Mike Wood in South Korea

Hi all,

I had really good time on Thursday, it was pretty relaxed. Friday was spent polishing off school for the week followed by our weekly meeting at the westerners bar and "Noribang" (Korean for karaoke). I had agreed to go on a trip into Seoul to see "a show" on Saturday and had absolutely no idea what I was in for. So I took my very first trip into the capital city. I made the crucial error of thinking that Johannesburg was big. Seoul is huge. There's a great energy about the city and it's rather beautiful. The architecture is like nothing I've ever seen, and I wish I had taken more photos.

I'm afraid that the camera on my phone is a little slow so it's hard to catch pics on the move. The school has actually ordered me a camera and the cost will be deducted from my salary over the next few months (super stoked!).

Anyway after a bit of a mad rush I ended up at the theatre, right next to this great building with a massive King Kong climbing it. It's actually an ad for 'North Face,' an adventure sports company. I spotted it, but the Koreans clearly don't give everyone that much credit as there is a giant hand at the foot of the building pointing upwards. Which I thought was a little unnecessary and would make for a rotten landing if Kong should ever fall.

The people we met for the show are all South Africans (about 6 of them in all). It was really great hanging out with some folks from back home.The show was unlike anything I've ever seen. It's called "Nanta" which means "Cookin'". The plot is that three cooks work under a rather intense manager. The manager introduces his nephew as a new and unwelcome addition to the team. They are given a long list of dishes to prepare in one hour. They never actually cook anything, but instead use various items in the kitchen to make music in much the same manner as the troupe from the Aussie show "Stomp." It is a truly amazing thing to see and is mixed with such a great comedic story which had me in stitches, so loudly in fact that one of the actors gave me a moment to try compose myself. Towards the end of the show I was brought on stage to participate in one of the stints, which was something I'll never forget and enjoyed every minute of. You can check out the website on www.nanta.co.kr, unfortunately it's in Korean, but if you Google it there are some sites that give more details in English.

After the show I went to have lunch at T.G.I Fridays. The reason this is significant is that hanging on the wall is old rowing boat (a four, for those who know what that means). There's a pic attached, I just can't get away from that sport it seems - no matter where I go. There's also a pic demonstrating just how much these people love their small dogs (they don't really eat the small ones, they keep them as pets.)

From here we went to this house warming party at one of Jill's friends places. We missioned to get there as they gave us horrible directions and we ended up at the wrong bus station. When we finally found the right one, we battled to find the right bus. Weirdly we asked this Korean guy to help us. He spoke very good English and after helping us out we invited him along. Surprisingly he was dead keen. We partied late into the night and slept there. The party wasn't really my taste for certain reasons. I was woken at 7 this morning by my Korean tag-along, whose English name is Owen. He was looking rather uneasy and said he wanted to leave. As I wasn't really keen to stay I quickly made ready and we left. Turns out it wasn't really his cup of tea either. He taught me exactly how to use the subway. He seems like a good guy and over our next two hours of traveling we spoke a lot. I reckon we'll become friends and he reckons if I ever need a place to stay in Seoul, or help with anything, all I need do is give him a ring. I'm glad to have made a new mate.

I got home and chilled for about 2 hours before being called by my group friends back in my hometown asking if I'd join them for breakfast (at about 2 in the afternoon). I went and was super glad when a plate of scrambled eggs, baked beans, fried potatoes and BACON was put in front of me. We all chilled in her little apartment watching a DVD for the rest of the day. I’m meeting one of them for a run just now.

I'm starting to feel really good about my small group of friends that seems to be ever expanding.Anyways, I reckon that's about it. I miss all of you back home.

Take care.
Mike