My First Korean Wedding... Eh.

Hey all,
I know its been a minute since I updated the blog. I guess these past few weeks have just been ordinary, nothing major to share. However this weekend I'm heading off to fly a plane and do some kayaking -- and I'll be ready to share those pictures and my experience as soon as I get back.

I'm back at school now and the kids are cool. Its seem like a lot of them spent the summer break studying at English camps, or the last semester paid off. I not sure which it is just yet.

My work load has been increase and I'm now teaching grades 1 - 6. It amazes me how first and second graders have a grasp of the English language and speak with almost a native child's ability whereas their third and fourth grade counterparts, have major difficulties forming simple sentences or saying the word banana.

Imagine that, and there's like what, a 2 year age difference if that! I don't know if it just me but I think young a child is the more intelligent he or she will be, maybe there's something in the new baby formulas.

Anywho, the Korean wedding this weekend; well the reception because we missed the wedding, due to traffic jams in Seoul.

It was nothing like I imagine it would be. TV and movies overly romanticize ceremonies throughout the world's cultures. I had an idea set in my mind of large banquet tables overflowing with foods and flowers, people dressed in their best traditional garb, music from tinny traditional instruments and a display that would leave me spellbound and mesmerized. Instead there was an adequate yet tasty buffet, an announcement of the newlywed couple, a symbolic cake cutting which included fireworks and a sword and plenty of bows and smiles from the new couple.

The wedding party then disappeared and I later found out that in Korean culture the newlywed's greets family and close friends and then they go away to have a private feast with even closer friends and relatives. Its also rumored that Korean sometimes pay guest to attend their wedding and deliver their wedding day speeches, however I don't think it was the case at this particular wedding because I later consulted with my co-teacher ('a Korean cultural authority') and she insisted that from what I described this wedding was small compare to normal standards and that I quote "wouldn't happen there".

I must admit I was a little let down but I'm quite happy for the new couple and I wish them fruitfulness and happiness. The company I traveled to the wedding with made up for what the wedding lacked. And so I left pleased.


Another inside look into Korean culture -- done!

Until next time.

Peace n luve

Derek

p.s. i'm studying Korean. how's it going you ask. It's going... blaaahahaha!

The Longest Summer Camp Ever

I know somewhere in South Korea, someplace young elementary students at their summer English summer camp are having a good ol' time singing songs, doing arts and crafts, taking field trips to the zoo and local water park -- those kids just aren't at Sang-in Elementary.

Before summer vacation, I was asked to planned for the upcoming summer camp and being the planner that I am, I planned a three week summer camp extravaganza! Tie-dye, nature walks, theatre day, build a camp newspaper, every summer camp activity you could think of I had planned. Well on the last day of school I was sent a late night e-mail explaining "there's no summer camp budget, so no activities"; basically keep it simple.

What was I to do? I was bound for Thailand to enjoy my vacation and once I got back from my break, I was going to need an additional break, I had absolutely no euasthism for summer camp. I follow directions and keep it simple teach the kids grammar, pronunciation and phonics for a few hours and that be it. Right? Wrong?

10 - 12 kids a day who would rather be outside out running and playing. Good luck on attempt to stick to the textbook.

So I tapped into my own pocket, like most teachers do and I footed the bill for most of my activities so the kids could enjoy some bit of camp, at least while they were with me. And I did just that, we made lemonade, painted t-shirts instead of tie dying, we've had movie day with snacks yet payday has come and gone, bills must be paid, and now we're returned back to the basics -- amazingly the kids are enjoying it.

It's true you don't need flashy activities to keep 3rd, 4th, 5th and some 6th graders occupied, it helps, but you don't need them. A stick in a ball worked wonders back in the day, and it still does now.

Today's lesson was all about compound words. I had the kids play a guessing game, we watched some spongebob via youtube.com and pointed out all the compound words, they made a role play using key compound words and phrase and they even drew their own compound words pictures.

It was a good 3 hours worth of compound word fun! Take a look at some of their drawings below.

Peace n blessings.

Derek

The Fourth Tattoo -- Words from Above

To tat or not to tat, that is the question, for some.

For me its never been a real dilemma should I or shouldn't I tat up my body with ink, the question has always been where should I strategically place them.

I've wanted a tattoo since I was 16 years old, that's when I saw my cousin's tattoo, she doesn't know this but it definitely inspired me, I felt she was so aware yet rebellious against all we had been taught thus on my eighteenth birthday I secretly ended up at a raunchy tattoo parlor on the other side of the tracks in my hometown and got my first tattoo. Since then I've acquired two others, and whilst in Thailand I had my fourth one etched into my skin.

Many a year has pasted since this new tattoo because I wanted this one to be meaningful, not that the others weren't, they were more random than anything, but this new tattoo had to have meaning, it had to represent something greater than me, it had to be something that I could proudly display anywhere to anyone. And it had to be words of great importance and wisdom, something that sums up my life philosophy.

So while sitting in Thailand in the coziness of a my nautical themed hotel room, I opened the nightstand drawer and upon my amazement there sat the Holy Bible (new testament only)amazed because Thailand is a nation comprised mostly of Buddhists so why would a Holy Bible be in the nightstand, but it was. And so I opened the book and I flipped the pages to the Book of John, one of my favorite books, and I went to read John 3:16 a well know and one of favorite verses "For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believeth in him shall not perish but have Everlasting life." and I continued to read down to John 3:27 and I read these words "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given to him from heaven." Instantly it clicked for me, this, and only this could be my fourth tattoo and so I had the tattoo artist place the verse upon my right forearm.

For I whole-heartily believe that all things come from God, without the blessing from Him we are nothing and we are capable of nothing. So praise be to Him for he bestows blessings upon us, even when we are undeserving.

I pray that even at ninety, when my arms are saggy, weak and wrinkled and my tattoo has begun to fade, that I still hold true to these word. Until then, I wear this new tattoo with pride and reverence.

Peace & Blessings Fam!

Derek

Thailand: An Awakening

It been quite sometime since I've penned (well typed) a line or two here at/on my public diary. And for good reason. I was out experiencing the beauty City of Angels and re-awakening my senses in the Land of Smiles. I was in Thailand ya'll and it has/was truly a life defining experience for me.

Like any true romantic, and I dare say I am one, after leaving such a life provoking country such as Thailand I have been completely discombobulated. The life I knew here in SOKO is a distance memory and I'm having such a difficult time just trying to get back in the "swing" of things.

I'm hedonist, always have been always will be. Pleasure is what I enjoy in all shapes, sizes, colors, fragrances and forms, etc., etc. I can't deny it, nor will I try.

And Thailand hit every sensory button imaginable.

The people were quite amazing and attractive. The scenery and beaches were like a bit of heaven here on earth. The food was spicy, yet sweet and salty a spectacular arrangement in every bite and so damn cheap!

I found love and passion, a new awareness of self and with every experience even a bit of sadness. Friendship were tested, some built up and others lost. I'd even go far enough to say that I was enlightened while passing along the reclining Buddha, or maybe it was the sway of the long boat as it glided over the Chayo Phraya river.

whatever it was that happened, I'm glad it did. Thailand was a feast and I can wait to partake once more.

until next time my friends and family.

peace and love

Derek
* click the title for pictures*

Mountains, Beaches and Soju Cocktail

Hey fam,

I know its been a minute since I've updated my blog, but its been pouring buckets of rain the last two weeks here in SOKO off and on, and that has made a bruh extremely lazy at a time when I should be overly productive, yet I'm not complaining because I enjoy the drip, drops of raindrops and understand its usefulness - every thing has a purpose!

So what's been going on with me:

A week ago, I took a school trip with my teachers to Seoraksan National Park. Seoraksan lies about 5 hours East of Seoul. It's in the beautiful region of Gangwon-do province; Gangwon-do literatlly translates into "Heavenly Blessed land" and it is just that. Mountains formed of sandstone granite, sprawling maple and pine forest and when you think you've seen it all there emerald green beaches that kiss a rocky, pebbled beach. Add this beauty with the company of 50 + Korean teachers who love eating, singing and sipping soju as much as I do and I had one the greatest company trips every!

Pictures of Seoraksan

I've also taken to attempting to be more healthy fam! Ya'll now for whatever reason the last year or so, I blew up, ya boi went for thick to just damn LARGE, and so here in Korea I'm attempting to get back on the right path, being here has cleared my mind, relieved me of stress and I have started on a journey of purpose and growth and your mind cannot function with yo body, so its time to meld the two. So I bought a bike and I ride it to and fro school almost everyday, and I use it for my sole source of transportation in Bucheon, I can't help but eat healthy here in Korea so I've lost 15 pounds! Alas if I could leave the beer and cocktails alone ya boy is gonna be on track!

Lastly, I'm off to Thailand in 9 days, so get ready for that blog and tons of pictures.

I love you all.

Peace & Blessings,

Derek

A SOKO Fourth; Happy Indepedence Day, America!

Fam,

Yesterday was the Fourth of July. And I'm sure the bbqs back home was smoking, the crabs were spread out over the table, and fireworks were lighting up the sky! Well, less the fireworks (well major ones) my fourth of July was freeking awesome!

Only two months in and I co-hosted a July 4th rooftop bbq. There were hotdogs, hamburgers, charred chicken wings smothered in bbq sauce and side dishes galor. I had to give the crowd a little something extra so I introduce my homemade chocolate fudge brownies and soju cocktail -- its a creeper. (It's the bartender in me, that's what I do!)

The music was reminiscent of home, from Marvin Gay's let's get it on, to Biggie, biggie, biggie can't you see... We even cupid shuffled!

Yesterday I was transported back to the States for a few hours. The American luv was in the air, festivity was rampant and everyone's energy was high.

So much so that we didn't end the night there, we headed as a large group to the local foreigners' bar Rhythm and Booze were we danced into the wee morning hour to Hip hop and Ol' school rnb.

You would have thought we'd be finished there but no, we kept the party going and moved over the one of the largest norabang rooms I've ever been in (Korea, just keeping on giving surprises), and you know I sung my heart out!

Like most things here in Korea, yesterday was a memorable experience I know I won't forget.

So Happy B-day America! I'm proud of you and the direction you've finally decided to take.

Eh, it took 233 years but who's counting?

Peace & Blessings

Derek

Day Four without MJ

Fam,
Shocked is not even the word, to describe my feelings when I heard Michael Jackson, one the world's most talented people had been called home to rest amongst the angels.


Michael Jackson was a phenomenon!

I have so many fond memories surrounding Michael Jackson. I wasn't yet born when he was singing with the Jackson 5, but I know most of their songs! "Give Love on Christmas Day" and "I saw Mommie kissing Santa Claus" are two of my favorite all time songs. And when he started his solo career and gave us: "Man in the Mirror", "Thriller", "Billie Jean", "Black or White", "P.Y.T", I know exactly were I was when I heard'm, how they made and still make me feel.

Michael Jackson was definitely a caged bird, he sung and sung, but was never really able to flap his wings. He was often criticized about his lifestyle choices, and the scandal(s)(indecency with young boys) which was never proven tarnished his career slightly in the late 90's

But what ever you or I thought about MJ, his music, dance moves - THE MOONWALK, "Heeee Heeees!", "Shomes!", crotch grabbing and glittery white glove have been put to rest and they will surely be missed.

God blesses the world with creativity like MJ only so often, and I'm glad I was able to experience the magnificence in my lifetime.

R.I.P.
Michael Jackson, King Of Pop
sunrise 1958, sunset 2009



PEACE & BLESSING!

Galbi, Renoir, and Bucheon by Nigh...

So fam,
It's Sunday evening once more, and ya boy will be heading back into the classroom tomorrow. I definitely can't wait for summer break. Derek luvs the kids, but them damn classrooms can get the boot!

Okay so here's the deal. I don't know if the Korean Education Administration or my principal at my school is trying to save $$ but we be (the kids and I) sweating bullets in those damn classrooms. We have fans, which they wont allow us to turn on until middle July, and we have aircon which I dont think will ever be on! I've already gone through two hand fans, and I think I'm building muscle in my forearms. LOL!

Anyways enough wit the rant. This weekend was quite relaxed. I went again for Galbi but this time with my Korean co-teachers. I'm addicted to Galbi and Homeplus. And they're both winning. Galbi is just so damn tasty, grilled pork, that sweet and tangy, wrapped in a lettuce leaf, add some garlic, soy paste, veg and you got a meal!
After the gabi we went on to Central Park.

Saturday it rained like crazy all day long. The humid kept the air warm and me sweaty, I wanted to lounge in but instead went into Seoul with Crystalyn to the Seoul National Museum of Art, which had a collection of Renior's lessor known works on display. The museum visit was quite nice but a little pricey for $12,ooo W and only included Renior's works -- but he was one of the world's greatest impressionist painters so it was good just to be in the same space with his art.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/06/148_45789.html

It's inspired me to follow my passion and attempt to paint my own masterpieces. I've purchased a how to paint book and next I'll be picking up my easel and paintbrushes!

After leaving the museum, Crystalyn and I decided to venture out to this French Festival in Sorae, we found the festival and it was awash, but it was great to be around Koreans who fluently spoke English -- I guess it is true once you get one "romantic" language down, all the other are easy as crepes! We bolted from the festival and headed to COEX mall.

For ya'll back home, COEX (which I keep calling COTEX) is like Pentagon City, full of shops, a movie theatre and even an aquarium, Oh and a hotel and casino. Its a mega mall and has the best damn Benigannan's in Korea! We had the SW sampler and I chowed down on a Caesar chicken salad (anchovies on the side). We ate, passed on the movie and ended up at Jamsil. After some window shopping, we said good bye and I hit it back home.

Today, I have been quite relaxed. I but my convection oven to good use and roasted me a chicken and I've been watching movies. If you haven't seen Burn After Reading --please watch, it's funny as hell.

I'm gonna end here, not too much amazing to share. Attached are some pics of the my city by nigh! Enjoy.

Peace & Luv

Derek

Lazy Sunday Evening...

So let me try this again! I attempted to upload my most recent blog last night and after adding a few pictures, all my script had disappeared, needless to say I'm freekin' pissed about that, cuz I had summarized my lazy Sunday evening quite well. So let me attempt this one more time!

So I went to a training for Foreigner native teachers in my province last week, and though I learned alot foreigners can be quite draining. You almost get quite comfortable not being around a whole lot of people with grandiose ideas of themselves and the plague of self-entitlement. But at the same time, you miss complete English conversations and seeing those brown skinned people who look and like and think similarly to you.

Conference over, and I return back home, and I'm completely drained. I chill in on Friday night, order some pizza and rented a few DVDs and I called it a night. The TV watched me more so than I watched the TV.

Saturday, I wake up, and so didnt want to leave the house but I promised my friend Crystalyn that I would hit up Techno Market with her; I ended up getting completely turned around and so I ended up meeting her in Itaewon. Didnt I just say I was tired of foreigners, but eh, I love going to Itaewon. Its the foreigner's mecca! Cultures interwine here, English is spoken freely and clearly and international foods (ya'll know I love to eat) of all types can be found here. Not to mention the great book stores, nightspots and food markets. We buzz around Itaewon, then finally go back to the Techno Market and lastly make our way out to my city Bucheon-si.

We meet up with a few friends, and have a great galbi dinner. Galbi is cuts of seasoned pork and beef, placed on a open coal grill, and then served with sides of kimchi, lettuce and miscellaneous leafs for wrapping. Its tasty, add some HITE beer and SOJU and you have a party -- AND WE DID!

With a full stomach we headed off to Noribang! Now for those who are not familiar with Noribang, its Karaoke! But not like back home, where you're in a bar with tons of people and you never have the opportunity to sing because there's the one regular who think she's Whitney Houston and wants to hog the stage, Oh No, not like that at all here in Korea. Here you get a private room, with strobe lights, microphones and video - you can order drinks and food and in two hour increments sing until you pass out! I was never a karaoke fan at home, but its something about the noribang that keeps me singing! 3am in the morning voice horse I headed home, wishing everyone a great morning.

Now to my lazy Sunday! Finally, right?

So I didnt go to sleep until 4 am, chatting on the computer with folks back home, and for some odd reason my body woke me up around 730am, I forced myself to go back to sleep but when your sleep is interrupted you can very quite get back to that place were you once were. So i rose up out of bed with the intention of popping in some bootleg video I bought a techno market, eating the leftover pizza from Friday and just chill, -- intentions right, cuz it didnt happen that way.

I remember that I told my co-teachers that I was going to bake them a sweet potato pie. Now for those who know me, ya'll know I can burn (i.e. cook quite well), but being in Korea my passion for cooking has fizzled, because locating certain ingredients is a challenge and well when you only have an electric rang top with two eyes and no oven what can be done?

Buy a convention oven of course! Half microwave, Half oven! It the baby cooks at hyper speed -- and my passion for cooking has returned (well slightly).

So I go to my local HomePlus (Korea's verison of Wal-mart) and purchase the essentials: pie plate, sweet potatoes, sugar, flour, etc., check the frozen food section thinking okay there's got to be a frozen pie crust, c'mon errybody eats pie right? Wrong! I almost gave up, and said screw the pie, but they wouldnt let me live it down, so I bought the necessary items for making my own pie shell. Pictured above is my final product -- and the they loved it this morning!

MY PIE WAS SLAMMING!

Anyways time for class, but below are few pictures of my apartment, everyone has want to see it so here you go.

LOVE YA'LL

PEACE & BLESSING!

Derek

View from my apartment on the 9th Floor.

Weekend in Busan

Hey folks,

So its been a week since my trip to Busan and I'm just getting around to writing up my report but eh, a brutha has been busy, busy, busy. The other English teacher at my school went back to Canada to attend his brother's wedding so with him gone I've had to pick up all the advance classes, that means arriving to school before 7:40 a.m. (for those who really know me, ya'll know I'm not an early riser) and dealing with these knuckled, yet sweet kids! By say 11 am, I'm beat and ready for a nap.


Anyways. Busan.



Busan is home to 7.9 million Korean people, its situated in the province of Gyeongsangnam-do (경 상 남 도) Busan is a coastal city with a vast urban landscape; surrounded by mountain ranges on one side and the emerald green South Sea on the other (I could write for Frommers, don't ya think?). Numerous guidebooks state that Busan lacks a cosmopolitan feel and the people are "rough around the edges" but what do they know, I found Busan to be a great little hub filled with happy and smiling Korean faces, chic hotels, great restaurants and bars and some of the most breathe taking views I've seen since I've arrived in Korea.



My trip to Busan had been in the works since I arrived here a month or ago, twice a group from the social club I belong to Brothas & Sistahs on facebook attempted to arrange a trip to Busan, and twice it fell through. So this time I was determined not to not go, so I called upon my new tourist buddy Crystalyn and we hopped aboard the KTX bullet train and headed for Busan.



Its amazing how moving at roughly 198 mph feels like you're only going about 50 or 60 mph when you wanna really get somewhere. Three and a half hours later we were in Busan. Crystalyn nor I speak a lick of Korean so once we arrived, I had to call up my co-teacher and my newly appointed Korean "mouthpiece" Ji hyun to directed the taxi to our hotel on Haeundae Beach.

Haeundae Beach, Let the touring begin...


The Sangria Motel is an excellent "love motel" (I'll explain the love motel concept in a later blog, but if you think on it hard enough, I'm sure you already have an idea what they are) only a stone throw away from the beach. The rooms are cozy modern, and thanks to Ji hyun, who rang the hotel at least four times before our arrival, we made off with two rooms with amazing views of the beach!

We checked in awful late, and the ocean breeze placed a stiff chill in the air and Crystalyn and I were both both a little sleepy but eh, its was a new city and we only had the weekend to take in all the sights and sounds of Busan, so I immediately knocked on Crystalyn's door and persuaded her to come out so we could see Busan by night. We though we see the beach first but got completely turned around, and we end up in a night market.

The market was quiet and mostly all you could hear were the bubbling of the tanks which held the most exotic of sea creatures. Busan is know for having the freshest seafood in all of Korea -- and that's real and true. While walking through the market we past this one stall and the woman who ran the stall, pulled out of this bucket, what I took to be an eel and in a twinkle of an eye, this once had nailed the creature to a wooden board, chopped off its head and skinned.

CHOP! CHOP! And this was all while the eel was squirm -- talk about fresh!


We took our pictures, and we passed on the old woman's suggestion that we should have some and quickly exited the market still in search of the beach we stumbled upon this open air bar, Fuzzy Navel, that was quite reminiscence of a bar you would see in Miami, Cancun or any Caribbean country. It was a happening lil open air bar filled with foreigners, and foreign-friendly Koreans.

We pulled up a seat and order a round a drinks. A few beers, a few jacks and music, some nachos (which sucked) and after my second drink I noticed the bartender setting up this elaborate array of cups and shot glasses, so I inquired with the group beside me and was informed that the shot being made on a tower of highball glasses was called an Armageddon, with a name like Armageddon you know I had to try it! So the bartender began construction the tower of glasses and front of us and pouring the liquors into the shot glasses -- at 45% alcohol, the Armageddon contains, triple sec, grenadine, blue curacao - nothing but sweetness you say right? but wait there's more Bacardi 151 is leveled off at the top and the drink is set a fire, but wait there's more, the bartenders have a show accompanied with music and dancing to serve the shots -- and a warn to please remove yourself and your personal effects from the bar. Pyrotechnics at its greatest - the bartenders commence to dance, and we back away from the bar and swing and swoosh is all you hear. The bartenders take deep gulps of 151 and spew it onto the open flame in the shot glass! Everyone at the bar was screams with excitement and deep down worried if the bartenders are going to be able to extinguish the fire. When they finally do, shot still ablaze we gulped down Armageddon! (LINK TO ARMAGEDDON VIDEO) http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=7020193#/video/video.php?v=515699133389&subj=506033346

Fifteen minutes later, we were heading out the bar full of smiles and giggles, making our way finally to the beach. We happen on the beach, and what a sight dark moon, folks walking the beach, waves lapping the shore. And while on the beach we stumbled across this group of Korean 20-somethings singing a familiar hymn "Amazing Grace", they quickly notice we were American and we quickly noticed that they didn't know the hymn, so filled with the "spirit" I did my best two teach them a verse or two!

We walked the beach a bit more finally called it a night!



Saturday, who knew you could see so much in one day?

Finally rose up out of bed and met Crystalyn downstairs and we set out on a journey to find the Busan Aquarium (thirty minutes later we spot for directions and found out the aquarium was on the beach and we had walked directly pass it. And get this the sign for the aquarium is not in Korean but English!

Yet the walk was well worth it. If it had not had been for the walk we would not have built up an appetite and had brunch at the posh Westin Chosun which was quite tasty, nor would we have met the all girls school students who waved to us and blew kisses and more than likely we would not have learned about the Princess 21, a luxury cruise ship which we took for lunch on Sunday.



So eh, sometimes getting turn around pays off!



After our brunch we walked the beach, getting stares and giggles, for obviously men and women of our color, hair styles and size do not exist in Busan. But it was all good. Crystalyn had a few old men pinch in very familiar places a few times and I had an all boy band play a Korean tune for us ( I think they did it cuz I had on my stunner shades).

Busan's Sand Festival was also taking place so we walked the beach a bit more and snapped pictures of the sand sculptures on the beach and then on to the Aquarium. It was filled with some decent size exhibits yet the tour de force was the glass bottom boat ride over the shark exhibit!

After leaving the aquarium, we headed to Bemeo-sa Temple, an ancient temple that's been in the Busan area since 678 BC. It was an amazing sight set upon a winding hill. It was the first time since begin in Korea that I've actually heard and saw wildlife. The sounds of bugs and birds mixed in with the prayers and chants of monks and Buddhist followers was serene.


We left Bomeo-sa Temple and took the subway back to Hauendae, after a little rest we hailed a taxi and went to Chengposa, a small fishing cove eat fresh seafood at Noran Mahura (Yellow Scarf) open air restaurant and watch the sunset. The meal was a mishmash of seafood and Korean snack foods: a hot pot of scallops and calm soup, quails eggs, peanuts, fresh veggies, bug larvae (yes, I tried the larvae and its not too bad), Cass (Korean Beer) and chilled bean sprout soup which I enjoyed alone because I completely forgot that Crystalyn has a seafood allergy. So, we enjoyed the sunset and the surroundings, folks fishing off the cement pier and the views of Busan coastline.



Sunday, How much is that doggy in the window?

The sun was center stage on Sunday, and the sleepy town of Haeundae Beach was filled to the brim with people who had come to enjoy the beach, the sand sculptures and live music. We opted out of swimming because the water was way too cold and instead took the luncheon cruise on the Princess 21.



The cruise was splendid! The food was delicious and the views of Busan and the ocean were spectacular, it could not have been a more perfect day. I love the ocean and being aboard a boat is like tasty icing on a birthday cake to me!

I've always felt one with the sea. I can see and feel the magnificence and sheer creativity of God whenever I'm by the ocean! And being on the Princess 21 further heighten that experience.

I didn't want the cruise to end, but it did! And so we decided we take in a few more sights before we made our way back to Seoul.

First stop the UN Memorial Cemetery:

The UN Cemetery was build to memorialize the 45 countries who lost soldiers in the Busan area during the Korean War. Like cemeteries of olden days this place was used more as a place of enjoyment, to take in the beautifully landscaped gardens and the trees from the resting soldiers' homelands; it wasn't until the UN soldiers marched out to the flag post at 4 o'clock dressed in full regalia that I and all there remember we were in a solemn place.


We walked on after the ceremony to the Busan Museum, past the Busan Cultural Center, and a nice little park filled with families picnicking, ladies walking their dogs and old men chatting about who knows what (probably about us as we walked passed) we finally found the Busan Museum thanks to the direction of some passerbyers, and once in side the museum enlightened us on the rich history of the Busan area. If you're a history buff like myself is a must see spot if you're in Busan, because it puts the areas native cultural into perspective.

Next stop Gupo Market, the market were they sell dog meat!


Now let me preface by saying that ya'll who know me know that I had some what convinced myself that I was going to try dog meat before I let Korea -- play the guy from the tv show Bizarre Foods for awhile right. But hell to the NAWL!

* In my MLK JR voice* I'VE Gone to GUPO Market and I've SEEN the DOGS and THE DOG BUTCHER and I'LL NEVA TRY ANYBODY'S DOG MEAT!


I know it's all cultural, and we eat cows, pigs and chickens, etc., in the West and we have slaughter houses, blaaah, bllaaaah, blaaah however dogs are pets to me not food, and I guess the Hindu man feels the same about cows and he would be applaud and disgusted by our manner of treatment and usage of cows and he should. I aint saying its wrong, and I aint saying its right I'm just saying its NOT for M-E, ME!

You be the judge. (LINK TO DOG MARKET VISIT) http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=7020193#/video/video.php?v=515699557539&subj=506033346

Anyways seeing the dogs, almost put a slight damper on the weekend, and being chased by the butcheress for doing an undercover video (thanks, Crystalyn) didnt help either but we got out of dodge and hit it back to the KTX train.

The train was packed full of people, who enjoyed a great weekend in Busan. Its a must see stop and I'm glad I got to enjoy it.

To see the entire photo album from this trip go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84230&id=506033346&l=9b827ce971

Until next time people.. LOVE & BE LOVED!

Derek

Beaming Bucheon.

Hey folks,

I just wanted to share a few pictures of my new hometown, Bucheon. Bucheon (부천시) is located in Gyeonggi Province between Seoul and Incheon. I'm told it was once a farming community filled to the brim with pear trees, now there's hardly any trees in sight outside Lake Park and a few other park like areas. Bucheon is a bussling and beaming middle class city filled to the brim with boutiques, mega-chain malls, stores, nightclubs, restaurants -- whatever you need you can find it in Bucheon-si. I've been here for a little more than a month, and I still havent seen it all -- but what I have seen, I'm impressed.

My little city, has a total different feel from day to night. So my first series of photographs will be of Bucheon by day. Next up, you guessed it, Bucheon by Nigh. Until then.

Enjoy!

Derek