Walking

Here are two videos. One is my walk through my neighborhood and the other is a walk through City 7 Mall. Enjoy!

My neighborhood.

 

City 7 Mall. (Sorry it's so blurry.)

 

City Lights, Karaoke, and the Lake Effect

EVERY NIGHT when I leave work I see city lights in the distance. They are so bright that they beckon to me to come and explore; see the possibilities. Last week I gave in to that call and decided to take a detour on my way home. I just followed the lights. Boy was I surprised at what I found! Now, I'm about a 10 minute bus ride away from downtown, and that's where a majority of the lights are located. The city, the buildings, the stores, everything lights up at night. Imagine my surprised when I discovered a mini shopping/restaurant 'city' area right next door to my neighborhood. All I had to do was cross the river. Once I crossed the bridge over the river and followed the underground tunnel I entered a place full of life and energy. There were restaurants everywhere. People everywhere. And taxis everywhere. I had a great time just looking in windows, attempting to read signs, and trying to dodge cars and taxi's (since there were no sidewalks). The area was probably only about four blocks deep and five blocks wide but it felt like I'd stepped into another world. I'm definitely going to go back and try one of the many wonderful restaurants I saw serving Korean food.

The underground tunnel that I had to take to cross the street.

Which way do I go? Left or Right?

Traveling up the stairs

The lights begin.

So many places. So many lights.

A view of the City 7 apartments.

After my 'city' exploration I crossed a romantic twilight bridge (when you see the photos you'll understand what I mean) and was back in my quiet residential neighborhood. I'm really enjoying the area where I live.

The romantic bridge

Back in my neighborhood.

LAST FRIDAY my bosses decided to take all of the staff out to dinner. It was kind of a welcome to me and my coworker and a good-bye to our secretary, who was leaving to explore new job opportunities. We went to a Korean Barbecue located in City 7 Mall. At a Korean barbecue you cook the food at the table. I loved the experience. The food was great and I had fun with my coworkers. Also, I learned the proper way to cook food at the table.

First, the waiter brings the hot coals.

Next, they add the cooking tray.

Now, you add some meat and veggies.

Cut up the meat with scissors into bite-sized pieces.

Have some Kimchi Jigae (Stew) on the side if you desire.

Don't forget the panchan (side dishes).

Put them in a lettuce leaf with the meat and stuff the whole thing in your mouth.

Sophie, the Secretary. It was her last day. :(

Jessie, one of the Korean Teachers. 

Wilhelm, the other Western Teacher at my school. He's from South Africa.

My Employers Esther and Donald

Here's the restaurant. Those snake-like things are vents for the smoke as the food cooks.

Afterwards we went to a Noraebang (Karaoke Room) and sang some songs together. This is typical Korean fun. Hanging out and singing together. I loved it. Well, I love to sing. But I also love to dance. I decided that since we were in our own room and lights were flashing everywhere I would dance. So I did. My coworkers and bosses probably thought I was goofy but I didn't care I was having fun!

The City 7 Noraebang

Hi!

Dancing all by myself.

ON SUNDAY I went to church and a Bible Study afterwards. Good time of spiritual refreshment. Then I decided to visit Yongi Park and Yongi Lake near downtown.  I walked around Yongi Park and took pictures of historical statues and structures. It's hard to believe that these items were around thousands of years ago. The USA is so young compared to Korea so I'm not used to walking through a park and seeing statues that are thousands of years old as park decoration.

Cool statue at the entrance to Yongi Park.

 

This was at the entrance to the park.

Ancient Statues

After the stroll through the park I decided I wanted some Cold Stone ice cream. Yes Cold Stone Creamery is in South Korea! My  boss told me it was located near the lake. Actually he said it was behind Burger King. I remember stumbling across Burger King during my last exploration of downtown so I decided I would try to find it and then find Cold Stone from there. Well, half an hour later, I almost gave up my search for this delicious ice cream when I discovered it wasn't directly behind Burger King (and it took me awhile to find that place). But I stumbled upon it eventually. Yay! And it was everything I hoped it would be.

I saw Starbucks and just had to take a picture of the name in Korean.

 

Cool Fountain I saw as I wondered through the city.

 

See. Cold Stone is in Korea.

Founder's Favorite. Delicious!

I took my ice cream and sat but the lake and watched the sun set. It was nice and relaxing.

Yongi Lake

Decorations for the Changwon Festival which is happening this weekend.

The lake at night.

 

Getting Lost...I mean Exploring Downtown Changwon

Hmm. Where to begin? I know...Korean imitation Oreos taste just like the original. How do I know this? Because I grabbed a pack when I visited the 7-Eleven for the first time in Downtown Changwon. This weekend I decided it was time for me to branch out of my neighborhood and see the downtown area of my city, Changwon. This adventure involved me taking the bus for the first time as well. That experience wasn't too bad; aside from the fact that I had to hold on for dear life as the bus sped down the street and around curves and then slammed on the brakes as it reached a stop sending everyone who was standing (which was most people) flying forward. Hahaha...ugh. So, after surviving the bus I went to Starbucks to hang out for a bit and spend some time with God. I have been avoiding Starbucks here in Korea partly because I haven't been in the mood for coffee and partly because there are SO MANY coffee shops here that I feel like I should try something new. I mean I've lived and breathed Starbucks for the past 4 years as I worked for the company. Time to branch out. But, alas, I ended up at Starbucks after all. I got a chai latte and it actually was very delicious. It tasted just like chai's in the States, except it was more foamy and pretty.

See. Pretty.

I saw a couple other Westerners at Starbucks. I also did a little people watching out the window and in the store. {Funny story: I'm looking out the window and I see these two Korean guys walking by. They notice me and then begin to stare. I notice them staring. They notice me noticing them so one of them waves at me. I smile and nod at them. They then turn to each other and talk very excitedly as they continue walking. I laugh. I've just brightened their day and they've just brightened mine.} I spent about an hour at Starbucks reading my Bible and writing in a journal, then I decided it was time to explore the city and find a place to eat lunch.

 

I saw lots of interesting sights. So many stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. The names of all of these places were written on the sides of the buildings. Yes, you can find yourself eating in a restaurant on the 4th floor of a building or buying books from a huge bookstore in the basement of a building. That's how it goes in Korea.

business/restaurant signs on the buildings.

 

One of the streets in Downtown Changwon.

After searching for half an hour for a Korean restaurant that I could eat at alone (many served multiple people so they were priced with that in mind) I settled on a Western restaurant called Kraze Burger. They bragged about using 100% Australian Beef. I got a hamburger and a drink. Pretty good. Maybe one day if I'm craving chili cheese fries I'll try their fry selection.

After lunch I wandered around some more. I should mention that about this time I wasn't really sure where I was in the city but I figured I could eventually find the major intersection where I catch the bus. It's a big, wide open roundabout. As I walked around I found the dollar/discount store, Daiso. I bought a much needed teapot and a few other items. Across the street was a Hello Kitty Cafe. It's sickeningly pink.

Daiso Discount Store

Hello Kitty Cafe - ugh, I'm not really a big fan of Hello Kitty.

At this point I realized I was heading into an area that looked familiar. I wanted to go to Emart, A huge grocery store, but I saw a sign for the bookstore, Kyobo, on the side of a building so I decided to make a detour. I enjoyed the bookstore because there were so many people there reading the books instead of buying them. :) I also had a look at the English section, which had a nice number of books in English.

Finally, I made my way to Emart. That was a fun experience. People were everywhere and the workers were giving out samples of food everywhere. I tried a sample of soup, tofu, and garlic bread. I definitely like the feel of Emart better than Lotte Mart, but Lotte is closer to my house so I'll be going there most of the time. After that I got back on the crazy, speeding bus and went home. All in all it was a pretty good day.

Beautiful dresses I saw while window shopping. Notice the cute matching child outfit.

 

The Roundabout with mountains in the distance.

Another section of the roundabout.

 

I liked this cello/violin statue outside of Emart.

Items purchased from the store. (Emart and Lotte Mart)

Enjoy this video of stuff I bought from the grocery store.