Hallasan: Dormant yet Dominant

  Hallasan is South Korea’s tallest mountain, its summit sitting just below the 2000m mark. It protrudes from the centre of Jeju-do, dominating this quiet fishing island that lies to the south of the peninsula. Jeju-do, Korea’s largest island, was created by volcanic eruptions & Hallasan itself is a dormant volcano. But do not be fooled by this sleeping beast! It can still hurt you! It’s destruction may not be as catastrophic as a million years ago but... Read More

Korean Tastes: 5 Day Markets

You will find 5 Day Markets in every big city and small rural town across South Korea. They’re exactly what they sound like too, big buzzing markets that come every 5 days. They have 3 or 4 different locations and rotate through their chosen sites. They’re full of fresh vegetables, a huge assortment of fruit, seafood, pots  & pans, shirts, shoes… anything and everything.     Korean Grandmother's are hard as nails working 12 hour days! We’re... Read More

Giants & Tigers: Recipe for Mayhem

Sporting events here are like everything else, random and strange, and so much fun. I love going to any event in Korea whether it be a mask dance festival or a baseball game because no matter what I guarantee something will happen that seems so weird to me and makes all the foreigners laugh, but to all of the Koreans it’s [of course] just a normal occurence.  #1 Fan  I’m going to make a daring statement and say baseball games here are better than games in the states.... Read More

Goodbye 삼호 Middle School

Goodbye 삼호 Middle School I’ve spent roughly 9 months sitting behind this desk looking at this ancient computer screen at Samho Middle School. Looking back on it all, when I started last September I never imagined I’d miss teaching Korea’s bratty youth as much I’m going to. It’s the first job I’d dare label as “real”. I have a desk. I have a classroom. I work 40 hours and kids call me teacher (more like TeEach-uhaaaa). I mean…... Read More

Koreans & English: Golden Answers

The last few weeks I have had the ‘pleasure’ of grading my students in a speaking test. Every single student in grade 1 & 2 of my school had to sit down with me for about 3 minutes & answer 2 questions about topics we’ve covered in class. The answers I’ve heard have been varied to say the least!! Some of them are nothing short of golden… & by golden, I mean ridiculous! Question: What do you think about Barack Obama? “I think... Read More

Haenyeo: The Spirit of Jeju

Main entry: Haenyeo. Pronunciation: Hain-yo. Definition: Sea Woman. Synonyms: fearless, female diver, mermaid, spirit of Jeju. All in a Day's Work Haenyeo are extraordinary woman, unlike anyone else. Everyday they plunge into the dark depths of the sea searching for anything that can be eaten or sold to support their families. These woman use no special equipment– just goggles, fins, and the air in their lungs. They can hold their breath for 2-3 minutes diving... Read More

Korean Kouples

At home it’s a sin to even think about leaving your house dressed the same as your girlfriend or boyfriend. You’d be a fashion screw up & way to ‘cute-sey’ on the couple front. However, Korean couples absolutely love dressing the same. It’s not just a matching shirt though. Oh, no. It’s an entire matching outfit. Same faded jeans, same shoes, socks, baseball hat, t-shirt, and jumper. They might as well pee on each others legs. It’d... Read More

Antimalarial Drugs: Are they worth it?

There are countless things to prepare before setting off for your travels. Plane tickets, visas, insurance, clothing & accessories, immunizations, currency exchange, location research,… The list drags on & on as your brain ticks over & tries to account for all eventualities on the long & winding road. If your travelling to South East Asia, you’d better add antimalarial medication to that list as well. Or should you?  To advise you not to worry... Read More