Gyeongju 경주 Trip - Part 1

( 불국사 Bulguksa )

Day 1 
3/1/2012 @ KTX & 경주

We were given a four day weekend for Independence Movement Day. It fell pleasantly on a Thursday, so they gave us the following friday off, thus creating a FOUR DAY WEEKEND. JC, Katrina, Drew, Chelsea and I planned a little excursion to Gyeongju. We actually did very little planning and just bought tickets. We worked out all the details once we got there.

( Chelsea on the KTX )

( Katrina & JC on the KTX )

( Drew, drinking a "secret" rum & coke )

[worst rum ever]

( YAY! We made it! )

When we arrived at the train station in Gyeongju, we swung by a tourist information stand, where they helped up make a reservation for a pension. We actually ended up finding an extremely great one, called JY Pension. It was very pleasant, and on top of the high-quality conditions, the couple that owned it was quite friendly. They drove us in and out of town multiple times.

( Pension garden )

( Living room )

( Entrance & bathrooms )

( Kitchen )

엑스포공원 Expo Park

This looked like it was going to be pretty cool, but unfortunately it was closed. We stopped by and took some pictures. Katrina then convinced us that it was a good idea to sneak in and take a look. We got whistled at.

( The main building )

( Katrina made it in, )

( and so did Chelsea. I made it too, but the whistle blew while I was squeezing through. )

( We got busted. HA! )

석굴암 Seokguram

We took a bus ride up the mountain to this temple and opted out of the 2 hour hike up the mountain. The ride up was fine, but the ride down left us all feeling a little queazy. It was a bit of a trek around the top of the mountain, but it was worth a look. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures in the grotto.

( Bell building )

( Ladies, selling chestnuts. )

( Drew )

( Myself )

( Chelsea )

( Fountain )

( Temple complex )

( Photo of the grotto from google )

( One More )

불국사 Bulguksa 

This temple is one of the oldest temples in Korea. It was pretty fun to walk around. Sadly, we didn't have lots of time, because they were about the close. We still did a nice run around in the temple and took lots of pictures.

( A bridge on the way in to the temple )

( Bamboo and temple buildings )

( Entrance guardian )

( Guardian demon )

( I'm on a bridge! )

( Courtyard )

( Shrine )

( Another courtyard with a shrine )

( Rock stacks )

( Another bridge )

( Turtle )

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Another Semester Down at Avalon

Last day of Winter Semester
2/28~29/2012 @ Avalon - 수원

7 down, 2 to go. I always enjoy the last day of the semester. It's usually a little more laid back than other days, and we are able to have a little fun with the kids. But of course, it is a little bit sad. I tend to get really attached to my classes, and it's sad to send them off to other teacher. Here are some photos from my last day with this bunch.

 

( This time, I was also saying goodbye to Justin. : [ )

( Katrina in the classroom )

( Sophia & Amy )

( The boys were wild in this DA class )

( My other DA class; they were my preferred lower-level bunch. )

( I purposely let Irene win a game, so that she could goto the board. She was my favorite in this class. Shhhh. )

( Peter was a bit of a wildcard. Look at that face! You have no idea what he's thinking. )

( Sophie was the artist. )

( Justin was being pulled by a student. )

( Tim )

( Seo-hyun is super-smart. )

( Sue's adorable. )

( And Harry's goofy. )

( Chelice, with Sue and Winner )

( Seo-hyun, Chelice & Winner )

( The class, with 여림 )

( LA4, with me )

( This was the most badass GB class. The students were wonderful. )

( Hyun-bin, Yekang & Yi-jin: killer debate team! )

( This GI class was incredible, but as you can tell from Stella in the corner, she doesn't like her picture taken. )

( Strike a pose! )

( Harry, Julia & Jenny were determined to win this debate. )

( My smaller, but equally great, other GI class. Harry, on the right, is an amazing student. )

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미타사 - Mitasa & Retro Night at Lao Bar

( The Avalon Gang )

First of all, sorry. I've been finding myself extra busy lately, and I haven't found much time to update my blog. BUT, here we go. I'm not going to lump well over a month's worth of photos and commentary into one blog post. I'm going to attempt to throw it all up little by little. The goal is give you something daily for a week. This sounds like a plan that is destined for failure before I've even begun, but I'm willing to put as much as possible into these updates and give it a go.


미타사 - Mitasa
02/04/2012 @ 미타사 [Mitasa]

This little temple visit was actually on the same day that I went out to Club Spot for the punk show, but these photos got left on a different memory card. The temple was nestled snuggly into the city. If you weren't paying attention, you could easily walk on by and miss it entirely. It was a short visit, but it was nice.

( Statue )

( Lantern )

( The main shrine )

( See, it melts into the city )

( I like this door )

( From the outside )

Retro Night
02/18/2012 @ Lao Bar - Suwon Station [수원역]

After a mild night out in 홍대 [Hongdae], I convinced Justin to come out with me to Suwon Station for a night with the middle school Korean teachers. It was retro night at Lao Bar. They were playing music that was popular in Korea from the 90s. It was quite entertaining to see the fashion that was hip back in the day and watch all of the people going crazy for the music.

( Felix, decked out in retro clothes )

( Nikita, Kate, Harry, Christine & Justin )

( Justin in a blur of lights )

( dancing )

( Nikita, cutting loose )

( Abel, showing off )

( Harry, throwing up gang signs )

( Harry & myself )

( The boys )

( The girls )

( Harry & Abel, my favorite Koreans in the office )

( Nikita, Christine & I )

( Christine's face is priceless in the photo )

( LAO )

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