Wibro Wireless internet has arrived in my Korean life! It's a USB plug-in antenna which allows me, in theory, to connect to the internet anywhere in the Gyeonggi-do province (metro Seoul area). I signed a twelve month contract with KT Telecom for 22,000 Won per month and no out-of-pocket expense. Not bad, though I had to return to COEX Mall last week for a complete reinstall of the Wibro software on my computer. Hopefully, this proves to be a convenient and trouble-free solution to the internet connectivity issues which have plagued me from day one in Korea.
I recently learned that one of my students in Step 4 class lived in Ann Arbor, MI for three years and studied at Wayne State University in Detroit. Small world; though she didn't seem to know much about Toledo and Northwest Ohio. Nonetheless, it was a nice connection to make and we have since had many interesting discussions about Ann Arbor and her short time spent there.
Last week, I returned to my new favorite restaurant in Sanbon, and location of the nearly disastrous oil fire during my second visit there. Thursday night, I treated two of my favorite Korean friends, B.H. and Gemma, to late night Galbi dinner. It was a great evening shared with two great people, and together the three of us feasted on thinly sliced beef, the many traditional Korean accompaniments, and Ginseng soju from my personal stash that I now keep at the restaurant. That's right, I have my own bottle of Ginseng-soaked soju with my name proudly written on it and kept on hand at the restaurant.
There was no class Friday, so I ventured South to meet Toledo friend Greg and his Korean girlfriend, Suji, in JiriSan National Park. JiriSan National Park is the largest of the Korean National Parks and boasts some of the tallest, steepest terrain in the country. Overall, it was a wonderful weekend, and nice to reconnect with this contingency from Toledo/Pusan.
Because of the late night Thursday, I did not actually leave Sanbon until close to 3pm Friday, which meant taking the 4pm bus from Nambu Bus Terminal In Seoul and 8pm arrival in JinJu. A major mistake on my part, but worth it because Thursday night was a great time. From JinJu, it's another hour long bus ride to Jung San Li, the mountain location of the resort we stayed in. Unfortunately, my late night arrival in a strange country town without street lights led to me getting lost and wandering for over an hour before finally locating the resort around 1030pm.
I am incredibly fortunate every time I travel in Korea, as I always seem to have good luck and encounter some friendly Korean who speaks just enough English to assist me. In this case, I met my new Korean friend on the bus ride to Jung San Li, and after getting lost the first time, he helped guide me to the resort. Additionally, he joined me for late night dinner and shared the cost of the hotel room for the first night so my cost was only 20,000 Won instead of the standard 40,000 Won.
What was most disappointing about my weekend travel was immediately following the hour long bus ride to Jung San Li, when the nasty bus driver insisted I pay him a second fare. This was despite the fact I provided my original ticket to a different attendant upon entering the bus, who eagerly accepted my ticket, helped me handle my luggage, and showed me to my seat. The driver's attitude really rubbed me the wrong way, but as my new Korean friend pointed out using subtle English vocabulary, "it's okay. Pay the man the money and let's go." Even though it was only 6,000 Won, I still felt cheated and it did not sit well with me.
Greg and Suji arrived early Saturday morning, 10am, from Pusan, and we enjoyed a quick breakfast before departing for our day hike to the mountain. Originally, we were told 7-8 hours to the summit and back (11 km.), though less than one hour into the hike, we quickly realized this was near impossible due to the steep, rocky terrain that was the trail. Instead, we hiked two hours to Beopgye Temple, enjoyed a free lunch sponsored by the temple staff, and lingered here for almost two hours before returning down the mountain. It was the correct decision, because there is no way we could have reached the summit and made it safely down the mountain prior to darkness setting in. The terrain was too steep and too challenging to negotiate in dim light or the dark. As it was, the hike to/from the temple was 7 kilometers and was challenging. Besides, it gives us an excuse to return for a 2-3 day overnight hike and camp on the mountain; something we are currently planning for.
So, we returned to our resort motel at around 6pm Saturday where we each showered, relaxed, and prepared a phenomenal four course meal complete with pork tenderloin, beef tenderloin, sauteed vegetables, rice, and soju. After negotiating with the motel manager, Suji was allowed to prepare a campfire, confined to my portable charcoal grill and the brick patio where we cooked. All in all it was a great night and we quickly made friends with another couple staying at the motel, along with the motel manager and his girlfriend, who each joined us for dinner and drinks.
Sunday morning, we awoke around 10am, cooked steak and eggs for breakfast, cleaned up from the night before, and departed for JinJu on the 1pm bus. I did manage to get stung by a bee while cooking breakfast; something that has not happened to me in Korea up until this time. Once in JinJu we ate sushi lunch and toured JinJu Castle, a large castle and beautiful gardens located along the banks of the Nam River, with a deep history dating back to 1592 during the first Japanese invasion of the Korean Peninsula. According to history, some 3,800 Korean soldiers successfully defended the castle against a surge of 20,000 Japanese troops, before they eventually fell during the second invasion a year later in 1593.
If ever in JinJu or Gyeongsang Province, I highly recommend a visit to JinJu Castle. It's tremendously worth the 6,000 Won entrance fee.
The 7pm bus leaving JinJu meant that I did not arrive until 11pm in Seoul, and after midnight in Sanbon. A late Sunday night and long weekend, but well worth it. Cost of the weekend was as follows:
40,000 Won KoRail bus to/from JinJu
12,000 Won bus to/from Jung San Li (+ extra 6,000 Won)
50,000 Won for two night's accommodation at resort motel in Jung San Li
20,000 Won food/beer/soju for Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning
Weekend spent away from home, hiking with friends at one of Korea's most beautiful national parks: Priceless.
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