I set out on my first lengthy adventure in late 2013. I decided to move to the Republic of Korea (more commonly known as South Korea) and try my hand at teaching English as a foreign language. I've made some unforgettable memories, met some remarkable people (and some not so remarkable), and endured the two worst hangovers of my life. I will not miss Soju.
Meeting the other new recruits. Absorbing Korea; its culture, people, and quirks. Korea's 90s fashion.
Ain't No 'Mountain' High Enough
7th April, 2014
Bernd, Scott, Susie, Karl, Brad, and I go hiking. We scale Achasan 'Mountain', all 287m of it! This is hardly hiking by Korean standards, but it was my first hiking experience ever.
Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!
17th April, 2014
I go and look at the blooming cherry blossoms in the spring, and I discover a piece of the Berlin Wall in the middle of Seoul.
Veels geluk, Petro! Seemeeu! Poespas! (Busan!)
24th April, 2014
This was a ski trip reunion (and Karl) in Busan for Petro's birthday. Contrasting weather, sightseeing, and men in thongs on Haeundae Beach.
The Melee in Hongdae - Street Fighting, Lanterns, and Suwon
1st May, 2014
We were drinking in Hongdae Park and a fight broke out, unofficial boxing took place, and it was widely accepted. I also enjoyed a lantern festival, and a trip to Suwon to see the Hwaseong Fortress.
Furry Felines, Horny Hounds, and Coffee
7th May, 2014
A tourist attraction that Korea is renowned for is its quirky animal coffee shops. In this edition, I check out a cat cafe and a dog cafe.
Sport in Korea: Which Is Better, Football or Baseball?
15th May, 2014
In the early summer, I had attended both football and baseball games in Korea and debated which was better. Obviously, I remained impartial...kind of.
See You On the Other Side!
2nd June, 2014
My second visitor to Korea and this time it was Kate and her travelling partner Rose. Karl and I were their guides around Seoul and we take them on nights out and to a baseball game.
Homosexuality Isn't a Choice. Discrimination Is.
10th June, 2014
I take in a Taekwondo performance at the Namsan Hanok Village. Afterward, I went to the gay pride parade with a few friends. It was another new experience for me which was ruined by Christians.
Korea Burn: Never Trust a Hippie!
8th July, 2014
The gang goes to Korea's answer to the Burning Man festival. A huge hippie retreat by the beach where we enjoyed the vibe and got tremendously drunk.
My Dirty Weekend Away with the Missus
2nd August, 2014
The annual Boryeong Mud Festival is a huge attraction in Korea. I went with Angie and few others. It was another beach retreat which involved getting very muddy and very drunk.
Things Korean People Say, and Other Racism
14th August, 2014
This one was more of a response to the many articles found online that often read "things white people say..." That saying annoyed me as it depicts white people as ignorant, and offensive when in truth all races can say ignorant things.
Gyeongju: The Museum Without Walls and the Korean Love Motel
28th October, 2014
Me and the Mrs. take a trip out of Seoul down to the historical city of Gyeongju. We do take in the sights of the royal tombs, Anapji Pond, and the famous Bulguksa Temple. it was also my first experience of a seedy Korean love motel.
The DMZ: The Most Dangerous Place On Earth
1st November, 2014
I travel to the border of North and South Korea. Tensions are high between these countries and both militaries are in full force, and yours truly crosses the border into the North.
Politics and Bloodshed Go Hand in Hand
15th December, 2014
We visit Cheong Wa Dae, the Korean president's house, at the wrong time of the year. It was bloody cold and didn't even get to go inside. Afterward, we enjoyed some Korean UFC and ogled some incredible ring girls.
Korean Delicacies at Gwangjang Market, and Eating Dog (Bosintang)
23rd February, 2015
I go to Gwangjang Market to try some Korean 'delights', one of which was bosintang, or dog soup. It was all very traumatic, and I'll have made some bad decisions in later life if I eat some of these foods again.
There's Too Much On Display at a Jjimjilbang
26th February, 2015
A jjimjilbang is a Korean spa and a tourist favourite. I go an experience this nude phenomenon. I have a layer of skin removed and feel like a peadophile for a couple of hours.
Had the City on Lockdown: Closing Thoughts On Korea
1st March, 2015
My journey in Korea comes to an end. In this blog, I write about the aspects of Korean life that I won't miss and the things that made my year (and a bit) great.
This journey has finally come to an end and below is my personal record of it.
Korea: By the Numbers
441 - days in Korea (13th December 2013 - 2nd March 2015)
2 - birthdays
2 - Christmases
33 - blogs written
287 - number of times that I was pushed aside by an ajumma (an old Korean woman)
4,560 - photos taken
1,140 - hours of teaching
39 - number of times that I wanted to hit a child (but didn't)
2 - trophies Arsenal won whilst in Korea (maybe I should go away more often)
150 - kilograms of cabbage consumed
4th January, 2014
I go AWOL for nearly 24 hours. My first impression of Korea. Meeting up with my long-time friend, Josh, and meeting James and Susie for the first time. Tits 'n' Muff.
I go AWOL for nearly 24 hours. My first impression of Korea. Meeting up with my long-time friend, Josh, and meeting James and Susie for the first time. Tits 'n' Muff.
6th January, 2014
Meeting the other new recruits. Absorbing Korea; its culture, people, and quirks. Korea's 90s fashion.
9th January, 2014
Christmas, New Year, and my birthday all rolled into one post. We get stuck in a lift, my first experience of a night out in Itaewon, and getting terribly lost on the subway after a night out.
12th January, 2014
My first week of teaching, testing the water with adult students and getting thrown in the deep-end with kids.
16th January, 2014
I try some of the local cuisine. A few traditional dishes, some street food, a walk through a Korean market, and the start of Chicken Fridays.
20th January, 2014
Ben comes to visit from England. We go to the aquarium before a night out in Kondae with James, Josh, and Susie.
Ben comes to visit from England. We go to the aquarium before a night out in Kondae with James, Josh, and Susie.
29th January, 2014
I become a multi-millionaire, and we go to the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival where we try ice fishing, and bare-handed fishing. It was cold.
30th January, 2014
I do some sightseeing in Seoul. Josh and I go to Namsan Tower and I check out Buddhism at Bongeunsa Temple near Gangnam.
I do some sightseeing in Seoul. Josh and I go to Namsan Tower and I check out Buddhism at Bongeunsa Temple near Gangnam.
5th February, 2014
We go skiing/snowboarding over the Lunar New Year (Seollal) weekend. We meet some new friends and peasants, drink a lot of beer, and unfortunately, we discover The Wagbo!
7th February, 2014
A collection of observations. Some of the unusual sights in Korea, and my first experience of Asian manga.
12th February, 2014
An update of my first 6 weeks of teaching, and we get a visit from the CEO. I try Korea's take on American food, and I start to miss the comforts of British food.
27th February, 2014
I do some more sightseeing, this time taking in Seoul's Olympic Park. James, Josh, and I meet up for a day at the races. I tell tales from nights out in Gangnam and Hongdae, and Karl makes his way to Korea!
16th March, 2014
Angie and I go on one of our first dates to the Trick-Eye Museum in Hongdae. We take some amusing, illusional pictures.
18th March, 2014
St. Patrick's Day in Seoul. Plenty of beer, dancing, music, joy, and the tale of the time I thought I was going to die looking for a free bar.
St. Patrick's Day in Seoul. Plenty of beer, dancing, music, joy, and the tale of the time I thought I was going to die looking for a free bar.
24th March, 2014
Josh heads home to England. Karl and I visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Arsenal are truly a misery to watch.
Josh heads home to England. Karl and I visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Arsenal are truly a misery to watch.
Ain't No 'Mountain' High Enough7th April, 2014
Bernd, Scott, Susie, Karl, Brad, and I go hiking. We scale Achasan 'Mountain', all 287m of it! This is hardly hiking by Korean standards, but it was my first hiking experience ever.
Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!17th April, 2014
I go and look at the blooming cherry blossoms in the spring, and I discover a piece of the Berlin Wall in the middle of Seoul.
Veels geluk, Petro! Seemeeu! Poespas! (Busan!)24th April, 2014
This was a ski trip reunion (and Karl) in Busan for Petro's birthday. Contrasting weather, sightseeing, and men in thongs on Haeundae Beach.
The Melee in Hongdae - Street Fighting, Lanterns, and Suwon1st May, 2014
We were drinking in Hongdae Park and a fight broke out, unofficial boxing took place, and it was widely accepted. I also enjoyed a lantern festival, and a trip to Suwon to see the Hwaseong Fortress.
Furry Felines, Horny Hounds, and Coffee7th May, 2014
A tourist attraction that Korea is renowned for is its quirky animal coffee shops. In this edition, I check out a cat cafe and a dog cafe.
Sport in Korea: Which Is Better, Football or Baseball?15th May, 2014
In the early summer, I had attended both football and baseball games in Korea and debated which was better. Obviously, I remained impartial...kind of.
See You On the Other Side!2nd June, 2014
My second visitor to Korea and this time it was Kate and her travelling partner Rose. Karl and I were their guides around Seoul and we take them on nights out and to a baseball game.
Homosexuality Isn't a Choice. Discrimination Is.10th June, 2014
I take in a Taekwondo performance at the Namsan Hanok Village. Afterward, I went to the gay pride parade with a few friends. It was another new experience for me which was ruined by Christians.
Korea Burn: Never Trust a Hippie!
8th July, 2014
The gang goes to Korea's answer to the Burning Man festival. A huge hippie retreat by the beach where we enjoyed the vibe and got tremendously drunk.
My Dirty Weekend Away with the Missus2nd August, 2014
The annual Boryeong Mud Festival is a huge attraction in Korea. I went with Angie and few others. It was another beach retreat which involved getting very muddy and very drunk.
Things Korean People Say, and Other Racism14th August, 2014
This one was more of a response to the many articles found online that often read "things white people say..." That saying annoyed me as it depicts white people as ignorant, and offensive when in truth all races can say ignorant things.
Gyeongju: The Museum Without Walls and the Korean Love Motel28th October, 2014
Me and the Mrs. take a trip out of Seoul down to the historical city of Gyeongju. We do take in the sights of the royal tombs, Anapji Pond, and the famous Bulguksa Temple. it was also my first experience of a seedy Korean love motel.
The DMZ: The Most Dangerous Place On Earth
1st November, 2014
I travel to the border of North and South Korea. Tensions are high between these countries and both militaries are in full force, and yours truly crosses the border into the North.
Politics and Bloodshed Go Hand in Hand15th December, 2014
We visit Cheong Wa Dae, the Korean president's house, at the wrong time of the year. It was bloody cold and didn't even get to go inside. Afterward, we enjoyed some Korean UFC and ogled some incredible ring girls.
23rd February, 2015
I go to Gwangjang Market to try some Korean 'delights', one of which was bosintang, or dog soup. It was all very traumatic, and I'll have made some bad decisions in later life if I eat some of these foods again.
There's Too Much On Display at a Jjimjilbang26th February, 2015
A jjimjilbang is a Korean spa and a tourist favourite. I go an experience this nude phenomenon. I have a layer of skin removed and feel like a peadophile for a couple of hours.
Had the City on Lockdown: Closing Thoughts On Korea
1st March, 2015
My journey in Korea comes to an end. In this blog, I write about the aspects of Korean life that I won't miss and the things that made my year (and a bit) great.
The last post in Korea Part I was a big send-off to Korea. A list of things I will and won't miss about this wonderful country. I was embracing a new challenge, exploring unknown shores, seeking an adventure that enriches my life. What I did not anticipate was that 6 months after leaving I was back in Korea. Not only that but also back at my old school and in the same apartment.
Seonyudo Island: I'm Not As Brave As I Used To Be
29th August, 2015
This was my first solo trip in Korea. Seonyudo Island is a remote group of islands off the west coast of Korea. And I mean remote, by the way. No WiFi, no ATMs, and I was definitely the only foreigner there.
It was peaceful, it was serene, and it was terrifying. I learned a lot about myself from this trip and it came after attempting a 700m zip line.
Jeonju: My First FC Seoul Away Game, Jeonju's Hanok Village, and One Big Mistake
15th September, 2015
The game was Jeonbuk Motors vs. FC Seoul and it didn't end well.
We did the tourist tour of Jeonju, taking in the traditional village, eating bibimbap (the famous food of the area), and Karl and I decided to wear Hanboks - traditional Korean clothing (see picture). It was a big mistake.
Seoul Again
25th September, 2016
This was to be my final trip to Seoul - for the foreseeable future - and this time I had Wes around to show him my city.
We were here over Chuseok, I thought this was to be a good idea as I could see my friends and the sights before I left for Southeast Asia, it turned out to be quite the opposite as most friends were away with their families and most attractions were shut over the holidays.
Anyway, we managed to keep ourselves busy and entertained. Wes said he had a good time.
It may appear that I didn't get up to much during my second stint in Korea, but in fact, I'd say it was my favourite time. I just didn't get round to writing about it. Anyway, I'll be back one day, until then.
A second year in Korea certainly won't be a bad thing. It's an opportunity to meet new people, see the places that I didn't have the chance to last time and to learn more about a country that I'm so fond of. Below is the record of the second installment.
27th July, 2015
A pretty self-explanatory title, but it's the details of my 3 months back in England, seeing friends and family, and the reasons for coming back to Seoul.
The worst night out of my life took place in England. It involved a football shirt, and a lot of racism.
2nd August, 2015
Not much to say on this one. The minor details of a short trip to the "Hawaii of Korea".
Mainly photos with a short introduction. Not much to say on this one, Karl and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend away before having a minor argument, but I won't mention it.
Mainly photos with a short introduction. Not much to say on this one, Karl and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend away before having a minor argument, but I won't mention it.
Seonyudo Island: I'm Not As Brave As I Used To Be
29th August, 2015
This was my first solo trip in Korea. Seonyudo Island is a remote group of islands off the west coast of Korea. And I mean remote, by the way. No WiFi, no ATMs, and I was definitely the only foreigner there.
It was peaceful, it was serene, and it was terrifying. I learned a lot about myself from this trip and it came after attempting a 700m zip line.
Jeonju: My First FC Seoul Away Game, Jeonju's Hanok Village, and One Big Mistake15th September, 2015
The game was Jeonbuk Motors vs. FC Seoul and it didn't end well.
We did the tourist tour of Jeonju, taking in the traditional village, eating bibimbap (the famous food of the area), and Karl and I decided to wear Hanboks - traditional Korean clothing (see picture). It was a big mistake.
Seoul Again25th September, 2016
This was to be my final trip to Seoul - for the foreseeable future - and this time I had Wes around to show him my city.
We were here over Chuseok, I thought this was to be a good idea as I could see my friends and the sights before I left for Southeast Asia, it turned out to be quite the opposite as most friends were away with their families and most attractions were shut over the holidays.
Anyway, we managed to keep ourselves busy and entertained. Wes said he had a good time.
It may appear that I didn't get up to much during my second stint in Korea, but in fact, I'd say it was my favourite time. I just didn't get round to writing about it. Anyway, I'll be back one day, until then.
