globe trotter

I have no words in any language to explain how I absolutely love this travel video. You might recognize Matt and some of the locations in the Visa commercials. Matt has traveled around the world and in my opinion, helped people let their inhibitions go! I have used this video in a travel lesson for my students and every time I watch it, I try to spot another dancer in the crowd and of course I get a fuzzy feeling when they show South Africa (Korea). The locations are amazing, the people are real and the kids just melt your heart! Enough said.....

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

you have been in Korea too long when.....

1. The compliment you give the most is "Your English is good"- hide face in shame, I'm sure some people are patronized by this...
2. You speak English with a Korean accent by adding "er" or "ie" at the end of words where it doesn't belong e.g. I'm going to lunch(ie), Home Plus(er)
3. You choose to eat with chopsticks even when a fork 'n knife or spoon are available.
4. You take your shoes off every time you enter your own apartment even though nobody can see you if you don't.
5. When you have a favourite Korean celebrity!!!

Mr Lee Sung Lee (so cuter)

the cuteness never ends

Walking home from school after a long day and this little angel stops me, and with the confidence of a superhero, says "hello".  I never want to forget him so I whipped out my phone and snapped a pic.

The adventurous life of the nomad

When you pack your bags and leave your home for an adventure, along the way you meet amazing and  interesting people who have done crazy things for a living. You find out about opportunities that you never knew existed, it feels like your eyes have been closed the whole time.

After living abroad (for only a little while), experiencing a different culture from mine everyday, the thought of just boarding a one way flight home (at the end of my contract in Korea) can seem like such an anticlimax. One of the things to consider when in such a predicament (or even just wanting to do something new from your routine at home) is to look for ways to travel and work/volunteer for a period of time. Visit a country or six, for a few weeks and get involved in something bigger than yourself - give of your time and knowledge where it's needed. I really think this could be a really fulfilling journey. Although you probably wont be earning a salary (and hence the word volunteer) some programs might be able to keep a roof over your head and food in your stomach during your stay - just surf the web and do your homework.

Although I am not the protesting type myself or super passionate about a particular cause, I am inspired and place great importance on getting a global education through experiential learning. Cruising on the Peace Boat for example is such an ingenious way to combine a love for travel whilst contributing to worthwhile causes (through voluntary work) and learn Japanese while you are at it; all in one jam-packed awesome trip. Check out this video and see for yourself....

Peace Boat Introduction Video from peaceboatchannel on Vimeo.

Homework: Research different opportunities out there to volunteer or contribute towards a worthy cause, not just in money but also your time. It can be in your home country or somewhere abroad. I think you will be pleasantly surprised on what's available out there and perhaps sincerely consider changing the course of your life forever :)

Final thoughts

True charity is the desire to be useful to others without thought of recompense - Emanuel Swedenborg

what does it all mean???

This notice was stuck outside the entrance to my apartment block. In case you don't understand Konglish it just means that the gas company will be coming by to do a quick inspection to check that there is no gas leak which could be dangerous, possibly cause an explosion. Korea, I love you!

Reasons to smile

1. I love watching cooking shows where they follow the chef buying ingredients - its reassuring to know that the ingredients actually exist and not just a bunch of made up names....

2. I love birthdays! Not so much my own - it can get a little bit awkward when people celebrate you for achieving nothing except surviving another year - but I do love celebrating my friends' birthdays. For Laurentia's birthday - instead of cake, we found these absolutely fabulous cupcakes!

delightful!

3. I recently acquired a nifty Instax mini polaroid camera - and loving it. Ps: no need to "shake it like a polaroid picture"...... Take pics and give them to friends - its a great gift idea, decorate your wall or fridge with the pictures or create a scrapbook to remember the good times.

4. Modern day Korea is a concrete jungle but amongst the skyscrapers lies little gems of ancient Korean architecture - happy moment for me.

5. Last, but definitely not least - Mrs Kim, the art teacher from my previous school and super sweet friend made a caricature of me. I can't tell you how much I've always wanted one of these - just to see which of my features would be exaggerated. Kamsahamnida Mrs Kim!I love it.....

Living vicariously

One of the reasons why I came to work in Korea was to be able travel the elusive far east. Being born and bred in South Africa one of the many challenges we face, besides a sometimes undesirable passport, is that geographically we are at the tip of the African continent making it very expensive to travel to most parts of the world. I figured the best way to get more bang for my buck (and remove the drudge of having to get over severe jet lag every time) would be to work and live abroad so I can travel easily to the surrounding countries. To the parts of the world I can't get to right now however, I have chosen to lose myself in the world of travel videos and blogs of people who have been there and done that. I'm instantly transported to places I didn't even know existed.

Time is Nothing // Around The World Time Lapse from Kien Lam on Vimeo

Until the opportunity for me to go and see these places myself arises, I'm happy to live vicariously through these globetrotters and learn a thing or 2.