HALLOWEEN in Korea

This weekend we not only went to our first wedding but also experienced our first Halloween in Korea, all in one day, quite the contrast!


For Halloween we decided to dress up, a little challenging in a country that doesn't celebrate Halloween. However, we were able to find one or two shops with minimal items to use. I decided to be a vampire (backcombed hair into a giant nest,black eyes, red lips-simple) and Paul decided on a Pirate (easy options). Our friends Chris and Tawny had decided to go as 'Where's Wally (or Waldo to the Americans)' and a Ragdoll. 


Where's Wally?





Once dressed and good to go, we realised we didn't actually have anywhere to go... Most people we knew were heading to Daegu for a Halloween party, but we wanted to do something a little different. We decided to go check people's costumes out at the main foreign bar here in Pohang-Tilt, our favourite costume in Tilt was...




Anna Avatar and Tawny doll face

 After a short time in Tilt, we wandered the streets of Pohang, had a few photos with locals-who were amazed as its their first experience of Halloween on a larger scale (last year there were very few foreigners in Pohang). We also posed for some 'in character' photos:




Vampire



Tawny- Dead Rag Doll



Captain Paul

 Chris appeared 'somewhere' in every possible photo (aside from these), he was just SO in character- drama kids hey!


We ended the night with a 'scary' film,  that didn't turn out to be so scary (much to Tawny's delight!), 'Wolfman', a banana bubble drink- tapioca balls, whaaat and all in great company! Another wonderful weekend in South Korea.

Our first...

Saturday: Our first Korean wedding...


So yesterday our hapkido master wed his girlfriend and it was quite the experience for us. Firstly in Korea when getting married EVERYBODY gets married in a 'Wedding Castle or Wedding Hall' . Although I was aware of this fact, what was to follow could not have been imagined.

Master Sim and Eri at the 'Wedding Convention'There are sparkles everywhere! Master Sim and his bride Eri looked AMAZING.

So this is the wedding hall, some guests sit whilst others stand at the back chatting away and paying little attention. While one wedding is coming to an end, the groom for the next wedding is waiting patiently at the back of the room in the 'lobby area' with the current weddings guests. His bride is having photos taken in a small room off the lobby, surrounded by glitz, tilting her head and shyly glancing away from the camera and all in all looking like a magical angel. I think this is the aim of Korean weddings- to make them look picture perfect, fantasy-esque!


So once this part of the ceremony had finished, then came the singers and music-SNAP, SNAP, followed by the cake-SNAP, SNAP and then, oh yes....smoke to create an air of well... mist- SNAP, SNAP (this is the camera action, for that is how long each aspect of the wedding lasted).




The mist.

 All followed by the usual family and friends photos. Speaking of photos, before the wedding ALL Koreans will go to a studio and have wedding photos done, these photos are then displayed in the lobby of the wedding castle/convention. Master Sims and Eris were incredible, both looked like models and the pictures were unbelievable. Here's one of the images:


One of the professional pre-wedding shots.
I now want Paul and I to get some done- humorous ones mind!

 Following the wedding ceremony, we went to a little desk, filled our name in on envelope and popped some cash inside. We have been informed this money should cover the cost of the buffet that follows- excellent idea I say, especially considering in Korea it is custom to invite everyone to your wedding. By everyone I mean, all friends, all family, all your work colleagues and even all your parents work colleagues.  





One of the guests looking his best.



Well the Master and his bride are now on their honeymoon in Jeju and hopefully having a wonderful time!

My Korea

So when starting this Blog I was going to update you all on everything that had passed. However, I quite obviously have no interest in writing about such things as I have barely wrote a word.


Therefore, I shall be writing this Blog to deliver my verdict on Korea thus far, and then intend to Blog away from this day forward...no promises.


So, Korea...


Well Korea is a country which I fall in and out of love with at least 10 times daily. Theres times when you really can't deal with the worry of "Should I be holding this cup with two hands/ Will they think its offensive if I don't/do eat/say/do this", furthermore things like being treated like a child with a constant "Oh, you can use chopsticks/ride a bus to another city/ order your own food" and Korea is well, a very, erm, shall we say honest population. They all think your fat, oh yes, size 8 is the average here people and they are not afraid to tell you...after vomiting for 3 days my coteacher decides I should see a doctor, for this to happen we must inform the vice Principle (by the way my English is now semi-American). Whilst informing the Principle of our lil trip to the doctors, the secretary's are gigling and chatting about how "I look like I have lost weight so maybe I should not see a doctor and keep being sick" ..all in Korean mind.


However do not be disheartened because for every negative there is a plus, if not more...


The lil man that sits next to you one the bus and offers you his gum, the constant freebies because we are foreign and therefore get 'service', the 10 day old sweet a child digs into their pocket for and says "teacher for you" (I could go on and on about the greatness of school moments- I love my students!), the lil sneaky stroke of the arm when you are wearing a t-shirt for the first time because a student wants to see what you feel like (sounds a little odd I know), people wanting to speak to you on the street just because you are foreign and others being so happy when you enter their restaurant because again, you are foreign. The kindness and beauty of Koreans is truly magical.


Just look:


Jeju- Chuseok Festival





Nursery student at sports day



Halmonee (old lady) working in the fields in Jeju



2nd Grader Happy for a pic



1st grade dance





2nd grade dance



They are truly amazing!



Lantern Festival in Seoul





Sports day- Just grab people out of the crowd.



2nd grade teachers lead the dance



Clowns obviously are always fun!

 Most of the pics are unedited as the editing tool in school is surprisingly all in Korean but enjoy! I hope to, from this moment keep you informed on my happenings via this new to me and some what strange cyber means!