Sweating up Jangsan

One weekend not too long ago, we took the bold step of hiking Jangsan mountain. I say bold because in June, the humidity is so high, it makes everyone look like the guy from Airplane!

Still can't believe Leslie Nelson is dead :(

It's also bold because of all the dangers that are present when hiking. Luckily there were some helpful posters that probably saved our lives.

Watch out for axe murderers. Beware of your wives cooking.  Danger, the trees fight back. Warning, drunk singing can cause deafness.

We went with our Canadian friend Tom and a Korean student called Jay. It was a fun, sweaty few hours trying to find the peak but instead coming across restaurants, military bases and minefields.

Towards the top, we started to struggle and began feeling as though our legs were on fire, much like London circa 1666...or 2011. But the leg pain was worth it, as when we reached the top we were greeted with the most spectacular views. Photos cannot do it justice, but here are some anyway.

Over and out.

Restaurant Musings

Yes we are both still alive despite America’s best attempts at bankrupting the World... We have been so busy gallivanting around Korea as well as entertaining Katie’s family, who are now in Japan, that we have not had time to write a blog detailing all our adventures. However I have managed to find time to write down my musings whilst having lunch on my own so here goes.

Well I am writing this sitting in a restaurant using an old fashioned pen, writing on some old fashioned paper so screw you trees. About 20 minutes ago, I was hungrier than a hippo so I went into a restaurant and was handed a nice picture menu – always handy when you are dizzy from hunger. Even with pictures, you can never be too sure so I got out the old mobile and started translating away. The first thing that looked tasty translated as, “starving, exhausted from malnutrition.” I stared at the screen in disbelief as it is quite rare for a menu item to mock me in my times of need. My glucose deprived mind floats back to a time when Katie translated a dish as “chicken shit house”. We thought “chicken shit house” must mean chicken arse so we opted out. Call us old fashioned but if arses were supposed to be eaten, they wouldn’t taste like shit.

Anyway I ended up playing food bingo and risked it on a picture without translating for fear of further bullying from the menu. Thirty seconds after I started eating, the manager came over and offered me a free side order because she liked the cut of my jib. I mean you should get some deep fried king prawns when you spend £5 on what turns out to be delicious chicken, onions and rice - I'd be angry if I didn't!

I wish I'd thought to take a photo before I finished my meal

There are some activities you should do on your own, such as showering, going to the toilet, murder, but eating on your own is about as unusual as a pube-free urinal. However, similar to going to the toilet on your own, eating on your own has a major benefit – people watching. Seeing the culinary delights and frights that people order in Korea is always fascinating. Something quite odd, which is considered perfectly normal here, is a customer handing over their mobile phone and universal charger “adapter thingy” to have their phone charged while they eat. I don’t know why they bother; you are given 2 batteries when you buy a phone here. Reminds me of an article I just read on people getting treated for internet addiction in Korea. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14361420) I mean, it’s a little crazy but I can’t talk because it’s like the pot calling the kettle a kitchen utensil. Also according to a study, Korea could have 48 million smart phone users by 2015 and its current population is only 50 million. That can’t be true, can it?

Anyway back to the restaurant and if eating on my own wasn’t social suicide already, I tightened the noose further and ordered a nice cold beer. I was in no rush and enjoyed a chilled air conditioned lunch before venturing outside into the steam room that is Korea in August.

Katie’s family are back in Busan next week and then we go to China for 15 nights pretty soon so there may not be time for another blog this month.

Oh and thanks a lot to the Moss family for providing me with enough sweets to rot all my teeth :Ð

Buddha Celebrates His 2574 Birthday in Style

Over two thousand years ago, Buddha was born and from him came a religion that didn't believe in God and as well as thousands of statues of fat naked men - what a hero! With this in mind, Katie and I would celebrate his birthday (and a day off work :D) in style by visiting one of the many rammed temples across Asia.

We went to Samgwangsa, which is near Seomyeon and involved a bus ride during which we had to stand. Bus drivers in Korea aren’t aware of a constant velocity. They feel the need to accelerate quickly towards stationary cars at red lights before slamming on the brakes and narrowly escaping a collision. This means all regular bus users, together with squat john users, have incredibly strong thigh muscles. Busercise is the new hot yoga!

After the busercise, we arrived at Samgwangsa (courtesy of http://daleskoreantempleadventures.blogspot.com/ - a super website for Korean temple visits) and were immediately greeted by tat sellers. “Tat for sale, get your tat” they chanted in Korean and many obliged by purchasing things to clutter their desks at work.

The temples hang colourful lanterns pretty much everywhere during Buddha’s birthday celebrations and families may pay to do something to the lanterns relating to something to do with Buddhism (I remember when this blog was informative). So this means there are some incredible views so I’m gonna let the pictures do the talking:

Blinking Elephants

Birthday Boy

Birthday Boys

Many Many Birthday Boys

Pagoda

My Personal Sculpture

Lanterns

This temple was a real site to behold and was beautifully decorated. We especially liked these figures of the 12 zodiac animals (I didn’t photograph them all).

Later this guy was fighting Peter Griffin 

They've Taken Over

A few days later we decided to see another temple called Haedong Yonggungsa, which is located in Heundae on a cliff face. After the customary charge past the tat sellers, we made it to the temple and were greeted by this:

Traditional Lampposts Greeting Us

The Hand Chair (Arrested Development Fans)

Another Pagoda!

Entrance to the Temple

Which one is Katie?

Happy Birthday Again Buddhas

Katie and I loved this temple because of the unique positioning on the cliff face. It meant we could take photos like this:

What is My Leg Doing Here!?

As you can see, there were still some lanterns up, which spoiled some photos, but I’m excited about revisiting with Katie’s family when they come to stay in 2 weeks (:D) and I’ll have my new camera - yay! Hope you enjoyed this more photoful, touristy and traditional blog post. Be back soon.

Freebies Part II – The Sequel

This entry is mainly picture filled where I salute some the items that are sello-taped to products at the supermarket in an attempt to entice you.

First off we have the ice pack with noodles.

Summer is a coming and soon ice noodles will be everywhere. Ice noodles are, that’s right, you’ve guessed it, noodles in an icy broth. So this freebie makes some sense.

Try finding sense in this one:

Washing detergent and noodles!? Should you wash your noodles with this before you eat them? Or maybe you are supposed to add noodles to the wash to get that crunchy feel that we all crave for in our fresh clothes.

While we’re on noodles:

Here is some beer and noodles. As a drunken snack, noodles do go pretty well so I sort of see the logic behind this one.

The next photo reveals that there is some stout in Korea, not just chilled urine.

Oh yeah, stout and nuts – what a combo. Maybe these freebies aren’t so stupid.

Sorry what!? Are you suggesting I add some grape juice to my pasta sauce? How are these two items related?

Now there is some innovation for you. Give free disposable dip holders away with your Pepsi. That way you are forced to purchase crisps or nuts. Or you could buy more beer with nuts taped to it.

Hmmmm Guinness