Bolstered by the success of my first Korean road trip, I decided to put Betty White to the test again in a girls weekend getaway to the Boseong Tea Fields. The rolling hills lined neatly with rows upon rows of green tea plants in the Boseong region are a famous destination for tourists and a… Continue reading A Perfect Day at the Boseong Tea Fields
Category: South Korea
5 Things That Are STILL Strange About Korea
When I first arrived in Korea last year I wrote about the 12 Little Ways Life is Different in Korea. It’s funny how much can change in a year and the extent to which we accustom ourselves to our environment. These days, I don’t bat an eye at corn on pizza, face masks are the… Continue reading 5 Things That Are STILL Strange About Korea
Busan Culture Village: Surprisingly Beautiful
When you think of Korean culture, you probably conjure images of the typical temples and Buddhist shrines. Korea is not known for being particularly artsy, but tucked away throughout the country are pockets of artistry and color that can catch you off guard. When I first heard of the Busan Culture Village, I rolled my… Continue reading Busan Culture Village: Surprisingly Beautiful
Weird Korea: Forced to Fake Vote in a Bamboo Theme Park
On my 25th birthday my (awesome) friends hung posters around my house saying the 25 things they loved about me. Along with phrases like, “She’s the only one I’d go to an Indian buffet and then try on spandex with” (because it really happened), one poster read, “You can meet the strangest people on the… Continue reading Weird Korea: Forced to Fake Vote in a Bamboo Theme Park
A Korean Road Trip To Goeje and Namhae Islands
The 5am alarm obliterated my peaceful slumber, and the butterflies immediately fluttered in my stomach. Today was the day! My first Korean road trip. And I was somewhat terrified. One of my best friends from home was visiting me in Korea for two weeks and I’d promised to give her a tour to some… Continue reading A Korean Road Trip To Goeje and Namhae Islands
Owning and Driving a Car in Korea: Am I Crazy, Brave, or Stupid?
“I thought it was an April Fool’s joke at first,” my friend confided in me. “I didn’t really think you’d do it!” another exclaimed. To be honest, if someone had told me six months ago that I would own and drive a car in Korea, I would have laughed in their face. Noooooooo way, I… Continue reading Owning and Driving a Car in Korea: Am I Crazy, Brave, or Stupid?
Hitting the Slopes (and why I will probably never ski again)
Everyone raved about the ski trips in Korea. Having lived in California my whole life I don’t even know how to walk in snow, much less strap large boards to my feet and propel myself forward in snow. But I let my friends persuade me to give it a try and I figured after teaching… Continue reading Hitting the Slopes (and why I will probably never ski again)
What I Wish I’d Known When I Was a Student, Now That I’m a Teacher
It’s Friday afternoon. The first week of spring has brought with it sunshine and warm weather, and a gentle breeze ruffles the classroom window shades. Children’s laughter and shouts drift up to me, but I’m more focused on the hushed voice murmuring in the corner. He stands in the library section of my classroom, clutching… Continue reading What I Wish I’d Known When I Was a Student, Now That I’m a Teacher
Green Beer and Colored Paint: A Festive Weekend in Busan
“Let me get this straight,” my friend said skeptically into the phone. “You live in Korea, but this weekend you’re celebrating an Irish holiday and going to an Indian festival?” Well, when she put it like that I realized it did sound a little funny… The homogeneity of Korea doesn’t usually lend itself to… Continue reading Green Beer and Colored Paint: A Festive Weekend in Busan
This Adventure Was Not My Cup of Tea
Despite the sweltering summer heat, my friend, Allie, and I spent a casual Sunday in June wandering to various sites around Daegu in a half-hearted bid to do something “cultural”. We meandered through the oriental medicine district near downtown and I suddenly had the bright idea that this would be a good area to find… Continue reading This Adventure Was Not My Cup of Tea
Why I Stayed at the School That Makes Me Cry, But I’m Glad
I may have bit off a little more than I can chew. Last week the kids in Korea started their new school year and it was a hectic week, indeed. Along with a new term I also started a side job, had meetings and events for the two nonprofit organizations I’m a part of in… Continue reading Why I Stayed at the School That Makes Me Cry, But I’m Glad
Falling in Love… Or Fish Tanks
When I began telling people back home that I was moving to Korea, there seemed to be an inevitable and predictable thought process for the listener: confusion (“wait, where?”); shock (“but, umm, why?!”); fear (“but isn’t North Korea trying to bomb them or something?”); and excitement (“oh it sounds like such an adventure!”). Then came… Continue reading Falling in Love… Or Fish Tanks