Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Hiking with MyungKyo and Shin Dragon

Andrew's principal gave his school an extra day off during the Chuseok holiday, so while Judy was at work, Andrew went on a hike with two teachers from his school. The hike began at a female monastery and ended at a Buddhist temple up in the Korean hills.



MyungKyo and Shin Dragon

MyungKyo is Andrew's co-teacher and he
carpools with Shin, the music teacher.



Shin and MyungKyo headed into a temple to bow 108
times in order to cleanse their families of sin.

When a monk saw Andrew looking around, she sat down at the piano
and began playing "Yesterday" by the Beatles.
It was awesome!


Their shoes outside the door


Sleeping quarters in the distance

The stream that ran through the monastery


Lady monks cleaning the grounds


The monk's garden

Cabbage on the left and radish on the right




MyungKyo asked if she could take a picture of
Andrew in front of the restroom in the parking lot...

How could he refuse such a request?

Make a wish and stack a stone

Arriving at the temple

The building you see is actually the cafeteria.
Koreans don't do much without eating.



Some Koreans enjoying the view


Andrew, Shin Dragon & Minnie Mouse

Adnrew & MyungKyo

On the descent

A white pirate ship shaped restaurant that we will find and dine at!

The Neighborhood

The Good Mart
Our closest little grocery store.
The man and woman that run the place love us!

Our apartment is across the street from the fire station

The best Chinese food in the neighborhood

Gimbap Jungle
This place has awesome, cheap Korean food.
It's a weekly stop

Andrew is trying to convince Judy to get her haircut at HairParty

Sadly, we still haven't tried a cone pizza

This grocery store is always blasting amazing K-Pop

The dry cleaner

This is where Andrew ate dog with some of his teachers

Behind these sliding doors with swastikas
sits a chain smoking Korean fortune teller

Every Wednesday and Saturday, the streets
behind Judy's school become a market




These pig feet are so delicious once they're done

Monster carrots

Everyone needs at least one knock off

Mmmm, Kimchi

Korea has the best cherry tomatoes

That is a lot of empty soju bottles...

This man would not let us pass without taking a picture of him

Jerky from the sea!


Not sure if the iguanas are being sold as pets or dinner


Ballrantine

Ballrantine serves bear and whisky!


Generally, the cartoon animal on the sign lets
you know what kind of meat the restaurant prepares
...


Hula hoops of all kinds and sizes are sold EVERYWHERE

Fresh Bank & Fresh Fish @ Banking Center



Fishing boats


Hyundai employees getting off work
(and Bellie Donuts are pretty tasty!)

This car has one speed, and that's 'hair-raising speed'

The bars, restaurants and karaoke places near Ilsan Beach.

Karaoke is rarely done on a stage in South Korea. It is usually performed in NoRaeBangs, which are private song rooms for you and your friends.
Please notice the 80's Madonna themed noraebang on the second floor

more song rooms on the 2nd & 3rd floors