How do you celebrate St. Patricks Day in Korea?

By wearing green moustaches of course! Being foreign, me and my coworkers know the importance of St. Paddys Day! we made it our mission to wear green and drink beer! Success! And while preaching to the masses about the "Kiss me I'm Irish" holiday, I also informed people of the importance of moustaches.

A lot of Koreans did not know what St. Patricks Day was (and subsequently cannot grow moustaches). I guess the amount of Irish-Korean descendants is very low. But did we ever inform anyone who would listen about St. Patricks Day and all its glory. And while I did not get to drink green beer, I did get to see a fire show at the bar we went to!

Overall it was a pretty good celebration! I mean really can you go wrong when there are moustaches, beer and fire involved? And so in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I leave you with a favorite Irish quote: "For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way- good health, good luck, good beer okay I added that one) and happiness, for today and everyday."

The worst thing I ever ate...

The day has come... I officially ate the grossest thing I have ever had since being in Korea.

Now, as many of you know, I love seafood, especially raw fish. There is nothing better than tasting a sweet slab of salmon or marinated ahi. Having said that, this raw fish was by far, the most, grossest thing I have ever ate and making me question my love for all things fishy.

Looks innocent enough, doesn't it? Well it is Hong Ohu, or "snake fish". It had been fermented in what I can only assume to be pant thinner.After I suffered through the crunching of the bones, and managed to somehow make the fish into a pulp small enough to fit down my throat, all I could taste was ammonia. Don't be fooled by Will's reaction; he was just trying to be brave in front of the girls. My reaction however......

And they call this a delicacy...

I'm on a boat!!!!

This weekend was filled with fun and first times!

A friend of mine got tickets for a "booze-cruise". It was in Seoul, so I got to see the city at night, in all its neon glory. Saturday about 15 expats from the Ansan area gathered to make the very crowded and long subway trip to Hangyang.

The cruise was from 6-9pm and was just what you would think of when you hear "booze cruise". There was over 500 foreigners on the boat, and all sorts of drinks. You could even bring your own booze on the ship if you were so inclined! Me and Jess stopped off the boat when we were docked to use the bathroom, and as we were boarding the ship two girls were leaving and asked if we wanted their beer tickets! It was saweeet!  We actually got to have some different types of beer, aside from just Cass and Hite, so it was really refreshing.

We went up and down the river a few times, before finally docking. It was great to see the city of Seoul lit up across the river like that. There were 2 lived bands on board (which was great since I haven't heard live music since I've been here!) and Mexican food! Hmmmm.. spicy tacos and cheese fries... delicious!

A few of us decide to continue the night at Hongkik in Seoul. And yes, for the first time I drank booze from a bag (though come to think of it I have drank boxed wine before- I know, gross- and that's in a bag, but I digress).

We also may have fondled a Charlie Brown statue we saw outside his cafe (after we used their bathroom of course).

Because we were so far away from home, I had my first experience with a jimjibahng. These are public saunas all over Korea. Some are free (we had to pay 6 dowla) and the men and women are separated. You go into an area where there are all sorts of different hot tubs, steam rooms and pools. And yes, you go into the pools or saunas naked. Yup. Naked.

 After we were finished with a quick hot tub, there is a giant sleeping area where there were hundreds of people sleeping on mats. Don't worry, they give you clothes to wear- you can't sleep naked!  It sounds a bit weird, but it worked in a pinch for a place to stay, and it was actually fun! It reminded me of a girlguide sleep over or something!

Needless to say, I did need a nap after we made our journey home that morning. Though many Koreans would disagree with me, sleeping on a mat is just not quite as satisfying as bed.... but realy, a nap is a small price to pay for a pretty fantastic weekend!

Pad Thai, floating markets, and yes.... massages....

Its true. I just got back from Thailand. It was an amazing adventure to say the least!!!

 Before I begin to tell you about my trip, I know some of you are thinking, didn't she just go to Hawaii? What is this girl doing, taking vacations every three weeks? Well, it  certainly seems that way! But our school only closes down two weeks of the entire year, and they happen to be in a months span. The first was Lunar New Year, and the second is the first week of March. This is graduation time in Korea, so we do not get any students. While I am a "spread my vacation time out over the course of the year" kinda girl, it is just how the calender falls, and how the school decides the vacation.

So....I went to Bangkok! Trish, Daniel, Ashley and myself, woke up before dawn to catch our flight. We were welcomed with 30 degree weather! I literally defrosted the minute I stepped off the plane! Our first line of business? Pad Thai.

We at off this woman's Pad Thai cart. It was 30 Baht which is almost exactly 1 dowla! I hate to be a cliche here, but it really was the best Pad Thai I have ever had!

After our meal I experienced my very first Thai massage, and let me tell you, it was uncomfortable, relaxing, nerve racking, slightly embarrassing, and awesome all at the same time. We went into one of the many massage places near our hotel (there were at least 10 on our street). As we sat down a woman asked me if I wanted  a male massager. All I could think about was the rumours I have heard of "sexy massages"!!! If I say yes to a guy does that mean I will get "extras" included in my massage? So, being the prude I am, said "No thank you!" The massage itself was not like any I have had before. It was almost a combination of massaging and stretching, which felt good sometimes, but kinda hurt too! And while I didn't request a guy, the woman who massaged me had absolutely no reservations about using all parts of her body, and all parts of mine into the massage. There is no way that massages like this could be offered in Canada and not face some sort of legal case, but hey! When in Thailand......

We explored Bangkok, and decided to be tourists and explore ancient temples. There are rules about the clothing that you wear into the grounds, so I had to borrow a skirt and t-shirt from the temple. The details that are within each of the temples are absolutely stunning, and the amount of gold makes the whole place literally glow.

We also ventured to Khao San road, one of the most famous places for people to visit in Bangkok. It is full of street vendors, massage places, bars, and of course, Pad Thai.

On our next to last day there we ventured to Pattaya beach. Even though it was overcast, it was still really hot and humid, and the water was warm! Really, really warm!

After the beach we had to shower. Its not like Hawaii where they have nice public rinse stations. No, we had to pay to shower, and I can say honestly this was the dirtiest, and scariest shower I have ever had!

             


I am  really sure it could even be called a "shower" as much as a bucket and hose, but we defiantly shared a laugh after we got out! Really, to think we had to pay for this!

Our last day in Bangkok was spent at Damneon Sanduak, at the floating markets. Literally the river is filled with small boas, selling all sorts of things: hats, magnets, saffron, mangoes, everything you could imagine. We rented a boat, and took our tour of the rived, vendors hooking out boats, and bringing us over to theirs, trying to sell us their worldly goods!

Lisa St. Aubin de Terin says that "travelling is like flirting with life. Its like saying, "I would stay and love you but I have to go; this is my station." and for me this is quote reigns true. In the small amount of time I spent n Thailand, I loved it. As I was walking the streets, satisfied from the street food, sticky from sweat, I couldn't help but think, what is it like to live here? But of course that is part of the luxury of travel. You can pick and choose where you want to go, and what you want to do, love the place for what you see, and leave with your memories and switch blades...