So as I have mentioned before in my posts...my job can be very demanding, stressful, and time consuming during my work week. Despite how much I love my kids and classes, I still looked forward to the weekends. The weekends is when my fellow friends and I all say "time to make the most of it". That being said, almost every exploration and adventure that I have been on since my arrival in Korea has taken place on a weekend. These past 2 weekends were no exception. Here is what I did 2 weekends ago...and an updated entry for this past weekend (which again was very fun filled) is coming soon :)
Two weekends ago I went on an Adventure Korea trip to Namhae Island- the biggest and most southern Island in Korea. Namhae is a 6 hour drive south and is very remote compared to the rest of Korea. It was a 3 day weekend thanks to Buddhas birthday being on that monday (American Memorial Day) so I had a full agenda for my time in Namhae. My friends Nicola and Mike went with me, as well as about 305 other people who signed up for the trip. The ride down to the island was almost unbearably long since everyone in Seoul wanted to get away for the weekend, but once we were there it was wonderful.
As soon as we arrive, we began our first activities of planting rice by hand and plowing behind an ox. It was actually kind of cheesy because it was obviously a "touristy" thing to do, but still fun nonetheless. After we got all muddy in the fields, we walked to a Pebble beach where we we were free to do whatever we liked. I myself left my friends and went rafting with some nice guys from Nigeria and a gal from the Philippines who I had met on the bus ride down. Later that night night, we were introduced to our homestay families who cooked us a huge korean feast both at 7 pm and again when we woke up, at 6:30 am! The food consisted of fish, rice, soup, kimchi, various seasoned and fermented veggies and tea, The first night after planting rice in the fields and going rafting on a pebble beach, There was only 5 people (about 40 people went down with the group) per house so it was a nice meal and comfortable sleeping space (all of us on the floor in the back room)
After a long day on a bus, getting muddy, playing in the water, and dining on some real home cooked korean food...there was nothing else left to do but buy some soju from the grocery store and do some more relaxing :)
The second day, we went on a 2 hour long hike to the top of the highest peak on the island. The views were wonderful. Namhae island is actually very very big and you could see to each shore- east and west. It was well worth the sweat and tired calves...and I really enjoyed this nice morning trek. Following hiking and lunch which once again was rice...fish...kimchi..veggies...we spent the afternoon kayaking to all the smaller satellite islands on Namhae. Boy were my shoulders a little sore the next day, but it was soooo much fun racing from island to island and getting a nice golden tan from the sun. Following kayaking we had free time on the beaches which I spent just relaxing with Mike and Nicola. We looked for shells, waded in the (surprisingly cold) water, and just relaxed in the sun. Later that night we had a bonfire and drinks on the beach...which I actually didn't drink, but still had a good time.
Day 3 we woke up to a normal breakfast- yogurt, muffins, juice, and coffee. Although I love my korean food...it was GREAT not to eat rice and fish in the morning :) This morning was spent went deep see fishing which was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Again, we were in small groups so Nicola, Mike, and our friends that we slept with were the only people on our boat with our captain. I caught my first fish within maybe 10 seconds of dropping my line. It was a nice size pink fish with green fins. Very pretty...and even more tasty. For lunch we had our catch! It was soooo cool catching the fish and then eating it just a few hours later- super fresh. We ate it Sashimi style- raw. It is very good if the fish is fresh and you have right sauces and veggies to accompany the main dish of raw fish. Following lunch, we then loaded back up onto the bus and headed home to our urban home.
This weekend in Namhae made me realize something that I already knew- I am not a city person. Born and raised on a farm in the middle Illinois, I always knew that I had a love/hate relationship with the country life. Being away from Seoul and in open spaces with truly friendly people, feeling a fresh breeze, seeing cattle chickens and other farm animals at every corner, and seeing the stars at night felt really nice and actually made me feel like I was at home for the first time in 3 1/2 months. On one side I love being outdoors, fresh open air, peace and quite, nice friendly people everywhere I go, and being around the farm animals. However, I also need to ability to be able to go and do something fun and new, see some shows, hit up the bars, and meet NEW people because I don't know every person who lives there. After living in the middle of nowhere, a "big town" such as my university, and now in an urban setting of Seoul...I know where I belong...in a Big town with a lot to offer...yet still quiet and accessible to open spaces if need be.
Link to my photos so far of this summer inKorea, including Namhae Island:
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