In Korea, March 14th is known as "White Day." It is essentially the same as our western Valentine's Day and the opposite of Valentine's Day here. On Valentine's Day here, girls typically give chocolates to the guys. But, on White Day, it is the guys' turn to give presents to the girls!
Yesterday, we saw many guys in the little corner store buying chocolates and huge baskets of things (mostly candy, teddy bears, and artificial roses). Some of the baskets are covered with layers and layers of "poof" (tulle) to make them look even bigger. I have been told by my fellow teachers that it is common for some of the girls who receive such large poofy baskets to carry them around with them (particularly at the universities) to show them off!
Since we celebrated Valentine's Day in a more western fashion, I didn't expect any recognition of White Day. Jordan told me that since I didn't want a Korean Valentine's Day, I wasn't getting White Day. However, much to my surprise, Jordan gave me a little basket of candy, a puppy (no, not a real one), and a mug! I should know him well enough by now not to have been surprised by that!
Happy White Day!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
There's something fishy about this
Contrary to what may be thought, Korean food is nothing like Chinese food or even Japanese food. It is very unique. Most Korean food is either pickled or peppered or both. And a lot of things kind of taste like fish even when there's no fish in it.
Most dishes are quite spicy. Although I'm getting used to and even beginning to like spicy food, there are some meals that I can't get through without getting tears in my eyes!
Noodles and noodle soups are very popular, and they usually have a fishy taste to them. I was never a big fan of chicken noodle soup at home, so noodle soup that tastes like fish is not really one of my favourites. Cold noodles are also common. It is a bowl of noodle soup with ice cubes in it.
There are some dishes that I do really like. The meat on a leaf that I described before is really good. But it is a lot of effort for one bite. It's no wonder that most people here are so thin!
Kimchi is probably the most famous Korean [side]dish. It is spicy pickled cabbage, and it's served with every meal. I didn't so much like it at first, but now it has really grown on me.
We don't actually eat a lot of Korean food because restaurants can be intimidating. We found a couple restaurants that have coloured pictures on the menu and are rather inexpensive, so we sometimes go there. Otherwise, we only eat at traditional restaurants when we go with the Korean teachers because they will help us order and show us how to eat it! I think I have finally mastered the art of eating with chopsticks! Last night, we actually managed to order take-out from a traditional restaurant. I was proud of us!
Most traditional restaurants are relatively cheap. At the ones we have gone to, you can get a full meal for around 5,000 won, which is about the equivalent of 5 or 6 bucks. The western style restaurants, however, are very expensive, so they are reserved for special occasions only.
There are restaurants everywhere. Each one seems to focus on serving one type of food. If you want pork, find a restaurant that has a cartoon pig on the sign. There are many to choose from!
And if you have a sudden craving for some octopus, just look for a cartoon octopus.
Most dishes are quite spicy. Although I'm getting used to and even beginning to like spicy food, there are some meals that I can't get through without getting tears in my eyes!
Noodles and noodle soups are very popular, and they usually have a fishy taste to them. I was never a big fan of chicken noodle soup at home, so noodle soup that tastes like fish is not really one of my favourites. Cold noodles are also common. It is a bowl of noodle soup with ice cubes in it.
There are some dishes that I do really like. The meat on a leaf that I described before is really good. But it is a lot of effort for one bite. It's no wonder that most people here are so thin!
Kimchi is probably the most famous Korean [side]dish. It is spicy pickled cabbage, and it's served with every meal. I didn't so much like it at first, but now it has really grown on me.
We don't actually eat a lot of Korean food because restaurants can be intimidating. We found a couple restaurants that have coloured pictures on the menu and are rather inexpensive, so we sometimes go there. Otherwise, we only eat at traditional restaurants when we go with the Korean teachers because they will help us order and show us how to eat it! I think I have finally mastered the art of eating with chopsticks! Last night, we actually managed to order take-out from a traditional restaurant. I was proud of us!
Most traditional restaurants are relatively cheap. At the ones we have gone to, you can get a full meal for around 5,000 won, which is about the equivalent of 5 or 6 bucks. The western style restaurants, however, are very expensive, so they are reserved for special occasions only.
There are restaurants everywhere. Each one seems to focus on serving one type of food. If you want pork, find a restaurant that has a cartoon pig on the sign. There are many to choose from!
Some pigs are cooler than others.
Some pigs have wings.
And some pigs are super.
There are numerous pig restaurants to be found, but if you're in the mood for chicken, you can also find cartoon chickens.
And if you have a sudden craving for some octopus, just look for a cartoon octopus.
So far, I haven't had the desire to look for a cartoon octopus.
Chicken, pork, and seafood are the most prominent meats available. Beef, called bulgogi, is very expensive, so it's a rare treat.
In other foods, there are no turnips here, but sweet potatoes are everywhere.
A pickled radish is the new cucumber.
Rice is very different from what I expected. It's not at all like the fried rice you get with your chinese take-out at home. It's shorter, fatter, and very pasty. It's definitely easier to eat with chopsticks though. The purple rice is pretty good actually.
And, unfortunately, I don't think I'll be finding any fiddleheads in this country.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Here she is again
It looks like Melanie is still floating around the city stalking us!
Last weekend, we saw her going out for pizza.Where will we find her next?
Thursday, March 1, 2007
When in Korea...
To me, it seems to be difficult to view a different culture without looking at it through the lenses of your own culture. I often have to keep reminding myself that I'm in their country, so who am I to say that the ways are wrong.
Naturally, there are many things that are different here from my own culture, and sometimes it is hard to get used to it. But I think that being exposed to something different from what you're used to is a good experience. It helps to open your eyes to the ways of other people, and you begin to realize that there is no one set way to live. Just because I have always done something a certain way doesn't make it the only right way. Both living in a foreign country and being newly married have taught me that!
When foreigners move to our country, we usually expect them to adapt to our customs. So, the same rule should apply to us as foreigners living in a different country, although I'm sure we fail miserably at it.
In my last post I tried to explain the lack of personal space, but it is difficult to understand without experiencing it firsthand. When I get frustrated with the invasion of my space, it is because I am looking at it through my small-town Canadian eyes. Here, however, at least in my experience, the lack of personal space and the bumping is in no way considered rude or improper. I think it really has a lot to do with the large population and over-crowded cities. But, it is also just part of culture. When someone bumps into you, there is no ill intent. It is simply how things are done.
My last post may have been misleading, because actually many of the people we have encountered are very friendly and helpful (our co-teachers especially). Some have even gone out of their way to guide us through a confusing subway station! And they readily forgive us our cultural blunders, as I'm sure we make many of them.
When it comes to the language barrier, I always feel very humble. I'm in their country, yet I can only speak a few words of their language. The people we see have no reason to accomodate us, but they very obligingly do just that. In stores, many of the salespeople try very hard to communicate to us in English. Some are often embarrassed because they aren't fluent. I just try to tell them not to worry, I can't speak Korean either! With some primitive pointing and grunting, we can usually get the message across to each other.
I hope this helps to explain a little bit more about what some of the people are like, at least through my observations. So, I guess you could say (from a westerner's perspective) that while the people here may give you a nudge, at least they are friendly about it!
Naturally, there are many things that are different here from my own culture, and sometimes it is hard to get used to it. But I think that being exposed to something different from what you're used to is a good experience. It helps to open your eyes to the ways of other people, and you begin to realize that there is no one set way to live. Just because I have always done something a certain way doesn't make it the only right way. Both living in a foreign country and being newly married have taught me that!
When foreigners move to our country, we usually expect them to adapt to our customs. So, the same rule should apply to us as foreigners living in a different country, although I'm sure we fail miserably at it.
In my last post I tried to explain the lack of personal space, but it is difficult to understand without experiencing it firsthand. When I get frustrated with the invasion of my space, it is because I am looking at it through my small-town Canadian eyes. Here, however, at least in my experience, the lack of personal space and the bumping is in no way considered rude or improper. I think it really has a lot to do with the large population and over-crowded cities. But, it is also just part of culture. When someone bumps into you, there is no ill intent. It is simply how things are done.
My last post may have been misleading, because actually many of the people we have encountered are very friendly and helpful (our co-teachers especially). Some have even gone out of their way to guide us through a confusing subway station! And they readily forgive us our cultural blunders, as I'm sure we make many of them.
When it comes to the language barrier, I always feel very humble. I'm in their country, yet I can only speak a few words of their language. The people we see have no reason to accomodate us, but they very obligingly do just that. In stores, many of the salespeople try very hard to communicate to us in English. Some are often embarrassed because they aren't fluent. I just try to tell them not to worry, I can't speak Korean either! With some primitive pointing and grunting, we can usually get the message across to each other.
I hope this helps to explain a little bit more about what some of the people are like, at least through my observations. So, I guess you could say (from a westerner's perspective) that while the people here may give you a nudge, at least they are friendly about it!
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