Saturday at School; Gwangali Beach

Yesterday I arrive at the school at 12p, thinking my co-teacher wanted to take me shopping with the other teacher I had met the day before. Apparently, that was not the plan for the day. I ended up meeting the Principal and the Vice Principal, and many of the other teachers. I'm glad I was dressed at least in a moderately appropriate manner.

So I get there, meet the Vice Principal - not sure if he is the Principal of Vice because my co-teacher, Crystal, wasn't familiar with the English work principal, so she didn't know what I was asking. Since Crystal is the only one at the school who speaks enough English to have a conversation (although limited), she is my only source for information coming from the others.

A few minutes after I get there, some noodle soup arrives in huge bowls, and we start to eat. They are all speaking in Korean, and I'm just chillin, eating my soup, watching the VP to see what kind of etiquette is appropriate for eating this massive bowl of soup with insanely long noodles. The noodles were so long that consumption required either slurpage or biting the noodles halfway and spitting the rest back into the soup, both of which don't seem like options falling into proper etiquette. Luckily the VP started eating before me, and he slurped those noodles right up with the sound effects to boot. So I go to fish out some noodles, and ended up taking what turned out to me a bit too many, because I nearly choked. The noodles were so long that it was pretty much imperative to bit them down into smaller pieces, but the consistency was so...rubbery (for lack of a better word - but that is not meant in a negative way, they were delicious), that it took a decent amount of time to chew. So I have a glob of 16" noodles nearly stuck in my esophagus, still desperately trying to chew, and trying to look all good and happy.

After I learned appropriate noodle portion sizes, the lunch went pretty smoothly. Once in a while I would understand something that they were saying, like 개나다 (Kaynada, meaning Canada) in an inquisitive manner, and I broke out the one of the very few Korean phrases that I know: 조는 미극에서 왔어요 (Choneun Miguk-eso wasseoyo, meaning, I am from America). They loved that! Haha. Good times.

Also, since my bike and other big bag is still at school (until I get my apartment tomorrow they will stay there - jsut easier for transportation) the VP and P were interested in my biking. They asked if it was a mountain bike, and I told them it was a road bike - triathlon bike - and made the aero position. I'm pretty sure they didn't understand the triathlon part, but they were still interested in the fact that I brought such a big piece of athletic equipment. After talking about the bike, the VP apparently asked Crystal if I played volleyball, and I said...well, I have before! I like to play! And, apparently...he wants to play volleyball with me!!! The VP!! Haha. This school is awesome.

So the VP wants to hang out and play volleyball, the other woman teacher that I had met the first day apparently wants to take me to Haundae (sp?) Beach...(she wanted to do that yesterday but she ended up getting really busy with work), not a bad situation I got going on here. And I'm just chillin, smiling, occasionally interjecting with basic Korean phrases. Pretty sweet.

Tomorrow is my first day, and Crystal told me that I won't be teaching until next week (at least at this school). This week we are going to plan some lessons, I am going to watch her class (I think), and also get administrative stuff done, like get my medical check and bank account and apply for the alien registration card. However, because Crystal's English is not very advanced, I'm not sure if this actually will be the plan - but I'm ready for whatever. She gave me the teacher's guide for grade 5, and the lessons are planned out in quite a detailed manner, so I could definitely cruise if I had to (not that I am going to cruise by any means once I get settled - I am going make sure that I have back up activities for students at different levels so that everyone is learning something new each day - but I may not be able to employ this technique the first week). This week I will also be going to my other school, where the students' English is apparently much more developed. So this week will be interesting.

Gwangali Beach - what an adventure (I wish I had pictures, but my camera batteries ran out and the charger is in my suitcase at school). First of all, Crystal's dad took me to the subway station (it is not very close to my house), and Crystal showed me which subway to get on and where to get off. I was to meet a friend at his hotel at Gwangali, and we looked up directions so I could get off the subway and be able to find the hotel. However, although I followed the directions exactly, I definitely ended up getting lost. I was supposed to go out of the subway from a certain exit and go straight until I hit the beach, and the turn left. However, I was walking straight for about 20 minutes, and still no beach. So I just turned left, and kept turning. I saw water that way, but no beach. I was a little concerned, but just decided to explore a bit (I asked one man for help but he didn't understand my broken Korean). So finally, luckily, I saw the beach, and just started looking for the name of the hotel, and ended up finding it, although arriving 15 minutes late. But getting lost is definitely beneficial, because now I know the Gwangali Beach area that much better.

I had brought my swimsuit, cap and goggles so I could go for a swim - first one in about 3 weeks - sad, I know. However, the workout got cut short because people need to vacate the water at 6:30pm, which we were not aware of, so I only got 20 minutes in. But it was great! After that, my friend and I met another American on the beach who was looking for good American bars in the area (he also teaches English in Korea but he does not live in Busan). We had no idea, but decided to meet up with him later and get some drinks, and ended up having a really great time. He actually went over to talk to a group of Koreans at the beach, invited them to drink with us, and we ended up hanging out with them for a few hours. I even met someone who is interested in learning English and teaching me Korean, and we've planned to get together sometime next weekend to help each other learn!

Suddenly, out of nowhere, it is 3am. What a crazy, amazing night. In addition to all of the great social company, we were also graced with the company of an amazing view (I wish I had a picture here!) We're here on a beautiful beach with mountains in close proximity. Also, a big bridge spans accross Gwangali Beach, and at night, the whole bridge lights up, as well as the rest of the town. Also, lots of singing and instruments were being played, and bars and restaurants set up their tables in the streets. Literally. Cars were prohibited. Pretty intense.

Well, I think it's about time to go learn some Korean. 안녕히계세요! (Annyeonghi-kyeseyo, meaning goodbye, said to a person staying) :)