|
6/30/2003
|
Korea Life Blog - Samsung Computers
Samsung is a well known company throughout the world. If you've never been to Korea, you probably know Samsung makes TVs, monitors and handphones. In fact, they just secured the number one position in LCD display sales worldwide. What you may not know about Samsung (especially if you're American) is that in Korea they make sleek, well designed, top quality computers. (They also make ships, apartment complexes, select automobiles, construction equipment, air conditioners, washing machines, copy machines, cameras, and anything esle you can think of - I've even seen eaten at Samsung owned restaurants...)
Take a look at this site to see some cool Samsung Computers:
Desktops (click here) and Notebooks (click here)
If you're computer can't show Korean, no matter - just click on the pictures and drool.
A display outside of Suwon Station showing off Samsung's latest computers. Hey! Where are the sexy dancers? What a jip!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/29/2003
|
Korea Life Blog - Dangerous Road
Driving in Korea is all around dangerous. Not only are there too many people on the roads, too many careless drivers, etc., but sometimes the roads themselves are just plain dangerous. The worst is in the mountains. The busses zip and zoom up and around narrow roads through the high hills - the only barrier between the road and steep drop offs: old, rusty, frail railings.
Also, many roads have deep draining ditches running alongside them without so much as a railing or warning bumps to protect hapless drivers. My stomach twirls when I see the bus's wheels about to plummet off the edge, certain to flip the buss over, killing us all - only to swerve back onto the road just in time.
Here is the road that runs along side my apartment. Notice the deep drop off and no railing.
Another angle of the road. As if this isn't dangerous enough, there are no lights here at night. Don't forget to buckle up!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/28/2003
|
Korea Life Blog - Strange Conglomerations (1)
Here is the first installment of Strange Conglomerations (Korean buildings with an odd assortment of businesses).
As promised, a picture of the PC bang building where I have been updating my website. You can use the internet upstairs or get your car serviced below.
In this building you can eat chicken and drink beer, get your computer serviced, buy pencils and notebooks, buy bread and cake, rent a video, get a hair cut, and a couple of other things I'm not sure about. How convenient!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/26/2003
|
Korea Life Blog - Mandu Man
One of the best things about living in a small country town is that it's quiet. One of the worst things about it is trying to find something decent to eat - especially if you're by yourself. Most of the restaurants here cater to groups of people such as families or friends. I don't want to go into a crowded restaurant and order Garbi only for myself again. So, over and over again I find myself eating mandu - a simple, tasty, quick, cheap, easy meal.
At the restaurant, Mandu Man is hard at work. Unlike donuts which are made in the morning, it's always time to make the mandu. He is very friendly and always welcomes me with a smile. Thank you Mandu Man.
Jin Bbang man got jealous when I took Mandu Man's picture. "Me too," he yelled. Even though I dislike bread filled with red beans, I took his picture anyway.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
Korea Life Blog - Wet Again
When I first moved into my apartment I thought what a good idea it is to have the shower connected to the faucet. That soon changed. The problem is I keep forgetting to switch the shower back to the faucet. Several times I've gone to wash my hands only to end up soaked from the shower blasting me with ice cold water.
Here it is - the shower connection to the faucet. An efficient method. Brush your teeth, then turn the knob to the left and take a shower. Make sure you don't forget to turn it back to the right after your done...that is unless you want a sudden surprise the next time you wash your hands.
A stunning photo of the shower head. Notice it's natural direction is towards the sink. Just finished some kimchi chigae, time to brush my teeth - ho hum, ho hum....ahshiiiii!!!!! WET AGAIN! (Occasionally in the night, as I fall asleep, I hear a quiet snickering coming from the bathroom.)
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/25/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - Korea Life Blog Update
I finally added permalinks to the homepage (only) so that each post has it's own address from now on and makes things easier to find from search engines. You can use these links to link to a specific post on my site, either on your site, or sending the link in an e-mail to all your closest friends over 13. For example, this link here will take you directly to the post about drunk guys: click here to see the drunk korean guys again -- The links are next to my name under each post.
I organized the links section on all pages.
I lowered the quality of the pictures on the Seoul pages so they will load much more quickly now.
I added an archives page. From now on all posts will automatically end up archived under that link. This will save me a lot of extra work as it was becoming a real pain making a new page and moving posts every time the page got too long. Also, the "shout out" comments will not be lost anymore. Three cheers for Korea Life Blog.
Thanks James Lee for the suggestions.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/24/2003
|
Korea Life Blog - Plantman and Plantwoman (1)
I needed something more to look at than bars and buildings so say hello to my new plants: Plantman and Plantwoman (left). They're healthy and happy and in love. They've been growing very fast. I'll take a pic in a few weeks for comparison. I can hardly wait, can you? (Oh boy!)
Meanwhile, right outside my wall without a window, the building owner has brilliantly planted these lovely trees that nobody can see (unless you look over the concrete fences or squeeze into the tiny backyard). Another great idea!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
The Seoul Blog - Crane Game (1)
If you're in Japan and you have 500 Yen, or about $4.00 you can try to win a cool prize out of a crane game. If you're in Korea and you have 500 Won, or about 40 cents, you can try to win some well, sort-of-cool prize. Sometimes they have decent stuffed animals. The older the machine is, the more likely the prizes are crummy, sometimes they're even used. When I lived in Pusan, a friend of mine who was addicted to crane games knew all the hot machines that you could actually get something out of. Those machines have rubber bands around the crane claws that help keep the toy from slipping, and the cranes don't jerk sharply. Most crane games are rigged so that the crane picks up a prize, carries it enticingly toward the hole, then jerks hard as it changes direction, dropping the prize and leaving you with an insane desire to insert more coins - only to have the process repeat itself until you run home to your apartment without a toy, crying in shame, defeated and broke.
Here's the crane game up the street from my apartment. It's full of cheesy toys. You get a whopping 12 chances for 1000 Won, or about 80 cents. Quite a bargain, huh? - too bad you're never gonna win anything...it's rigged with the Crane Game Jerk of Death, dropping your would-be toy every time. Wahhhhhhhh!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
The Seoul Blog - My Name is Angus
My name is Angus. Some folks call me Anus. That's only because I'm a pain in their assus. I come from down under, that's right I'm Australian. We don't carry guns like all you Americans. Watch me now as I act like a punk. Watch as I jump on Shawn's bed when I'm drunk. Watch me try to kiss him. Watch the bed break. Oh me!oh my! I made a mistake! The owner will kill me, throw me out of this place. That's OK, I won't cry. All I have to do is tell a big lie. I'll blame it on Shawn for stealing my bed. Watch as I lie, turn all angry and red. Watch as I do my poor con man's dance. Watch the owner give me another last chance. That's it for now, but come again soon. There's plenty more stories about me - the buffoon.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
The Seoul Blog - Apartment City
Everywhere you go in Korea there are giant apartment complexes. They all look pretty much the same: tall, rectangular, plain - with a name and building number on the sides. Seeing as the apartments cost a fortune, you'd think they could at least stylize the buildings. Can't they make them look a little unique? Sometimes the complexes look identical and have the exact same name. For example, their are Samsung Apartments everywhere in Korea.
A typical cluster of apartment buildings, these near Ehwa's Woman's University. They're tall, they're plain, they block all the scenery. Some of the complexes are so big they actually become miniature cities.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/23/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - Jake's Twitch
Here's my friend Jake and his innocent face. He's not looking at chicks outside of the place...
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
The Seoul Blog - Instant Stores by a Subway Station Entrance (1)
At almost any subway entrance you find people trying to sell something or other by setting up an instant store. Usually these items are cheaper than you could get them elsewhere. Now and again I'll snap a pic of one of these for you to see. I bet your about to erupt with excitement.
Exit 2, Hongdae. A woman organizes her Instant Store by a Subway Entrance. Hmm, after a tiresome day of teaching, I think I'll buy myself a wooden spoon. The students better behave tomorrow. Muhahaha!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
The Seoul Blog - Radiohead Korea
Check out my ravingly unique collection of Radiohead CDs. I picked the rare ones up from a specialty shop back in New York.
The Radiohead bar or restaurant or something somewhere around Hongdae, Seoul. I passed by this place a bunch of times while walking to Sinchon, but it was always too early to go in.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/19/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - My Apartment...Again
The gas is finally on in my apartment! I took a nice long hot shower after work. I also took a few more pics, for your viewing pleasure.
Here's the entrance. Note the space between the doors, a thoughtful design that allows for insects of every kind to seek shelter in the hallways.
OK, here it is - the view from the kitchen window. Wow, look through the security bars at the nice buildings. A perfect view!
Now here's the view outside the wall of my room on the backside of the building. Phew! Sure glad I don't have to look at this peaceful and pretty landscape all day. Thank you Korean construction design team!
Another shot out back: some kind of wild yellow flowers. Sure are pretty aren't they? Oh well, who wants to look at pretty flowers anyway?
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
The Seoul Blog - Chinese Bokum Bap
Check out this Korean Chinese food known as Bokum Bap (fried rice). Chinese food in Korea is completely different than American Chinese food, leaving me to wonder what exactly Chinese food is really like in China. Anyway, I ordered this on the phone for lunch. One of my favorite parts about Korea is ordering food. They deliver it ultra quick by scooter. The food is piping hot on real dishes wrapped in shrinkwrap. They even deliver the utenisils! After you finish eating, you put all the dishes and garbage outside your door, and they actually come back and pick them up. Another perk is Koreans don't tip and the tax is included. This huge meal cost me only 3,500 Won, or about $3.00. There's a lot of rice there once you spread it out. Then you can add that tasty black sauce to it and mix it all together. Mouth watering delight!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
The Seoul Blog - Pizza Good
Check out this pizza shop's name near my home. "Rarrr! Pizza good! Pizza yummy! Pizza feel good in me tummy."
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/18/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - Dwaeji Galbi
After work I wandered around my country town, hungry, not the faintest idea what to have for dinner. I walked up and down the short main street several times. There's not a big selection and nothing seemed to call out to me. I must have looked like a real nut, the country town foreigner walking up and down the road over and over and carrying his camera. It's particularly difficult in a small town when you're going to eat by yourself. Everyone stares at you when you walk in somewhere, and the restaurant owners and ajumas are very aggressive trying to help you. It's a little intimidating. Tonight I walked by this restaurant 3 times when finally the ajushi came out and ushered me inside. The place had just a few customers, so I decided to have Dwaeji Galbi, Korean style pork sauteed and barbecued.
Here it is, Dwaeji Galbi, one of my many favorite Korean foods. Look all those side dishes only for me. Actually, being alone may be why the portions were so small. I had to ask for more kimchi twice! Also, they didn't provide me any free service dwen jang chigae (bean paste tofu soup) that they usually do at
at other restaurants. And where's that other kind of delicious dipping sauce they usually give you? No wonder the place was empty.
Another shot of the grill: meat, mushrooms, garlic, kimchi all sizzling, the mouth-watering aroma, the drool pouring down my chin. I can hardly wait to dig in, to roll up the pieces in a huge lettuce leaf, to add some sauce, to chomp! chomp! chomp!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
Korea Life Blog - My New Apartment
Here at last are a few pics of my new studio apartment. It's very clean and I'm the first tenant, but the construction is a little shabby. There's a few chunks of glue on the floor, the sliding doors to the kitchen have smears and smudges that won't come off, light switch casings are crooked, etc etc...typical of Korea, slap it together and let the tenants move in without cleaning it up or without the gas even being hooked up. I shouldn't complain though - compared to my last apartment in Korea this place is wonderful.
The new pad! Yes, it's small, but cozy and clean, and it's all mine! Note my manly pink blankets with post-modern flowery design - thanks boss! Also note the absence of a window in the main part of the apartment. The only window is in the kitchen, and overlooks the buildings next door. Meanwhile, outside the wall to the left in this photo is a nice hill, some trees and a rice field. No sense of putting a window on that side, of course.
The kitchen is well, very small. There's barely room to walk, especially if you close the sliding doors. At least the doors keep the cooking smell out of the apartment. The stove is brand new though. But when will the gas be turned on?
My wonderful bathroom. The shower is connected to the faucet. The pressure is good, but there's no gas yet, which means no hot water. The water is ice cold for now.
My Samsung washer machine. This little thing works great and is pretty quiet. It's in the kitchen next to the mini-fridge and sink.
Another shot of the apartment. What's on TV today? Ah yes, another exciting Korean drama. There's my clothes, still hanging wet after 3 days. Will this rain and humidity ever cease? Won't be much longer until the mosquitos take control.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/17/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - The Guesthouse Korea in Hongdae
I was going to update my site with pictures of my new apartment, when I found these pics I took one day at the Guesthouse Korea in Hongdae. I stayed there for about a month while I was looking for work. It's not a bad place to stay if you need a place to crash cheaply. It's also a good place to meet other travelers. If you sleep in the dormitory rooms, it's only 15,000 or about $12 per night. They also have double and single rooms, fairly priced. The only problem is the other guests, specifically one in particular, don't always live by the rules and clean up after themselves. Let's take a look at the situation:
This stunning photo of Mark's feet reveals the dirt caked on by walking around the guest house barefooted. Why are the floors so dirty? Hey take off your shoes.
Another shocking photo - this time of a sink full of dirty dishes. Hey who left this awful mess here?
Look at this table! If you don't put the bread away, it will get stale...
I want to cook some eggs for breakfast, but look at the frying pan and stove! Disgusting! Can't anybody clean-up after themselves?
Here is Su Chang, the "hard-working" Night Manager, having a break and reading a comic book. Su Chang! Clean up that mess!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/12/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - My New Job
I rejected some decent offers to teach adults and decided to work at a Hagwon outside of Seoul in the country side. Why? Because I've gone stark raving mad? Well, almost. It's because the Hagwon job is easier. Plain and simple. Throw the prestige, respect and admiration that comes with a professional job out the window! Why work 8:00-5:30 Monday through Friday when I can work 2:30-6:30 for the same pay? Why rack my brains to teach complex grammar to bored company students when I can goof off and act like a clown all day? Why climb the mountain of never ending professional BS when I can casually walk around it while whistling dixie? More importantly, why go on babbling when I can stop now?
The job is a breeze: 19 hours a week, paid cash weekly, play games and teach whatever I want - albeit I'm in the middle of nowhere. I have a brand new apartment - albeit without any furniture yet. I have to sleep on thick blankets for a few days. The gas isn't on yet, the water is cold. It's a one room, studio. It's small, but I'm the first tenant to live in it. It's a lot better than living in some crappy old slum in Seoul or having to put up with a roommate. And once I get the furnishings, once the gas is turned on and I don't have to turn into ice when I bathe, it'll be much better - maybe next week anyway. I'll snap some pictures soon and post them.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
The Seoul Blog - Slow Down and Look at the Purple Flowers
When I was in Gyeongbokgung in Gwanghwamun one day I noticed people zipping and zooming by these nice flowers without so much as the slightest glance. Seoul people: stop! Slow down! Look around you! Look at this beauty! There's time to enjoy life and it's many gifts. Don't hurry your lives away on meaningless hustle and bustle. For what do you pass up these flowers for? Can you even remember last Thursday? How about last Friday at 6:00? What were you doing then? It's not too late to start enjoying today! Oops, look at the time. I have to hurry off to class.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/11/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - Sam Gyeop Sal
Take a look at this picture of Sam Gyeop Sal smoking on a hot stone grill. This is yet another of my favorite dishes. You mix pieces of the meat, sauce, garlic, kimchi, tofu, mushrooms, or any of the other side dishes and roll it up in a fresh lettuce leave and chomp! chomp! chomp! Oh wonderful Korean food - my mouth is watering at the mere thought!
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/8/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - Jake the Snake
This is my friend Jake with his woman at a club called Stomper's in Hongdae. Look at him turn on the charm. Surely she can't resist!
This is my friend Jake after about 10 beers. Watch as he turns into a raging red-eye'd dance machine. Hold the mouse over the picture to find out Jake's secret thoughts...there's a new thought everyday, so check back often.
Here's my Australian friend Mark from the guesthouse. Are you having a good time, Mark? Say "Kimchi!"
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
6/7/2003
|
The Seoul Blog - Getting Drunk Out of Your Mind
Koreans in general are drinkers. They are among the top alcohol consumers in the world. And when they drink, they tend to drink hard and fast. There is no moderation. It's not uncommon to see people staggering down the street early in the evening barely able to walk, vomiting on the streets. I'm not sure whether it's the peer pressuring system of "one shot" that requires them to down shot after shot of liqour in rapid succession, or whether it's an inherit need to quickly and completely escape the pressures of Korean life. In any event, the more you can drink here, amazingly, the more socially admirable you become. Also the bars stay open until the customers go home, and you can by booze at anytime of the day or week.
I remember the first time I drank Soju, a Korean vodka based drink. It was with my first boss, after signing the contract to work at his school. It seemed a little odd to me to be drinking with my boss, much less pounding one shot after another in some kind of competition. Needless to say I lost miserably. He put away 3 bottles without a flinch. I had about 1 and-a-half before I excused myself to go home and vomit and to get up early for my first day of work with a headache and upset stomach.
Check out this article called, The Global Hangover Clinic.
Looks like all that beer and Soju caught up with these guys. It's 11:00 o'clock and already one guy is passed out cold. His buddy across the table is engaged in singing to himself and performing some kind of bizarre dance. The other guy maintains control. He'd better drink a few more.
The passed out guy pukes on himself. He wakes up for a moment, chews the
vomit in his mouth, swallows, and falls back to sleep. His buddy across the table
stops dancing and has a look. It would be a shame to let this moment slip
into the past, forever forgotten. For posterity, I snap a picture from the shadows.
|
written by shawn matthews
-|link
|
|
|
