animals - I 'ate their guts

Went out with the guys (and girls - pc) from 'the class next door'. Turned out it was one of their birthdays which I was very ill informed of. Headed to a restaurant and as no one can really read/speak Korean, the safe option was taken by heading to the place with lots of people. After ordering, again, no one really knew what was ordered, but one guy could pick out the words for pork, beef etc. and so there was a quiet confidence of a delivery of good solid meat. After a few suspect looking dishes, alarm bells were being raised as people started to question what we were eating. Turns out we had chosen to dine at an intestine restaurant. They say ignorance is bliss, and at that moment it was comparatively pure ecstasy.

Got invited out to join some people at a café, and within 10 minutes they all left for lessons. One of the most bizarre invitations I’ve received. Or I stank. (For personal peace of mind I’m going with the former). Was almost as bizarre as my inability to borrow books from the University library here. Personally, I think it’s racism. Communicating with non-english speaking Asian class mates is getting a lot easier, enough for them inform me that I have ‘aged badly’. By Asian standards, it’s probably true (by western standards, it’s probably true).

Got some ‘air’ on the dodgy bus ride home, there’s a special ‘yellow’ bus of which any form of suspension (or safety for that matter) appears to be absent. I'm all about the adrenaline rush and the cheap thrills at the moment. Took a massive gamble and farted in an empty elevator at the ground floor with 22 to go. Living life on the edge.

My HoBros, Chicken and Hoes

It’s been a while, mainly due to a distinct lack of internet in the new house. That’s right, the family I live with moved house. Potentially the most relaxed moving house I’ve ever witnessed, and host mum thought it was funny that I packed everything away in my suit case, as apparently the moving house guys would have done it for me, AND put it back in the new house all laid out correctly. Britain has got to hire these guys.

Practiced some relationship bonding with my host brother as I made him shave my neck hair. I repaid him by showing him some of my Michael Jackson dance moves. I can also currently hear my other host brother singing ‘Newport County’;  I’m overwhelmed with pride. Had a tour round Seoul National University which is pretty much in the mountains. Also was comforted to see that in even Christian Unions abroad are remarkably similar – a bunch of people sat around talking whilst a few people play a guitar in the corner.

At a urinal I saw a ‘smartie dispenser’. I don’t know what it was, but was pretty disappointed when I realised that I wasn’t going to get some smarties (the greatest of wee treats). Oh and lemonade here is called ‘cider’ – WHAT IS THAT ABOUT.  Also saw a seedy looking pub which had a tacky sticker on the window saying ‘Chicken and Hoes’. Gotta give it to them, they have nailed their target audience. Entrepreneurship at its peak, Sir Alan would be proud.

Chickan + Beer = Cheer

I've been introduced to a new highway code over here. One which contains substantially less regulations. Smash the pavements if you're a motorbike. No worries.

Ever had that infuriating situation when you're at a red light, but you want to turn RIGHT? Luckily in Korea you don't need to wait till green, just go for it. Don't let anything hold you back (literally, wearing seat belts isn't even compulsory). It's mental.

Saw a bit of 'Ji Sung Park' highlights on the telly the other day. Highlights dedicated to just him. Highlights of Ji Sung Park playing football. Still haven't got over that.

One of the most important words I've learnt so far - chimaek (치맥). This is a meal which consists of just fried chickan and beer. It's a conglomeration of the words for chickan and beer. Got me thinking, maybe it's the same in English... and then it struck me. Chickan + Beer = Cheer. That MUST be the origin of the word cheer, it makes so much sense. More sense than the short conversation I had with my Taiwanese course mate. Awkward. And apparently, according to Bing translate on a photo caption in Mandarin, I am now a pro European fighter. Go on then.

Cymru, Dabochi and 10p Coffee

Btw, Cymru does rhyme in the title.

So, pretty much been telling a lot of people this uninteresting story about how there is this food called dakbocki which sounds very similar to dabochi, the welsh for Good bye (I hope). No one really gets it. Or cares. So dakbocki is this spicy tube of rice, stogged up so much that it’s solid. It’s ok, but I wouldn’t write home about it. Although technically I am. Oh and they also have fried chickan here which tastes just like friend chickan does and has the same effect on my bowels that fried chickan does. So I’m feeling right at home.

Was practicing speaking some Korean but my accent sucked. I Joked around saying that if I put on a strong welsh accent (yeah I know, it’s already pretty strong right) then my pronunciation would be better. I did it. It was better.  I should probably whack it out in class (the accent that is), there was a gasp of sheer delight (my interpretation of events) when I informed my fellow students that I was from Wales. I thought best not to confuse them with that near to malarkey.

So yeah, a small cup of coffee in the Uni is only 150 won which is about 10p! By no means is it the best coffee ever, but certainly drinkable and for 10p everyone’s a winner. Also had to purchase a notepad today as on the cover it said (copied EXACTLY) ‘I want for a stroll along the public garden Some sunny, warm spots had fresh young glass coming up already The singing of birds seems to foretell the coming of happy dream’. If those are not words to live by daily, then I’m really not sure what are.

Ho-bros, Jo-hos and Discos

Went on a walk up the mountain which is essentially my back garden (so flipping cool) with my 2 host brothers. For those that love exercise, half way up the mountain is an outdoor exercise station. I'm talking bench for bench press, inclined situps, cross trainers, push up bars, pull up bars etc. etc. For free. Now that blew my mind. Had a sesh on those, and then told my ho-bros to wait whilst I ran to the top and took some pictures. Banging view. Ran back down, had a mouth like Ghandis sandal and asked my ho-bros where the water was and said hello to some middle aged ladies all in Korean. I must have been so good, as one of them came up to me, handed me a leaflet and yapped at me in Korean. Don't have a clue what she said, but turns out they were Jehovah's Witnesses. Spammed.

I've also always thought that I give out the 'I really like funk music' vibe (you can tell by the way I use my walk), but this was affirmed when on the subway a lady came up to just me and gave me a flyer for a 70's themed disco contest and party. Obviously very flattered. Then the next day, I again got given the same flyer (probably by the same lady) somewhere totally different. Her Disco-dar must have gone into overdrive.

Introduced ho-bros to songpop - can't get enough of it. And they slaughtering the K-Pop section. If you don't know what songpop is then I'm sorry as that probably meant nothing.
Honestly though, having a great time. Couldn't feel more welcomed by my fam, they are so lovely and warm.

Oh, and did anyone catch the BeeGees reference I put into this post? (rhetorical question) (but you can answer if you want) (especially as it means there will be more comments which makes me think people actually read this) (but seriously, it's rhetorical)