KOREA Week XVII

Late October/ early November happenings:

New classes and students to commence month seven in The Orient. Low enrollment meant that one of my classes was cancelled, so I have extra free time this month and can actually eat dinner before 10pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Yeah!

Mostly, classes are well and I have begun to implement new materials and reformat the class structure this month. My relationship with the students continues to be the highlight of my job, and it is always pleasurable to speak with them, both inside and outside the classroom.

It was recently brought to my attention that I may have a new neighbor staying in the room immediately adjacent to mine. While this may seem like a pleasant surprise and some much needed company, I enjoyed my solitude and I dislike having to be aware of my music levels, especially late at night. Besides, the walls are paper thin and already I have heard more from my new neighbor than I care to. So this could get interesting.

My one-burner electric range has bit the dust. Apparently, the UniMax 1550 HDC model is no match for Ethan's overzealous cooking habits. It's okay, actually, as I much prefer the Kovea KR-0906 model portable gas stove I originally purchased for camping, but have since adopted as a permanent feature in my kitchen. I will, most likely, have to purchase a second cooking apparatus, as one stove is simply not enough when you cook lots, and more importantly, cook well.

While I once thought cooking in my apartment would be an affordable alternative to frequently dining out, I, sadly, was mistaken. Gourmet tastes, and the premium prices which accompany the Western ingredients I often use, make this difficult to achieve. I suppose it's okay, though, as I have made some incredible dishes in recent weeks. Another trip to Costco (90,000 Won) and a fully-stocked pantry help make this possible.

This week's highlight, by far, was the Sunday trip to Bundang and breakfast at Butterfinger Pancakes. Bundang is located roughly one hour Southeast of Seoul via its own subway line, and is one of the most affluent regions of Seoul. Distance from Sanbon is approximately thirty minutes by car. Its a beautiful area with many modern apartment complexes, and a riverfront park which surrounds the Tancheon River. There are many upscale restaurants and coffee houses located here, including Butterfinger Pancakes, which is, without a doubt, the most Western-style breakfast restaurant I have seen in Korea. Two of us ordered bacon and eggs, french toast, a tall stack of pancakes, and a side dish of macaroni and cheese. They even had real maple syrup to float the french toast and pancakes in! A generous portion of each and all delicious, though, cost was somewhat expensive at 35,000 Won. It was, however, well worth it and I plan to return again soon.

Automotive news:

Hyundai Motor Company and it's junior, Kia Motors Corp., continue to impress me, on many levels. First of all, many students work for, or are in some way involved with them, so it's easy to discuss in class and learn about them. Also, Hyundai and Kia both dominate the passenger car and truck market in Korea, so they are a sort of national pride. What is most impressive, however, is the fact that Hyundai and Kia's market share in the U.S. grew 49% and 45% respectively over the past year. This is, in fact, despite, a global recession, and at a time when other manufacturers, including popular Japanese rivals, continue to battle declining sales. It's actually, astounding.

Amidst this success, Hyundai's quality continues to improve, and many believe, the company is truly building a world-class product. As an example, take a look at the recently unveiled fifth-generation Hyundai Sonata. It's sleek, stylish, and vastly improved over previous models. All this, and, it will be priced less than competitive Toyota and Honda models; namely the Camry and Accord. Other notable mentions include the recently redesigned Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Forte, Kia Soul, and my personal favorite, the Hyundai Genesis; 2009 North American Car of the Year. As if this weren't enough, the Equus line, Hyundai's premier luxury line, goes on sale in North America sometime in late 2010. Remember when Lexus first debuted in 1989 and exactly how Toyota's U.S. market percentage has grown since then? Think similar thoughts.

Toyota, bizarrely, was recently introduced to the Korean marketplace in mid-October. Since then, I have seen many television commercials advertising their three vehicle lineup they are selling, and I have seen many new Camrys, Prius's, and RAV4's hit the streets. It's actually like a status symbol to drive a foreign automobile, even a Toyota, against a product offered by the more traditional Hyundai, Kia, GM Daewoo, Renault-Samsung, or Ssangyong Motors.

Other technology:

The Apple iPhone is set to launch soon in South Korea, though, there is much controversy surrounding the application fees and monthly service fees offered between Apple and the local carriers, namely SK and Korea Telecom (KT). Hopefully, this matter will resolve itself soon, for the introduction of the Google-based Droid is fast approaching, and sadly, it offers more gaming opportunities; something, which, most young Koreans will consider important.

Korean GPS units, found in almost every automobile, feature many functions and are truly, state of the art. What is most unique, however, is the television feature and split-screen function. That's right, satellite television in the front seat of the car while navigating the busy streets of Seoul and Korean highways. As if most Korean drivers weren't bad enough without this distraction..

Stayed tuned.