Munoz Family Visit

So, at the end of July the Munoz clan rolled into town. I had convinced them that it was only fair that they visit Scott and I because after all, they did go visit my sister in Taiwan, a few years back. This guilt method worked (although I wouldn't recommend it for frequent use - people will eventually stop talking to you) and we ended up having a fantabulous time.

Scott and I had a full week off from teaching (which is something special in this line of work), so we had time to really take Korea by storm. Kapow!

I could end this post now by say that we kept very busy gallivanting around the country and eating, but that would make for a short and boring post. So, please, let me continue with eight billion photos and captions (I'm barely exaggerating).

*One day we visited our local waterfall... and so did the rest of the town.*

My dad is so epic.

Here we (and some Koreans in the background) are.

*We also made our way to the Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan. It is the biggest fish market in Busan, probably Asia, and maybe the WORLD! Of course, that is an exaggeration, but it is quite big and full of fish (and other strange sea creatures).*

Giant crab - can be a really good thing or a really bad thing, depending on when and where you find it.

Some people selling their fish-n-stuff. There are puddles everywhere because all the sea stuff is dripping everywhere.

Fish shaped cakes (filled with red bean paste)... fun to look at, but if you've OD'd on red bean paste, as I have, not so fun to eat.

One of the more bad ass dudes I've seen in Korea. The way he is smoking that cigarette and counting his money is awesome. Moreover, it is funny that he's looking so bad ass while selling fruit. You should know though that I in no way advocate smoking. I think it is a gross, expensive, dangerous, and pointless habit. How's that for some unsolicited advice about smoking? Didn't see that coming, did you?

I'm quite proud of this picture because my camera usually doesn't focus things how I'd like, but this time it did. Scott bought some of these little fishes. They are still sitting in the fridge because I think he's forgotten about them. Lastly, don't miss how that lady has stuffed her arm(s) into these strange Korean arm cover things (to avoid getting sun).
Edit: Scott smashed up some of the tiny fish and used them in a stew yesterday.

Here we have Scott's afternoon snack... some freshly grilled squid (packaged in an old magazine page). It was delicious, if you enjoy squid - and maybe even if you don't.

*We also found our way to Namhae - an island off of the south coast of Korea. As I've mentioned before, you can drive there because they've built a bridge connecting it with the mainland. It is a really beautiful and mostly peaceful place. *

The weather was really cooperating this day.

After we successfully found the island we stopped at this shack with snacks, which will henceforth be known as the snack shack. Here are Scott and my dad buying some snacks.

This day she had some sort of lemonade/orange juice drink (made out of a lemony/orangey kind of fruit)...

And hard-boiled eggs (with salt for dipping). Pretty standard fair for a snack shack.

She wanted me to try the concentrated fruit (that the drink was made from), so I did because you can't really turn down a Korean offering you food. Or I s'pose you could, but I just couldn't stand being the cause of such confusion and hurt.

Scott is advocating a state or period of mutual concord between governments.

This is are little Kia Carens - so far she has served us well. We disagree whether it is a female or male, but since I'm writing this post, I say that it is a she.

Driving through the Korean countryside you see a lot of rice paddies, but they never cease to amaze me. Strikingly green and dreamily swaying in the wind - reminds me of a drunk Jolly the Green Giant. Okay, they don't really, but it sort of made sense, right?

There were some gorgeous views... like this.

And this.

Talk about a great view! Look at that fine hunk-a-burnin-love.

We found a beach (three in fact) and despite multiple warnings about how busy everything was going to be (because of summer vacation)... there weren't really many people around.

Strategically grown kiwi trees that you park your car under - best parking garage to date.

My sister and some silliness.

I am the unofficial navigator. I use a crappy little tourist map and so far we haven't gotten truly lost (we've had to make a few u-turns and take a few scenic routes, but we've never been lost lost).

This is my dad smashing his face against the back window of our car. This may help you understand why I am the way I am.

A little farming and fishing village clinging to the side of the mountain.

Terraced fields right down to the ocean.

Sisters and terraced fields... oh what a wonderful world.

Sunset.

This was the first day I've ever been a victim of my own game.

Was a pretty good time of day to be driving around the island.

If only this country weren't such a bore to look at.

Pizza! There is only one little town on Namhae island with pizza... and we found it.

Our last day in Namhae - it was rainy and stormy. This was the view from our room.

*Next we traveled to Jinju, where Scott's family friends (AS and her husband Mr. Sung) have a summer home. It was pretty sweet.*

As you can see, this is a ridiculous spider. What you can't see in the photo is the sequence of events that immediately followed the photo being taken. Click. Flash. Flips its big striped butt completely over (so the underside is facing us). SHOOTS POISON (or something) at my sister and I. A wee little bit of it gets on my leg. Flips its big striped butt back to normal. My sister and I totally freak out. I grow six more legs and turn our spare room into a giant spider web nest.

The ladies went on a nice peaceful walk around the lake near their summer home. And let me clarify, most normal Koreans don't have summer homes, but Mr. Sung has done well for himself. And is generous enough to let us hang out with him.

Oh no, which one is the real sky?!

Meanwhile, the men went on a really strenuous hike. Haha. The came back drenched in sweat. Scott had to carry the back pack with all the water bottles because he was the youngest.

My dad just being his weirdo self. The more time I spend with him, the more I learn about myself. I think he's a secret genius. We have a lot in common.

This was our end of the house... the place was huge.

My sister taking a nap in Scott and I's room. If there is one thing that the Munoz family can do and do well - it is nap.

The bathroom was pretty.

The view from the front yard. Now let me tell you a little story. Mr. Sung's family has lived on this little hill for a long time... he grew up here... his relatives live in those super old shacks. Then Mr. Sung grew up and made a lot of money. So, he tore down his parents' shack and built a super nice summer home. His brother still lives in the same town, so he takes care of things while Mr. Sung is away.

Sleeping on the floor: good for health! (Koreans say, "_____ is good for health," about a comical number of things.)

They prepared an American breakfast for us. It was actually pretty close to the real thing. Real bacon, real croissants, real jam, real fried eggs, real orange juice, and real toast with melted Kraft cheese slices (?!).


Well, it seems as though I've reached maximum capacity for one blog post. I didn't even know there was a limit. But, it won't let me add any more photos to this one... so please follow me to the next post.

For your viewing pleasure.

Here are a few short videos taken at random times in the last few months.

First we have a creepy wagon/cart ride at the Hadong Green Tea Festival. I think the animals were powered with some kind of dark magic.

Next, some footage of the Black Pebble Beach on Geoje Island. Scott was trying to capture the sound the pebbles would make as they tumbled down (as the waves washed back out to sea). It was a pleasant sound that neither of us had heard before.

And lastly, a bit of our ferry tour around Haegeumgang island, off the coast of Geoje. The driver was a pro.

Playing catch up...

Well, this blog is in shambles.
Scott and I hit the the three month mark and were kind of in shambles ourselves. His previous post described the phases of culture shock (I don't think "shock" is the right word, but I'm not really sure what is). As he mentioned, there are generally four phases when living abroad (this is worth a read if you have the time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock)... so our "honeymoon" phase ended (with Korea, not each other) and the "negotiation" phase began. Practically speaking, this meant Scott was angry and I was depressed. This also meant that the last thing I wanted to do was blog about Korea. I just wanted to sleep... and eat almond Snickers bars. So, for about a month I slept and ate almond Snickers bars.

Then we got heartbreaking news from the States... a man we greatly respected and loved dearly suddenly passed away. It was devastating. He was truly one of the best men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Then my director started to wield her power a bit (my visa is directly tied to my job, so my director has a lot of power over me, it is kind of like I am Frodo and my director is the ring, except for not at all). A direct quote, "You can't just draw the line and say you won't work Saturdays." Well, actually, yes I can. I could go on, but I won't. I'm trying to forget most of what she said to avoid becoming bitter. So far, it is working out alright. I've also decided to put up some boundaries with her - make it less buddy/buddy and more employee/employer. She's still a decent person, but we just can't be friends... just gets too messy.

So, needless to say, life was overwhelming, stressful, and frustrating for a while. I don't blame Korea. Life gets that way sometimes, no matter where you are. We've been here now for about 5 and a half months and things are generally good. We are actively working on finding the positive and enjoying our time here. Most days it isn't too hard. We love each other very much and have really learned to depend on and communicate with each other. We enjoy exploring the country (we now have a car and bikes!). Spending time with Scott's family and family friends gives us a dose of love and entertainment. Our apartment feels like home (not a cockroach in sight, take that punks!). There is always something to find the funny in 'round these parts... never a dull moment. And most importantly, there is a never ending supply of Frosted Flakes. Everything is gonna be alright.

End life lesson. Begin fun photos. Hold on to yer butts.

Don't really need a caption for this one. They looked like tiny condoms... and we are in Korea after all.

I'm in my totally mismatched pajamas, wearing Scott's giant shoes, singing. Enough said.

Motorized wheelchair driving down the street (where there is a sidewalk available). I stopped asking, "Why?" months ago.

Scott sleeping on the train ride (and me entertaining myself) on the way to Hadong, a beautiful, green tea-growing, little village.

Us with a tea-themed flora and fauna in Hadong.

Myself and the woman who served us food. I liked her. At first she thought I was asking if she would take our picture, but then realized I was asking to take a picture with her. She was still confused, but politely obliged me.

The woman finishing up the painting that we bought from her. It now hangs in our kitchen.

Statue punch! (Ssanggyesa temple, near Hadong)

Statue slap! (Ssanggyesa temple)

B-O-N-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G. Or so I imagine.

Scott and the temple. The temple and Scott.

This is the minbak we stayed in in Hadong. A minbak is a rented room for the night. You sleep on the floor and it isn't as bad as it sounds. It costs about $30 bucks a night.

Hadong green tea mime. Need I say more?

Our best effort at a couples outfit.

Kind of dirty and completely random Winnie the Pooh character at Lotte Mart (our local grocery/everything store).

Everyone must take off their shoes - even for a house party.

At the top of a small mountain, in our small town, Jangyu.

Same mountain, same town.

A while back we went with my director and her family to an island called Namhae. It was gorgeous. This is a super old lady tending to her garlic crop. I've only ever seen super old people farming in Korea. Elderly Koreans are bad to the bone.

Rice paddies, the ocean, and some tough old Koreans in Namhae.

Brother, I love your boots!

Minki, Maria, and their friends playing in the ocean. Take note of the naked little boy's butt and Maria floating on a big piece of styrofoam that Minki found nearby.

Those houses up yonder are called the "American Village." They look like American houses... in Korea. Very weird.

This is the one we stayed at.

There is a strange little museum on Namhae and this is the parking lot. Notice the Mickey Mouse statue and couples outfit. Both precious.

This was a miniature in the museum, but I took the photo so they look life size, how clever!

Scott and I's first road trip in our new car was to Geoje Island. You might be wondering how we keep driving to islands... they've built bridges connecting them to the mainland (ingenious!). This is a photo of Black Pebble Beach. "Pebble" is a bit of a mistranslation, but that doesn't detract from the beauty of it.

Our minbak in Geoje, the doorway to the bathroom was not built for people of Scott's height.

The view from the Hill of Wind, a knobbly little hill on Geoje Island. Supposedly they film a lot of epic movie and drama scenes here.

What Hill of Wind doesn't have a windmill? Doesn't matter that it is powered from a motor within - the Hill of Wind must have a windmill! And goats!

Besides all those Koreans in the background - it doesn't really look much like Korea.

Devil eyes!

More Black Pebble Beach, with the fog rolling in.

It was one foggy dog that night.

Geoje fishing boats.

Geoje old lady selling "snacks."

The look you get after you make your husband get on a Korean ferry tour of Haegeumgang island (off the coast of Geoje).

Hey, somebody cracked open Haegeumgang! You should have seen all the secrets that came spilling out. Sidenote: Haegeumgang is a rocky island off of Geoje island that you take a ferry tour around because Koreans like it. They like it because it looks similar to a mountain (Geumgang mountain) in North Korea that they obviously aren't allowed to go look at.

After the tour of the island mountain that looks like another mountain, the boat goes to another island, Oedo Island Paradise (the official name). So, a long time ago this couple bought this island and turned it into a botanical garden. It was pretty sweet.

Wow!

Haha.

Scott loves nature.

Oh, how Victorian (?) and peaceful.

Ant in a flower thing.

Dr. Seuss style.

Ooooooh, plants.

These woman were laughing hysterically because they were trying to get all nestled into those flowers for a picture. This picture doesn't do justice to how funny it was.

View from the top of Oedo Island.

These weren't very useful on such a foggy day, but they did make for a nice picture.

Like I said, I stopped asking, "Why?" a long time ago.

Inspiration.

View of some of the gardens... tons of man power goes into maintaining this place.

Photo of a photo. Notice how the Korean poses.

Let me show you how we do it in 'Merica!!!

Scott really didn't want to do this, but he did it because he knew how much it would please me. Marriage is about sacrifice sometimes.

Trees in a row.

Freaky alien flowers.

Vine on tree action.

Probably not as soft and fluffy as they looked, but a girl can dream, right?

Headed back to the ferry... you had to swim back out to the boat! Psych!

The happy couple on the happy island.

Back home - Scott likes to take photos of my hair when I wake up in the morning.

I don't know why I allow it.

And last, but certainly not least... here we have EeSue - the mutant grandmother dog. She belongs to AS, Scott's mom's friend, who we see fairly regularly. EeSue is 14 years old, only has two teeth (which means her tongue hangs out at sorts of strange angles), he eyes are cloudy with cataracts, she has no voice/barking box (because she went too hysterical while AS was out), she is a little fat, and her skin can be rolled and manipulated in comical ways.

What a wild ride through time that was! Whoosh! Zoom!

If the ding dang internet and this bing bang computer start working in unison - you'll see a few short videos in the next post. Ding dang! Bing bang!