Posted by: Elmi Du Toit in Korea, 2008 on
May 08, 2008
We met our tour at the Lotte Hotel at 9h50 this morning ( Thursday). Today was also Parents' Day in South Korea, an opportunity for children to express their love, respect and gratitude towards their parents by giving them carnations...?! For us however, the day was focussed on getting a first hand experience of the turmoil that still exists because of the North-South divide.
The DMZ or demilitarised zone is only 1,5 hours drive north of Seoul. It's amazing to think that while Seoul is pulsating with life and potential, two sides are staring at each other in distrust across an impenetrable barrier. We visited a few monuments on our way to the furthest point north, one which listed the 18 reporters that gave their lives during the Korean war in order to give the truth to the world. Two of the reporters were British and worked for The Guardian and The Times. We also stopped off the visit Imjingak or 'Place of Nostalgia'. This, as I'm sure you can tell from the name, is as far as any South Korean can get to the North border. They can stand on a platform that gives a view across the Imjingang river and remember family and friends lost many years ago to barbed wire fences and heavily patrolled borders.
Posted by: Elmi Du Toit in Korea, 2008 on
May 06, 2008
Paula and I have just arrived at our homestay for the next 4 nights. Our host is a professional pianist in Seoul and her husband is a chemical engineer. I am writing my blog wtih a pussy cat on my lap. She didn't take long to work out that my lap is a very comfortable place to settle down for a nap. There are three other cats wandering around the apartment, one with technicolour paws. The Koreans do like to colour their white cats and dogs with the colours of the rainbow. We have seen many a Poodle with bright pink tails and ears. There is also a puppy Pomeranian desperately looking for attention.
Amanda, Callum and I had a cultural day with Sun Hee and her 'cousin' Mr Lee. We visited a Secret Garden at the Changdeokgung Palace and it was beautiful. The rich red colours of the Acer trees mixed with the crisp green colours of new leaves on the trees brightened up the slightly overcast sky. We also visited the 'Blue House', which is Korea's version of the White House. Well, although Sun Hee tried her charming best to get us in for tea with the President (i'm not joking by the way), we only managed to observe from outside the gates. There is a heavy Police presence all around the area of the Blue House and the Police men are dressed in lycra joggers and tops with roller blades! There was also a Police man in complete cycling outfit, patrolling on his racer. Very bizarre. We visited the entrance to the National Park and saw hundreds of Koreans decending the mountain, yet again dressed from hat to walking boots in the best gear. Amanda is still recovering and we thought it best not to make her walk all the way to the top, so Mr Nam made a u-turn and we left for the nearest noodle bar. Although both Callum and Amanda were force-fed at lunch, Sun Hee insisted that we consume more food at around 15h30. Amanda was horrified, Callum got annoyed at Mr Lee for telling him how to consume his noodles and I just ate and shut up- I find arguing with the Koreans over food gets you nowhere and just knots your stomach so you struggle even more to empty your plate. I did however like cold noodles and hot chicken stock for our afternoon snack.
Posted by: Elmi Du Toit in Korea, 2008 on
May 03, 2008
Good morning
I find it very interesting to compare life in South Korea to life in other parts of the world and of course in England. I include a few observations and hope you find them interesting too:
Posted by: Elmi Du Toit in Korea, 2008 on
Apr 30, 2008
Another late night - 23h45, but as tonight is my last night at my current host's apartment, I want to make the most of my access to the Internet and update you on the happenings this end.
I visited the Kyang Hee university today and was shown around the Sport Science department by the assistent Professor Kim. One good thing about Korean surnames is that if you forget a name, you can opt for one of three and your chances of getting it right is pretty good - either Kim, Lee or Park.
Posted by: Elmi Du Toit in Korea, 2008 on
Apr 29, 2008
23h20, Tuesday 29 April (I think?)
It's quite late already, so please pardon any spelling errors or grammatical blunders. I do find myself losing my eloquent tongue and speaking in mono-syllables just to be understood - by the Koreans that is. Well, maybe not just by the Koreans...
Posted by: Elmi Du Toit in Vocational, Korea, Hosts, 2008 on
Apr 28, 2008
Hi
I have an hour or so of free time as my hosts have gone out to collect their daughter from her extra English classes, which allows me the luxury of Internet access. I am staying with my host family in Gangham on the 6th floor of an apartment block with a lovely view over the city (as most apartments around here) and the green colours of Spring leaves on the trees in the park. Mr Kim is his fiancee is actually getting married on the 13th May and Mr Kim's daughter is 11 years old. She left for school this morning at 7h30 and it is now 19h30 and she is still taking lessons. The Korean people encourage their children to dedicate themselves to studying from a very young age. Ji Won (or "Emily" as she introduced herself to me) loves to play football at school and enjoys maths and English. Her favourite pass time is playing computer games! No surprise there, as I'm sure most 11 year olds in England will say the same.
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