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!

Weekend Ride to Ansan, Love my friends @ Dongsan Presbyterian Church!

E-n-g-l-i-s-h a-s a S-e-c-o-n-d L-a-n-g-u-a-g-e ESL

I've found myself teaching ESL for a second consecutive year in Korea. Teaching in Korea is like a "body-building competition", you have 12 months with these English learners which demands all your patience and dedication, but it's worth all of it. The Korean children are everything, they are a challenge and a gift to have in the classroom. There isn't a day that passes where I am not "surprised" by something they say or do. It's particularly exciting to see them reading fluently, answering questions on a dime, and being able to communicate ideas using English. In the beginning, my former students were not efficient in English, though they have studied for several years. I've found success in the results from my lessons and teaching methodologies so far. It's a process of learning how they learn, then assisting them to learn quickly. My new job is great. These students have learned English for years (from 3-4 years) or they have lived abroad for English immersion. It's amazing to discuss lessons from our "Teen Talk" conversation book, they can talk for 1.5 hours! My lessons are complex, layered, and sequenced to consume 90-minute blocks. It's challenging, but rewarding at the same time. If your interested in teaching ESL, send a message, they are always hiring in Korea! ^^++ Warm wishes & Seasons Greetings!

English is a Big Business in South Korea!

I completed a mega-teaching experience over the past 12 months, crossed the finish line, and saved $ for the baby expenses coming soon! We moved immediately following the contract completion. I'm in a Chicago-ish city 1 hour from downtown Seoul. I haven't ventured out yet on my own. I've only taken a cab to work on Thursday (first day at the new job) and rode the bike yesterday. It's only blocks away (1 metro stop) from our Officetel, which is a giant and modern living complex that has studio units with heated wood-floors, and is cozy. With a baby, this one-room bungalow will be really small. Mi Sung is almost 7 months pregnant, we know it's a boy! His name will be Matthew James. Of course, Mi picked his given name, I chose his middle name (middle name chosen to remember my #1 friend from the UK/USA...James P.), and the name combinations are quite unique. We're excited, but we just snug and spend quiet time together now awaiting his birth. Mi quit her teaching job last Wednesday with me, she worked there for 16 months, and I worked there 12 months. Glad to move on...and I never worked so much in my life as I did in the past year. I've started another teaching job at an Empire English Academy, they have 1000+ after-school students at one location, with 5/6 other schools around Seoul! I estimate this academy grosses $350~400,000USD per month at this single location. English education is big business in South Korea. Anyways, Christmas is just 24 days away. I wanted to get this note off early. Hope to hear from all my friends and family. Blessings and hope all is well for everyone back home. Have yourself a warm and cheerful holiday season! ^^++ Brian in Korea.

Cheonan weekend ride, Gyunggi Province, Korea