The Airport World

I am here. I made it! After traveling from Brussels to Istanbul to Seoul, my inner clock is completely turned around, and I know, I know tomorrow I will be dead. But not yet. Today I am enjoying the airport world that is Incheon International Airport.

My flight landed this morning at 10 a.m. Because of pick-up scheduling, Fulbright is only picking all the ETAs up at 5 a.m tomorrow. So to save money, I decided to spend the night in Incheon. Uncomfortable, yes; but beneficial to my pocket book. I payed 15 dollars to have my luggage kept for me in a holding area and then, 70 lb lighter and accompanied by my trusty laptop, I decided to explore the airport. My km counter on my iPhone says I have walked over 5 km today. Not too unusual, except when you imagine those 5 km in an airport. On my adventure I discovered the ice rink hidden on the bottom floor of Incheon. Amazing! Later I stumbled across a movie theatre, and decided to stop in for a screening of the new Finding Dory movie. Not before eating dinner at one of the numerous restaurants on the 4th floor. While enjoying a very spicy dinner, I was serenaded by live piano and violin music, as the airport regularly entertains its guests with live performances, both modern and traditional.

The thing that impressed me most about Incheon was the attention given to educating visitors about the Korean culture. In only one day, I experienced traditional Korean music performances, saw exhibits of Korean art, and other activities. I think Incheon has the right idea, and more airports should make the effort to reach the travelers journeying through; thousands, and thousands every day. Many of us are only transferring to another flight, yet still, I think many travelers would like to learn about the country they are sojourning in.

Jeju Island Day 2 and 3

Two weeks after the actual trip I finally get around to posting about the last two days of my Jeju Island adventure! Life of a University Student...busy...well, actually not that busy, but I've been struggling with a bit of a cold. Well, really I have no excuses for posting so late!
So, without further ado, here is my last post on Jeju Island:

Day 2 Part 1

After the weather fiasco of our first day on Jeju Island, we decided to go to the opposite side of the Island to see if the weather would be any better! And it was, praise the Lord! We had no rain, and even a little sun! It was beautiful.

The grass of Sangumburi made beautiful music!

 On the morning of the second day, we took the bus to inland south east. There we visited Sangumburi the world's only flat-land crater. It is over 250 meters deep (800 ft) and simply breathtaking! The fields around the crater are some sort of grass that rustles in the wind and turns silver in fall. When we arrived the fog was just lifting, and it gave the whole area a rather mystical air. I will attempt to capture it in a painting one of these days, but I haven't gotten around to it yet! :D

The crater itself. It seemed like the footprint of a giant.

 Day 2 Part 2

My first thought upon seeing Ilchulbong was,
"This is gonna be hard to paint!"

The steps of doooooooooom

After the crater, we took the bus a little farther to the actual coast, and I was not prepared for the sight. It was stunning! The Lord truly is artist of artists! Connected to the island by a thin strip of land rises a dormant volcano. It is over 250 meters high (800 ft) and can be hiked via steep stairs. The hike was tiring, but only took 20 min. (however 20 min. of continuous stair-climbing is exhausting!!!). At the top of the volcano our view was breathtaking.

The now dormant volcano.
You feel as if you are on the top of the world

The view overlooking Jeju Island from Ilchulbong volcano

Before us the blue of the ocean faded into the blue of the sky, creating a palette of hues. Behind us the island stretched out far; mountains rose gently in the distance, and a wall of fog and clouds could be seen miles off. However where we were the sun warmed us in the cold wind. It was magical!

Nature is hard to describe. I think that is why I like painting it. Painting comes closest to capturing the beauty of nature. Perhaps better writers could aptly describe the magnitude and underlying meanings nature holds for us humans. I'm sure Lewis or Tolkien could have done justice to it. However I can't. So I'll stop trying! Let it suffice to say, that I was in awe: In awe of nature, in awe of beauty and in awe of God who created it all.

The cliffs of Ilchulbong  

Day 3

Our last day on the island was once again spent in the southern part. We visited one of the three main waterfall sites on the island (Cheonjeyeon). The creek flows through a deep ravine into the ocean and is split into three waterfalls. The first one, seen below, only flows after heavy rains. 

The second is the most idyllic. I felt like I had entered a cove of the Pirates of the Caribbean! 

The third one took a while to climb down to, and was a little smaller and less magnificent. However it was fun gazing into the blue pool of water below, imagining the 6 foot eels swimming below. Supposedly they are a very delicious delicacy....I'm not sure I'll try that....

(I actually didn't take a picture of the third one....guilty as charged!)

Our last night in Jeju we went out and ate Korean Pork BBQ for dinner. It was very good! Our waitress served us seafood as a treat, including little baby octopus-like fish. I ate them! I am very proud for eating the tiny little tentacles! They were good, however I had to close my eyes to keep my imagination in place...

And that's all for tonight, folks!

The ocean on our second day at Jeju Island, at the foot of Ilchulbong

Deoksugung (Palace)

Thursday, two friends and I went to Deoksugung (gung means palace). It is the smallest one of several palaces in Seoul, and simply stunning!

We ate dinner at a delicious Korean 식당 (restaurant), where an kindly Korean grandfather served us and talked to us in Korean, whilst we nodded our heads and smiled politely, pretending we understood more than we actually did. We then entered the palace. Entry fee is only 1000 Won, equivalent to less than a dollar.

Entrance to the courtyard leading to throne room

Although it was dark by now, the palace was well lit, we walked around the grounds, and entered the throne room. I say throne room, but Korean palaces are very different from any of the numerous castles and palaces in Europe. Instead of one building, with many different rooms and hall, Korean palaces are a construction of several buildings, each serving its own purpose. The buildings are intricately decorated in colors symbolizing various things.

Courtyard infront of the throne room

It was a wonderful feeling to walk where centuries ago people lived and served their king. Because it was dark, and rather cold, we were almost alone on the grounds. It was a little island of calm amidst the rising skyscrapers and traffic choir of Seoul. It was peaceful.

The throne room 

Later in the evening we joined a small audience to watch a Korean traditional performance. It was unlike anything I've ever seen. The dancing and music was more rhythmic than melodic, and several of the older spectators joined the dancing, enjoying the performance very much.

Dancing and drumming

My favorite part of the performance was seeing the expressions of the musicians. They breathed the music. When artists believe in what they are doing, it makes the audience believe. Through the vivid expressions of the musicians, I began to understand a little bit of the great history and love these people have for their country. 

 A short clip of part of the performance. Sorry for the bad quality, my camera does not do well at night! But hopefully you get the idea of what it was like!

S.A.C. Water Fountain and more!

NOTE: I wrote this last week, and completely forgot to publish it...so here it is! A week late....yeah....

Although today is only Tuesday, it was the last day of classes, as the rest of the week is vacation. Korea  celebrates thanksgiving on Thursday. Because of Chusok (as it is called) we get to have the rest of the week off! I'm feeling thankful indeed!
Here's a picture of my lecture notes on todays classes (19th century Brit. Novel and Studies in Post Colonial Lit), just to show that I'm not JUST having fun here in Seoul! ^_^





 Yesterday a friend and I went to the S.A.C. (Seoul Arts Center). The same place I had been hiking at a week before. Because we are students, we get to buy tickets at a pretty decent price. That night a Korean pianist was playing Chopin, and I was so excited to see her! Chopin is one of my favorite composers.

Sorry for the bad quality, I only had my iPod to take pictures!
Here's the outside of S.A.C.

The musical water fountain!

The two of us left early to take the subway, because it takes 45 min to get to the center. The subway was packed, as we accidentally hit rush hour. I can now say from experience, rush hour in Seoul is no fun. However we made it in one piece, with an hour to spare before the concert began. After getting our tickets, we sat in front of S.A.C. to listen to the water fountain. Every night the fountain plays music and the water dances in tune (or so it seems). It is simply beautiful. A lot of spectators were sitting around the fountain, simply enjoying the free spectacle. I am definitely planning on going back soon!
Here's a video of the fountain:

The concert itself was wonderful as well. Chopin has a way of mesmerizing your ears, and watching the talented pianist's hands fly over the keys had a way of mesmerizing the eyes. I definitely am a fan of piano (and not just 'cause I play it myself). All in all, it was a wonderfully successful night. God is definitely good, for letting me experience such a variety of things during my time here in Seoul.

Saturday afternoon ramblings

I'm sitting in front of 학생문화관 (Student Union Building). As I sit on the wooden benches situated in front of the building, a soft breeze plays with escaped wisps of my hair. The air is void of humidity, and thus quite comfortable to the touch of my skin. Sunlight breaks through the branches of exotic trees enclosing me in their shadow. Because it is Saturday, there are only a few other students walking across campus. I wanted to get outside, so I came here. I miss nature. I think that is what I miss most about my life in Austria. I have found no other country in which civilization and nature are so co-existant. However, there is nature here too. You just have to look a little harder. I think I will go to the Han River again soon. The vast expanse of the river is calming.

I have only been in Korea for little more than two weeks. It seems much longer! I have already learned so much about this country, myself, and most importantly God. I am thankful for this, and can't quite imagine how much more I will learn in the next three months. But I will, for there is always more to learn! I'm realizing this even in my courses. It worked out so I could only take three courses. This is okay, since it's the minimum of credits I need to take. My courses are 19th Century British Novel, Post-Colonnial Literature, and Korean Ceramics.

My two pinch bowels on the shelf for drying.

The professor teaching the literature courses has a unique perspective on English literature, I'm enjoying his lectures a lot, because they offer a non-native English speaker's perspective on English literature, history and culture. I am finding that English literature taught in English countries can be very biased. Korean Ceramics as well, has proved to be a fascinating course. Art is something I've always done. I'm not bad at it, but neither am I great. I just DO it. I'm especially aware of this with ceramics. Clay does NOT respond to my hands the way paint does, and this IS a bit frustrating. Perhaps I will learn to mold it into the forms I imagine in my mind...I don't know, but I do know that it is fun and poses a challenge! And that is what art should be!

Close up of the dragon fly pinch bowel. There are so many dragonflies around campus. It's quite fascinating, considering they are rather rare where I come from!

My adventure on Sleeping Cow

Apparently growing up in Austria has rubbed up on me somewhat, for the thing I've been dying to do since coming to Seoul, is to hike! Today I went to Umyeonsan to do just that. Google says this mountain, whose name means "Sleeping Cow" is one of the easiest accessible mountains in Seoul. Let me share my journal entry I wrote shortly after my experience to better illustrate my adventure!

My cool drink (much needed) and journal to
tell my story!

"I'm here at the SAC (Seoul Arts Center) cooling down with a cold drink. I came here to go hiking on the mountain behind SAC. I had planned to go find a quiet spot, pull out my Bible and sketchbook and 'be still' (Ps. 46). Well, it seems like that was not to be!

After getting directions from google, I set out from Ewha, taking the subway for 45 min. Despite these reliable google directions I so counted on, I walked aimlessly between towering skyscrapers for over an hour, before finally finding the SAC and the entrance to the mountain. Determined to enjoy the day, despite the setback, I started out on my journey, eager to take good pictures, to draw and to find a space to read. I also wanted to find the temple that was supposedly located somewhere on the rather imposing hill before me.

The beginning of the mountain trail. This part was easy! Believe me, it got a LOT harder after this!

Half way up the mountain; 5 forks in the road later, I was resigned to enjoy the nature around me, even without finding the buddhist temple. I paused on one of the dirt steps hewn into the pathway. Rummaging in my heavy backpack (I always come prepared!) I grab my camera for a picture. Glancing up my eyes met those of a kindly looking grandfather coming towards me, with chipper steps. He is dressed in cargo pants, a blue shirt, and wore one of those old fisher man's hats. He looked lively and hardly out of breath, making me acutely aware of my sweat-drenched t-shirt.

Some of the steps. These were NOT steep. They get worse farther up!

I smiled at the man, expecting him to pass by. To my surprise, he pauses in his stride and asks where I am going in wonderful, broken English. I am so surprised, and so pleased to speak to this Korean elderly gentlemen.
"The temple", I replied.
"With me" he gestured and smiled, motioning me to follow him.

Relieved to have found someone who would be able to point me in the right direction, I put my tired self into motion once more. To my surprise, the man made no attempt to leave in the other direction. Instead he led the way, all 1000 meters, up steep steps at a pace even Austrians would have found daunting!

While I followed behind this kind gentleman, huffing and puffing, he began a conversation. I told him I am American, and currently studying at Ewha, and that I've only been in Korea for 2 weeks. He was amazed at this, and complimented me on my broken attempts at Korean. I felt quite pleased at his kind words.

I also learned that the man was retired, in his 70s (another reason I was feeling quite ashamed at my lagging pace, profound sweating, and loud huffing and puffing). He has two daughters and two sons. One daughter graduated from Ewha several years ago. He seemed extremely proud of his children and smiled, his eyes crinkling pleasantly, at their mention.

Together we hike up to the outlook on the very top of the 산 (mountain). It is breathtaking.

Next my self-appointed tour guide led me down the mountain side to the temple. After showing me around, and explaining the functions of the different houses, I pulled out my camera and looked at him questioningly. He nodded and I eagerly took pictures. Sadly the lighting was very bad. Perhaps it'll suffice for a painting! [if so, I'll post soon]

The colors on the temple were stunning!

As were the intricate details! Sadly, as you can see, the lighting is pretty bad...

Together we set off for SAC, where he left with a smile and a handshake. I thanked him profusely for his kindness with the only Korean I really know, "정말 감사합니다!!" (Thank you so much!!)

The SAC Opera house. After cooling off a little, I decided to
sketch the building. I'd love to come back here and actually
go to an opera!

Completely spent after racing up and down an entire mountain in only 1 hour, I slowly moved to the vending machines in front of the SAC Opera house. I bought a 700 Won juice and sat at these silver chairs in the open square.

I came here expecting to spend alone time. Instead, my path crossed with a man who showed kindness to a complete stranger. I am so thankful I was able to meet this man, whose name I do not know, and through him learn a little more about the people and culture of this beautiful country."

A collage of me being exhausted, the trail and my cool drink as a reward! 

So there we have it: My adventure on Sleeping Cow! Was it an adventure? Although I encountered no snakes, or spiders, did not fall down a ravine, or anything dangerous; I think so. I met a random stranger who showed kindness to me, and despite language barriers, was able to have a conversation with me. Through this man's random act of kindness, reaching out to a stranger, I felt welcomed to his country and very, very thankful for the opportunity to be here.
I think I had a wonderful adventure, and I can't wait for more to come!

At 한강 (Han River): Is fried chicken American?

Two days ago, a bunch of us Internationals and several Buddies (Korean students who help us adjust to Korean culture, etc.) went to the Han River. Somehow, I hadn't even registered that Seoul has a river, but of course it does! It makes complete sense that a city, centuries old, would have been built near a water source. Still, I wasn't quite prepared for the full effect of the river, it was HUGE! And it was beautiful (I think you say 아름다운 in Korean).

Rivers are a big part of city culture. You walk near the river, you bike near the river, you meet your friends near the river, you pick-nique near the river; Having lived in Innsbruck, near the Inn river, this culture is familiar to me, and seems to be a way of life in Seoul as well. However, the river in Tirol is a lot smaller than the Han river, and the city skyline is not quite so impressive. Here's a picture of the park we sat in.

The setting sun bathed everything in a beautiful warm light. Wish I'd had my watercolors.
However I did attempt to sketch this scene. Photo of my sketch below:

Yeah....still need to work on my sketching! It's definitely harder than watercolors! :)

Apparently the thing to do while you're enjoying the warm evening sun, is to order fried chicken and have it delivered to where you are sitting. We ordered 8 people's worth of chicken, and ate every piece of it. It was delicious! (맛있었어요! I think that's 'it was delicious' in Korean) Our order also came with plastic pick-nique blankets to sit and eat on. Very convenient! However eating over the face of some Korean celebrity was a little unsettling!^^ To illustrate:

The chicken had somewhat of a familiar taste, after all, chicken will be chicken. Yet it definitely had a non-American flair to it. So it leaves me with the question, that I would love to know the answer to: Is fried chicken American? Considering Pizza (a very American meal) is NOT American, there is a distinct possibility that friend chicken will also turn out to be from somewhere else. Maybe from S. Korea?

Most would probably say, "Who cares about food, when you're in South Korea! There's bunches of more interesting things to do!" However, I would have to reply, that I love food, and Korean food is so different, and so delicious, I think I will spend most of my time here eating! (And starting to go to the gym to make up for it!)

First Impressions

Bah, awful title I came up with, it is definitely not sufficient to describe my first experiences in South Korea!

These are the times when words forsake me, and my English major does me no good. These are the times when life offers such potent experiences full of flavor and color, that there are no languages (French, German or English) to describe the impressions. These are the times when Art is the only way to express what goes on around me.

HOWEVER, I haven't had time to paint yet! In fact, I've had so little time to paint that I'm choosing to stay in my room tonight, and miss all the fun, so I can paint. I suppose that might seem like a waste to some, but I need to process my first impressions. So I paint.

To give you guys a little taste of my experiences, here are some photos.

View of the campus from the main gate.

Today was graduation, this means that dozens of elderly ladies stood close to the campus selling flowers, ribbons, and teddy bears wearing gowns. Every now and then one of these ladies calls out, "Flowers, beautiful flowers for your graduating friend/daughter/sister! Buy beautiful flowers here, for only "man won" (10 000won)" At least, that's what I imagine they are saying, for all I understand is "man won".      

 Yesterday all International students were invited to come to a local pub/club to party and taste Korean beer. I too, joined the throngs, and was met with some dazzling lights in downtown Seoul.

Talking and bonding over Korean beer. 

I'm coming back here to shop!^^

And last but not least, a sketch of the skyline view out of my room window. 

Here is a round view of the campus.