Spring has Sprung

The view just outside of my apartment building --cherry blossoms in bloom!

 Right on time, spring has sprung in Gwacheon and it feels quite lovely to move into a new season.  I’ve experienced the humid heat of Korea’s summer, the chill of fall and the frosty feeling of winter, so I am delighted to be entering into sweet-smelling spring.  The sunshine’s bright, the air is fresh, and the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom.  Here we had such a wonderfully mild week with a refreshing (and persistent) downpour this weekend –so what better time to sit down and write about it.    

For this post, I thought that using a poem from one of my favourite writers, Robert Frost, would help to convey my thoughts...

A Prayer in Spring

OH, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill. 

~Robert Frost

I took this photo on my way to the subway.  Blue skies, fragrant blossoms... what's not to love?

The English major in me wants to annotate each part of the poem –couplet by couplet –to explain how this poem relates to my current state; however, I will just a highlight a couple of passages to avoid boring any readers.

In university, it would have been pointed out how the prayer to “give us pleasure in the flowers today;/ And give us not to think so far away/As the uncertain harvest; keep us here” could be analyzed using Frye’s literary criticism –in particular, the archetype of the four seasons.  The professor would talk about how spring signifies the light-hearted genre of comedy, but points to darker things like a certain tragic outcome in the fall or winter.  A conversation would have revolved around Frost’s use of the cyclical seasons to convey the same tumultuous nature of life; spring is new life, winter is certain death.  I would have put square brackets around the stanza, wrote a note like “archetype of seasons” beside it, and followed it up with a squiggly underline.

Now, as I read this poem, I see how the image of spring –with its joy and possibilities –can be used as a wonderful distraction from future worries of prosperity.  As I inch towards the last third of my contract, I have received a lot of questions about my next step.  Will I re-sign?  Will I come home and look for a job?  Will I look elsewhere and continue my travels?  While my over-active mind tries to race ahead of itself, I will try to embrace Frost’s “prayer” to remain present in spring; especially with the “orchard white” of cherry blossoms and the “darting birds” (or curve balls), “for this is love” and what is better than being twitter-painted with life?

A row of cherry blossom-ing trees along one of the main streets in Gayang.  Trés beau!

Seoul Subway System --Enjoy the Journey

While this may be a terribly clichéd metaphor, it can also be applied in a very literal way.  Here is a lesson in navigating your way around Korea, in particular: how to enjoy the journey using Seoul Subway System.   

Step 1: Decide on a place you'd like to visit.

This often requires consulting Trip Advsor-like websites and traveller blogs.  (Korean-based websites are obviously helpful when it comes to images and subway exit info, but they can only get you so far when you aren't fluent in Hangul).

Step 2: Record or recite any information about subway exits, bus stops or landmarks. 

I often end up taking a picture (of the website map) with my phone so that I can access it at any point on the journey.  It also helps to practice the details with a traveling buddy so you can remember any key things to look for along the way.
* I feel like this is a good time to explain that Korean roadways are too plentiful to be named like Canadian streets do. There are no street signs indicating a Broadway St or Feller Avenue, this is why it is imperative to have a map to follow that includes places to look for.

Step 3:  Walk to the nearest subway exit. 

I'm fortunate to have exit 5 of the Gwacheon Government Complex stop a few minutes from my door.  I live along Line 4 (aka the blue line) which offers a direct route through Seoul heading in the Danggogae direction; it also leads to some key shopping places (E-mart, Home Plus) and restaurants (Outback Steakhouse and Korean BBQ places) in the Oido direction.

**what direction you are traveling is key to making sure you get to where you want to go, so you must always know what the last stop is on that line in the direction you wish to go.    

If you look at near the bottom of this picture you will see the Line 4, the "sky blue" line.  I live 18 stops in from Oido, at Government Complex Gwacheon

Step 4:  Stop by the subway machine to ensure your t-money card has funds. 

T-money is a card you load with any denomination of money and you can use it for subway and cabs alike.  When you swipe your card upon entering the subway system, it automatically deducts 1,050 won (current equivalent to CAD $0.90).  Then, depending on how far your travel and/or what transfers you make, money is deducted from your card (at increments of 200 or 300 won) when you swipe out of the subway system.  Mhmm, less than $2 for more than an hour of travel.  After a round trip, your grand total will be a whopping $2 to $3.

Step 5:  Identify the proper exit.

At this point, it is incredibly important to know which exit you would like to surface to ensure you are on the side of the street, train station, or particularly large building.  As I mentioned earlier, there are no street signs, so if you’re only instruction is to walk straight out of the exit, turn left at the light and look for the building with the blue lights, starting off on the wrong exit can make for a very interesting search.  When you walk up from the subway, you swipe your card and then follow the multiple signs that point you in the direction of your exit.  It’s usually 4 or 5 exits to your immediate left and 4 or 5 to your immediate right, and then they branch out from there.

Zoomed in to the Neighbourhood Map, we were THERE.

 Step 6:  Emerge from the Subway system.

Often times there are “Neighbourhood Maps” located at the exit to show you what buildings or “business centers” are nearby; I like to cross-reference these images with the instructions I have brought with me, just to make sure the stars will align when it comes time to arrive at the destination.

The Neighbourhood Map at Yeongdeungpo Market

Step 7: Look Up!

Since you are often looking for landmarks, it’s a good idea to glance upwards at the buildings and the subway signs to indicate if you’re heading in the right direction.  Korea can only afford to build up, so you can’t afford to look at eye level when most restaurants and cafes are located on the 2^nd  (2F), 3^rd (3F) or 4^th (4F) floors of buildings.  Also, you learn how to navigate by “turning at the gold building with the neon pink Hangul sign”, or “passing the blue microphone (sign of a Norebong)” and “stopping just before the Cafe Bene with the wooden panels”.  Being observant is key to locating places here.

Always a good idea to look around at intersections to make sure you didn't miss anything.  If you do happen to miss anything, quite frankly, you're SOL and entering adventurous territory :D

Step 8: Celebrate arriving at your intended destination.

Traveling a couple stops along your subway line, or making a transfer to a popular area in Seoul is far from arduous, but forging an unfamiliar path to a new place can pose some confusion, misdirection and a lot of laughs along the way.  I went from being all-too-comfortable getting in my beloved ‘97 Saturn and cruising the 400-series highway to becoming an unknowing passenger of the Seoul Subway System, and I have to say it feels pretty darn rewarding when you arrive at the place you originally set out to find.  Even better when you get lost in the process and are then forced to use any technological, conversational or observational skills you have to get back on track.  After all, it’s about the lessons we learn from the journey, right?  

***This particular day, we set off to find Times Square and we did!

 

For more information on Times Square, check out: http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=834090

Going Gaga in Gangnam

After a couple weekends spent on Survivor, Amazing Race, Bill Murray Marathons and Crazy Eight Countdown, my body signaled it was ready to go out and about again.  With a forecast of rain, the general consesus was to have a mostly indoor adventure.  After consulting movie theater schedules, my Korean Guide Book and the subway map, Gangnam seemed to be the best option.

Courtesy of Mongdori's Korean Movie Theater Guide and Showtimes (http://www.mongdori.com/movies/)

So, on today's to-do list:

*Red Mango brunch (check!)

*look for casual, yet work-appropriate tops (check! 2 shirts for 33,000 won and found a bomber-style Spring coat for Paul)

*head to Gangnam looking for the nearest Cafe Bene because of its delicious assortment of gelato and excellent people-watching opportunities (check!)

I opted for the delectable chocolate gelato, and Paul chose vanilla because,well, he is vanilla.

The view from 2F Cafe Bene --reminded me of a typical New York Street, including the larger-than-life build board.

*investigate the UNI QLO store that looks like the Korean equivalent of the GAP (aborted this mission for the greater good --buying tickets for everyone ahead of time)

*meet up with Hilary, Andrea and Chantelle at a previously planned location in COEX mall (check!)

*nom-nom New York Fries (check, as a snack! Then added a Chicken Ceasar salad and 100%, freshly-squeezed orange juice from KRAZE burger)

Kraze Burger's decor is much like a diner, but about one-sixth the size, as all Korean versions tend to be.  This picture was taken at closing time, or else you would see it packed with mall-goers, including our group of five play fighting with burger swords and trying to mow down the largest onions rings I've ever seen.

My yummy salad, brought to the table with five small plates and tongs.  Most meals in Korea are shared, but no one was getting their hands on my salad.  Also, the orange juice was supa fresh and perfectly thirst-quenching.

*sit down to This Means War and enjoy some brown-bagged theater treats --like the Gummy Bears that have been separated from their 6lbs of brother and sisters back at my place, courtesy of Costco-- (check! Good laughs, stunts, and not overly gushy in the romance department --great movie.)

**wear my newly purchased coral-coloured skinnies from Forever 21 (check --bring on Spring!)

Don't Try This At Home

After a severe craving for popcorn and a lack of microwave, Chantelle, Jason and I decided to try making stove-top popcorn with the limited materials we found in Jason's Korean kitchen.  Needless to say, it didn't end well.  Now that everyone is safe, it can hopefully serve as a hilarious anecdote of what not to do.

How to (almost) burn your apartment down on a Tuesday night...

Step 1: Pick the shoddiest pot you can find. In this case, Jason's ghetto pot-pan hybrid.

Step 2: Place pot-pan on burner and fill with 3 tbs of olive oil.

Step 3: Use another pot as a lid, creating a double-decker death trap.  Ensure the heat is on too high.

Dear Jason, please invest in a lid for your pots and pans soon.  With love, common sense.

Step 4: Test with three kernels, which consequently burn immediately.

Step 5: Ignore the signs of danger.

Step 6: Remove the pot as it catches fire and panic as you run it out the door.

Note the blurriness of the photo.  It really illustrates how much of a "mad dash" was made in panic mode.

Step 7: Decide that putting out the fire with tap water is the best option, even after an onlooker (Chantelle) warns you that "you're not supposed to add water to an oil fire... I think".

Step 8: Turn your back and sprint towards the bathroom (three paces away) while the fiery explosion engulfs the kitchen.

Step 9: Check your eyebrows and arm hair to ensure you haven't suffered any major damages.

Step 10: Breath, laugh while you replay the life that just flashed before your eyes and be happy you didn't just lose the deposit on your apartment.

Movie Matinee

Today I had my fourth movie-going experience in Korea and, as per usual, it was fantastic!  Feeling inspired by David Letterman's list making ways, here are my top ten reasons for loving Korean movie theaters.

10. Getting to ride an escalator up to the movie theatre floors from the concession stand --like Rainbow Theater in London, ON.

9.  Being able to bring in would-be contraband goodies without scoffing from movie theater employees; in fact they have vending machines stationed just outside of the theaters.

8. Visiting the nearby arcades before and/or after the movie.

7.  Having a chance to see a movie after hearing reviews from home since English movies often have a later release date here.

6.  Sipping pop through a straw in the "couples" pop lid which has two separate straw holes on different sides of the lid.

5.  The hook on the back of the chair in front of you, so that you may hang up you purse or man-bag with ease.

4. Relaxing in the most comfy movie theatre chairs I have ever sat in.

3. Not having to deal with noisy movie-watchers coincidently placed right behind you or extraordinarily tall people right infront of you.  Koreans aren't known for either of these traits.

2. The delicious "sweet popcorn ". They Unlike theatres at home, they cook the popcorn which particular flavours (original,  sweet, cheese and onion) rather than using popcorn shakers after its popped.

This is our large tub of popcorn, which is equipped with a divider so I can have my sweet popcorn without impeding Paul's desire to have original.

... and the number one reason I love going to movies in Korea...

1.  Reserving your seat when you buy your movie ticket, much like when we buy tickets for theatre productions at home. That's right,  you pick your seats ahead of time allowing you to walk in two seconds before the movie and get your favourite spot for movie-watching.

High Tech Security

Chantelle, Jason, Paul and I just made our way to I-Park Mall/Techno Mart at the Sinyongsan subway stop. With the unexpected beautiful weather (after yesterday's downpour)  we went looking for a place to dump our coats. The lockers, strategically placed beside the Children's Playroom, turned out to be far more advanced than the usual turn-key lockers you find in most malls.

 While still only costing 1,500 won for a locker of substantial size, this locker required a finger print for a highly sophisticated locking method. Good thing four people were wanting to use this locker because it took one person to read the instructions, one person to hold their fingerprint down, one person to feed the coins into the slot and one to take the picture. Now Paul holds the key to our jackets in the tip of his finger.

How many foreigners does it take to lock a Korean locker? At least four.

See if you can make sense of this.

Red Mango Brunch

Less than five minutes from my apartment there is a shopping centre called New Core Department store. Kim's Club, the aforementioned grocery store I usually go to, is in the basement of New Core, but on the 6th floor there are a handful of restaurants.  My first evening in Korea, my boss took me to a restaurant here to experience my first true flavour of Korean food.

While he had walked me around this floor to see my options I had been most intrigued by the waffle place, Red Mango, but I wasn't about to request dessert for dinner from my new employer. Since that night I have wanted to visit Red Mango for a post-dinner delight or a mid-morning treat but it just hasn't happened yet... until today.

The front counter of Red Mango, dedicated to fresh fruits and organic juices.

I am now sitting in Red Mango salivating for the arrival of my Banana Pecan waffle.  It's been about 10 minutes since we've ordered and we're the only two customers at this time (a rarity in Korea), so they must be making these waffles fresh.

Banana Pecan Caramel Waffle, with a special guest appearance by cherry.

...and the verdict is: yum! Over the past six months I had built up high expectations for a delicious brunch and this waffle, if anything, has surpassed my expectations. Mmmmmm!