Ginhae Cherry Blossom Festival

Last year, this festival in Ginhae, South Korea was literally my second time out of Busan. We got up incredibly early, went to the wrong bus terminal, and made it out to the crowded streets of Ginhae to see the wonders of the season.
This year was quite different. Different people, different route, different mentality. But, all in all the same amount of beautiful!



We started our long, long journey at the Sasang bus station in Busan. A group of us met up to do the unthinkable...climb a mountain from one city to the next. The bus dropped us off at the Changwon bus station, only 45 minutes away. We started at the bottom of the mountain and trekked our way all the way to the top. Traversing the treacherous ridge and then repelling our way down the rocky, steep mountain and into the city of Ginhae. Ok, yes this is a dramatic retelling...but, we did eat shit a couple of times on the way down. The hike took us about 2 hours to get up, 1 to get down and then another hour to get into the city. Our thighs were burning and we were drenched in sweat, but the effort all paid off in the end!


Sara and I at the top!

Once at the bottom, we meandered into the city, stopping to eat in a tent and rehydrate on beer and makoli and refuel on pajang (Korean pancakes) and a meat plate of epic proportions.
After filling our bellies and giving our livers a little kick, we ventured further, seeing the sights. We made it to the famous love stream. It's a small creek, lined by cherry blossom trees and small bridges to cross over. It was very romantic for all of the single waegoks (foreigners) involved.




After over indulging in the sappy sights and taking one too many pictures, we headed to the train station to see if we could avoid the Sunday commute's traffic back to Busan. We made it to the train station just in time to catch the last train out of GInhae. Since we got our tickets so late, we all had to sit in different cars, most of us ended up falling asleep. At our connecting station in Changwon, I was politely awoken by a Korean woman, since I was now sitting in her seat and it was time for me to get off of the train. One of our friends wasn't so lucky, waking up in Daegu (about another hour away) with no cell phone or money.

All in all it was a lovely day, amazing adventure, and a major kick in the butt. Love cherry blossoms....love Ginhae...love Korea!

Korea...Round 2

I shamefully admit to being incredibly neglectful of my blog last year. Things in Korea became mundane and nothing really surprised me anymore. Exiting the bars as the sun was rising was a common occurrence. Soju and beer in a cab was a norm. I was not even phased by the belligerent business man meandering the beach at 11am in his suit from last night, but no shoes. The culture shock wore off and everything started to be just normal incidents in my everyday, Korean life.

Before leaving in September of 2009, I was fortunate enough to experience Korean white water rafting (sitting in a calm river on a tube and trying not to hit your oar on the rocks 2 feet below you), temples, festivals, beaches, restaurants and bars galore, amongst other splendid Korean forms of entertainment. I drowned myself in alcohol and stuffed my face with cheese that costs triple the price as it would in the states. I woke up at 5pm every Saturday to find texts messages I don't remember sending, to people I swore I wouldn't speak to again. The hang overs were killer. The dinners after were filling. The nights enjoyed were plentiful. But, this time around, something has to give.

I have sworn to myself that not only will I not misplace my precious weekends at the bottom of a bottle, but also to explore, travel and experience this fine country.

So far, I have been able to savor many experiences in the 8 short weeks since my return. I have celebrated with feast and friends, games and wine...all the comforts of home with far more life and personality. I have hiked mountains, gone to shows, ran, enjoyed festivals and still been able to enjoy a cocktail, without braking the bank of my liver. The adventure continues. I have put together a list of things that I must do or see in Korea this time around. Thus far, my progress is great.

I vow to document these events this time around. If not to feel a little accomplished, at least to give me something to do besides my Master's homework...procrastination is my speciality.

So, here is the list thus far. No particular order or method to the madness...just things that must be done and places that must be seen. Keep you posted!

• Hike some mountains (vague....yes)
• Camp on Geoje Island (고제도)
• Mudfest (Boreyeon...July 17th 2010)
• Lantern Festival (Jin Ju, October)
• Snowboard on Mt Muju
• Green Tea Fields (May 5th 2010)
• Beomosa Temple (Busan)
• Temple Stay
• Paragliding
• Ziplining (May, 2010)
• Runs (next 10k in Busan is May 16th 2010)
• Ocheonjang Spa (Ocheonjang, Busan)
• Spa Land (Shinsaegu Department Store, Centum City, Busan)
• Rafting
• Go to Daegu and actually see the sights...not just the food and boys
• explore Changwan
• Turtle Ship (Jinhae)
• Jagalchi fish market at 5am (Jagalchi, Busan)
• Everland themepark (Seoul)
• Go to a water park
• Firework Festival (Gwangali, Busan, October 2010)
• See the sites of Seoul
• sit in the "Exciting Zone" at a Lotte Giants baseball game (Sadgik, Busan)
• See a Busan Mighty Wings basketball game (Sadgik, Busan)
• See a Busan soccer game (Sadgik, Busan)
• Stripper Norebong (Kyungsun, Busan)
• Screen golf
• See Suwon
• Jeju Island
• Kunsan
• Ice fishing Mountain
• 소락샨 National Park
• take silly Korean photos
• Drink in a bag...as much as humanly possible
• Songjeon Beach
• Ulsan
• Wine train

This list will be constantly updated as tasks are completed and added. I SWEAR.

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erika