More stuff that happened in Gwangju
Trip Start
May 18, 2006
1
4
27
Trip End
May 30, 2007
Gwangju, Korea Rep.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Hiking
Yep we went up a mountain and it is official, I am not very fit
Baseball
We were taken to a genuine Korean baseball game. From what our Canadian friends told us, it was a pretty crap game. Although, the beers being sold by the old ladies were cheap (or you can just BYO) and a lady sitting 4 seats from me was hit in the head by a baseball going at a decent speed, Unfortunately I was too much in shock to snap a couple of pictures. Instead we decided to risk it and start a Mexican wave, luckily, unlike Australia, Koreans are allowed to partake in this dangerous act without being thrown out of the game. Looking back, the $700 Nicole insisted we spend on insurance over the year doesn't seem so stupid now!
The Kids
We were taken to a centre to see some real life Korean kids. This was obviously the last chance to change our mind and return (run) home. We were 'given' two kids each, who had made little signs for us complete with Canadian flags and our names on them. After telling the kids the mistake and making them draw an Australian flag on the sign (only kidding), we went off to make some sort of bean paste wrapped up in rice dough and a pendant. The kids were very excited and we told them all about Australia and how we ride in kangaroos pouches and eat dirt (not really). Luckily the day went well and by all accounts everyone had a great time, though I (Mathew) am very happy I am not teaching little kids.
The soccer game
Koreans are soccer mad and with the world cup only a few weeks away we were taken to the world cup stadium (i.e. 2002) and saw the local teams play. It is a weird feeling to be in a 40,000 seat stadium, with only 500 people. However, this meant it was a good chance the cluster of white people would get on the big screen and we did! However, the event was 'completed' by the introduction of fireworks and flares by the supporters after goals were scored.
Our Co-Teachers
On the last day we met our co-teachers and, thank God, they spoke good English! Looking around at our group I think we got the pick of the litter as we saw many of our group looking very worried as they tried to explain things to a blank faced Korean. Mathew got a lady called Mrs Yoon who has been an English teacher for 23 years and speaks almost perfect English. Nicole has got a young teacher called Heyoung who also speaks great English and is pregnant. Heyoung was very excited to meet as we were very young (having heard we were a couple she assumed we were and old married couple who had a mid life crisis).
After helping us with our bags and getting our alien cards from immigration we headed off, though several red lights, to our home GANGJIN for the next year....
