Fall Comes To Busan

The Autumn season has dropped on us here like a ton of bricks. Literally overnight, the temperature has fallen drastically, prompting a quick change into coats and gloves and knit caps. It wouldn't feel so cold if not for the damn wind, which blasts through Seomyeon like some anti-demon and cuts right through whatever pitiful protection you may possess (that's called alliteration, kiddies!). But this all comes without complaint (ok, maybe just the usual), because the surrounding area has become gorgeously picturesque! Luckily, in the past weeks, I've been able to get out on a few trips to see the countryside. Sadly, we're losing a couple more teachers as the term comes to an end this week (Jef is moving to another branch, but Janelle is going home for good. Or so she says/thinks...), but we've been trying to take in the sights a little more. So here are a few words, though I think I'll let the pictures speak more for themselves (mainly because then I can be lazy!)

First up were the green tea fields in Boseong. We took a jaunty jaunt out there on Sunday morning, waking up bright and early at 5:30 to catch the bus, which ended up taking about 3 1/2 hours(?). We mostly slept the way out; I bought an eye mask shortly before because it gets so damn bright in my apartment, which came in handy. It's a silly lil number that has a red raccoon on it and says "Do you like me?" Pretty standard fare here in Korea. Anyways, we get out there and take the bus out to the fields, which were beautiful! Rows and rows of these green bushes with a background of just-turning trees on the hillside! When we saw our first red and yellow trees, I think there was audible squealing.
(Photos courtesy of Janelle Berghoff, since Erick was an idiot and forgot his camera)







As a side note, there's a trend in Korea where couples will wear matching clothes in some bizarre mating ritual that, I assume, displays heightened affection and marks the territory of those involved. A normal foreigner game is to treat it like Slug Bug, where when you see people dressed like that, you called out "Couple Shirt!" and punch the nearest person. Well, Dan and I decided to up the ante a bit. When you see couples with one matching piece of clothing, you get a punch; with two, a knee/kick; with three or more (the Holy Grail of couple shirts), you get to slap someone in the face! Everyone else gleefully joined in, no doubt hoping to spot the first 3-fer, but no one could find one when others were around. UNTIL THIS WEEKEND! Not 10 minutes after I explain the new rules, Noemi, a teacher at another branch, spots a couple with FOUR matching pieces. She calls it and, without warning, slaps me clear across the face. She did pull back a bit, but I had met her maybe 3 times before, so I was just shocked. And my respect for her grew instantly. Guys are weird.

Anyways, the trip back took about 5 1/2 hours because of some ridonkulous traffic, and we all got off the bus vowing never to take a trip on a Sunday night again.

The next Sunday, I jumped on a bus with most of my branch and our April (little little kiddies) branch for another trip out of the city. I can't remember the exact place we went to (I'll look into it and get back to you, maybe), but it was a really pretty and quaint coastal area. We rode up there (2 1/2 hours) and took some time walking around a bit before heading over to a little restaurant on the water where we had some mussels and seafood noodles. Then we jumped on bikes and rode down the coast for a bit, playing around and skipping rocks and other grabassery. Anthony, our new HI, got shown up by some random little kid who wouldn't even acknowledge him as he skipped his stones about 20 times. I call for a blood test.







After we go up to a hill to watch a beautiful sunset over the water and the surrounding islands, we jump on the bus for what would be the most torturous bus experience of my life! Seriously, it took us 7 1/2 hours to get back, 5 hours longer than it took us to get to the damn place! I tried to sleep, but the ease and comfort of Korean stop-and-go prevented that, so we entertained ourselves as best we could. At one point, we jumped out of the bus and walked along the road to get some air and stretch. We figured, "Hey, when the bus catches up, we'll just jump back on!" But the bus never caught up. We walked for about 20 minutes before we stopped and waited the same amount of time for the bus to catch up. We also stopped for dinner to let the traffic give up a bit, then started the drinking. After that experience, one of the April teachers Adrienne and I beelined for the bar and had a few stiff drinks.

Finally, last Friday a few of us went out to Beomosa, which is the big temple just in Busan. I'd been up there before with Dan and Mac (see issue #235. And give God a high five if you get that reference!), but this time around, the Fall change was in full effect. I won't write much here, but enjoy the pics! Peace out!