Travel Bug

March 31, 2010

My dog speaks Korean.

Here are a few useful terms...

Hangul Mal Mothayeo - I can't speak Korean.
Hangul Mal choggum- I only speak a little Korean.
Morugessoyo- I don't know.
Mian Hamnida- I'm Sorry.
Iriwa- come here.
Kah Chu-leh- Will you please go away.
Cheori Ga- Go away/ get out of my face.
Chae Shik Ju ija- Vegetarian.
Iirim moyeoh?- what's your name?
Wea? - Why?
Ottoh Gae- How?
Nugu?- Who?
Onje?- When?
Muat?- What
Muat Ibniga?- What is this/that?











(Thanks Isabel!)

March 23, 2010


I have a room full of teenagers sporting names straight out of picket fence suburbia. Instead, 90% of them don glasses, most carry electro dictionaries, and all quote Kimchi (fermented cabbage in chili) as their favourite food. (Bella, Tiny, Lewis, Brad, Rosa, Lisa...and Beckham.
In the next town over, at Waegwan Joongan Elementary (Garry's school) are two 2nd graders- Gentleman and Blue Shark.


It is the day before payday, I have my least favourite class, and have just been informed that all the parents are invited to tour the school today...just like an impromptu open class. Joy!



March 22, 2010

Home is where the heart is?

(For Nana)
Welcome to our (temporary) home. 


The Lounge.

The lounge pt 2. (Koreans love feature wallpaper).

The Kitchen. Sans oven, and therefore any ability to make pies.

Bedroom number 1.


Bedroom number 2. The junk room.


A drawing that hangs on our wall. Let me describe it for you...I am on the left, rushing to give Garry a present.
That's Gaz standing in the center, you can identify him by his extraordinarily hairy arms. The person on the right is rather confused by all this, she is also the artist.
This is Nunu. She's having a bad day, and living up to her nickname- Chewie.

March 21, 2010

A winter wonderland...in Spring!

March 1st marks the first day of spring in SK (South Korea). Warmer weather, Sunny skies, a reason to ditch the scarf, hat and gloves, and yellow dust. On the 3rd day of spring it snowed. More snow than we were given throughout the entire, bitter winter. 


Woken up at 2am by an easily excitable Garry.

Bailing down the road to the bus stop!

The park on my walk to school.

From Daegyo Elementary across the field.

  Looking down to Oobang village from school.



*Yellow Dust is a major side-effect of the spring season in SK. The term is used to explain what starts as dust and dirt clouds from the Gobi Desert in Northern China and Mongolia. The dust clouds are made a lot worse from the high level of pollution in China (caused mainly by rapid deforestation). Because of the reasonably close proximity of SK to China, the dust effect is worst here- it triggers allergies and worsens asthmatic conditions. For your average person it means swallowing lung fulls of over polluted air, cleaning the dust out of your house/car and wearing a mask similar to the Swine mask on a daily basis! We've been told it clears up in the end of April, but like winter, we will see!
An example of yellow dust 'high season'- low visibility and yellow skies!

March 6, 2010

Where's your head at?

To Seoul in seach of some decent music...cue- Basement Jaxx @ Club Eden in Gangnam!
Gaz and I caught up with Isabel for some serious shopping before she flew back to NZ, farewelled Josh in true O'Rorke style before he flew back to NZ and tested the generosity of Korean casinos!


Mia, Gaz and Isabel- shopping in Myeongdong!


Seeing Josh after 2 years!


In true Korean style...


Nicole & I in the Eden bathrooms...where the sculptors were not so generous.

Gaz and I at the gig.