Han River...A Survivor's Tale.

When other foreigners discuss differences/idiosyncracies/annoyances etc. about the Korean culture...I usually try to find a bright spot, humor about the incident, redirect to a more positive topic, laugh and move on or just shake my head and say "That's just how it is" or 'It's a cultural thing." Today was a bit different.

This morning we decided to go for a nice/relaxing walk along the Han River and hopefully get a little exercise in. It was pretty quiet (as most mornings are) so there were only a few little groups of 'professional' bikers in their matching gear, racing bikes...the works. As we were chatting and checking out the skyline on the opposite side (we had crossed the bridge) out of absolutely nowhere came a Korean woman (around 50 or so) on a non-professional bike and hit Kristin with her back tire in her left calf area. As you can see from the photo there is a wide path and two clearly marked lanes for walking, rollerblading and biking. You may be wondering how her back tire hit Kristin...the only way I can explain it would be to say....visualize a 'skid stop' like a police cruiser may do...or Starsky&Hutch...with major leaning from the Korean lady (but she did not hit the ground). We were stunned but just brushed it off and kept walking...thinking maybe she lost control (on the level surface?) or was a new bike rider/nervous...something along those lines. We kept walking for about ten minutes with no bike traffic or people then AGAIN out of no where...on a slight incline of a hill...she came straight for us and crashed into Kristin...for the 2nd time! How she built the speed up for this collision...we have no idea. This time she did not 'skid stop' but instead hit Kristin in the hip/leg with her front tire and handle bars... then proceeded to fly over her own handlebars and landed 'ever so gently' on the path with an extra roll thrown in for good measure! This time we were really stunned and for one of the first times in my life (people who know me I'm sure would agree) I was completely speechless! I was unable to say anything in Korean...my automatic English came up and all I could say was "What do you think you are doing....trying to hit us??" She grabbed her shoulder and said something in Korean. Honestly, in a normal situation I would have rushed right over to assist/start first-aid..something! This situation simply didn't feel right and we both started walking quickly away. Also remember, she did not hit her head when she fell and was completely alert...no blood...no guts flying anywhere. :-) A few minutes later we looked back and noticed she was sitting on the side of the road and seemed to be talking to a large group (about 30 bikers in matching outfits...all black and red). We have no way of knowing for sure...but after she seemed to speak with them, they peddled very quickly toward us (remember I said about 30) then at the last minute would go around us on either side and yelled little things in Korean...now remember..this is a large path with plenty of room for them to pass us on the left...plus we were trying to move toward the right and get out of their way...it's tough to describe...but a bit unsettling to say the least. After we were passed by the bikers we were met with a Korean Police Officer on a scooter. It could have been a coincidence but we wondered if she had reported a bogus incident to him. We stepped our pace up again at this point. We kept walking, then after about 10 more minutes we see her... AGAIN! She came up behind us...we darted to the right (completely off the path into the grass) and she just peddled by us like a pro with both hands on the handlebars and said the only words that I recognized in Korean ..'thank you' with a big grin. We are unsure if this was some type of scam toward foreigners, terrorist activity with a bicycle (you never know!), or just a very odd person (to put it mildly) on a bicycle...who needs to return to good ol' fashioned hoofing it! :-) We had to laugh and just move on. We decided that (other than the 'bicycle attack') it had been a super walk and a beautiful morning. I guess once I got home I started thinking if it had escalated what would we have done? I don't like to be an alarmist, (seriously) but the only way to have escaped would have been an almost vertical climb up the bank OR jumping into the Han River and swimming for it! If truly confronted with serious danger I believe (at least in my mind) that I could have scaled that embankment (with Kristin right beside me...or in front of me...she's quite fit and agile!). This is one of those stories that you hope was just an innocent/one-time-only incident and you really hope this was not directed at us because we are foreigners. I truly want to be a positive ambassador for America...and demonstrate that the vast majority of us are good, decent, and kind human-beings...there are a few bad eggs in any culture...we may have just run into one! :-)

Just a note...I did receive permission from Kristin to upload her photo... I did warn her that this could turn into a web sensation.......:-) Thanks for reading!

Asian Flower Design 2/23/09

As you can probably see from the numerous photos attached today...I really enjoyed my flower class this week! The "Asian Fusion" Centerpiece with the Orchids was the focus of the lesson...and I just loved it. You can adapt this style for a variety of table sizes/shapes...I chose Round/Oval design. The long/thin arrangement was actually from last week with additional 'tweaking' but the instructor when she arrived. She also gave great feedback and made the two smaller arrangements look much better. It is amazing to watch her take a leaf and use it for 'camo' for hiding varied lengths of stems etc. We used some wire to make the wooden vines behave a bit...:-) She stayed extra time today...and as she was slipping off her slippers at the door (I recently purchased 4 pairs of 'almost' Burberry slippers for less than 2 dollars a pair)....she said "Nicole, we have the same hobby...flowers!" I really hope I can bring this 'Asian flare' back to the US for my future flower designs!

Christmas in Korea 2008 II

I have wanted to post some of these Korean Christmas photos for some time...so thought a little medley would be nice! These were taken through December 2008. The escalator photo was taken at the Underground Bus Terminal shopping area...not sure if there are rules for taking strollers on escalators! :-) The other photos were taken in various subways and shopping area. I am standing on a highway overpass walkway...the traffic is heading in the direction of our apartment. Although you are unable to see in this photo...in the distance is a large bridge that goes over the Han River...the bus stop right before that bridge is where I get off and walk through Hannam-dong to our place. Seoul was really 'decked out' for Christmas...more to come...:-)

Macau 1/09

Here is a nice 'street shot' of the central area of Macau. Lights were everywhere for the Lunar New Year celebration going on. You can see Chris in the bottom left-hand corner checking out a famous "Egg Tart" stand (we were scouting it out for the next morning). As you can see from the photo..lots of people/activity throughout our stay in Macau. We took the fast boat from Hong Kong to Macau (about 2 hours I think). For about 10 extra dollars you were upgraded to a premium seat that included a little duck breast/pasta, front of the boat and a little quicker exit (although it was a madhouse...the extra 10.00 was well worth it!) When we arrived in Macao we were met with rows of buses from the various Casinos (Wynn, MGM, Grand Lisboa, etc.) We found our line for the shuttle to our hotel (Sofitel)...we weren't there for gambling...more for the Portuguese cuisine and architecture. When we arrived at the hotel, we were met with a 'wall of smoke' . We have decided that almost every citizen and visitor must have been a chain-smoker in Macao..wow! (Marlboro appeared to be the 'smoke' of choice!) I became friendly with the concierge at the hotel while Chris checked us in. Turned out here roommate was Korean...so we said a 'few' things in that language...then had a good chuckle. We exited the smoke-filled lobby to our room. When we entered the room...we found that someone had taken a little 'rest' on the bed and sipped some bottled water. The bell hop got really excited...called our new 'buddy' in the lobby and shuffled us out quickly. Too bad we had a 'Goldilocks' situation...it was a great room and view. :-) No non-smoking rooms were available (shocking, I know)....so we checked our luggage and decided to browse around the town. We happened upon a Chinese Government Store...which had been recommended to us as a pretty reliable place to purchase items...less room for less than ethical business practices....:-) Chris found a little piece of jade and a little dangle jade with knotting similar to the Korean 'Maedup'...the next thing you know we were whisked to the 2nd floor and entered into a drawing for prizes. We appeared to have 20 entries and these 2 very nice Chinese gals started rubbing our 'entries' with a coin...then jumping up and down as we supposedly were winning prizes! We ended up walking out of their with so many little 'prizes' that we could hardly carry them! None of the prizes were really expensive but really fun...like...eraser sets in the shape of Ramen noodles, tea, drawing sets, little drums, and all types of Chinese bric-a-brac! We did purchase some really great tea...and have found it to be some of the best we have ever tasted. They even went through a mini-tea ceremony with us and I found it quite similar to the Vietnamese Tea Ceremony from a previous blog.

After dragging our 'winnings' back to the hotel, we ventured out for some authentic Portugese food...and we really found it in a place not mentioned in the 'Lonely Planet' reference guide. (Chris said we should send a note to Lonely Planet and let them know about this place.) They served the best mussels followed by a curry chicken that was awesome. After dinner we checked out what appeared to be their 'town square'...lots of firecrackers, lights, displays...and smiles! I will post additional photos.

Asian Flower Class 2/9/09

The attached photo is from a recent flower design class. The instructor referred to this style as "Oriental Centerpiece" and is best for a round or oval dining table. The next undertaking will be the centerpiece for a square/rectangle shape...so the container will be long and narrow. I believe the flowers (if I took proper notes) are: Spirea, Alstromeria, Tulip and Rohora. You begin from the centerpoint of your foam or container and focus on proper angles in 3 corners initially. The white flower is to resemble snow. At the end of the class the instructor pulled me aside and said "You really seem to enjoy learning about flowers"......and I do!

King Crab!

We loved this picture of the King Crab giving either a sideways 'peace' like the Koreans often do...or a 'NaNu NaNu' from Mork & Mindy! :-) We found this very nice/clean market near the World Cup Stadium (yes, they played the World Cup there several years ago...great facility). These King Crabs were huge and almost exiting the tank on their own. They were not the Alaskan variety...but from Russian waters. Fish were flopping around everywhere and we only saw one pigeon nibbling on some grains that were for sale...yikes! The stall owner came out from behind the table....armed with cherry tomatoes...and started pelting the pigeon....then he saw us smiling...rushed over and have us a big bag of little tomatoes...they were delicious!

We were on that side of town because I was interviewing for a kindergarten position....they are looking for native English speakers to teach in a fun/practical/introduction type of way...English, Leggo activities, music, art and swimming! Lunch is provided...'as long as you don't mind Korean' they said. I said - no problem...:-) I will begin 1 day per week...and may increase if things go well. It's a brand new facility and program...I believe they are trying to introduce English in a manner that is fun and with less direct memorization. This experience should be rich with potential blog stories....:-) The head of the program thought that my Korean will improve a lot...just being/interacting with the children...I hope so!

Christmas in February! :-)

Well, the world can rise up and breathe a sigh of relief...about half of my photos from my memory card were able to be downloaded...so...here comes Christmas! :-) I have used my computer/camera issues probably as an excuse for not posting some memorable stories.

I have attached a few Christmas floral arrangements-my first attempts without the watchful (and helpful) eye of my instructor. It's a start! :-) My goal was to have fresh arrangements in the apartment...for that fresh green/garland aroma! The one with the roses was a gift for one of my favorite pals Joanna. There will more photos forthcoming of our super Christmas Dinner...British style!

The other photos are of our very first 'Korean' Christmas tree. Chris did a mail-order from work...with the help of one of the nice Korean ladies. All I can say is...the pictures do NOT do it justice...it was a piece of work! :-) The ornament in my hand was an auto-inflatable...similar to shaking a hot pack or ice pack and breaking it to release the heat/cold! (We wondered what condition they will be in next year!). The best part...very jazzy lights with more choices in timing and sequence than I have ever seen! The kicker to the day...after some hasty decorating, Chris plugged in the beauty and it blew him across the room with a loud "Pop!" Luckily, he survived and we had quite the Christmas tree! :-) For some reason they included two sets of lights in the box.....interesting...:-)