First month

Besides working my schedule, I've been branching out a bit and trying to explore more of my new home city. Busan is weird and I think I'll be enjoying the weirdness for quite some time.

Last weekend, Michelle and I hiked around Busan's tallest mountain: Geumjeong. It had a gondola thing that took us to the top where we wandered around trying to find a big ass fortress that was at the top. It couldn't have been that big a fortress since we couldn't find the damn thing. It was fun to wander around at the top though. There were small monuments and statues everywhere and a bunch of strange restaurant/tents that served noodles at the top.

At the bottom we found a Buddhist temple that we explored a bit and a really strange 'fitness park' of which there are tons in Busan (There is one on the mountain behind my flat, I'll write more about it when I get pictures, you have to really see it to comprehend the weirdness).

And this weekend we went with some coworkers of mine on a boat cruise around Busan harbor. Besides being cold and foggy it was an amazing day. The beach we left from was really cool and will be great in the Summer (though we hear it's insanely crowded). We watched a man make a huge sand sculpture of Buddha on the beach which was pretty impressive and then headed up the pier to the tour boat. It was only an hour cruise and would have been nicer if it was clear but it was still fun. For half of the ride we were followed by a large flock of seagulls which would dive down and catch food that people tossed into the air. This one nearly took my finger.

After the cruise we went for to a delicious Thai restaurant which I'm sure I'll never be able to locate again. Then we went to the university area and met up with a dozen other foreigners and went out drinking. It was nice to meet new people and there were even some Americans in the group. So far it's been all Aussies, Canadians and Kiwi's. Everyone was really cool and it's always great to hear stories from people who have been here for awhile. We stayed out till 3 or so drinking and playing cards. Twister was also brought out (the bar had a bunch of strange games) but that dissolved into a Judo lesson that ended in someone seriously hurting their shoulder.

All in all, I've really enjoyed my first month here and I predict that I'll enjoy the next 11. I know that the bet based on my previous abroad ventures is that I'll only last 6 months but I think Korea is a good fit. It's common to talk to teachers who have been here 3, 4, 5 years. Some lifers too that have been here for over a decade. In Prague we were impressed to meet people who had lived there for more than a year. I need to get on my language and find a few more extra curriculars but so far it's been great.