Memoires to a friend from S. Korea

Andrew,

Always good to hear from you, since being in asia...it's difficult to keep in touch with other esl teachers (since most quit and move home after a year). I met up with the 4 year Korea veterans (group that are cycling from China to Ireland in April 2009 (http://www.brakingboundaries.org ) or at least two of them (David..Canada, Tom..Ireland) and one's South African girlfriend (Katheryn). Their ride will support KIVA FOUNDATION, enriching business entrepreneurs in developing nations with small capital business loans. They are all really nice, we had a wonderful ski together [@Phoenix Park]. Tough part is the reality they all live in distant parts of greater Seoul, ILSAN and BUNDANG. Those are also the better parts to live in, cleaner air, good pt work and institutes. I can't move now, we did find a bigger Officetel with a bedroom...you can come see/stay this time without being in the same room with all of us (oops!!!). Pollution is depressing, having the quit cycling early at the end of the summer with all my respiratory infections wasn't good. Ansan/Osan/Incheon, etc...are some of the dirtiest parts of Kyunggi-do, of course it's everywhere, but we have it the worst. Mi Sung has her parents here...I have the current jobs, but change will come next year. It's too bad we can't live near the mountains in Kangwon-do (Province) out East...it's virtually pollution-free compared to Seoul. Very nice to ski there!

Keep me posted, Happy End of 2008!

Brian & Family

Winter in Korea :: Time to Chill, Time to Relax, Time to Work

Cycling in South Korea :: Fall 2008

These photos were taken on an epic 350km 2.5 day trip in South Korea. Jared (New Zealand) at left, Dave (Canada) next poking his head over the table and me with the green cap. Jared was the lead of navigation having a Garmin GPS equipped to his Scott 20. Dave rode a Grasshopper recumbent super-bike. I rode a borrowed ICON from a Korean friend. We rode from Seongnam (Southeast Seoul) 350kms to Daegu in just 2 and 4 1/2 hours. The last 100+kms were completed in just over 4 hours!!! It was a wonderful trip with 2 of the 4, WEBSITE= http://www.brakingboundaries.org team members. We stopped in Suanbo Springs the first night after riding 134kms. The second day was a brisk 103kms into Andong, where we took in the Korean Mask Festival. That was mixed with a carnival, several stage performance shows including an inspiring amateur Tae Kwon Do ~high-kick and choreographed performance. We finished the tour in Daegu, actually the city wasn't spectacular at all, the roads between cities were where we found solstice and the friendly Korean papparazzi taking our photos. Overall, it was a fabulous trip, and we have another 1 day 138km mountain loop planned for November. It's nice having friends that not only ride, but also love bikes, they are always an inspiration in my life! Blessings to all cyclists, and anyone who can give up the engine to go the distance. BP

Cycling is starting a new life, each ride!

This is the Summer 2008 Escape Ride. It was a 350km ride in 4 days, west coast of South Korea. It ended with an extra 25kms of hitch-hiking in a Bongo/Korean pick-up which is really another mode of transport that earns points!!! Does riding a bike help me live life, damn right! Cycling is one of the best means of moving from one location to the next. Every mile/km builds strength and leaves you feeling fresh. If you don't ride, you should, it so wonderfully balanced. ^^++ Blessings & peace out to all my friends and family. ~~++ The highway is a language spoken by people moving in a new direction. Riding helps it happen, learn a new way to live everyday!

Letter to you [Corrin, Windsor]

^__^ All I have are friends [like you that do shine bright] and hope!!! Nothing material will ever replace you, me or the spirits we possess inside. It's our job to shine everyday, and that requires work, dedication, and the will to live. Keep shining on...and remember, you are not alone, we are all in this world [limited time] together, enjoy it while we can!

Hello to peeps on the other side of the ocean from me!

Blessings,

Brian & lil'family

Letter to Carlos in Windsor

Carlos, great to hear from you (I'll add the) "mate"...so I can sound more international. hehe. I've been watching the "Long Way Down" a motorcycle trip by Ewan Macgregor and his friend (not to mention entourage). It's something I've always wanted to do, but couldn't afford. I did bits and pieces of motorcycling, 5 trips from Windsor or to Windsor from Vancouver, adding Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and others in for variety. Sadly, it was 1994-1998 and the photos may be lost on print. I need to save enough coin to purchase a nice sized rental property in Ontario...a place for the family to live, rent-free. Next summer, I can either hustle as I always do for ESL money, or take a break and ride (pedals) across Canada, a friend of mine from Toronto did it (a few days ago) in 41 days, 4100 kms. Not bad! Don't worry about getting darker layer by layer, I envy you!!! I spent a small fortune at On The Darkside back in highschool trying!

Blessings & Yes! Let's both enjoy this summer.

Brian Perich
What I'm watching: http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ruzMhIP9M&feature=related

Robots, Mountains, Beaches, Goesong trip

We took two days to visit Everland Park in Yongin, and drive all the way to the East Sea of Korea (Sokcho). We spent an unforgettable night in a public bathhouse/sauna (Jim-Jil-Bang) and drove north on the asian highway #7 to Goesong, and to the meeting place just south of Geumgangsan Mountain in North Korea. The further northeast that we continued to drive, the cleaner the air quality became. Having polarized sunglasses on the overcast day was an eye-opener! The smog (brown tint as seen through these glasses) was noticeable inland, then disappeared on the northeastern coast. We saw a water spout cascading off the tip of a mountain, a tank from the Korean war era, and funky Robots made from recycled engine parts, in front of a roadside cafe built inside train cars. Driving there was equally exciting, since most of us don't own a car in Korea, it was nice to be able to move around small towns, and up the coast without buying a ticket or waiting in lines. We missed Min Jae, but the trip was definitely worth it. I'm home from our journey, of course I had to see a doctor to determine I still have a bad case of bronchitis! Well, the yellow dust is 'almost' gone, but I still have loads of it trapped deep inside my lungs. It's a dangerous mixture of fine dust and hundreds of heavy metals and pollutants which originated in China. Now they are inside my lungs, hopefully, I survive with only minimal side-effects, though the "Hwangsa" (Yellow Dust) is known to cause scarring to lung tissues and other potentially hazardous long-term side effects. It's best to wear a mask while cycling outdoors during the spring season in Korea, otherwise, you end up like me visiting the local doctor's office a third time in two months! Not good, but you know it could be worse!!! ^^++ We're having a great summer so far...it's almost CANADA DAY, JULY 1ST ~SO I WILL SEND OUT THE LOVE! Blessings friends & family from the far east. Be safe & Keep in touch!

It's June 15th, 2008 - MIN JAE IS 100 DAYS!!!

Celebrations & photos have been going for about 4 days now. Min Jae is 100 days old, which is a really important milestone in Korean culture. We've taken a bunch of photos of him wearing his $1000 gold rings and bracelet, their really soft and read on the back 9999 which is the equivalent to 24K. Unbelievable, I couldn't imagine receiving this back home, especially at such as young age. So, I've met Mi Sung's grandmother and grandfather on both her mother's and father's side of the family. I've also met her father's sister (Como=father's sister/aunt) and mother's sister (EMO=mother's sister/aunt). It's interesting how long it takes to break into Korean family culture. It took me 7 years to meet a few members of her extended family, while, Mi Sung met my entire family at a wedding in Pennsylvania and the rest of my relatives still in Windsor. Hard to imagine, but this is it. Life's been interesting with this new addition to our family. Matthew James (officially) but to everyone in Korea he is Min Jae. The summer is here! Summer vacation begins in two weeks!!! Blessings & Peace & Love go out to all our friends (Windsor, Toronto, Thunder Bay, Korea, USA, UAE, Hungary, UK, etc..& Have a Safe & Happy Summer 2008!!!

Mommy & Min Jae ^^++

I took some recent shots of Mi Sung and Min Jae/Matthew. They must have had fun! Matthew is a cutie pie! We can't wait for sunny weather, I think that day we had a bunch of bright sun coming through our windows. ^^ Now, it's rainy season! Monsoons are coming soon. We're really going to use our umbrellas then. Oh! I can't buy Rain-x in South Korea...it's an incredible product to clear your windshield in rainy/highway conditions, exceptionally clear, sometimes there is no need to use wipers!!! Try it, if you haven't already...I'm trying to have it shipped from Canada via my lovely sister Christie, hope so anyways! ~Blesings from the east. Brian.

Update from South Korea

I just haven't been blogging these days, I'm living in the fast-lanes of East Asia. In Korea people say, "Bali Bali!" This expression means, "Hurry Hurry!" Of course, this is how we live. There is no general description of South Korea that could accurately portray life here. It is an up at dawn, shower and shave and jump into the car to commute to work sort of environment. Well, that summation reflects about every developed country in the world, doesn't it. It's also industrialized and so is China to the West, Northwest, and Southwest. Therefore, we must consider the prevailing westerly winds that blow, and with that comes the Great Yellow Dust from Inner Mongolia (The Gobi Desert) mixed with the fine dust and particles of Chinese origin. This cloud of brown sand tints the entire sky and leaves a trail smooth surfaces (painted surfaces/cars) and it's distinguishable during the entire daylight hours. Could this be a serious environmental problem one should consider, I believe the answer lies in living through this season in South Korea. It's inevitable. It comes after every spring and resurrects it's pollutant-punch just after the Cherry Blossoms and Fresh Spring air come to the region. There is usually an intermittent rainfall, and then the dust settles in on warm, dry westerlies. It's a shame it doesn't rain everyday, hence, the air would be void of the silicants, toxins, and other biohazardous materials that can hitch in the dusty breeze. It isn't too bad this year, when compared with the spoofage that blew over the peninsula in the winter of 2001 when I first came to Korea. There were piles of brown dust along the streets, the sky glowed brown in the haze of the afternoon sun. If the apartment window was left slightly ajar, the dust would fill the window sill and eventually accumulate on the floors, tables and chairs. It was a visit to the Gobi Desert via 1000's of Kilometers of distance afar. It's the strong westerlies in the East that take the sand so far from it's point of origin. I will wear a mask and continue to enjoy the bike rides across Kyunggi Province, anything is feasible, you learn this by living in South Korea. Mi Sung and Min Jae and all her extended family are fine, we're all doing well and enjoying our freetimes together. Thank God for Life! ^^++ Blessings and thanks for visiting our blog from asia, not always up-to-date, but better than nothing at all...Peace, Warm Wishes ~^^~ Brian ^^++

Wonju/Chiaksan - Buddha's Birthday Weekend

First Speeding Ticket in S. Korea ~Nice Job!~

I was send a lovely gift in the mail, a speeding ticket for 18 km/h over the limit. Nice one!!! Total debt 40,000 Won ($40 USD). I've been getting around on four wheels lately, what a change from riding the subways and buses for 1.5 years. Today was "voting day" for provincial/municipal elections, a national holiday for universities too! Hooraah! I spend the holiday on a bike ride around town, getting a set of ball joints replaced at a BOSCH service center (great service, complete replacement, parts and labor was only $30 bucks!). I've learned that you can service an old beater inexpensively, because these service centers are competing with new car sales, in Korea, everyone wants to drive something NEW. I prefer the late 96' Kia Sephia to slam the pavement, weave the traffic, and shake down traffic tickets. I will never have to worry about getting a scratch or a dent either, this one's full of them. But I take pride in my first KIA, and wax her up (even the dented and scratched surfaces) perhaps so she can bask in her final glory. Teaching is a chore. Day off was a chore too. Changed diapers about 20 times today, they are in the wash now, should be coming close to "hang'em up" inside. Mi Sung and Matthew are wiped out, they're both sleeping. Today is officially spring, have you noticed all the Cherry blossoms in full-bloom? These days, I wonder if anyone still reads this blog...and who reads this blog?? Oh, I was accepted into both a MA program and B.Ed at WESTERN, in London, Ontario. Excited? Yes. Nothing else to report, Korea is still forever a home I never quite got used to, and still live there. Blessings to all friends & family ~Brian,Mi,Min ^^

Trip to a Korean University Mecca - MT Training

Many of my current freshmen EFL students attended a campout in the mountains bordering Kangwon and Gyunggi Provinces. We had excellent weather and the schools were out in full-force, most minbaks and yeogwons that host the MT (membership training) were booked solid for this weekend. It was another ice-breaker with students, and there was time for introductions of student administration and our professorial staff made short mentions and bowed out for much of the night. The festivities were exciting, students who normally have 0 energy in my classes, were running at maximum potential to get blitzed in the Korean drinking games. It was safe, secure, and the students were responsible while being unsupervised. They cooked fantastic food, including the pork, Sam-gap-sal...loads of it, and other dished were shared and prepared throughout the course of the evening. Finally, Prof. Lee and Prof. Robert and Alex and I stepped out, while students went on their prowling until reportedly 4am. Good for them, I was glad to get back to the motel for some sleep!!!

Baby Matthew is added to our asian family!

Born: March 5, 2008 at 3:15pm. Weight: 4.52kg (9.94 pounds)
Delivery Method: Natural.
Location: Ansan City, South Korea. Proud Parents: Mi Sung & Brian ^^++

Exploring Mount Bukansan :: Lunar New Years

Lunar New Years holiday (Asia) is coming to a close in South Korea. My good friend Nas and I met at Seoul National University of Education, and took the Orange subway north to Gupabal exit, just past Gyeongbokgung (Government & Historical palaces). After stepping off the train, we walked outside, Nas picked up a pair of ice-spikes. Ready, steady, go... We missed the 701 bus, but caught another heading to the base/parking area. Weather was good, wind mild gusts, temp. about -7 degrees Celsius. We took the main winding paved road through the park entrance, and eventually wrapped around and up the mountain. Glorious hike lasted 1,2,3,4...5 hours! We were taggered and ready to end after hour 4, but with the help of a Korean man named "Mr. Lee" we finally crossed the entire range. Through a borough and into the main streets we spilled, finally we found the entrance to the subway, it was time to glide! ^^++ Good times & Peace out to Mr. Lee, Nas-fantastic for making it another full day in asia!

MuJu Resort, Jeolla Buk Do, South Korea

Yesterday-officially kicked off the Korean(Asian)Lunar New Year holidays in South Korea. Again, most English teachers from abroad are going abroad for the week long celebration about not-teaching!!! It is definitely enough reason in itself to celebrate a national holiday. I joined Issac from work and his entourage of friends from other branches of our school to Muju Resort for a funtastic day of skiing and fresh air. Muju is located in the southwestern Jeollabuk province. The bus ride from Seoul lasted 3 hours and most of us were sleeping on the way to the resort. The cost of a lift ticket, W60,000 or $65CDN. The cost of the ski/board rentals W30,000/33,000 (about $35/38CDN) respectively. The ski conditions were unbelievable, it was clear and calm. We enjoyed a windless day of -9, and later -6.5 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. I skied most of the day with Duke from Brooklyn, NYC and his colleague from Louisiana. The slopes were empty as most Korean folks were preparing to leave for their holidays in hometowns across the peninsula. In fact, we lucked out completely. There were practically no lines at all the lifts, so we skied all day without a delay. The chalet served funny "hotdogs" with no buns for W2,500 or $3CDN without a bun! The Korean/Chinese dishes looked tasty for $9-10. I skipped the meal ticket and saved it for the W4,000 ($4.50) 500cc pints of draft beer. It was delicious and our theory proved correctly that we would ski much better after a few pints of Gold lager! Indeed, it was one fine day in Korea. Duke said he forgot he was still in Korea, "it was just me and the mountain" he had said. I appreciated having ski buddies to enjoy the fun with for about 6 hours. I was happy to complete the last run, but sad to leave the mountains, to me: "this is home in South Korea"

Mi Sung is battling Matthew's bulge: Delivery is in sight, a few more days at home. Wishing peace and warm wishes around to friends and family on this Lunar New Years!!

Less than two weeks! Baby will be born! ^^++

Finally, I'm back in the blog. I never left South Korea since arriving in late November 2006. I'm still permanently, never settled, but I'm keeping fairly busy with teaching. Days turn into weeks and then I can escape on two-wheels when Saturday hits. The weather's been dry in Seoul, cold and dry. What a winter! We rarely see any snow at all...we've had two, maybe three sets of flurries and that's about it. The roads are clear except for traffic. The air is clear, except for smog. The days turn into weeks, because time moves faster in asia, I'm growing old here! Hope to see friends and family "before" my grey goes all over the top. Matthew James (my junior) is expecting to visit a maternity suite anytime according to the OB/GYN and I shouldn't stray too far on my bike. Mi's doing really, really "swell" and we've enjoyed the weekends, shopping locally and stock-piling for a week at a time. I hiked with my friend Dirk Hanson (Belgium) over sections of Bukansan in northern Seoul outskirts last Saturday, it was a winter/ice spikin' good time. A few days later, I wondered why my hip was so sore this past week, ohh! Nice dark bruise the size of a fist from slamming into the rock face, while dangling on a rope climbing up ice/rock with strapped ice spikes applied to my air-runners (almost-Nike). The conditions were great for hiking and the air quality topped what I've been feeding off this entire winter. Some photos showed a two toned skyline, blue on top and brown on the bottom. It's distinct in the city, I can generally taste "diesel" since it's the preferred choice of fuel in Korea. Yikes! Horrible! If your in Korea, and decide to hike, I suggest taking the orange line north to Gupabal and then transfer to a bus heading north (702..etc) and find the parking for Mount Bukansan. At that point, you can buy ice-cleats in two-sizes, either full-flank or a quad-spike that straps around the arch of your shoes ($15 or $5 respectively), pick up a bottle of Pocari Sweat (Korean Gatorade) and hit the trails. There are numerous routes up the mountain, but the western approach is the long winding trail through the valley before the steep ascents to the top. Dirk was the navigator and decided to climb the mid-section of the mountain. The trail was a steep ridge trail through pine forests to the top. This trail was vacant and the fresh powder was beautiful. I love pine forests in Korea. And many of the pines were the hunched over sorts you see all over northeast asia (Korea and Japan), lovely to see in winter. We had several picnics along the way and eventually started 60-70 degree slopes. This hike is intense because of the duration and the constant climbing, and then the ridge running down a hundred meters and back up again. It's an obstacle course most people will adjust to love after a few hours up there. ^^++ Teaching is going good, many new students, 120 minute lectures (forget the bathroom breaks) and by Friday, it's over!