Foreground - a slum on the outskirts of Gangnam-gu, one of the most affluent districts in Seoul
Background - the towers in the distance represent some of the most expensive real estate in Seoul
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Slums of Seoul
You wouldn't think it. But despite the meteoric rise of the Korean economy in the last 50 years, there are those who have been left behind. Today, Jaepil took me to visit one of the poorest neighborhoods in Seoul, which is ironically only a 5 minute drive from one of the richest neighborhoods in Seoul.
Foreground - a slum on the outskirts of Gangnam-gu, one of the most affluent districts in Seoul
Background - the towers in the distance represent some of the most expensive real estate in Seoul
Foreground - a slum on the outskirts of Gangnam-gu, one of the most affluent districts in Seoul
Background - the towers in the distance represent some of the most expensive real estate in Seoul
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Shop Til You Drop!
This is the anthem of many during the holiday shopping season, though less likely this year with the weakened economy. But Koreans take this to a whole new level.
I went shopping for a light coat this week. It took me a few days to explore the multiple mall towers of Dongdaenum and a variety of department stores, including Shinsegae, Lotte, Hyundai and Galleria, where I finally made the purchase. I swear, these malls are designed like Las Vegas casinos. There are no clocks, no maps, no store directory, and their labyrinthine design make them nearly impossible to escape without a compass and an uncanny sense of direction.
I took some pictures inside the mall, but the pit boss took my camera and erased the pictures. Oh, sorry, that was Vegas.
I took this picture of the store hours at one of the mall towers in Dongdaemun. That's no joke. Those aren't the Christmas shopping hours. Migliore is open later than the 7-Eleven in my Berkeley neighborhood (Telegraph & Parker).
I went shopping for a light coat this week. It took me a few days to explore the multiple mall towers of Dongdaenum and a variety of department stores, including Shinsegae, Lotte, Hyundai and Galleria, where I finally made the purchase. I swear, these malls are designed like Las Vegas casinos. There are no clocks, no maps, no store directory, and their labyrinthine design make them nearly impossible to escape without a compass and an uncanny sense of direction.
I took some pictures inside the mall, but the pit boss took my camera and erased the pictures. Oh, sorry, that was Vegas.
I took this picture of the store hours at one of the mall towers in Dongdaemun. That's no joke. Those aren't the Christmas shopping hours. Migliore is open later than the 7-Eleven in my Berkeley neighborhood (Telegraph & Parker).
Thursday, November 6, 2008
DMZ
Today, Alex, a friend from SF, and I took a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a 2 kilometer-wide zone that runs east-west across the Korean peninsula separating North from South. Technically, it's not an actual border because the two Koreas never signed a peace treaty officially marking the end of the Korean War and creating two separate countries.
The tour included a stop at the Third Infiltration Tunnel, a mile-long tunnel that extends southward from North Korea under the DMZ into South Korea. It is assumed that this tunnel, along with three others that have been found (there are probably more), was built to facilitate a North Korean sneak attack.
But the highlight of the tour was the visit to the Joint Security Area (JSA). In this area, there are a series of blue buildings which have hosted face-to-face meetings between delegates from North and South Korea. During this part of the tour, we were allowed to enter North Korean territory under US and Republic of Korea (ROK) Army escort.
Before Alex and I went on the tour, we stopped by the War Memorial of Korea near Camp Kim. This was one of the statues outside the museum.
The main building
This is NOT the Third Infiltration Tunnel (we're not allowed to take pictures inside it). Rather, this is the tunnel that leads to the Third Infiltration Tunnel.
We were briefed at Camp Bonifas on the history and status of the JSA by the US Army serving on behalf of the United Nations Command.
Inside one of the blue buildings. On the left of the table is South Korea. On the right is North Korea.
In North Korea. Do I look a little nervous?
Looking at a faux North Korean city (like a Hollywood set)
War is hell
The tour included a stop at the Third Infiltration Tunnel, a mile-long tunnel that extends southward from North Korea under the DMZ into South Korea. It is assumed that this tunnel, along with three others that have been found (there are probably more), was built to facilitate a North Korean sneak attack.
But the highlight of the tour was the visit to the Joint Security Area (JSA). In this area, there are a series of blue buildings which have hosted face-to-face meetings between delegates from North and South Korea. During this part of the tour, we were allowed to enter North Korean territory under US and Republic of Korea (ROK) Army escort.
Before Alex and I went on the tour, we stopped by the War Memorial of Korea near Camp Kim. This was one of the statues outside the museum.
The main building
This is NOT the Third Infiltration Tunnel (we're not allowed to take pictures inside it). Rather, this is the tunnel that leads to the Third Infiltration Tunnel.
We were briefed at Camp Bonifas on the history and status of the JSA by the US Army serving on behalf of the United Nations Command.
Inside one of the blue buildings. On the left of the table is South Korea. On the right is North Korea.
In North Korea. Do I look a little nervous?
Looking at a faux North Korean city (like a Hollywood set)
War is hell
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Opening Night
Tonight was opening night for the SK Knights, the professional basketball team owned by the SK conglomerate. Melissa hooked us up again with free tickets. I like to call her Red from The Shawshank Redemption, because like Red, she's someone who knows how to get things! Unfortunately, the SK Knights aren't nearly as good as the SK Wyverns. The highlight of the game was the dancing Krispy Kreme donut and the appearance of Park Taehwan, the gold-medal winning Korean swimmer, during the halftime show.
Pre-game show
Player introductions
Park Taehwan: national hero. Apparently, he used to live in the building next to Eunice's parents.
Where can I get those pants??
Pre-game show
Player introductions
Park Taehwan: national hero. Apparently, he used to live in the building next to Eunice's parents.
Where can I get those pants??
Friday, October 31, 2008
The Korean World Series
Okay, so it's not really called the "World Series" here in Korean. They are not so presumptuous, although Korea did win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The SK Wyverns (wyvern?? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyvern) are playing the Doosan Bears in the Finals of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). If you're not familiar with Korean professional baseball, each of the eight teams is owned by a chaebol, a Korean conglomerate, e.g. Samsung Lions, LG Twins, Hyundai Unicorns, etc. Whenever there's a big game, the chaebol dismiss employees from work early, so that they can attend the game. It's like school spirit meets corporate competition, and it comes out most visibly in the group cheering. There's a home side and a visiting side in the stadium. Employees and fans are armed with thunder sticks and homer-hankies and support their team with a half-dozen team songs and chants, all belted out in unison.
My friend Melissa works for SK Telecom, and she was able to score some free tickets to Game 4 for me and a few friends. Score! I was pretty excited. After all, this is the Korean "World Series". And I got to sit in the employee section, which means I got to join the group cheering. Needless to say, I had a blast. Wish you were here!
P.S. The Wyverns won to build a 3-1 lead over the Bears, and the Wyverns closed out the series with a Game 5 win the following night.
We got there early to make sure we got good seats (there's no assigned seating in the employee section).
Jamie (left) and Melissa (right) armed with thunder sticks and wearing their homer hankies!
A practice session! Yes, we did rehearse before the game!
Game time!
The Doosan Bears side
What fire hazard??
The SK Wyverns (wyvern?? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyvern) are playing the Doosan Bears in the Finals of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). If you're not familiar with Korean professional baseball, each of the eight teams is owned by a chaebol, a Korean conglomerate, e.g. Samsung Lions, LG Twins, Hyundai Unicorns, etc. Whenever there's a big game, the chaebol dismiss employees from work early, so that they can attend the game. It's like school spirit meets corporate competition, and it comes out most visibly in the group cheering. There's a home side and a visiting side in the stadium. Employees and fans are armed with thunder sticks and homer-hankies and support their team with a half-dozen team songs and chants, all belted out in unison.
My friend Melissa works for SK Telecom, and she was able to score some free tickets to Game 4 for me and a few friends. Score! I was pretty excited. After all, this is the Korean "World Series". And I got to sit in the employee section, which means I got to join the group cheering. Needless to say, I had a blast. Wish you were here!
P.S. The Wyverns won to build a 3-1 lead over the Bears, and the Wyverns closed out the series with a Game 5 win the following night.
We got there early to make sure we got good seats (there's no assigned seating in the employee section).
Jamie (left) and Melissa (right) armed with thunder sticks and wearing their homer hankies!
A practice session! Yes, we did rehearse before the game!
Game time!
The Doosan Bears side
What fire hazard??
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Farmers' Market ... Korean style
On my way to work today, I was surprised to stumble on this. It's an outdoor market that sets up shop on this local street near my apartment. Every Wednesday, rain or shine. Or snow?? We'll see.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
I thought I was on sabbatical!
Today I attended 5 worship services, a personal record. I was officially introduced as the new English Ministry Pastor at 3 Korean-speaking services (7am, 10am, 11:30am). I led my own service at 11:30am. And then I was the guest speaker at a friend's church at 1:30pm.
What sabbatical??
What sabbatical??
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