Korea 1999 - 2000
If one is willing to walk there is a Buddhist temple not all that far from the apartment. Travis and I would walk up to it twice a year (in the Spring and Fall). It took about 40 minutes or so, depending upon whether we pushed it, or not. Generally we took our time and enjoyed passing by the various farms and orchards along the way. The scenery was relaxing and the road was safe enough to walk on without having to worry about being hit.
The Good and the Bad
One can see these small white egrets in the streams and rice paddies. Korea does not have an overabundance of wildlife so these creatures are all the more appreciated. Signs for "Dog Meat" are also to be seen. After several years you learn to just not pay too much attention to them.
There is a really good restaraunt in the hood that we try to get to at least once a semester. In English its name is "Bean Love" and yes, the main ingredient of the meals is soy beans. The interior of the building is decorated with bits and pieces of Korea's history and this place is one of our overall favorites here.
This restaraunt, now closed, was also a favorite. It served "Korean food", a meal that satisfied both the carnivore and the herbivore. As you can see by the table there were MANY side dishes. At times sitting on the floor is good as after you have over-eaten it isn't that far to go to just stretch out for a bit. What with the floors being heated taking a short nap is almost a possibility as well.
This was the first family picture that I took of Sigrid and her family. Robin was, and is, a little sweetheart.
For a month I taught at a special program for Engineers in a small city near Cheongju. On one of the weekends the University organized a trip to several nearby places. One of these places was Independence Hall, a good place to see some of Korea's varied history and artifacts. The other place was Admiral Lee's "home". Admiral Lee was famous for his repulsion of the Japanese and the "Turtle" ship, the first iron ship in Asia.
Some of My students
1999 - 2000
