Night out to remember

In South Korea, it isn't uncommon to go on "workshops" with your co-workers. These "workshops" aren't meant for working, they are more for getting to know each other better. In America, we branch off into small groups - pairing ourselves with one or two other co-workers and maybe going out to lunch with them, possibly going for drinks if we really like their personalities. In Korea, it isn't uncommon to go out as an entire group. In fact, each teacher pays a monthly amount to goes towards group outings. When I first arrived, I was asked to contribute to the teacher fund. I, of course, agreed and it was one of my better (or worse, haha) decisions.

Friday night I went on an over night outing with my co-workers. I was worried about this because my co-teacher wasn't going to be able to make it so it was just me against the others. Out of all of the other teachers, there are three who speak decent English. Only two of those were coming. Thankfully, one of them decided to attach herself to me in a very motherly way. Sam Ay (Sammie!) was a lifesaver. She's a beautiful woman inside and out who helped me the entire night. And boy did I need help...

We rented a bus. Apparently, Koreans find nothing wrong with starting the part early because we left school at 1400 and, as soon as the bus started rolling, the beer cans popped open. It was a 3 hour bus ride full of drinking games and booze. It was hilarious to see all the games. Most of the games were the same ones that we play. Koreans play 3-6-9 and chug beer but they do others that I hadn't seen before like charades and who can blow the biggest bubble. Simple things that were fun to watch and participate in especially with me screaming the English animals while everyone else is screaming in Korean.

We arrived at the restaurant and proceeded to eat large amounts of Korean beef. Jacob asked me how to beef tasted...I believe it tasted good but I can't remember exactly. I know that I opened a lot of wine bottles because after they found out that I worked at a wine bar - they all wanted me to open the bottles.

At some point we went to our pension (which is what they call a hotel - fancy!) which was also a jimjilbang complete with natural sauna room. I died as soon as we got there and was woken up 5 minutes to 7 with "Taylor, we leave 5 minutes." I dragged myself out of bed, struggled to put on my jacket and shoes then stumbled out of the room feeling a little worse for wear. Five other teachers and I began our ascent up the mountain. Yes, that's right, I hiked up a mountain in the freezing weather with a hangover. I wanted to die. I thought I would die - I felt so horrible. But then I stopped and looked around...

Just an example of what something similar to what I saw

The beauty of the area was astounding. I wish that I had brought my camera. We were in an old country filled with old faith and beliefs in Animalism. There were wooden totem poles with faces carved in and family alters for personal praying carved into the mountainside. At one of these alters, a woman who had little in life to offer as she was living in a shack, offered us all coffee. We graciously accepted the warm cups and took in the beauty around us before beginning our descent to the bottom of the mountain.

Climbing the mountain took an hour...going down the mountain should have taken less time. However, 1.5 hours later I decided to ask what was taking so long. The response I received was simple..."Taylor, we lost." I laughed. I have been in Korea for three months without getting lost and the first time I go out with all Koreans - they get me lost! It was hilarious. We found our way to a road and ended up calling a taxi to take us back to the pension - a 20 minute taxi ride later...we were able to eat a much desired breakfast.

After breakfast, I slept in the giant heated rock room then we traveled to a temple. We walked around in the rain, ate bimbambop (rice, spicy sauce, and a bunch of random veggies mixed up), and enjoyed the end of the adventure. The land was beautiful - Korea really is a gorgeous place once you travel outside of the city.