Gyeongju

This past weekend Mr. Yoon took the Foreign and Korean teachers on a trip to Gyeongju. Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of South Korea. Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla. There are a vast number of different archeological and cultural sites situated in this beautiful city.

All the Korean teachers assured me that it is one of the most historical places in Korea... They were right! I have been in Korea for so long that I tend to forget that I am living in Asia but this past weekend it was blindingly obvious. Not only because of the amazing Buddhist temples, Emperor tombs, Korean arcitecture, breath taking landscape and traditional Korean food but because of the mere fact that we were the only foreigners for miles! The Korean teachers said they always knew where we foreigners were because they could hear everyone around them speaking in Korean about the foreigners who were down the hall or on the first floor or in the next room. We weren't able to sneak around without somebody noticing.

I also had the opportunity to witness first hand the horrible phenomenan that is Korean traffic. It took us roughly 4 1/2 hours to get to Gyeongju but 7 1/2 hours to get home. Let me repeat that... 7 1/2 hours to get home. I am still pretty scarred from the experience and am not ready to talk about it. Time heals all wounds, so hopefully by the time I get home I'll be ready to discuss it.

Update

So... a few things have happened in my life since I last blogged. The season changed for one! I moved into a new apartment. Oh... excuse me... apartment doesn't do it justice. I moved into a deluxe penthouse suite. My college roommate and good friend Meredith moved to Korea to teach English in the amazing, crazy country that is Korea . I finally got my regular voice back (it has been missing for the past 9 months). I went to CHINA! I saw my family! I went dumpster diving and got a ridiculously awesome couch which matched perfectly with my ridiculously awesome penthouse suite. I was thrown up on twice. My friend and college roommate Emily might come visit in late October, early November! I was asked to extend my contract for 2 months (I haven't made a decision yet). Realized I go to my favorite, little Korean restaurant entirely too much when the owner, who doesn't speak a lot of English, said "Oh Hi Krista!"  I booked a trip to Australia in December! I got a new, super cute, super sweet co teacher, Dayna Teacher. I went to a Korean wedding (don't worry... it was my co-worker's, NOT mine). Attended Mud Fest (And yes... it is exactly what it sounds like... I paid money to roll around in mud... worth it). Started a soccer league for foreigners in Dongbaek. Every Sunday afternoon we get around 20 people all jazzed up to play a little football. My kids speak full and complete sentences to me (one of my favorites that almost made me pass out from joy... Teacher, a nurse needs a syringe to help the doctor who works in the hospital.) I mastered spelling my name in Korean. I went whitewater rafting and didn't die (I was a little concerned when I couldn't understand the directions our rafting guide was giving us... but I overcame.) Oh... and did I mentioned I moved to a new apartment... with a balcony.