This is just a short video to give you an idea of the terrain in and around Suwon. If you look carefully, you will be able to see a lot of high rise apartments and a few mountains in the distance. Also, at the bottom of the video you should be able to see Hwaseong Haenggung, the compound Katrina and i visited last week. The view from the top of Mt. Paldal was amazing. I hope you enjoy.
5.29.2010
Saturday Part 1: Golden Buddha
As I mentioned last week, Katrina and I were going to venture back to the area where we were sightseeing and were going to attempt to find the giant Golden Buddha statue. Well, we found it! From the picture, the size of the statue is difficult to determine. However, if you look at one of the pictures, you can see me at the bottom and it will give you an idea of the size of the statue itself.Behind the statue, there were seven or eight heads and around the base, there was the same amount of smaller figures. I am not quite sure the significance of these idols but nevertheless, they were there. In each of the figures around the base of the statue, each being was holding a different weapon or striking a different pose. Regardless, the statue was amazing and quite a sight to see.
(If you look closely, you can see me waving)
(Figurine at the base of the statue)
(Katrina and I in the bell tower with statue in the background)Beneath the statue was an underground building which seemed to serve as a temple or place for prayer. There was a sign that said no shoes so I took my off and down I went. There was what could best be described as an altar situated at the back of the room. There were incense, a few jars, and an area to leave a donation on the altar. In front of the altar sat a small table with a cushion. The room was brightly decorated and had hanging paper balloons. Around the entire inside of the structure were hundreds of tiny Buddha statues, each one holding a single, white Christmas tree light. Again, without a translator, I have no idea of the significance of each statue. If I had to guess, I would say it was either all of the Buddha's throughout history or each of the priest that had studied at that temple and the rank they had achieved. However, since each was holding a light, I would guess the former rather than the later.
(Altar with smaller statue)
(Balloons - notice the symbol...)
(Miniature Buddha statue's lining the walls of the temple)
(Up close view of mini statues)Finally, along with several other structures on the compound, there was a large gate which housed a bell. The bell was chained but the architecture of the building and bell itself were beautiful. There was a wonderful view of Suwon from the bell tower but a much better one later in the day. Also, inside the tower was a device which was used to warn citizens a few hundred years ago of invaders. The device is a wooden block carved out in the shape of a dragon. The underside of the dragon was hollowed out and a stick was used to make a large knocking sound, alerting the people to any dangers. Katrina and I spent about half an hour there before making out way to the top of Mt. Paldal.
(Bell Tower at Buddhist Compound)
(Bell)
(Hollowed Dragon to warn of dangers)
(Fun Little Buddha Guy on the Grounds)5.25.2010
You Got to be Kidding Me
I am still observing - 3 classes scheduled for today and hopefully a medical check at some point since I wasn't able to eat since 12 last night. Yesterday, I was able to open a bank account and apparently, you earn interest in Korea if you have over $50 in your account, not the case in Japan. I did find out yesterday that I get shafted - yes, that's the best word - when it comes to vacation. According to the contract, I get 14 days of vacation including weekends. For the summer session, all the teachers get a three day break plus the weekend so there is five days. Then, after six months, you get to take another week off. I was thinking the five workdays plus the weekend for a total of seven. My math was wrong. Apparently, you include the weekend before and the weekend after your day off for a total of - nine. Nine plus five, there is your fourteen days off which is only eight actually work days. Needless to say, I was not very happy.
Anyway, as far as the job is concerned, it does not seem that difficult. I have to arrive every day by 2 pm and cannot leave until 10 pm, no exceptions. According to a teacher I spoke with yesterday, the Korean teachers are not allowed to fraternize with the native English speakers due to some problems in the past, if you catch my drift. I will be teaching two different classes and have a total of four books to teach from. The first part of the lesson is attendance and review. Then we go in to a bit of reading and writing following that. And, that is a typical lesson. There is still a bit I have yet to learn but feel confident that I could teach a class right now. In Japan, we were there a day and a half and were thrown into our first lesson.
As of now, I am just biding my time until the actual teaching begins. There really isn't a lot I can do at the moment, except perhaps look at my books. However, I have a feeling I will be able to do a bit of that tomorrow. I still do not know exactly when I will be moving in to my new apartment, hopefully Sunday. Again, the communication has been far from spectacular. So, I just continue to sit in the computer lab, by myself, with little to do except listen to music and check up on the Flyers.
Anyway, as far as the job is concerned, it does not seem that difficult. I have to arrive every day by 2 pm and cannot leave until 10 pm, no exceptions. According to a teacher I spoke with yesterday, the Korean teachers are not allowed to fraternize with the native English speakers due to some problems in the past, if you catch my drift. I will be teaching two different classes and have a total of four books to teach from. The first part of the lesson is attendance and review. Then we go in to a bit of reading and writing following that. And, that is a typical lesson. There is still a bit I have yet to learn but feel confident that I could teach a class right now. In Japan, we were there a day and a half and were thrown into our first lesson.
As of now, I am just biding my time until the actual teaching begins. There really isn't a lot I can do at the moment, except perhaps look at my books. However, I have a feeling I will be able to do a bit of that tomorrow. I still do not know exactly when I will be moving in to my new apartment, hopefully Sunday. Again, the communication has been far from spectacular. So, I just continue to sit in the computer lab, by myself, with little to do except listen to music and check up on the Flyers.
5.24.2010
Training???
I reported to my school yesterday at 1 to check-in. Eric, the Korean 'handyman' I guess you could call him, took me to the place where I'll be staying for the week - a love motel. Apparently, in Korea, couples live at home until they are married - still a bit conservative. So, if they need to fulfill their physical desires they rent out a love motel room and if I am not mistaken, they can be rented by the hour, for a few hours, a day, or in my case, a week. Believe it or not, the room is actually pretty nice. There is a huge, flat screen TV, double bed, little couch, and nice size shower room with bath. Oh, I forgot to mention, there are covers over the car entrance, flaps of sorts, so no one can tell who exactly is using a room. Scandalous but an unwritten rule in Korea.
So, I walked back to work around 2 and began my day. Oh, what a day. Compared to Japan, I think this is going to be cake. For the first two hours, according to the head instructor Nathan, teachers "prepare." And yes, he used hand quotation marks when telling me this. Then, you teach either a lesson or two, have a 70 minute break to eat dinner or prepare, then teach a final lesson or two depending on your schedule. So, when all is said and done, I will teach three 70 minute classes for a total of three and a half hours of work. I will have two hours of prep time or time to grade papers before class starts and then another 70 minutes if need be during my break, and finally a half an hour at the end of the day to finish paperwork. However, I must be in by 2 o'clock and I can't leave until 10. And that folks, will be my daily routine.
Training was interesting to say the least. I did a lesson plan, watched a video (which was not really specifically related to the material I'll be watching), took my break, then observed two lessons. This week, all I do is observe, that is it, nothing else. I sit in classes, take a few notes, and observe. And that folks, will be my training.
I am using the internet and computer at the love motel so I will try to upload photos whenever I get a chance. Hope all is well.
So, I walked back to work around 2 and began my day. Oh, what a day. Compared to Japan, I think this is going to be cake. For the first two hours, according to the head instructor Nathan, teachers "prepare." And yes, he used hand quotation marks when telling me this. Then, you teach either a lesson or two, have a 70 minute break to eat dinner or prepare, then teach a final lesson or two depending on your schedule. So, when all is said and done, I will teach three 70 minute classes for a total of three and a half hours of work. I will have two hours of prep time or time to grade papers before class starts and then another 70 minutes if need be during my break, and finally a half an hour at the end of the day to finish paperwork. However, I must be in by 2 o'clock and I can't leave until 10. And that folks, will be my daily routine.
Training was interesting to say the least. I did a lesson plan, watched a video (which was not really specifically related to the material I'll be watching), took my break, then observed two lessons. This week, all I do is observe, that is it, nothing else. I sit in classes, take a few notes, and observe. And that folks, will be my training.
I am using the internet and computer at the love motel so I will try to upload photos whenever I get a chance. Hope all is well.
5.22.2010
Hwaseong Haenggung
Today, we decided to catch the 98 Bus to my work so Katrina would know how to get there and also so I could refresh my memory. Training starts on Monday. However, afterward, we planned on stopping at a giant golden Buddha statue I had noticed after visiting work this past Monday. So, after we saw it on the way back, we got off and started walking back. Fortunately, it was only about a five minute walk and we found ourselves in a giant open courtyard. There was a funky statue greeting us which turned out to be a celebration of Buddha's 2,445th Birthday, or some number close to that. We headed towards some gates but were distracted by an information center and headed in to look around.Honestly, there was not a lot of information in the information center but there were quite a few nice pictures. I still do not know the whole story about "The Best of detached Palace Architecture in the Joseon Dynasty" but that is where we found ourselves. Needless to say, the giant golden Buddha statue is going to have to wait until next weekend.
(Buddha's B-Day Memorial)
The admission fees were only 1,500 KRW or about a dollar fifty per person, not bad. From the map/brochure that I was given, the temporary palace served as a Suwon government office as well as a temporary palace after it was built in 1789. Sadly, the Japanese destroyed the original palace during their occupation. However, in its heyday, the palace had over 600 compartments, some of which are filled with exhibits depicting ancient lifestyles. It was also home of the feast for Princess Hong of Hyegyeonggung at which over 70 dishes were served.
(Traditional Room - Clerk)
(Palace Architecture)
(Bird's Eye view of Queen's Feast)Luckily, during the weekends, volunteers dress in traditional garb. As a result, we got to see some interesting outfits. Also, there were several hands on areas where individuals could pay 2,000 KRW ($2) and wear the King and Queen's clothes, wear armor, cook and drink tea, make Korean paper, or make a ceramic ware. The paper making looked the sweetest but I decided not to participate. Also, there were a few guys hammering away on some rice to make rice cakes.
(Rice Cake Production)
(King & Queen's Quarters)
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