQ4N9nRVy8ODKfk3nYVMow1D0BUq3NkA7o5JMeeneI6d0zyUheEg0UfeUae8Q7fsQu8Gwqu8zzkaKvOxsj97OyqBEuw62pY7arFKvfPTHW9yQ/s1600/PA230032.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> My new Turkish mates !<br /><br />I spent the first week running from job interview to job interview. I had like seven appointments and one demo lesson in my first four days in Istanbul. On day five I signed two contracts with two reputable language schools. I will mostly be teaching young Turks and business professionals. I am already working six days a week and building up my hours so hopefully in a few weeks I will be working full-time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3QL6MLWFp_6GrQt_9xPlsdbpDhYvUvFeARFueoyobneSEbwVtGEqNFVK6diP3W_DsGZASu7o0601KhkjVnxvC5jFTBqCP_st4FAOZA5OWkPEeEIozXfzr6iO_uAp5KvQDA0VXXm_2qw/s1600/PA190036.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3QL6MLWFp_6GrQt_9xPlsdbpDhYvUvFeARFueoyobneSEbwVtGEqNFVK6diP3W_DsGZASu7o0601KhkjVnxvC5jFTBqCP_st4FAOZA5OWkPEeEIozXfzr6iO_uAp5KvQDA0VXXm_2qw/s320/PA190036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534103555959666066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s6yTLpqSDEE_8hvqvRhMy4XxBUyfmQNB9zNsE3VGnJqIQqTTgxOvq-dreuiHw09bDyxAEEvIZ_JGy9QKAApNElKnnhjZwZJNABY8Bt43Shc1FrYnsMZwuFRB4NE9dWlEFEgGKTs5iMY/s1600/PA190035.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s6yTLpqSDEE_8hvqvRhMy4XxBUyfmQNB9zNsE3VGnJqIQqTTgxOvq-dreuiHw09bDyxAEEvIZ_JGy9QKAApNElKnnhjZwZJNABY8Bt43Shc1FrYnsMZwuFRB4NE9dWlEFEgGKTs5iMY/s320/PA190035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534103554990276386" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> The street I work on and my school. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have been communing to work from Ali's house. He lives about 30 miles outside the city center in a nice little gated community with his older sister. She is sooo cute and only speaks Turkish and a lot of it!! She will just comes and sits on my bed and chats with me at breakfast and I just smile and nod but I am pretty sure we understand each other like 90% of the time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKFRuidEC2MH3V52ABwrBMizkB5Oeg_V3cKUZ9aNRM9kuuI27jZu27YrMB20Fb_UOgAw3MIvuz3RGsEuF4T7-csS6n8qLvWP9j1ewyRQdpSjAb8UHRKJqS3Tg0SxdgKl3DUr7_4JFrwo/s1600/PA230041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKFRuidEC2MH3V52ABwrBMizkB5Oeg_V3cKUZ9aNRM9kuuI27jZu27YrMB20Fb_UOgAw3MIvuz3RGsEuF4T7-csS6n8qLvWP9j1ewyRQdpSjAb8UHRKJqS3Tg0SxdgKl3DUr7_4JFrwo/s320/PA230041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534102935867366210" /></a><br />It’s been a great experience spending the last two weeks in a Turkish home. I am already addicted to Turkish breakfast: fresh whole wheat breads, tomato spread, jams, an array of cheeses and grapes and of course Turkish tea. It also doesn't hurt that Ali and his friends love to talk about San Diego, which makes me feel right at home. Ali has been so gracious and really shown me why Turkish people are famous for their hospitality. We have become fast friends and he has really saved my ass in Turkey. I am scared when I move out that I wont eat (I hate knowing the local language at restaurants) or know how to get anywhere or know who recharge my phone or talk to anyone. I feel like a baby bird leaving the safety of the nest but I am stoked for my own flat!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4iYm5RIDH_eUwKnYb3S_6aXSdMMyVNzpde6CPEQX83xc0_-E4g8x89qREJL-zplsBI4N__EfZ9SjaNF9nrzV5zEzy0-KgxVucMc_ruk2It7YqV0hDcOgEpSDJuqHZ1JdMvSxK6FJNFQ/s320/PA230063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534104377100817234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "> </span><br />Some of my first observations about Istanbul:<br /><br />The traffic is pretty much the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. My 40 km commute to work can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over two hours. The streets look a lot Bangkok minus the motorbikes and New York City minus cars staying in designated lanes plus pedestrians running in and out of traffic. We sometimes sit in gridlock traffic for hours barely moving when it's not even rush hour. I hoping to not really have to deal with when I move and I can walk to work.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.8333px; "> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSQa0IqtF6khDE30t7bMm8FPVYQ9aywYbcXcp9ZL5E9Rp7izrRwEmodQI705koXk0VteTrPXbLW5WbtKK5eWF2AG62C5vYHX48_tYn2a_7F1bTY8oq1Q8FEcX1Nmo_DttxiYdPUvTM7U/s1600/PA230057.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSQa0IqtF6khDE30t7bMm8FPVYQ9aywYbcXcp9ZL5E9Rp7izrRwEmodQI705koXk0VteTrPXbLW5WbtKK5eWF2AG62C5vYHX48_tYn2a_7F1bTY8oq1Q8FEcX1Nmo_DttxiYdPUvTM7U/s320/PA230057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533923834195221266" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span><br /><br />One of my favorites things about Istanbul is seeing the turrets from all the Mosques scattered every few blocks through out the city. I also really like hearing the Adhan, the call for pray, five times a day from the Mosques. It always makes me stop for a minute and be grateful.<br />Its surprises me every time I travel to a new country how much you can learn. My first day here I thought my brain might implode from learning so much in one day. I hadn't really prepared myself mentally for this and It all became very real when I arrived. I hadn't really spent much time thinking about the language barrier or how I would learn Turkish but within the first hours I remembered all to well the feeling of listening to people talk for hours and not having a clue what's going. I also realized how much I talk in America and maybe almost dominate most conversations. Now that I can't share my every thought I have a lot of time to think, even when I am surrounded by a group of people. It's nice to have so much time to think, but sometimes I feel like I am constantly making mental notes. I hope this forces me to actually try and learn Turkish. I can at least read the letters but I defiantly have a lot of work to do on my pronunciation.<br /><br />I recently read a quote that summed up my thoughts exactly;<br /><br />"Once I leave the US, I am not bound by the rules of my culture. And when I am a foreigner in another country, I am exempt from the local rules. This extraordinary situation means that there are no rules in my life. I am free to live by the standards and ideals and rules I create for myself." - Rita Golden Gelman<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4iYm5RIDH_eUwKnYb3S_6aXSdMMyVNzpde6CPEQX83xc0_-E4g8x89qREJL-zplsBI4N__EfZ9SjaNF9nrzV5zEzy0-KgxVucMc_ruk2It7YqV0hDcOgEpSDJuqHZ1JdMvSxK6FJNFQ/s1600/PA230063.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC050dYkieavqnrQ2WyBJo_yBAK3JSVFpG0a85pDbq8F9P6eV3zk51c2bqFcxMnjgMqul1JfgZZgARumGK6j-03LZVG2Iqc-LQmw_TRVsmmjk7_CQHNsyMyf4hDZ6mGg4Mj8UMT1KcStE/s1600/PA200003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC050dYkieavqnrQ2WyBJo_yBAK3JSVFpG0a85pDbq8F9P6eV3zk51c2bqFcxMnjgMqul1JfgZZgARumGK6j-03LZVG2Iqc-LQmw_TRVsmmjk7_CQHNsyMyf4hDZ6mGg4Mj8UMT1KcStE/s320/PA200003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534107194601524402" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-78138462706918355402010-10-22T00:28:00.005+03:002010-10-30T21:53:12.209+03:00Thai Love<blockquote></blockquote>Once again .. I was asked (or bet yet pleaded) to make a little montage of our last trip to Thailand and Cambodia in February 2010. It was an awesome a trip and I actually did stuff this time in Thailand! <br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eaP7HBpljxk?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eaP7HBpljxk?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-45995833860687768692010-10-22T00:24:00.004+03:002010-10-30T21:49:17.112+03:00OzHere is a video a made a few months back for my little sweetheart Eunyoung. I travelled to Sydney, Australia for 3 weeks in March 2010 and oh what a journey it was !<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z9NLq6vYZjE?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z9NLq6vYZjE?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-59717975283247518622010-10-16T03:57:00.006+03:002010-10-22T00:21:16.333+03:00The next chapter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EJdTUGRCcjAo4latGAXL3V1BCfO4F5aSX4srMFGSSN_80zFB5ziPGlR92Jwl_YxXqsbXWxSejId2-eurlaGlOzVGMpiVbieu9uwbDWzeZObol_NNsWApndU5ZaCWHR2MNbFXdRA4VcY/s1600/turkey_istanbul_02.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EJdTUGRCcjAo4latGAXL3V1BCfO4F5aSX4srMFGSSN_80zFB5ziPGlR92Jwl_YxXqsbXWxSejId2-eurlaGlOzVGMpiVbieu9uwbDWzeZObol_NNsWApndU5ZaCWHR2MNbFXdRA4VcY/s320/turkey_istanbul_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530612498616140482" /></a><br /><br /><br />So after 6 months back in America, I got the travel itch. I started looking for jobs all over the world: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt, Argentina and everywhere in between. And then one day I decided Turkey ! And ever since then I have been asked why <span style="font-weight:bold;">Turkey?</span><br />My answer is really long actually ... First I didnt want to go to Asia again so that rules out China, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Then I was thinking Southeast Asia but i have already been to Thailand so many times .. then I was thinking about South America but most of the work there is volunteer and you need some money saved up before you go. Work as an English teacher in Europe is usually reserved for EU citizens. The Middle East was another option, the pay is good but the Women's quality sucks. So that leaves me with MIDDLE EARTH or more precisely Turkey. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq1S_RJx5KWRhb1Z3hqdvr8nZhCzfk-rKCg79a5DS53mxmwQI4bI_alFPTb1L28RgRY_FgLU7PZC3vI0jl8WtBN0jV9k7pr5TnadXTmuHfOUTIa8RHB_qoJTILoTNGtpYcRsN2NkGsfE/s1600/map-Istanbul.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq1S_RJx5KWRhb1Z3hqdvr8nZhCzfk-rKCg79a5DS53mxmwQI4bI_alFPTb1L28RgRY_FgLU7PZC3vI0jl8WtBN0jV9k7pr5TnadXTmuHfOUTIa8RHB_qoJTILoTNGtpYcRsN2NkGsfE/s320/map-Istanbul.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528458809329257314" /></a><br />Istanbul is literally both in Asia and in Europe. Istanbul has a population of 12.8 million people. Turkey is 99% muslim but the most secular of any majority Islam country. Isanbul is also home to one of the world oldest bazzar. The nightlife is suppose to be insane and the mediterranean food phenomenal. <br />I began searching for work in istanbul about a month ago. I was offered a job at a language school (which prompted me to buy my plane ticket to Istanbul) but after some investigating I learned about the schools bad reputation. I decide to decline the job but continue on my mission to Istanbul. For the past two weeks I have been sending my resume to English schools and Au Pair agencies all over Istanbul. I have had several skype interviews and I even have some lined up for next week. So I am hopeful that with some charm and hard work I can land a job right away. <br />By some chance luck, a friend of a friend living in Istanbul has offered to pick me up form the airport and let me stay with him until I am settled in. Sweeeett!!! <br />So what is boils down to is, I packed up my life in San Diego, left the love of my life (Brittany), bought a ticket across the world in hopes of finding a job, finding a new place to live, making new friends and surviving on the $400.00 in my bank account. I can only guess which countries I will visit and the new experiences I will gain. Stayed tuned for new posts and let the new adventure begin!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-62660541488846880912010-02-09T05:07:00.002+02:002010-02-09T05:10:24.270+02:00the ROK<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q-F_WGE2iOs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q-F_WGE2iOs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />Here is a video I made to summarize my year in the Republic of Korea. <br />I like to think of it as a present to all my firends who made this year what is was and I really like making these videos!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-89786923489714680762010-02-09T04:47:00.003+02:002010-02-09T05:07:32.775+02:00This is the ENDThought I take a moment to reflect on my time and thoughts about Korea, which can be best expressed in list format<br /><br />Things I am going to miss<br /><br />-Men wearing heeled shoes and man purses, with tighter jeans and better haircuts then me, who aren't even gay!<br />-The subway! Not once this whole year have I ever wished I had a car, remind me why California hasn't caught on to this idea?<br />-Cheap taxis, not tipping and no taxes<br />-No crime. I can leave my purse in any bar and be confident no one will take it. I can lose my phone and assume I will get in back in a few days. <br />-Not paying rent and having a salary<br />-The best TOFU in the world<br />-Bars never closing and the fact that is completely acceptable to pass out anywhere (for examples please refer here www.blackoutkorea.blogspot.com ) <br />-My students and Lacy <3<br /><br />Things I won’t miss<br /><br />-The smell of kimchi and soju on the subway<br />-Being forced to eat Korean lunch at school everyday<br />-Getting pushed by everyone all the time <br />-Not being able to read anything or understand any thing in Korean <br />-Any food that contains rice or black bean that is trying to be passed off as a sweet, candy or dessert.<br />-Living in a concrete jungle <br /><br />Reasons I know I have been in Asia a little too long<br /><br />-I have mad chopstick skills<br />-When I run into someone the thought of saying excuse me doesn't even cross my mind<br />-I have forgot what tipping is<br />-When I see a white person I find myself staring at them and thinking they are weird and wondering what they are doing here<br />-I bow to everyone in every situation has become an uncontrollable reflex<br />-It is a compulsion to put up a peace sign in every picture <br /><br />Greatest moments this year (stole this idea from Brittany)<br /><br />-My first trip to Thailand, where I meet my Brummie mates and my counter parts Brittany and Lacy. Thailand changed my life redefining my views on gender roles and sexuality and showing me the simpler side of life. <br /><br />-Becoming an Elementary school teacher. I found a career I could really be happy doing for a long time. A job that I strive to do better at everyday, that is truly fulfilling and makes me proud to say what I do. <br /><br />-Going to Beijing with my mom. Not only was standing in Tienanmen square or on the Great Wall the coolest things I have ever done but I got to go to Olympic Swim cube, awesome! <br /><br />-Discovering my happy place. Sitting in a hammock on my bungalow porch in Ko Phangan overlooking two beaches discussing the meaning of life with two people who make me a better person, Andrew and Brittany. <br /><br />-Taking my 3rd students swimming and getting totally destroyed in almost every race.<br /><br />-Going bungee jumping. Taking that step off the edge was single scariest action I have ever taken and screamed the whole way down but I did it! <br /><br />-Overall, being fortunate enough to have the means and opportunity to travel. I honestly believe you can’t really understand who you are or where you come from until you experience someone else’s way of life. Traveling gives you the freedom to be your true self. The continuous experience of meeting new people from all over the world is a consent reminder to yourself of who you are. I more content and confident then I have ever been in my life. I feel empowered and capable of things I never imagined. I no longer am concerned with keeping to some fictional life track defined by my age. My goals are more focused on the present, being true to myself and being happy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-24481287891859437042010-02-05T14:21:00.001+02:002010-02-05T14:47:08.932+02:00January and beyondJanuary was pretty uneventful. I had English Winter camp everyday, but only from 2 to 4. The rest of the time I stayed hoarded in my apartment scheming up plans for the future. After about 100 different ideas, a few calls arranging and cancelling plane tickets, some budgeting and long conversations with Brittany and Lacy I think I have finally settled on a tentative plan for the next 6 months of my life. Here it is goes…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt56QzDq8pY0ZxWRa9LdIhicOb8EXN3HijCYi_T6Q57vcYn3XKnJe8lWAeYKYGHeo21viOZT9lPLKy8FvdpSb_0yBrtunwP5SQsWUlWZIpNxEFcE8rccrAoRf9_T9KloHUPb80Y6FxyZs/s1600-h/P1132582.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt56QzDq8pY0ZxWRa9LdIhicOb8EXN3HijCYi_T6Q57vcYn3XKnJe8lWAeYKYGHeo21viOZT9lPLKy8FvdpSb_0yBrtunwP5SQsWUlWZIpNxEFcE8rccrAoRf9_T9KloHUPb80Y6FxyZs/s320/P1132582.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434738468150536674" /></a><br /> <br /> First finish up my contract in Korea. February 11 will be my last day of work after that Lacy and I are headed to Thailand. Yeah I know my third trip this year, but I really freaking love this place. We are going down to the southern islands and kicking on the beach for two weeks. <br /> Then around March 1st Brittany and my friend Willie are meeting me in Bangkok. From there we are going river tubing in Laos then making our way to the famous Ankor Wat temple in Cambodia. Hopefully there will be enough time for a stop off to our favorite island in Thailand, Ko Chang before we fly back to Korea on March 9th.<br /> I am going to use my free flight from Seoul (included in my teaching contract) to fly to Sydney, Australia. I came up with this last minute tip to OZ after Brittany’s and mine original plan to explore Vietnam crumbled. So , now I going to spend about 18 days down under visiting my friend Eunyoung. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqpn3qPeyZkAWnJrSLRiGhRzvS5b8I6VBGGb_qY5hWJvNDSag-xFPlilQwZN05esHSOn54h0x0gDz24z85A7LWxlD-WsiIU0FgfxLkBjkOKvIE7ABpvyCSvH49nd9M5GsVN9ZcdQAG60/s1600-h/PA171979.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqpn3qPeyZkAWnJrSLRiGhRzvS5b8I6VBGGb_qY5hWJvNDSag-xFPlilQwZN05esHSOn54h0x0gDz24z85A7LWxlD-WsiIU0FgfxLkBjkOKvIE7ABpvyCSvH49nd9M5GsVN9ZcdQAG60/s320/PA171979.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434739209026605122" /></a>I am super excited to go to Australia, it has always been on the top of my list of places to visit. I hope I don’t waste all my money there before I came back to the states. It's a little bit more pricey there then Southeast Asia and I going to have to remember to tip. <br /> Speaking of being back in America, exciting news: Brittany has decided to move with me to San Diego. We are going to find jobs as nannies and swim coaches for the summer until we come up with the plan for our next adventure. We are so sad that our other third Lacy won’t be with us, she will be staying a little longer in Korea and hopefully joining us at the end of the summer. Wherever in the world that may be:) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56w1Fw5lBM-oLoTPBNQrP7xJf3hsX-6JJSJQrxXh6RqPvVb-3I9wOwPLWpvLwBmeAc_Mq93a4p-MnIlZ2n4J0oxEKwihtkcK7SYzoTJosrJmw5ZRXPzeFgOxUv-pvjllxB8B-fxFruqM/s1600-h/PC042333.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56w1Fw5lBM-oLoTPBNQrP7xJf3hsX-6JJSJQrxXh6RqPvVb-3I9wOwPLWpvLwBmeAc_Mq93a4p-MnIlZ2n4J0oxEKwihtkcK7SYzoTJosrJmw5ZRXPzeFgOxUv-pvjllxB8B-fxFruqM/s320/PC042333.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434739784720693442" /></a><br /> So I’ve got 7 more weeks before I touch down in California. I am slightly nervous, I will have spent 14 months in the East and I am expecting some intense culture shock. I am glad Brittany will be there to share my pain and I am sure spending time babysitting my nieces will make the transition that much easier. <br />Well I think I did a good job updating. I don’t think I did so well on the short part.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-51323074731574659432010-02-05T06:23:00.005+02:002010-02-05T15:11:05.957+02:00Boracay Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlu8EcwxqplHIG5OvgpxDna14-nPbU4EHhnjEw2yDETsmg1Jx0rkvuP2v2PqSiY2WkRrVJCQDg3Ocax_4oMuANMmVPmH4jk6vkwvBMRBrPg07zieyv8mYlDRZWyJ7-1BQwHjmVcqotGX0/s1600-h/P1032489.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlu8EcwxqplHIG5OvgpxDna14-nPbU4EHhnjEw2yDETsmg1Jx0rkvuP2v2PqSiY2WkRrVJCQDg3Ocax_4oMuANMmVPmH4jk6vkwvBMRBrPg07zieyv8mYlDRZWyJ7-1BQwHjmVcqotGX0/s320/P1032489.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434744249589858898" /></a><br />On Christmas day the ladies and I packed up our bags and headed to the Philippines for a two week holiday! We caught a late night flight into Manila airport, we had a 6 hour layover (which turned into 12 hours because the closed the airport we were suppose to fly into) before we caught our domestic flight into Kalibo. Once we reached Kalibo we had to take an hour ride in a overcrowded van to the port, then a short ferry ride to the small island of Boracay,(aka Paradise). Why do the most beautiful beaches always take the longest to get to? <br />Out of all the tropical beaches I have been to this year, I think Boracay might rank first. The white sand and clear waters went on for as far as you could see. We spent most of our days lounging on the beach, sailing around the island, meeting the locals, drinking fresh mango shakes and watching the sunset. And when the sun went down we were up to our usual nightlife antics, especially with the local San Miguel beers costing about a dollar each.I know, I know, hard life for a paid vacation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgUKAR8IYpAN27i_jWDowVR3h-34RzkDW86Itx3XITMIm95hQKQaVars8ERJXzzCuABNz1o-ebiQflOOsMDYe25UQ2gVgsSELcSWMTpv9BOV6WNygGNzC_BPbHHYBB__SIyLFprvQ-0g/s1600-h/P1052521.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgUKAR8IYpAN27i_jWDowVR3h-34RzkDW86Itx3XITMIm95hQKQaVars8ERJXzzCuABNz1o-ebiQflOOsMDYe25UQ2gVgsSELcSWMTpv9BOV6WNygGNzC_BPbHHYBB__SIyLFprvQ-0g/s320/P1052521.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434746064544651986" /></a><br /><br />Before we knew it, it was News Year Eve and the island was in the midst of high tourist season. We rang in the New Year at a “white party” on the beach with some crazy Aussies and fun Swedish boys. I couldn't’t imagine a better place to start 2010, a beautiful beach with my two besties. I think this year is gonna be a good one!<br />Our original plan was to leave Boracay after we had fully recovered from our New Years hangovers and check out some of the other island in the Philippines but it’s just so hard to get on that ferry. We ended up making good friends with the managers of our hotel and some of the local bars and we were having so much fun we couldn’t imagine leaving. So our 7 days stay turned into 12 days, we didn’t get a chance to see any of the other island but I think we made the most of our trip. Sure we could have traveled more but aren't the relationships you make more important then the sights you see? My trip can best be summed up in this video I made. I know it's long but there are some great landscape shots and I promise I wasn't drinking as much as it appears.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/di-lLHicswI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/di-lLHicswI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />One of the best days on the island was when our friend Sadrock took us sailing to his home on the mainland. He brought us to a friends house where they were celebrating some Saints day (the Philippines is overwhelming Catholic), they gave us lunch and invited us to their BBQ. It was rare opportunity to be welcomed into the village’s celebration and share some beers with the locals. <br /><br />But by far my favorite memory from the trip was scuba diving. We had a few hours training before we were dropped in the middle of the ocean for a 40 minute dive. In the beginning it was a little scary and totally unnatural to be breathing underwater but after you get over the mental block it’s amazing!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS4fV4q72BaEiLrowPwYAQRjv_iFrJiUaSGzKJ75ZQRtjValpTWGxlj7o9IAtIZj4TLMjj32dPzbpP92nMWk_XY0WG-xUs2TbB5zvnkK314mAJeh8CPRsrPQ7WllRzN1JYkGKCVItngU/s1600-h/P1072538.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS4fV4q72BaEiLrowPwYAQRjv_iFrJiUaSGzKJ75ZQRtjValpTWGxlj7o9IAtIZj4TLMjj32dPzbpP92nMWk_XY0WG-xUs2TbB5zvnkK314mAJeh8CPRsrPQ7WllRzN1JYkGKCVItngU/s320/P1072538.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434744503336919426" /></a> We were swimming through spectacular coral reefs filled with exotic neon fish. I seriously felt like I was swimming in the movie Finding Nemo and all the characters were there. I didn’t even know colors that bright existed in nature. The Philippine's crystal clear water and thriving ecosystem makes it home to some of the best dive sites in the world. I can’t wait to get certified and dive again. <br /><br />Our last night in Boracay, Brittany and I had serious ambitions for getting permanent jobs on the island. I was in training as a DJ and Brittany had her first shift behind the bar. We plan on brushing up on our skills and applying for jobs on our next visit. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcZs1bg5JlPee4ILerQFOq9HusPjCeLQlkFKqG1WauuMu4U4OtLlyxLnKYK5o-COD5pQRlzB9pzqVAscZZcJNSCI44M2djcU5p7afH4FOoGVixzDMoW-WVook4qK2MiSWZg8MFMl3NYA/s1600-h/P1072553.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcZs1bg5JlPee4ILerQFOq9HusPjCeLQlkFKqG1WauuMu4U4OtLlyxLnKYK5o-COD5pQRlzB9pzqVAscZZcJNSCI44M2djcU5p7afH4FOoGVixzDMoW-WVook4qK2MiSWZg8MFMl3NYA/s320/P1072553.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434745262262037730" /></a><br /><br />I really feel in love with Boracay. Not only was it a beautiful place but the people are what made our trip. The Filipino people have to be some of the kindest and most hospitable people, not to mention there English is practically fluent. It was so refreshing to be in such a friendly and open culture, which made coming back to Korea that much more difficult. <br />When the day finally came to broad the ferry to the mainland and endure the flight the Manila, we were all but happy. We spent a night in Manila trying to readjust back to the city life but nothing can quite prepare for the shock of reality. <br />I was still in my shorts and sandals when we landed in Seoul, where temperatures were below freezing and a couple feet of snow had piled up on the ground. Coming back to Korea was more then depressing then I feared. Getting cut in front of, elbowed and knocked out the way, all before I made my way back to my apartment really made starting count the days till the end.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-62923562934167057052010-02-05T06:14:00.003+02:002010-02-05T14:38:34.931+02:00Way back in DecemberI am going to try to sum up the last 2.5 months as quickly and accurately as possible, in parts or more. It might be hard to capture all the moments but better now then never at all. I realize this blog will someday act as fairly accurate account of my year abroad and since I don’t keep a dairy this will be the next best thing.So let’s begin in December. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrBHweEsVO50zu1MFRQRNy9eu7e8olz37X6CJ-HPIqEVp9L-Nq0syQJe3pkhHI7K2HQc3tCpgzyM-94wbYe0WseJdvLLZNV2NZIE5oHBfpuCNGMurKgpoXidr3NAA9U-S1TVqtNgysTc/s1600-h/IMG_7206.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrBHweEsVO50zu1MFRQRNy9eu7e8olz37X6CJ-HPIqEVp9L-Nq0syQJe3pkhHI7K2HQc3tCpgzyM-94wbYe0WseJdvLLZNV2NZIE5oHBfpuCNGMurKgpoXidr3NAA9U-S1TVqtNgysTc/s320/IMG_7206.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434737138029812434" /></a><br />First it got cold, then it got colder, then it got freezing, then is snowed and snowed some more. When the novelty of my first winter worn off, I finally realized what my New England friend, Brittany was warning me about. Not wanting to ever leave the house, sleeping all day, craving the warm food and the biggest shock to me was how much of a homebody I became. I actually found myself staying home on weekend nights, shocking!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0MR2c5MXb-_SqPBb-8oK__aHE0wsUBmnJ5VjOC94XKlIy9yZp8DEnPuCxRyOYPHgqPrb1BepZP4P9iWeT_UHZSUJ2VOREE9YrTjoOxbDEquaGLwFsuy3zRg0iBa2nmorAMnIrxjRleM/s1600-h/PC222414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0MR2c5MXb-_SqPBb-8oK__aHE0wsUBmnJ5VjOC94XKlIy9yZp8DEnPuCxRyOYPHgqPrb1BepZP4P9iWeT_UHZSUJ2VOREE9YrTjoOxbDEquaGLwFsuy3zRg0iBa2nmorAMnIrxjRleM/s320/PC222414.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434737649670191458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_mmz6053Cg4rhEGB99l3Fw34fbKkz9f3ETpcXpy7nu9AILqhNviMBTdB93e4wwVuVfDniER84zAcfL8XI3wP6r_M9g9vkzAjb4srpVcRkL4DE_ikOtrMI5KRLAZab2psa6wu4Cb33Eo/s1600-h/PC222413.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_mmz6053Cg4rhEGB99l3Fw34fbKkz9f3ETpcXpy7nu9AILqhNviMBTdB93e4wwVuVfDniER84zAcfL8XI3wP6r_M9g9vkzAjb4srpVcRkL4DE_ikOtrMI5KRLAZab2psa6wu4Cb33Eo/s320/PC222413.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434737643360612722" /></a><br />School broke for vacation on the 22nd but before I was free, I had to go on a 2 day teachers retreat. I was not looking forward to 48 awkward hours with my 70 Korean coworkers not speaking to me, eating Korean food for 6 meals straight and me not understanding anything that was going on. For the most part my all fears came true and then some. I spent 12 hours riding on bus with a hacking cough on the verge of a breakdown. Not the ideal situation right before Chirstmas to be overloaded with Korean culture when you are missing the holidays at home with your family and friends. On the plus side I did win some money from the Principal for my awesome dance and noreabong (karaoke) skills at our teachers talent show. Althought, I credit my looming vacation in paradise to my survial of this trip.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-54913469355754346682009-12-01T17:05:00.016+02:002009-12-01T18:03:29.527+02:00Mo'vember<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFqIDU03zoQDov0wdSREJ5gxb6DtXsQb1fsrnFuEYEP2g3nJiGQMtXHE4Lbug2QBlwW1ia03SYh6awpkzhrIhF-2jDRIYjRUUttLIBZthfgLB_eQJWNInVQvG97zNdV-D6__iHjAnvMQ/s1600/PB072059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFqIDU03zoQDov0wdSREJ5gxb6DtXsQb1fsrnFuEYEP2g3nJiGQMtXHE4Lbug2QBlwW1ia03SYh6awpkzhrIhF-2jDRIYjRUUttLIBZthfgLB_eQJWNInVQvG97zNdV-D6__iHjAnvMQ/s320/PB072059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410294783280998210" /></a><br />Can’t say there is a good reason for my hiatus on blogging, guess my life no longer feels as adventurous and odd as it once did. After 10 months I am feeling pretty comfortable in my day to day and I have made the final decision to not re-sign my teaching contract. Not that I don’t love Seoul and I think it would be impossible to find better friends than the ones I’ve made here. But my little nieces aren’t staying babies and I’ve got a wedding to take part in this summer. Although, I am not quite ready to give up my travels just yet so hopefully I will only be back in the states for about 6 months before I head down to South America or maybe Thailand. <br />Instead of talking about the pending future I think it might be necessary to recap the last two months. <br />First there was Halloween. That week at school I had prepared a special Halloween lesson. I taught my students a little bit about the history and traditions and I mistakenly promised them candy. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H8o1DrRIrXZrgUbH4aI2n06R_SgvkuNXRQWGwdLOZRp4GRMbi69GFDR_BlI3SFg8eNKNLpPsVh01eNrJG9qKVeZGp9x6A5zM5_5hVe_uq5mKvrrnerCqAPFPv57o-py1hzFeE20ERK4/s1600/PA312036.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H8o1DrRIrXZrgUbH4aI2n06R_SgvkuNXRQWGwdLOZRp4GRMbi69GFDR_BlI3SFg8eNKNLpPsVh01eNrJG9qKVeZGp9x6A5zM5_5hVe_uq5mKvrrnerCqAPFPv57o-py1hzFeE20ERK4/s320/PA312036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410286875456629330" /></a>They just had to find me on Friday and say “trick or treat.” This ended up being a very ambitious promise seeing how I have almost 600 students, who easily cornered me in my classroom turning my “trick or treat” activity into complete mayhem. Needless to say they didn’t quite understand the one piece of candy each rule. <br />I decided this year to dress up as Minnie Mouse, seeing how there were only a handful of costumes at E-mart to choose from. The girls on the other hand got a little more creative and made very cute shark costumes. The festivities in Seoul were pretty good for a country that doesn’t actually celebrate the holiday. <br />After Halloween was my mom’s arrival, which I was really looking forward to not only was I going to show my mom my life here but also, I was getting a whole suitcase of Trader Joe’s goodies. My mom brought more chocolate, sweets and candy then I knew what do with. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M0_re1hTkEGqECScUGE2Ex7hqijSLjsKkxJdlYsg13IQmgF1l41nIqqh6TgQwSZRanDJtu4mM2eNCM5sZOpEp3l2zoUEzoEMP8p1V1z-04u-6z0k5RxAc5GMSyMMwRRz-y_u_72G1eU/s1600/PB072075.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M0_re1hTkEGqECScUGE2Ex7hqijSLjsKkxJdlYsg13IQmgF1l41nIqqh6TgQwSZRanDJtu4mM2eNCM5sZOpEp3l2zoUEzoEMP8p1V1z-04u-6z0k5RxAc5GMSyMMwRRz-y_u_72G1eU/s320/PB072075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410287744122430882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb-OKwU0hnDmdoaf0OvmuJHe_PJTQwkinbdjHNawjBPy9MUtJlDo_R7dGjlZ4rLf5pMUNE_Ey5UinUirMpMV7t-AtvGs_SzMDBUT0HCChfI_ZvxK7n4YMu3s6ajMFnWABj8eE5NR8RUg/s1600/PB072057.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb-OKwU0hnDmdoaf0OvmuJHe_PJTQwkinbdjHNawjBPy9MUtJlDo_R7dGjlZ4rLf5pMUNE_Ey5UinUirMpMV7t-AtvGs_SzMDBUT0HCChfI_ZvxK7n4YMu3s6ajMFnWABj8eE5NR8RUg/s320/PB072057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410287733774639778" /></a><br />I took my mom to all the standard Seoul sights. The palaces, the museums, the tower and of course the foreigners bars. She had a great time meeting all my friends, having a few beers, playing darts and sharing some embarrassing stories.<br /> During the week my mom came to school everyday to get a taste of my daily Korean lunch. All the teachers were so excited to meet her and the vice principal couldn’t stop taking pictures of us. My mom made such a good impression on my principal during their teatime visit, that he let me leave school early everyday. I was so overwhelmed by schools respect for family and the kind words they offered my mom about my performance.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmTaW3vNWRrIrzrgrUeDhJaCFInyGQso9apoAQOk4-zVJsNe65Oc2htj6Clq63zOYMp5Q72Oe7wd0PglRZOc_sqQY9b3OVe871nAdonAzEKWX-cbcsmrFJTWKOSXoAInbciuC3pXKaSw/s1600/PB092096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmTaW3vNWRrIrzrgrUeDhJaCFInyGQso9apoAQOk4-zVJsNe65Oc2htj6Clq63zOYMp5Q72Oe7wd0PglRZOc_sqQY9b3OVe871nAdonAzEKWX-cbcsmrFJTWKOSXoAInbciuC3pXKaSw/s320/PB092096.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410288160655823058" /></a><br />That weekend my mom and I got a little adventurous and took a trip to Beijing. It’s just a short 2-hour plane ride away but a world away from the modern comforts of Korea. Not wanting to shock my mom with my whimsical and budget travel techniques, I agreed to get a tour guide. Probably one of the best decisions ever, with only three days in the thousand-year-old city of Beijing we needed an experts help to cover all that ground. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWo9YGLYRCKmtx7qulSgXPMdj3e_kFcroPrGJZ8J3P5N9-91LfjeVY1Ef9hmqH8-dTl5-APWvQ5lt1y-HViUUAmQ5qi5izxewnmL3eqcIfQmv2NHUtr8_6P67Q5DEcenkQ2ROXcmFpJM/s1600/PB122134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWo9YGLYRCKmtx7qulSgXPMdj3e_kFcroPrGJZ8J3P5N9-91LfjeVY1Ef9hmqH8-dTl5-APWvQ5lt1y-HViUUAmQ5qi5izxewnmL3eqcIfQmv2NHUtr8_6P67Q5DEcenkQ2ROXcmFpJM/s320/PB122134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410288676357499618" /></a><br />As soon as we stepped off the plane our tour guide “Tommy” was there to greet us. He was a young slender and pretty much all around cheerful Chinese guy who spoke really good English. We also had our own personal driver for the weekend, Mr. Boa. He was very professional and even drives some heads of states around when he's not toting tourist all over Beijing. <br />On our first day Tommy took us to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and to the top of a park that overlooked both places. Unfortunately the weather was about -5 degrees Celsius all day but we did a fair amount of walking so we didn’t really get a chance to cool down much. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVNwNcfsgYkEuK8F9lQWY9-rhcTowCWZqZVfSzM-L3D7caO7GvikTz-SJqwsIrkKoOKsS0gSfdTRDvvO2MBtzzM8EqkrVJRALakTui3jpPtY1iLXHDEn-GHN5LnQCxk2hTnsrT-EfH2s/s1600/PB132185.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVNwNcfsgYkEuK8F9lQWY9-rhcTowCWZqZVfSzM-L3D7caO7GvikTz-SJqwsIrkKoOKsS0gSfdTRDvvO2MBtzzM8EqkrVJRALakTui3jpPtY1iLXHDEn-GHN5LnQCxk2hTnsrT-EfH2s/s320/PB132185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410289215342121586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFlTdERxrB50bJf4076_TEWLQ3IxqSe8SUmiPs4N5RCDcmrSLw-DeOGOU2Rs8yfRCByLTHCvsrFqjXjEJL3fvd8ZpUdndGqHDG5qTfNRA-50p49TmjYZexZVDNP1XHaXwicJPgvqjUmk/s1600/PB132191.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFlTdERxrB50bJf4076_TEWLQ3IxqSe8SUmiPs4N5RCDcmrSLw-DeOGOU2Rs8yfRCByLTHCvsrFqjXjEJL3fvd8ZpUdndGqHDG5qTfNRA-50p49TmjYZexZVDNP1XHaXwicJPgvqjUmk/s320/PB132191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410289207887184034" /></a><br />After lunch we took a rickshaw ride through the Hutong streets of Beijing. They are the traditional small alleys ways and housing that surround the ancient capital. We even had a chance to sit down and speak with an interesting local Chinese woman who shared some life stories with us. After our muddy rickshaw ride Tommy took us to the home of the 2008 summer Olympics. I got to see the famous bird’s nest of the opening ceremony and the ice cube where Michael Phelps won his seven gold medals. Guess we were about a year shy of all the real action. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbciGrM4ybYmGzdyb3YtXK5u8HrGbRdgvouCcBWBokgXODnNTlNyfgkCwBoDvIlBsGiQgYW4-lJTYr42w_X2uD_bJaa4QfU1VMGprVQMcQsnOBVenyzlzxX0lPIK-9EnuP1pYGz0GOa-Y/s1600/PB132216.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbciGrM4ybYmGzdyb3YtXK5u8HrGbRdgvouCcBWBokgXODnNTlNyfgkCwBoDvIlBsGiQgYW4-lJTYr42w_X2uD_bJaa4QfU1VMGprVQMcQsnOBVenyzlzxX0lPIK-9EnuP1pYGz0GOa-Y/s320/PB132216.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410291682321984786" /></a><br />Day two we had another full day. We took a two-hour drive outside of Beijing to the Great Wall. To reach the top of the wall we took cable cars up and then hiked along the wall for a few hours. The great wall was really breath taking and it was great Tommy was there to give us lots of history and knowledge about the wall. The best part was taking the single rider toboggans down the hill. I was a little less adventurous then my mom who came speeding down the hill almost catching my tail on the way down. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlWhedOnQurZe4C6Mip7-mdSwDRc64XaIgpe_r2Wzzn6cmwcpp_rsco2Ezoq3aXsu39kCNpIhhs6n-t28sSY3mS2dIrTr-nDYKyFak2MKEo6m6DXYAtugPQxRd3xaC6a1AeZ-jxQ0pgM/s1600/PB142266.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlWhedOnQurZe4C6Mip7-mdSwDRc64XaIgpe_r2Wzzn6cmwcpp_rsco2Ezoq3aXsu39kCNpIhhs6n-t28sSY3mS2dIrTr-nDYKyFak2MKEo6m6DXYAtugPQxRd3xaC6a1AeZ-jxQ0pgM/s320/PB142266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410290984814895922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrU-0k7ASLL00abs9dBWf_a5A91Kd6SF_phUC6-C7DNbIl4_8Oxc3unkPzNcXfgjJmaVMdqzP55lAMy2_zpwd93MqerFmRB-O5JYZpGrbCMUzaWpIF27DeyVb4USionXKsWtpjn5G4Zw/s1600/PB132247.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrU-0k7ASLL00abs9dBWf_a5A91Kd6SF_phUC6-C7DNbIl4_8Oxc3unkPzNcXfgjJmaVMdqzP55lAMy2_zpwd93MqerFmRB-O5JYZpGrbCMUzaWpIF27DeyVb4USionXKsWtpjn5G4Zw/s320/PB132247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410290975273643058" /></a><br />Next up we went to a Chinese fish restaurant, where you can actually catch your lunch. I don’t how but I managed to catch my very own trout in 5 minutes. Apparently I was the only guest Tommy had even seen catch one. But as soon as I pulled the fish out the water and saw him gasping for air and flopping around I wanted to throw back in. It was a little too late for that and he did make for a tasty lunch. <br />After lunch we drove out to the Summer Palace. An extensive piece of real estate, complete with lake and marble boat, where the Emperor and Empress use to spend their summer days. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchxObVjJxa99sCKSA2pF2bOjlfveg3rQNr_N-H3LqyAEKO-T9KLaKcEN4EFSS0YDKLQqi2IKcX8ow5sICYJHeQtDlRQP4oQdZfORwNiwTHmdR9p2ZwVgmXaw16UVvkuG-Mp-cRl8rTW8/s1600/PB142274.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchxObVjJxa99sCKSA2pF2bOjlfveg3rQNr_N-H3LqyAEKO-T9KLaKcEN4EFSS0YDKLQqi2IKcX8ow5sICYJHeQtDlRQP4oQdZfORwNiwTHmdR9p2ZwVgmXaw16UVvkuG-Mp-cRl8rTW8/s320/PB142274.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410292092288621938" /></a><br />My favorite part of Beijing had to have been the Silk Street market Tommy turned us on to. Not only did I get to exercise my professional bargaining skills, I got to school my mom a little bit too. My poor mom is just too kind and too friendly for the haggling markets, I swear every time I turned around she was being hustled into making an outrageously overpriced purchase. But in the end our good cop bad cop routine got us some pretty sweet deals on some black markets goods. We did so well I am even considering taking orders from overseas to fund my next trip. <br />In the end we had a great time in Beijing and our tour guide made for an extremely easy and carefree trip. I am glad my mom got to experience and compare the two Asian countries. Beijing was an amazing city with history so old it’s hard for our young American country to really grasp. <br /> I felt so grateful to have my mom come all this way to spend time with me. It will really make my last three months here that much easier. I know I was the envy of all my friends who were eating my mom up. It’s only going to get harder as the holidays start approaching and the long absences from our families start to sink in. <br />Speaking of holidays, Thanksgiving this year was fairly traditional. Well, by traditional I mean I worked all day and celebrated with a buffet style Turkey dinner at a South African Sports bar with only 5 other Americans. The real celebration was on Friday night at a friend’s house in my neighborhood. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXyLb6MHYoONuSNCpd_AWCKsx01kbFM-lBlz_4GuB7f3ViT4a3qoMea31oExt3L-7KrA4BGeZnoPmLgIuVnHnjqwvFOCuDfXOgtMRAXDZAzVf9Tmr7QnEN4bfRkKmWb_pkK7fZrvS4bA/s1600/PB272298.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXyLb6MHYoONuSNCpd_AWCKsx01kbFM-lBlz_4GuB7f3ViT4a3qoMea31oExt3L-7KrA4BGeZnoPmLgIuVnHnjqwvFOCuDfXOgtMRAXDZAzVf9Tmr7QnEN4bfRkKmWb_pkK7fZrvS4bA/s320/PB272298.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410295402895664658" /></a>Thanks to my mom’s care package I was able to make the stuffing and the classic green bean casserole complete with fried onions. Our dinner had all the fixin’s except the pumpkin pie and my tofurkey but still delicious and filling. So, really this year I got two days of Thanksgiving dinner, what’s not to be thankful for?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgMKlbZF0CvOUrbiifspL9WZpQDjQ_3OGPBTVEsMdtcmYquVWk3E1Nse9Vn_GPTBuTDtu7W6_pRg5644TJCzBK6HWHjpSRNoSn116FMMr0SwzcpKZZi2z3e86Sczy_LiIE2ATCZB3Wks/s1600/t3c(15).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgMKlbZF0CvOUrbiifspL9WZpQDjQ_3OGPBTVEsMdtcmYquVWk3E1Nse9Vn_GPTBuTDtu7W6_pRg5644TJCzBK6HWHjpSRNoSn116FMMr0SwzcpKZZi2z3e86Sczy_LiIE2ATCZB3Wks/s320/t3c(15).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410293417900109922" /></a><br />And speaking of gratitude, I recently had a humble experience. The girls and I signed up to do a temple stay in the countryside of Korea two weeks ago. We had a pleasant time drinking tea with the monks, doing a silent meditation walk in the forest, making prayer beads and lotus lanterns, waking up at 3am to chant and do 108 bows. Wish I had some pictures to share but to me it never really felt appropriate to snap shots when trying to achieve enlightenment. I just wished my fellow temple stayers had felt the same way, instead the peaceful retreat was more like the paparazzi at the red carpet. Either way its has been nice to get away from the crazy nightlife scene of Seoul for the past few weeks but I think that means trouble is a brewing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-54971815425964263772009-10-18T10:50:00.007+03:002009-10-18T11:08:04.125+03:00Konichiwa Japanland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R2PNAcf4uqN5gAFEGq_1jrDiZAbDVGZhje984qTyCstfIHPHQ-TsHvjjrz4Vr0IOz57liq8qT0IuiFpgPb-NhMYxeigJavno92lM64GVwO1AQeEfN8mcjFZcL6HAkOauOpysAooSNqM/s1600-h/9535_155267740670_520675670_3300591_3656919_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R2PNAcf4uqN5gAFEGq_1jrDiZAbDVGZhje984qTyCstfIHPHQ-TsHvjjrz4Vr0IOz57liq8qT0IuiFpgPb-NhMYxeigJavno92lM64GVwO1AQeEfN8mcjFZcL6HAkOauOpysAooSNqM/s320/9535_155267740670_520675670_3300591_3656919_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393845252000263922" /></a><br />Ok so I am about two weeks behind on keeping up with things. For Chesok (Korean Thanksgiving) we went on a little trip overseas. I signed up for a biking trip to the Japanese island Tsushima for three days. I guess I didn’t read the small print but I figured biking meant a leisurely stroll around the island. Well, I guessed wrong. <br />I should start with the beginning of our trip. After work on Thursday we meet up our group and took an overnight bus to the southern city of Busan, from there we hoped a two hour ferry to the Tsushima. This is where my reality came crashing down, not only would I be biking for the next 6 hours after awkwardly sleeping on a bus I would be carrying all of my belongs (a thirty pound backpack). After hours of rolling hills, reminders of how out shape I might be and some help of a friend who spoke Japanese we made our campground just before sunset. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zUxSSSMpxG1XBuaEJMb1pM7JoGFQeUix6PYey4xuC7scZWeAJ6OTqlbP4Wz6C1tM7JuA87iGYYBP8YWr_kPY0fYWvJvptGWr-fw-yxhUb3r3tTSOiIPIRgVUVldMt8nLyoJqDymwhgg/s1600-h/9018_558262191281_35001921_33204457_3085072_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zUxSSSMpxG1XBuaEJMb1pM7JoGFQeUix6PYey4xuC7scZWeAJ6OTqlbP4Wz6C1tM7JuA87iGYYBP8YWr_kPY0fYWvJvptGWr-fw-yxhUb3r3tTSOiIPIRgVUVldMt8nLyoJqDymwhgg/s320/9018_558262191281_35001921_33204457_3085072_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393845268121011170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cwr2bwVp5wOHInJLSDkyZ69Jyxa2NKFhAV4nONA3FPgcun4xT9v89OHd0UHXZbFjjahhh9WRR1iSgLVr6DSnkNgGCfJhRi4bOo81w1nrJ7fyLBjWpbt_T8KW1KmU3d9nF_hmqZ35kKE/s1600-h/PA031887.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cwr2bwVp5wOHInJLSDkyZ69Jyxa2NKFhAV4nONA3FPgcun4xT9v89OHd0UHXZbFjjahhh9WRR1iSgLVr6DSnkNgGCfJhRi4bOo81w1nrJ7fyLBjWpbt_T8KW1KmU3d9nF_hmqZ35kKE/s320/PA031887.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393845260276132914" /></a><br />That night we enjoyed fresh sushi from the supermarket and delicious Japanese beer around the campfire. I was so sore from that day’s excursion I could barely sit down and I was not looking forward to another full day of bike riding but I did get to take our rental car for a little joy ride. I don't know what was weirder that fact that I was driving which I haven't done in 10 months or that I was on the left hand side. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGECBrV9EeSr_sxkhCq1g5l4jFFNZB1jFEdWG7El2fWKdszByPSWjan-HbCHoXwvv0KSOztrhkG8BZkq9Gch3IbVZ6AJeiTPLwowBfixF4_FYL1D6O0g5KitCEgFz9fAtsPxcXIkCInY4/s1600-h/9018_558262181301_35001921_33204455_3466739_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGECBrV9EeSr_sxkhCq1g5l4jFFNZB1jFEdWG7El2fWKdszByPSWjan-HbCHoXwvv0KSOztrhkG8BZkq9Gch3IbVZ6AJeiTPLwowBfixF4_FYL1D6O0g5KitCEgFz9fAtsPxcXIkCInY4/s320/9018_558262181301_35001921_33204455_3466739_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393846179388088066" /></a><br />After some moaning and groaning we convinced our group leader to carry our bags in the car to our next destinations. This made the 8-hour day of biking through the rural island with the occasional stop for water and ice cream, way more bearable. As we climbed the last hill to our motel destination the full moon hung low in sky against a breath taking view, almost making the journey worth it. I was so exhausted I think I went to bed at 9pm on Saturday!! But not before prancing around in our complimentary kimonos and sipping on the best green tea ever. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXRbgu2h0p9mms-LiqG1y4qpJ1qBJm7oeFvBYgV5vmYuRgsul47qrQGOAN4S_fUQ8TwHLtgpjBXaujItICKv8uCp2fUODoPlS7PY5M-NatTMga9er88PDNkOIcK4ZnpV__e1zjx1Hs8g/s1600-h/PA031880.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXRbgu2h0p9mms-LiqG1y4qpJ1qBJm7oeFvBYgV5vmYuRgsul47qrQGOAN4S_fUQ8TwHLtgpjBXaujItICKv8uCp2fUODoPlS7PY5M-NatTMga9er88PDNkOIcK4ZnpV__e1zjx1Hs8g/s320/PA031880.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393846659693877154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD4cIkyekZ6pQJAiSoIjKckaagkTTGOTNglVtloE8XgA7f6_Nw5eP4S3y0T7spretQk3j7wfqcC14SQTbo3P0MQyBMFmgMjh1yPWKtAQiB4s7q2ttqR-36U-B2U15HXIRdq1EUX0KDXw/s1600-h/9018_558262321021_35001921_33204481_2599790_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD4cIkyekZ6pQJAiSoIjKckaagkTTGOTNglVtloE8XgA7f6_Nw5eP4S3y0T7spretQk3j7wfqcC14SQTbo3P0MQyBMFmgMjh1yPWKtAQiB4s7q2ttqR-36U-B2U15HXIRdq1EUX0KDXw/s320/9018_558262321021_35001921_33204481_2599790_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393846647153906018" /></a><br />The next morning we woke up early to watch the sunrise over the water and then enjoyed the rest of the day relaxing at a near by beach. I was trying to even out the horrible tan lines I had acquired from riding in the sun all weekend. When the trip was all said and done we had biked over 75km in two days!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JgTtNZeq4-ZyEuE2mKdouyM5CXObqVw8NkFl_Dil8iwKfK1Pc98omHHrRO4_EMIo6L-0MuWGViHTsg999CdMF3oC51E-kxgKHRm0PtnIPB1rYtsfHP-zk9QD2RSCrftN2vCiR2uD_3E/s1600-h/PA031890.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JgTtNZeq4-ZyEuE2mKdouyM5CXObqVw8NkFl_Dil8iwKfK1Pc98omHHrRO4_EMIo6L-0MuWGViHTsg999CdMF3oC51E-kxgKHRm0PtnIPB1rYtsfHP-zk9QD2RSCrftN2vCiR2uD_3E/s320/PA031890.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393847160531464450" /></a><br /><br />That evening we took the ferry back to Busan but the girls and I decided we didn’t want to end our fun. We got the name of a cheap motel and a fun area to go out and extending our vacation for one more day. Probably one of the best decisions ever. Our cheap little love motel room had a gorgeous view of the Busan Bridge, apparently how the city got the name “San Francisco of Korea”. I could see some of similarities. The people were a little more kick back and casual then the fast paced sophisticated Seoulites. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iICh-Q_Hoc_tWwOVFk0ngYHIrfkyaqgFIRvdHOn5s7I_nqsldWv_HnKz5OGSrrlEO9FHZnjJXKSNZWoDmkVkvvm5jRop-Ysox-sf869nIczei3Fjfr8SQ_feozIdxjWjEJXau81PqQQ/s1600-h/PA041943.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iICh-Q_Hoc_tWwOVFk0ngYHIrfkyaqgFIRvdHOn5s7I_nqsldWv_HnKz5OGSrrlEO9FHZnjJXKSNZWoDmkVkvvm5jRop-Ysox-sf869nIczei3Fjfr8SQ_feozIdxjWjEJXau81PqQQ/s320/PA041943.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393847154366654258" /></a><br />We ended up having one of the best nights ever. We meet some crazy English boys (surprise surprise) and a generous Korean named Kevin who took us to a private Norebong (Korean karaoke). It’s a miracle I have lasted this long not ever going to one, it was only a matter of time. Kevin really pulled out all the stops buying us bottles of wine, beer, cheese and fruit plates. <br />I have to say Norebongs are a ton fun banging on tambourines and friends singing out of tune, what not to love? Not that I actually sang a single note but I would definitely go again just for the joy of watching everyone else embarrass themselves. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_R0jqULfnH7sotgwgzt0ffmQA2zwVVM3kVQrP4MPx81YGjL1AaALqrOJdY51z6AO_9LhYAb3DdqhhA7jM0k41EpmIJUfr3UuZOTHN5YkRBmJTgwbBriWzhTvhguLC5qzN8idrCdldRw/s1600-h/PA041929.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_R0jqULfnH7sotgwgzt0ffmQA2zwVVM3kVQrP4MPx81YGjL1AaALqrOJdY51z6AO_9LhYAb3DdqhhA7jM0k41EpmIJUfr3UuZOTHN5YkRBmJTgwbBriWzhTvhguLC5qzN8idrCdldRw/s320/PA041929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393847866508096690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvcT0g3GFpx8AmqHjWVxqlufQ8cBJwoGlBE1onNOpTto1AqfKpMkmPsvJ3BSwdbDmN7mMiz9qZyt2DjdBkD5-C0yvQ_ZImg8OKSD2vYOpxprbltMQTmcutfeQDIXGeuAUbowziSn0TiA/s1600-h/9018_558262640381_35001921_33204542_2375129_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvcT0g3GFpx8AmqHjWVxqlufQ8cBJwoGlBE1onNOpTto1AqfKpMkmPsvJ3BSwdbDmN7mMiz9qZyt2DjdBkD5-C0yvQ_ZImg8OKSD2vYOpxprbltMQTmcutfeQDIXGeuAUbowziSn0TiA/s320/9018_558262640381_35001921_33204542_2375129_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393847856573580994" /></a><br />The next day, we spent the day on the beautiful sandy beach soaking up the last rays of sunshine. I am still in complete denial about this real winter thing with freezing temperatures and snow that is approaching shortly. <br />Final verdict: Busan was awesome. I feel guilty it took me so long to get down, even made me question why I hadn’t considered living there before. Japan was even cooler. The people were extremely friendly and I felt I learned more Japanese in two days then I have learned Korean. But biggest discovery Japan beer is yummy and way better then Korean!! Next I got to get over to Tokyo better it is even better. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL42Hu_QOk8WdQ4azIyoCfHxNSW9e-lIT53MxHR9Qao3HHF92TAaU1nRwNWspGt9nZGrogk9RhRgTCiiCOwbogDYkpIAzZK5nBe9elDPRxvrJ5G88blBOZJs0ybQCfSY7DZxQ1dH-0-c8/s1600-h/9018_558262465731_35001921_33204508_128408_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL42Hu_QOk8WdQ4azIyoCfHxNSW9e-lIT53MxHR9Qao3HHF92TAaU1nRwNWspGt9nZGrogk9RhRgTCiiCOwbogDYkpIAzZK5nBe9elDPRxvrJ5G88blBOZJs0ybQCfSY7DZxQ1dH-0-c8/s320/9018_558262465731_35001921_33204508_128408_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393848172523636658" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-64997531668695317732009-10-06T15:55:00.005+03:002009-10-06T16:16:11.646+03:00Chug Chug....Things are just chugging along here. Not much is new so updating seems a little mundane. It's actually quite frightening how much I have adjusted to my life in Korea. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFp36tBdgmBff7cD26ft2p5Rwmms8Qfg01eB269GvkMTI1T-qb3d5nWhuxLq5TkPrJdnik8-PCaUGNidaarFjqMrWWY2DerSzY78TjD3mx86GgHOhwu1pmIKJNADt5qKmy86qV7I2ZQA/s1600-h/IMG_6502.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFp36tBdgmBff7cD26ft2p5Rwmms8Qfg01eB269GvkMTI1T-qb3d5nWhuxLq5TkPrJdnik8-PCaUGNidaarFjqMrWWY2DerSzY78TjD3mx86GgHOhwu1pmIKJNADt5qKmy86qV7I2ZQA/s320/IMG_6502.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389471882850559218" /></a><br />Last week we celebrated Brittany's birthday in true Korean androgyny style. Everyone showed up, almost half of our friends we meet in Thailand we there! We had a blast kickin it in the park for 6 hours before making it to our favorite messy western bars where we stayed till morning.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb0hPMeABbXX7GjR3Q6p5RYuZbqPRiU47BM7Rrd8o_s8SA8pFI-4wMN7lcVGCeyj0fcUnwT8_Mha-kGyuFktNr0A08ixp-qgKxDIXmGCL7F9QqPY6HE0z8aU-KHnVNeWziJ-t1tEOnFA/s1600-h/IMG_6436.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb0hPMeABbXX7GjR3Q6p5RYuZbqPRiU47BM7Rrd8o_s8SA8pFI-4wMN7lcVGCeyj0fcUnwT8_Mha-kGyuFktNr0A08ixp-qgKxDIXmGCL7F9QqPY6HE0z8aU-KHnVNeWziJ-t1tEOnFA/s320/IMG_6436.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389472741065045042" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwxeaAJPlCvrE67jZeqHlZLEaRTTbgW53osGTB919LvlrznFTLA7QvQp2JtrCIIVCoJt2T02RVLHgzY0Yr7gRSpQjjvtcmVSrfx1STEhBGy-dFnBymvpqUDQmgJ5Hl0_jV6YFWuyQ2oQ/s1600-h/P9190120.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwxeaAJPlCvrE67jZeqHlZLEaRTTbgW53osGTB919LvlrznFTLA7QvQp2JtrCIIVCoJt2T02RVLHgzY0Yr7gRSpQjjvtcmVSrfx1STEhBGy-dFnBymvpqUDQmgJ5Hl0_jV6YFWuyQ2oQ/s320/P9190120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389472727335695586" /></a><br />The week before that we had another killer weekend at Global Gathering, an international festival that brought in some world-class bands and DJ's. Not to mention, two of my favorite Korean pop groups also made an appearance. Which always makes me feel like a ten year old teeny bop at a an NSYNC concert<br />In other recent news I was selected as one of the Native English teachers to teach other Korean teachers from my school district. It means 6 hours more a week of teaching and working till 7 most nights. But it’s a great way to get some more Adult ESL teaching experience and the pay is pretty sweet too!<br />After almost 8 months away from home, I feel like I have lost touch with what all the cool kids are doing. I have totally forgotten that is not normal for men to carry a purse have way more stylish haircuts or wear tighter pants then me or that staying out till 7am is crazy! I can't even remember what is like to go the grocery store and be able to read all the labels, or have a conversation with a cab drive or let alone understand what anyone is saying anywhere! I have come accustom to the daily challenges of living in Korea, which has in no way encouraged me to learn Korean. Still really sad I only know 7 words, oh well.<br />The time is almost approaching where I will need to make the fatal decision to resign my contract for another year or pack my bags. My head has been spinning in circles, if feels like the hell of graduating college and not having a clue what to do with your life. My train of thought is going something like this 1. Stay in Korea another year (or 6 months) continue living my amazing life with the greatest friends I could've ever asked for and even save a little bit more money. 2. Go back America, probably just for the summer, visit my family and friends before jetting off to another country (which is a whole another decision) to teach English. 3. Use my free flight home to go to India or Thailand and live as cheap for long as possible... <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhOfnH7fIM2shBzqrt7VOcsARFe8tu91kiSvbwQ9ZNSiHJSNAtktOSHd0GEkXX7onNRs8vG8Fr2csbGFjE3fE2UWHN3T5IAYwzDy90rfyROmfSAPaGr84xKzPFnOWX5FsR1cxkrVR_mY/s1600-h/P9120022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhOfnH7fIM2shBzqrt7VOcsARFe8tu91kiSvbwQ9ZNSiHJSNAtktOSHd0GEkXX7onNRs8vG8Fr2csbGFjE3fE2UWHN3T5IAYwzDy90rfyROmfSAPaGr84xKzPFnOWX5FsR1cxkrVR_mY/s320/P9120022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389473860348679346" /></a><br />What is making this so hard? It's relationships! Thank god I don’t have a boyfriend to worry about because parting ways with my buddies here will be hard enough and not seeing my nieces for another 6 months might kill me!! The life of a nomad is not easy but there are so many countries and places to see and my free spirited 20's will only last for so long . . . (approx 6.5 years before society really expects me to be reproducing and such)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-30838339179871668992009-09-26T07:09:00.003+03:002009-09-26T07:17:43.722+03:00Thailand Love<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cUNBIId8Ypc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cUNBIId8Ypc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />I learned how to use iMovie and I made this rad video of my latest trip to Thailand. Its a walk through my 16 days in paradise, so sit back and take look!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-77346145471745435452009-09-04T11:03:00.018+03:002009-09-04T12:01:11.583+03:00I love my life ! (Thailand Edition)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAmXkwDC9FcTP3Er0HQu6ktV9nQrXrLiZQVQDhMhy48rNWMcQXhHMO3DCE8ohNeM7g_fMwEzOMwnlvPUYwJ2mrnMUHl6S6McoUYbnsAFufl9Oux6mz2AMzvjlAnBxmksHrzBtefz2fdg/s1600-h/P8050051.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAmXkwDC9FcTP3Er0HQu6ktV9nQrXrLiZQVQDhMhy48rNWMcQXhHMO3DCE8ohNeM7g_fMwEzOMwnlvPUYwJ2mrnMUHl6S6McoUYbnsAFufl9Oux6mz2AMzvjlAnBxmksHrzBtefz2fdg/s320/P8050051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377522074252733570" /></a><br />I have a lot updating to do for the last four weeks and so much has happened. Andrew (my completely platonic counterpart from SD) arrived the first week of August. We only had a few days to check out Seoul before your trip abroad. So naturally we put on our matching outfits (it wasn’t entirely on purpose but we fit right in with all the other young twin outfit wearing couples). We took the cable cars up to the top of Seoul Tower on probably one of the most humid days.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcMLQYQCNdXeKUWojqub9XiJg8RiQyqS9NhjbBrcmfgnPEWDMIc369dGiGy645LmtZI7WgcOSumWDuzY2wnp9xrK5NHTx_Y5jKOs2-6CKTcU6flgMnTj590EtMnPy_4Z5ZZLMGUWQRP8/s1600-h/P8050072.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcMLQYQCNdXeKUWojqub9XiJg8RiQyqS9NhjbBrcmfgnPEWDMIc369dGiGy645LmtZI7WgcOSumWDuzY2wnp9xrK5NHTx_Y5jKOs2-6CKTcU6flgMnTj590EtMnPy_4Z5ZZLMGUWQRP8/s320/P8050072.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377522584217272514" /></a><br /> Just imagine shoving 20 people into a glass box with no air in direct sunlight for 10 minutes. Seoul Tower is the tallest point in the city and the only way to really grasp the magnitude of 18 million plus people all living together. <br />I could hardly wait for Friday to arrive. I had pretty much been taking about summer vacation since the first day of school and for even longer then that I had been anticipating my return to Thailand. With our backpacks packed and only 20 minutes till we left for the airport, a representative form the airline called my cell phone to inform me that all their flight for the evening had been cancelled. She tried to politely explain to me that there was a natural disaster in Taipei (where all their flights connected) and there was no way I was getting to Thailand in the next 24 hours. With only one flight serviced to Bangkok my chances for getting a seat on the next flight were looking slim. To make a boring story short I cancelled my flight with the airline called a friend’s Korean travel agent and booked two direct tickets to BKK airport for first thing in the morning for only about $80 bucks more then my original flight. In my moment of stress and self-absorption that my holiday was totally being interrupted I barely even acknowledged the seriousness of the disaster in Taipei. It wasn’t until a few days later that I realized how grave the situation was and regret being uncooperative with the airline. Having just been to Taipei in May I hope they are able to mend and recover quickly. <br />In the end everything worked out for the better. Once the wheels of the plane touched down in Thailand I wanted to jump out the window. I was so anxious to be there; the food, the people, the smells, the sights and the SangSom! What would I do first? Well there is really only one place on the agenda of a backpacker passing through Bangkok, Kho Saun Road. Without any preparation or explanation I was rushing Andrew and I into the nearest cab straight into Bangkok chaos.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2VRrGh3WK3TqHIijnl_-iHVMEbbnl7qpms7dLBpYhnWCkqc_tHrOgeMNuTWCypAYs0w8GM2Imy0M_rYDTSGCVd0lsLS1-owBVN5J_ja-Jecw9rGWaxeuKMWuN0Id_UwTwlkt5krpD-o/s1600-h/P8080180.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2VRrGh3WK3TqHIijnl_-iHVMEbbnl7qpms7dLBpYhnWCkqc_tHrOgeMNuTWCypAYs0w8GM2Imy0M_rYDTSGCVd0lsLS1-owBVN5J_ja-Jecw9rGWaxeuKMWuN0Id_UwTwlkt5krpD-o/s320/P8080180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377525000965170578" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISQLGHhFS7sPFQvTIVc7tzA-XVkDDi35E1BUUumjYtVZ0zNwRf_DKTiTv7tamxcrrZCDGJ1amlb6xvqXQoxtVe40jkSAk5hV1KBMOUzO46HuMLXsQHcN8nPJ1qQcG6bZQIBYVhoRazYA/s1600-h/P8080183.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISQLGHhFS7sPFQvTIVc7tzA-XVkDDi35E1BUUumjYtVZ0zNwRf_DKTiTv7tamxcrrZCDGJ1amlb6xvqXQoxtVe40jkSAk5hV1KBMOUzO46HuMLXsQHcN8nPJ1qQcG6bZQIBYVhoRazYA/s320/P8080183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377524308186745522" /></a> I guess I can understand why his first reaction was “Did you really just make me travel half way around the world to visit another Tijuana?” He soon would understand that although Bangkok might not be glamorous it is a place unlike another and can hardly be compared to Mexico. <br />First on my list of things to do was track down my Brummies mates. I hadn’t seen them in almost six months ago since our course ended. As soon as we were reunited we fell right back into our old banter, or I should better said they starting taking a piss at me with in the first 5 minutes. It was great to catch up with them and learn about how their teaching experience was going in Bangkok. <br />One can really only spend some much time in BKK before the constant heat and smell of your own sweat gets to you. We spent Sunday checking out the Grand Palace, eating great street food and getting lost walking around. I discovered why you can get some pretty heavy duty sleeping aids over the counter in Thailand. How else could you spend 14 hours on a night train and another 2 on ferry and not even realized it happened? It was the easiest 18 hours of traveling I’ve ever had. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GLJJC567MsTWRwgVfOwF6dXvrnmjkC6y6lwU5NCIUAdS9EkwGGTSn6c8-cJNf5oJOpOjn0ofE9XiqNYoLrAHiBN2cSJTgnRjvtFBp6MToRwEWccmMuvS2x7M-ZRFbKS3wJJ2HQTbYaM/s1600-h/5212_555346269811_35001921_33086249_1559510_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GLJJC567MsTWRwgVfOwF6dXvrnmjkC6y6lwU5NCIUAdS9EkwGGTSn6c8-cJNf5oJOpOjn0ofE9XiqNYoLrAHiBN2cSJTgnRjvtFBp6MToRwEWccmMuvS2x7M-ZRFbKS3wJJ2HQTbYaM/s320/5212_555346269811_35001921_33086249_1559510_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377525687930326562" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TBgiKSRU4kJGdzzKT3vZZRnZU6zAre6rappVIGDvD0XXjCfbpngV8W31zlP7be3ORrFU731AmC7dR9XV5FBOPm7IX7NkE4PB6RiQsgUhHdICOtY-kXNWVWgvsF87LvHMKIML9UVQZTw/s1600-h/P8130064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TBgiKSRU4kJGdzzKT3vZZRnZU6zAre6rappVIGDvD0XXjCfbpngV8W31zlP7be3ORrFU731AmC7dR9XV5FBOPm7IX7NkE4PB6RiQsgUhHdICOtY-kXNWVWgvsF87LvHMKIML9UVQZTw/s320/P8130064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377527335201399122" /></a><br />So when we arrived in Ko Toa early Monday afternoon and within 20 minutes of docking the boats we had ran into Andrew’s old roommate and found you a place to stay for the next week, I knew this trip was going to be epic. The boys decided to sign up for an open water dive course, which is the main attraction on Ko Toa. It is fairly inexpensive and one of the best spots to dive.I had to pass up the opportunity because the thought of setting an alarm and following a schedule while on vacation made me cringe. So I got to spend the next 7 days hanging out solo in our beachfront bungalow catching up with the sun. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvm_98cm5i_Zt5D3zv3vyRuPbcUkY5IvyFg426NHGfj_eFE4WQKPQFNizr3BaXtSEkGxH2hd6EXLZ7JMqdNZ7AYY4oaimCbHbdDyQcrgvWaBQWZDu3Xio-m8n2Bh-EsgsXif28UT5fCc/s1600-h/P8110003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvm_98cm5i_Zt5D3zv3vyRuPbcUkY5IvyFg426NHGfj_eFE4WQKPQFNizr3BaXtSEkGxH2hd6EXLZ7JMqdNZ7AYY4oaimCbHbdDyQcrgvWaBQWZDu3Xio-m8n2Bh-EsgsXif28UT5fCc/s320/P8110003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377527326856648754" /></a><br />Ko Toa was a chill island with lots of backpackers who had just come from the crazy full moon party and were now taking it easy. I enjoyed the vibe, meet some nice people and saw some amazing sunsets. Only drawback was losing my camera, which was totally my fault for leaving it with the passed out guy while a group of us went for a late night ocean dip. When I came back from the water my small purse with my camera inside was gone and the cushions had been collected, leading me to believe that someone behind the bar probably nicked it. I didn’t have too many pictures but it was a new camera and my third one this year. Around day 8 on Ko Toa, after Brittany had joined us, we realized it was time to move on a see some more islands. It’s just so hard when your in a place that doesn’t seem like it could get any more beautiful to pack up your bags and spend the day on a ferry.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliRTz8YA9eJF3q5c37SqmJn0TpktG5jugfjNWdyfyO4-Pqa79yzPrmj7GWXraP0q_2YDI1dDTBREA1nDkzE3AtDrMTd7OKq7zCzC4ORrqQ9mPtSfOEQajwiIyz-z6b7E4tZh3rDRsPdA/s1600-h/P8170139.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliRTz8YA9eJF3q5c37SqmJn0TpktG5jugfjNWdyfyO4-Pqa79yzPrmj7GWXraP0q_2YDI1dDTBREA1nDkzE3AtDrMTd7OKq7zCzC4ORrqQ9mPtSfOEQajwiIyz-z6b7E4tZh3rDRsPdA/s320/P8170139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377528681067313874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cvXFuWACENIpv7clLQHacYG6rttFKDtV5E3qtiz1tR0bTUG5xhxug2Ya4yoUBwFBwq8cQPVKNrfq5juC1LlFyGSqXiNTmHrMvtFzAb9C-AAb6zTH4Nj5V8oxHxlKR95Y06CFSozGS6Q/s1600-h/P8170136.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cvXFuWACENIpv7clLQHacYG6rttFKDtV5E3qtiz1tR0bTUG5xhxug2Ya4yoUBwFBwq8cQPVKNrfq5juC1LlFyGSqXiNTmHrMvtFzAb9C-AAb6zTH4Nj5V8oxHxlKR95Y06CFSozGS6Q/s320/P8170136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377528670517838226" /></a><br />Once we reached Ko Phangan we were exhausted and could hardly be bothered to wonder around the island looking for the cheapest accommodations. Thank God we didn’t settle for our first stop, a hotel that was charging $60 bucks a night, an absolute outrageous price for anywhere in Thailand. We set our sights on Mellow Mountain not really sure what we were expecting. After a small trek up the mountain, which was only accessible by beach, we had found our paradise. A prefect bungalow tucked away from the heat up in the jungle hills of Ko Phangan for only $10 a night. I thought I was going to cry when he showed use our place, a wraparound porch with a hammock, a king size bed, a fan, bathroom (no hot water or flush toilet) overlooking the entire peninsula including views of sunrise and sunset. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXvyYjQBAVzHrlZd8w1M5qn8uK89Auc-a4-gHnTxNEXDWP5UESd20tYV7Uth0PV7_493jotIRHn9homFdV5olm_fwRJ3Zj-gCyhwDxVDyp-9qKVWNIAlOlvqAH5u4xFB-Mxb_jD1I-zo/s1600-h/5212_555346419511_35001921_33086279_4843903_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXvyYjQBAVzHrlZd8w1M5qn8uK89Auc-a4-gHnTxNEXDWP5UESd20tYV7Uth0PV7_493jotIRHn9homFdV5olm_fwRJ3Zj-gCyhwDxVDyp-9qKVWNIAlOlvqAH5u4xFB-Mxb_jD1I-zo/s320/5212_555346419511_35001921_33086279_4843903_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377530385860197298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5TvY9omkMHJeOYmvdw7g1IK_GTUEDfJpxdxlOWz81EOAVJTrxBjkAYCU735BG_aBKzwBvFbojZP1tgXsVZ04Ego3qGYI02n9WZlAjXzG8nNi1vl3nztxg9o_FLzxA32eC5rPlbLr908/s1600-h/5212_555346359631_35001921_33086267_7541888_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5TvY9omkMHJeOYmvdw7g1IK_GTUEDfJpxdxlOWz81EOAVJTrxBjkAYCU735BG_aBKzwBvFbojZP1tgXsVZ04Ego3qGYI02n9WZlAjXzG8nNi1vl3nztxg9o_FLzxA32eC5rPlbLr908/s320/5212_555346359631_35001921_33086267_7541888_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377530383096571330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy7rCPJrZRxIc_MyrKidfghx3wD-JKvXDIXpc48ZD0WB_6r23MAUtnc4HhKFmO-fNhzEIWaLe-dAj5r3gh6EQL2Y6lJdLBYZ0S-DHjjfXM8vbhIGQUoViBljkmm5Z1lU2yJaMHkGyg0I/s1600-h/P8170145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy7rCPJrZRxIc_MyrKidfghx3wD-JKvXDIXpc48ZD0WB_6r23MAUtnc4HhKFmO-fNhzEIWaLe-dAj5r3gh6EQL2Y6lJdLBYZ0S-DHjjfXM8vbhIGQUoViBljkmm5Z1lU2yJaMHkGyg0I/s320/P8170145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377531681380744434" /></a><br />Ko Phangan is notoriously know as the party island, hosting the world famous Full Moon party that can attract 30,000 in peak season. We unfortunately were about 1 week two late or 3 weeks to early till the next big beach bash. So the crowd wasn’t too big during our visit but enough to keep our interest for 5 days. The oddest thing about being on Ko Phangan was how messed up my sense of direction got. It took be a minute to get use the sun rising on the water and the coast being on the opposite side. The sun was so intense in the mornings we could barely stand to lay on the sand or swim in the too hot ocean.<br /> On one day in particular we decided to beat the heat in the tattoo parlor. Brittany and I had been talking about getting traditional Thai bamboo tattoos since our last trip. We had looked at a few shops before and I was starting to have second guesses about the whole thing. Brittany was pretty gun-ho about getting hers and once we got into this shop and starting talking to the guys she was all in. We sat and talked to the artist for a while flipping through the ancient Buddhist protection book, of Sak Yant. Which are sacred geometric shapes that were tattooed to soldiers by Thai Buddhist monks before they went to battle. Only monks can actually read their text. As soon as Om (our tattoo artist) showed me the picture I knew I wanted it. It’s meaning is to bring love to myself those around me, for wellness and peace.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycp5zlIkGGGycr_UpEfH67wTL6c1kSjnwGcsv9ClHgxsE1JxNULnr39D2zlFZQNv8pv_M-hEUDlybR7iFvxL0D0MPMlmsAGc_PsCOWzQzGdcPzK3gU_SyHNUEjE7mIhIDVhi12yZKu8E/s1600-h/P8210176.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycp5zlIkGGGycr_UpEfH67wTL6c1kSjnwGcsv9ClHgxsE1JxNULnr39D2zlFZQNv8pv_M-hEUDlybR7iFvxL0D0MPMlmsAGc_PsCOWzQzGdcPzK3gU_SyHNUEjE7mIhIDVhi12yZKu8E/s320/P8210176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377532585786829714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXTLnMRoB_QOtHEiIqeTu87L9rRm_VhegLqHRoPJcp8pNRFmIqzCP-w7iCvxeJAOorN3QuAWpfNL2H7EqialsREtR-IeLJlk0BFPAaqq51vr_C-mIDkbHKzVydIElnvpqkhnI1p7_9WE/s1600-h/IMG_5907.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXTLnMRoB_QOtHEiIqeTu87L9rRm_VhegLqHRoPJcp8pNRFmIqzCP-w7iCvxeJAOorN3QuAWpfNL2H7EqialsREtR-IeLJlk0BFPAaqq51vr_C-mIDkbHKzVydIElnvpqkhnI1p7_9WE/s320/IMG_5907.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377532576372339138" /></a><br /> I watched Brittany go first, once the bamboo started hitting her skin I was waiting for her reaction but it never came. I was worried she was in shock but she just said it didn’t hurt and could barely feel it. Hers took a little less then an hour and before I knew it I lying on by side with a needle to my skin. Mine was not as painless as Brittany’s. There were a few spots I thought I might start crying but I held it back and within 40 minutes it was complete. The great thing about bamboo tattoos is there is no bleeding; you can go in the sun and swimming right after. I honestly would never get a tattoo with a gun ever again. <br />I now have a lasting token of Thailand and how much the country has changed me. It truly is a place that I can’t describe. All I know is when I am there I am so content in the deepest part of my heart. I have nothing more then a backpack and could never imagine having anymore. I do not worry about things, people, places, time or dates. I never had a watch, checked my email once and never really knew what day it was. It just brings you back down to earth and into the present, no future, no past. <br />I really feel in love with our place and I even made great friends with the magic shake bartender Max. He had some great words of wisdom and was cool enough to invite us to his small birthday party at the bar. I would honestly live up on that mountain for the rest of time, well minus the fact that the beach bars played their music loud enough for space to hear every night from 10pm till 6am in the morning. I mean the beach is pretty much a ghost town until noon and no once even thinks about going out until 11. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiRVOpjHRckvVwwOJILeFIF4VcvR8Idwi2ccWJFsL8XIDV5sarrmgytIV0rAwF2y-7-Pm3JIsygkxWwJujn7aaFACf7TLpsBCaoEKOKZ7g1PoX4R_0Ba0nbCRkb9YQ-a1PQ5EhHmpk4I/s1600-h/5212_555346529291_35001921_33086300_4948552_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiRVOpjHRckvVwwOJILeFIF4VcvR8Idwi2ccWJFsL8XIDV5sarrmgytIV0rAwF2y-7-Pm3JIsygkxWwJujn7aaFACf7TLpsBCaoEKOKZ7g1PoX4R_0Ba0nbCRkb9YQ-a1PQ5EhHmpk4I/s320/5212_555346529291_35001921_33086300_4948552_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377533395055435858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnJ-E4LXMzpRXB9LFf9Ve8qIvJV-Ib2r7TFAtSIF-LJS9zHKcEufI26VceNw8V0qov9AHyeNK5yfh1BKfTV7fshhs6IAfRgREazjQPxasrA5pxCvE_AJ6g2Wf5lk0RMeDEZxSTIXfZ6g/s1600-h/5212_555346439471_35001921_33086283_7582339_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnJ-E4LXMzpRXB9LFf9Ve8qIvJV-Ib2r7TFAtSIF-LJS9zHKcEufI26VceNw8V0qov9AHyeNK5yfh1BKfTV7fshhs6IAfRgREazjQPxasrA5pxCvE_AJ6g2Wf5lk0RMeDEZxSTIXfZ6g/s320/5212_555346439471_35001921_33086283_7582339_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377533387315961010" /></a><br />When our stay at mellow mountain had to come to an end we signed up to take the overnight ferry to Ko Phi Phi. Again, I can’t stress the importance of sleeping aids when dealing with an 8-hour sleeper boat that was turbulently rocking, a bus ride and another long ferry ride. Making for another 14 hour trip but as soon as we could see where we were headed, we understood why everyone calls this the best places in Thailand. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZmQ3cNCoLws972GYWGQBmEM4yWh7CZTZ3CLzUP9uqhpEsmd06cvgw4aVxxrprXsWxGjJ-VA9HXfjYN-ZhUrPXPxzP9enoabmeAeW8QuIwD23A6tB5HIvy7-I0UMqMZndAOvLZmN0qNg/s1600-h/5212_555346763821_35001921_33086347_6085235_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZmQ3cNCoLws972GYWGQBmEM4yWh7CZTZ3CLzUP9uqhpEsmd06cvgw4aVxxrprXsWxGjJ-VA9HXfjYN-ZhUrPXPxzP9enoabmeAeW8QuIwD23A6tB5HIvy7-I0UMqMZndAOvLZmN0qNg/s320/5212_555346763821_35001921_33086347_6085235_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377533870726819794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-thQif9nDblP5Gc6dvoeakOqUQZRfB7TBT5VhOTQdVkre0QdkiUgb4ORiqXhdypKQ_9KNgCL_WdKfgyrBNaDU6Idu4ZoJE7N_doRykGDd0icy_rum2MA6M8Zix0-3cC_W16PT2-3ptxo/s1600-h/5212_555346953441_35001921_33086385_6373361_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-thQif9nDblP5Gc6dvoeakOqUQZRfB7TBT5VhOTQdVkre0QdkiUgb4ORiqXhdypKQ_9KNgCL_WdKfgyrBNaDU6Idu4ZoJE7N_doRykGDd0icy_rum2MA6M8Zix0-3cC_W16PT2-3ptxo/s320/5212_555346953441_35001921_33086385_6373361_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377533861920281714" /></a><br />Ko Phi Phi was breathtaking, a huge beach, clear water as far out as you could swim and rocks protruding out of the water like a small Yosemite. We had planned to take a boat taxi over to see “the Beach” where the movie was filmed but weather and a little bit too much partying got in the way of it this time. I have a feeling I keep leaving out important things to do and see in Thailand because I have to leave something to do when I come back next time (which might be as early as December). <br />As you are island hopping you meet people from all over the world Ireland, Finland, Israel, Italy and of course the English. They all come for different reasons, holiday from Uni or celebrating release from the military but everyone measures their trip the same way, the day they have to snap back into reality and find their way back to Bangkok to go home. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUfzwqoFcVykYacjEMtdZ9i_dKuUMYP8rF4QJHYU0rorqAI476u_rBKnrT3u6xmbGrthXM2L33-5alzc2f6SemzYab9Kjm2eI9sHboscB2Hw7gyUWV6RDnhs0eRIWOSlN7cLFKIM_a4E/s1600-h/5212_555347058231_35001921_33086406_2877483_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUfzwqoFcVykYacjEMtdZ9i_dKuUMYP8rF4QJHYU0rorqAI476u_rBKnrT3u6xmbGrthXM2L33-5alzc2f6SemzYab9Kjm2eI9sHboscB2Hw7gyUWV6RDnhs0eRIWOSlN7cLFKIM_a4E/s320/5212_555347058231_35001921_33086406_2877483_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377534421697954802" /></a><br /><br />After Ko Phi Phi it was all the way back up to BKK and almost 48 hours of straight travel but seriously sleep aids are the best. I felt like I floated up the coast. I did some last minute gift shopping and got my hair re-straightened (I am obsessed with magic straight). We were on the red-eye flight back to Seoul so we only had the afternoon is BKK. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcb0QfYhwACg8yt7xQQzZ9ptAxKP_-81baZki6eAjYnv3w2PMSO0It_nMAhbk7X13dUmlU9osXQdIl-IEFRR9gFKkwSIdzL5XGTUmINLNIZfwLqxACJZYEoMfT087t34shrzPfa5kuF8/s1600-h/P8250248.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcb0QfYhwACg8yt7xQQzZ9ptAxKP_-81baZki6eAjYnv3w2PMSO0It_nMAhbk7X13dUmlU9osXQdIl-IEFRR9gFKkwSIdzL5XGTUmINLNIZfwLqxACJZYEoMfT087t34shrzPfa5kuF8/s320/P8250248.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377533879215802482" /></a><br /><br />Our flight was now getting in about an hour before the first day of class. Fortunately Korea’s government is super paranoid about swine flu and has ordered all teachers that leave the country to self-quarantine for 7 days after reentering. This basically meant I got some real time to recover from my vacation, readjust and show Andrew around the city some more. I guess it wasn’t all paranoia because one of my co-teachers actually caught H1N1. She thinks she got it while vacationing in Thailand but she said it was really no big deal, went to the doctor, felt sick for a few days and has now fully recovered. <br />During my second little vacation in Seoul I took Andrew to a few palaces and museums, but most importantly I showed him how we party on the weekends here. This also meant we spent a lot of time in recover mode in my small studio apartment that somehow began growing mold while I was away. Who knew your suppose to crack the windows in humid climates so your apartment does turn into a Petri dish. <br />When Tuesday rolled around it was back to reality. I sent Andrew on his way and I headed back to school. I forgot how much I love living with other people and not being alone so much. It was good to get back into the groove and see all my students again especially when most of them keep pointing to my skin with very concerned looks. Like teacher why are you so dark? I am still trying to work on my explanation, that’s it’s ok I want to be this color. It’s a good thing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-10357551443749089232009-08-04T14:50:00.004+03:002009-08-04T20:39:45.762+03:00I did it!! I bungeed off a 52 meter bridge by my ankles (opposed to the less adventures waist option) For this trip Brittany and I tried a different travel group called Adventure Korea. We have had such good luck with these groups. All we do it wire a little chunk of change in exchange for a hassle-free and action packed day. The trips have also been a great way to meet other out going English teachers from all over Korea. <br />Two charter buses full of foreigners departed the station at 8am. We arrived at our scenic location just two and half-hours after leaving Seoul. First on the agenda was some white water rafting (or more like clam river cruising). Our boat of 9 was lead by a little energetic Korean, who named us “A-team”. I don’t know how he knew the title of Brittany’s and I running joke but I knew it meant today was going to be epic.<br />The rafting ride was 7km of gentle rapids and lots of Korean chanting. I think I even picked up a few new Korean phrases. The river was lined with a dozen or so beautiful waterfalls and some very interesting rocks that were supposedly formed by volcanic lava. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPRtCDZ_6Ln7lKlzdoQGPo0RL2nC-rqVpB0UosvChjGsWkkvE3dv4Ebf3yKbu3pjbN_iHXHSGOw0erCVHNjEPrcUIMbqGQT1UeiQ-Nxfn06QcsGFEj4fLU4d-zcwVsSrwsexS7FXBzd0/s1600-h/IMG_2437.JPG.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPRtCDZ_6Ln7lKlzdoQGPo0RL2nC-rqVpB0UosvChjGsWkkvE3dv4Ebf3yKbu3pjbN_iHXHSGOw0erCVHNjEPrcUIMbqGQT1UeiQ-Nxfn06QcsGFEj4fLU4d-zcwVsSrwsexS7FXBzd0/s320/IMG_2437.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366075494796464338"></a><br />After our rafting and lunch break we made our way to the bridge of doom. Not wanting to hesitate (or miss my opportunity like last time). I rushed to the font of the bungee line. After signing my initials and jumping on the scale I was on the ledge with straps around my ankles with only 3 people in front of me. I was so nervous to jump I couldn’t bear watching the jumpers in front of me. I was mostly trying to concentrate on which diving technique I would use. Before I knew it, the bungee cord was attached to my legs and I was being given the clear to jump. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhhdSXm3q-gMDixjuHwNtDNVCf7b0bh67fV_elF3FfIB_cTPIlQRMIfSTloI2uMNAnayF5B8N9q7t5ysMeI-89jhgBOvMxBfEa4OlVg6RtV6YztPljmWWq0Q3G7ffmlf5oMfVQObwzII/s1600-h/5692_553539899791_35001921_32997924_4870151_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhhdSXm3q-gMDixjuHwNtDNVCf7b0bh67fV_elF3FfIB_cTPIlQRMIfSTloI2uMNAnayF5B8N9q7t5ysMeI-89jhgBOvMxBfEa4OlVg6RtV6YztPljmWWq0Q3G7ffmlf5oMfVQObwzII/s320/5692_553539899791_35001921_32997924_4870151_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366075503828232338"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKphR7bm2lDrHK6zqTexopCqQZ90OuFET9kJI2xmSLoxHFkVtKXcm2CMvcsKHbsAx-SdHlLN-airhV6I8XPwdQEe3RVIkYpDfMYuacDgcCVjVGVWJtPX4LSn-J2xpuLfij5WAOl6pghg/s1600-h/IMG_2472.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKphR7bm2lDrHK6zqTexopCqQZ90OuFET9kJI2xmSLoxHFkVtKXcm2CMvcsKHbsAx-SdHlLN-airhV6I8XPwdQEe3RVIkYpDfMYuacDgcCVjVGVWJtPX4LSn-J2xpuLfij5WAOl6pghg/s320/IMG_2472.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366075510630741426"></a><br />As soon as I put my toes on the edge I freaked out. I looked down and thought no way can I just dive off this bridge. I knew it was too late to turn around now and the longer I waited the worst it would get. So I had to did and quick. <br />I shut my eyes for one second, gave out a yell and dove off the ledge. Taking that step was probably the scariest moment in my life. <br />Once I opened my eyen I was falling head first towards the water. I actually went so far down my hands touched the water. Then I immediately shot all the way back up, almost to my original jump off spot. At this point I was still screaming at the top of my lungs and was not looking forward to falling straight back down, but I did. This repeated it self about 3 times before I eventually lost momentum and started spinning in circles by ankles until the man in the rowboat came to my rescue and unhooked my legs. Once I was safely in the boot, I realized my entire body was shaking and that my blood-curdling scream had caught the attention of every person in the surrounding 5km. Thank god my friend on land captured the whole thing. Check it out! You can hear me scream!<br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M2ZDTunsm4DETz30NSTsRA?authkey=Gv1sRgCIX9-I7O3pmrTA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvsbvUN1KRCr6gLeOimlDTsY_Q0dTXPKjnynolNX-ASournsNCcE8LYGENH_pAGM7GcfUQz_bZOjs2pS2EA8uM0XJA58H3alA5OThH4G05MJU7wtWZIYdmfUFHe9l_1LEGMx1ToahlAQ/s400/CIMG0579.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/maddyrolison/MaddyInTheEast?authkey=Gv1sRgCIX9-I7O3pmrTA&feat=embedwebsite">Maddy in the East</a></td></tr></table><br />Looking back I wouldn’t say bungee jumping was “fun”. It was just down right terrifying. I was scared the entire time. Your body doesn’t react well to free falling for that long. I think it was defiantly scarier then sky diving but I am glad I did.<br />Once I got home I noticed my ankles were a little larger then normal. I figured they just weren’t use to carrying my entire body weight upside down by a bungee cord. Well two days later my right foot (the one that ruined my summer last year) was really bothering me. I taking my mothers advice and advantage of my free health coverage and popped over to the clinic. With some pointing and a couple broken English sentences the doctors decided I needed acupuncture. I have never had oriental medicine but I figured why not. They took me to the back and stuck six needles in my legs for about 20 minutes. It was painful at all but I am not sure what it is suppose to do. My foot still hurts but maybe its one of those things that takes awhile to set in. I will let you know how it turns out. I am off to the airport to pick up Andrew!! Then we are off to magical Thailand on Friday. <br /><object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" width="320" height="266" contentid="FAILED"></object><object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" width="320" height="266" contentid="FAILED"></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-58475318623845305822009-07-28T09:05:00.007+03:002009-07-28T09:58:01.099+03:00Man-U and K-pop madness !!This game was just another shining example of why I love Korea. What other country would have more cheering fans for the visiting team? The crowd went absolutely nuts every time star player Owen faces or the head coach came on the big screen. But nothing compared to the absolute roar that erupted every time the camera spotlighted Korea’s soccer god, Park Ji-Sung. Although he didn’t appear on the field until the last 20minutes of the game, that didn’t stop the entire stadium of 65,000 fans from chanting his name while he sat on the sidelines. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacdmAF2L_NxsJbH6Jkk-Ngd7cJqloCInovxasXJ8S6x5ucwSertE1GCf-ni8ud8ueZkqA8eKnJRLz7v44L3G2LebpzKgKflPPSAEHD1tUeO1lPcgKnbITRrYqi7HBLyRng_CDNndK_WY/s1600-h/CIMG0534.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacdmAF2L_NxsJbH6Jkk-Ngd7cJqloCInovxasXJ8S6x5ucwSertE1GCf-ni8ud8ueZkqA8eKnJRLz7v44L3G2LebpzKgKflPPSAEHD1tUeO1lPcgKnbITRrYqi7HBLyRng_CDNndK_WY/s320/CIMG0534.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363390272600969634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqJn1wviCLqoBWjJ2V0gHAogM77ro5ak5Xdx1V5dvfTIEG3Plf7kXaOXy26v7SDfMoYT_YakmqzaoOpf4YPheKudLUyUgqrcxnEz2Yk1S8jyQTkxUO5bVVUXNANMSx5ci_Uq-g4DtftQ/s1600-h/CIMG0501.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqJn1wviCLqoBWjJ2V0gHAogM77ro5ak5Xdx1V5dvfTIEG3Plf7kXaOXy26v7SDfMoYT_YakmqzaoOpf4YPheKudLUyUgqrcxnEz2Yk1S8jyQTkxUO5bVVUXNANMSx5ci_Uq-g4DtftQ/s320/CIMG0501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363390268887679714" /></a><br />The match took place at Seoul’s impressive World Cup Stadium, built when the city hosted the games in 2002. Seoul FC put up a good match for the first half scoring two goals but that wasn’t enough to hold off the talent of Man-U, who ended the game in victory with three goals. <br /><br /><br />What really sent me into a frenzy was when Girls Generation came out on the field for their halftime performance.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXsN3IEB99rvmHKkAup0VHsB-Q0whRGYoz55S7PP4ywKXHsiocoDSQmYkFP7LmxVCEiCihnBTf0kOQJ0pZQKZOnPHOFBQzFDzHM3XXVinIUcgj9kE_YxCVvVRcKK6p3apO7eraka_Dl8/s1600-h/girlsgeneration.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXsN3IEB99rvmHKkAup0VHsB-Q0whRGYoz55S7PP4ywKXHsiocoDSQmYkFP7LmxVCEiCihnBTf0kOQJ0pZQKZOnPHOFBQzFDzHM3XXVinIUcgj9kE_YxCVvVRcKK6p3apO7eraka_Dl8/s320/girlsgeneration.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363391497163729138" /></a> Brittany and I nearly died of excitement and shock. I have a newfound obsession with everything K-pop and I had no idea they would be performing (or lip synching). <br />Girls generation is one of the hottest all girl groups in Korea. They are pure manufactured pop goodness (which was embarrassingly obvious when the wrong music came on and they stood their awkwardly for a few minutes).<br /><br /> I seriously listen to K-pop all the time, maybe even more then some of my students. My favorite right now is the new group 4 Minutes; they are these cute little funky Korean hip-hop girls. Listen to their big hit "Hot Issue" I freakin' love it! <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m_qLGUe4IFQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m_qLGUe4IFQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Then of course there is the most popular boy band, Big Bang. They are badass dancing machines. There are a few other boy bands like 2pm and Super Junior that have so many members it’s hard to remember their faces. Here is a little preview of some K-pop boy candy, its so addicting! <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BphlUI2dgdo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BphlUI2dgdo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /> I just can't help myself the beats are just so catchy. When I am singing along I feel like I almost speaking Korean and I know what I am saying. My next step is learning the dance moves. Every major K-pop track has an elaborate signature dance routine, that of course all my girl students know every step to. But what was really more impressive was last week by the Gays, when seriously every boy in the club broke into a full fledge dance ensemble without missing a beat. Not only was I one of a handful of ladies in the club, but now I was a dance leper. I am never lettting this happen again, how embarrassing. Must practice dance routines before next visit to Homo hill!! <br />Side note I finally gave in and bought another camera. I went to the Techno mart and picked myself up a slightly older model camera for about a hundred bucks. Thanks to the help of a friendly Korean girl who helped me barter with the millions of sales guys in the overwhelming neon lit mall. Stayed tuned, lots more picture coming. Up next week: rafting, second attempt at bungee jumping, Andrew's visit and Thai paradise!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384460870583609104.post-78288025650476311282009-07-15T05:14:00.009+03:002009-07-16T14:55:01.465+03:00MUD FEST Baby!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCE0kwpfA3X7xID8cMeDIBzw-AwLI1Q6_ISsUoABn98zQYMGzcjPPMvXK4eT1FHB7VKNe93Cga24W7CCdeuw3XuVeWafhYRAPoHmACG1MkJBwnwvx-VgABXQj6siH6fjyiGIrb9CArEc/s1600-h/5971_131413608744_514108744_2970506_3869874_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCE0kwpfA3X7xID8cMeDIBzw-AwLI1Q6_ISsUoABn98zQYMGzcjPPMvXK4eT1FHB7VKNe93Cga24W7CCdeuw3XuVeWafhYRAPoHmACG1MkJBwnwvx-VgABXQj6siH6fjyiGIrb9CArEc/s320/5971_131413608744_514108744_2970506_3869874_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358506559543042050" /></a><br />Although I have no actual photographic proof I was at said MUD FEST, it will probably go down as one of the greatest events of my year here.<br />It all started 9am on Saturday with a party bus to Boryeong Mud fest. An annual event held on the eastern coast of Korea that brings thousands of people to this small beach town for two weeks of the year. The mud supposedly has many beneficial minerals and it good for your skin but mostly it’s just fun to play in. <br />It was fairly overcast that day but that didn’t stop us from charging straight into the sea within the first 30 minutes of our arrival. I am pretty sure every foreigner in Korea had found his or her way to Mud fest. The beach and sea was packed with people, we were running into friends every two minutes. <br />It wasn’t long before we found the mud or better yet, the mug found us. It was complete chaos! There was hug inflatable slides into mud pits, mud fighting rings, mud cages and just all around debauchery. Every single person was covered from head to toe in thick mud. I imagine it was similar to the joy a pig feels when rolling around in fresh wet mud. It was awesome!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjeSzawfdB8qW5C_c_yW-_-kMJ0dbuGVEWlJvGJZKzc742bK1m5mZ0TYYS2hIl0J-ZlO1xV-ThmOyd3Gubgy2GuzVwOdg8U5ruT2OApMCzl10aD_s3Mt7PeSQU2qWg2aSsWR60lGhyuU/s1600-h/5971_131413658744_514108744_2970514_7692232_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjeSzawfdB8qW5C_c_yW-_-kMJ0dbuGVEWlJvGJZKzc742bK1m5mZ0TYYS2hIl0J-ZlO1xV-ThmOyd3Gubgy2GuzVwOdg8U5ruT2OApMCzl10aD_s3Mt7PeSQU2qWg2aSsWR60lGhyuU/s320/5971_131413658744_514108744_2970514_7692232_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358506993478770866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-wRhAkBB0T8SQTk5FHHWjy8RiI9c67Isqg5F4bD0iiDsYi1Mi_EVueHSAC0Au0or7MymfPfp7P1vflM0mLktnl1_P_N4kUGjHg6UgFyzwKNxnZcZRs3ooHuhYQoQBZkLbBQStA5lNmY/s1600-h/5295_101964133498_615043498_2226747_478322_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-wRhAkBB0T8SQTk5FHHWjy8RiI9c67Isqg5F4bD0iiDsYi1Mi_EVueHSAC0Au0or7MymfPfp7P1vflM0mLktnl1_P_N4kUGjHg6UgFyzwKNxnZcZRs3ooHuhYQoQBZkLbBQStA5lNmY/s320/5295_101964133498_615043498_2226747_478322_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358506978513916130" /></a> <br /> Everyone was having a great time getting messy and rinsing off in the water. Eventually the lack of sun and slight rain caught up to us. You can only walk around soaking wet with mud for so many hours. We headed back to the hotel room for a memorable bath and prepared for evening. We had heard rumors that some of the biggest K-pop groups would be performing at the outdoor stage later that night. <br /> Sure enough that slight rain had turned to torrential downpour causing everyone to abandon their campsite and find shelter in the nearest alcohol establishment. The rain wasn’t enough to stop us from taking advantage of the local amusement park and the 3 rides it had to offer. I couldn’t believe they would actually operate these janky carnival rides in such questionable weather but that’s why I love Korea. <br />It would be impossible to run a festival like this in America. First it would be way too overcrowded, they would charge a ridiculous amount to get in (in Korea it was of course free), they would defiantly regulate and overcharge for beers (ours were provided courtesy of 7-11), there would have been a million cops there (I think I saw 2 all weekend) and it would be a breeding ground for law-suits (seeing how almost everyone came home with some kind of injury. One girl cracked a rib, another friend broke a toe and I was double heel kicked in the head by a flying-flipping girl in the ocean) It would just never go down in the States. <br />On Sunday I was really looking forward to getting back out in the Mud madness because but the sky had other plans. It was raining so hard that barely anyone was out on the beach and even less people were covered in mud. This whole concept of the weather deciding how I will spend my day is still quite foreign to me. I’ve been told this is only beginning of monsoon season. It has stopped raining since Saturday and I already think I might drown, along with my school that is flooding at an alarming rate. I don’t see how it could get much worse but I hope I will be chilling on the beaches of Thailand when it does.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08461270446493448323noreply@blogger.com1