Global Gathering, my birthday and the infamous mountain trek.

I tried posting videos but apparently those didn't want to work.  I'll give it another go later on if my phone didn't automatically delete them.

The outside sink that the students use for brushing their teeth after lunch and  for washing the  stuff they use to clean.

Fish bread.  Filled with a creamy pastry or red beans.  The red beans inside make it look like real fish guts, which is what I thought was in it the first time I ate this delicious fried snack.

The Ginkgo tree.  It was the first tree to change color when it started getting cold.

This is probably the best picture I have taken so far.  This is the Ogapcheon river, which seperates Gamgok on the far side from Janghowon on the near side.

Min-ji, the middle schooler who spent time in Atlanta, petting a  a very nice Golden retriever who popped his head up over the fence on the way back from the mountain.

Tiny replicas of traditional Korean masks framed to commemorate the 1988 Olympic games held in Korea.

A transport helicopter flying towards the mountain.  There has been increased military presence here in the last few weeks.  It is probably just regular drilling to keep us ever vigilant against the "dear leader."

A high school girl leading a game of hang-man.

Another shot of the helicopter.  Apparently the Korean soldiers loaded up in the back of trucks that are being driven places think it is hilarious when a giant bearded smiling white man who is eating an ice cream cone waves at them.  I can't say I wouldn't find that funny either.  I usually get a bunch of return smiles and waves.

On the far side of the river is Gamgok, and on the near side is Janghowon.  The river is Ogapcheon-ro.

The treacherous rope down the mountain.  This was one of many, and was probably the easiest to get down.  The others didn't have big rocks like that to brace yourself against, or keep your footing on.

A picture of Janghowon through the trees.

A better picture of Janghowon through the trees.

A symbol at the top of the mountain.  No idea what it was, perhaps it was made by aliens?  I wonder if they had to get alien registration cards like I did?

The view off the other side of the mountain.  No cities to be seen, just a few sporadic groupings of houses.

Some beautiful trees that lined the path up to the top of the mountain.

More beautiful trees on the mountain.  Almost every one of these views is from a tiny rest stop on your way up.

Buddha Buddha Buddha Buddha rockin' everywhere.  They later took a picture of me right in front of him because "You, him, friend."  Which means "you are similar to him."  Thaaaaaaaanks.

Notice the different kinds of animals painted on the underside of the roof.  As far as I can tell these are all common animals to this region.  

Probably a bodhisatva, but who knows... oh wait, that's right, anyone who can read that sign.

I like the saggy multi-tusked elephant this bodhisatva is sitting on.

Organizing the talent show.

This is a view of Janghowon.  Those high rises are right on the edge of the town.

Statues at the entrance on one side of the golden Buddha.

Statues at the entrance on the other side of the golden Buddha.

Obviously a bodhisatva of some kind.  My guess is Guan-yin, the bodhisatva of compassion.

The middle school getting ready to hike up the mountain.

From left to right and top to bottom: Han-Ki-Jung, Shaneel, Ki-Hyun, Nam-Wu, Graham, Nate

Ki-Hyun and myself.

The less buff of the two Koreans who were pulling away that girl at the end of the birthday party.

The girl pulled away, John Smith III, and Justin Snow

Graduate of the high school I work at, Girl who was hilariou, John Smith III and Justin Snow at my birthday party.

Pretty tree and a line of girls who don't want to hike up a mountain.

Entrance to the temple.  Notice the various animals that are painted all around it.

Just to give you an idea of what it was like trying to keep everyone together on this field trip.

Isn't it cute how they all walk with their friends?  It's natural over here.  It's like a really affectionate buddy system.  It kinda creeps me out still, but I am slowly getting used to it.  The only time I really have a problem is when someone I have only known a couple of days is all trying to hug me and stuff.

Jeez John.  Could you look any creepier?  The idea is to get the girls to stay!  Notice how some people cover their face with their symbol.  A common one is to make a little hand like you are shouting something.  The purpose is to block part of your face to make it look more attractive, like if you had a double chin and didn't want people to see it.  That's not really what's going on here, we are just drunk and low on space, but it was a good opportunity to talk about Korean face vanity.

Candid photo of my friends.  Two korean girls who were drinking with us.  John Smith III (If he insists on being called that, I will insist on calling him that) Justin, and the "Sam Chyon" or the "3000" cc pitcher.  Obviously the last one mentioned I have seen the most so far on this trip o_O  

Temple entrance with some tired girls.

Lining up by homeroom in front of the temple entrance.

One of my after school classes playing a word game on the board.  Those green things on the side slide over when the board is lined up at the right height.  They reveal either other boards, or maps.  The main board slides up and down.  to the right of the podium is little wooden stand that has a sponge on top.  You have a plastic handle with a piece of cloth velcroed to it that you dip in the sponge then wipe the board down with.  To the right would be where the projector screen hangs down and in that central podium is the computer sends to the projector.  Notice the fans at the top of the class.  Rarely is air conditioning used.  They blow the fans and then maybe use the giant air conditioning unit in the corner of the classroom.  Mostly though that unit is used as a heater.  

What you cant see is the soccer ball in the air.  They lay two brooms on the ground and kick it back and forth with knees feet and head.  Three people to a team, and played like volleyball.  Who knows what its called.

Different view of the same game.

Students being punished for being late.  They are forced to stay in the plank position in varying degrees of difficulty.  Some have to run with their legs, some have to do push ups.

Annyeong Koyangi!!!

Pretty sure I talked about this awhile ago, but here is the "Coffe Prince" coffee shop.  Kopi Purinsu is what is literally says, but we all know what they mean.  

A cat coffee shop and a very unfortunate salon name.

Seoul.  That is the Han river, and I am taking this picture of Han Gang Park.  Global gathering was held very near here.

Toby with a very strange face, random Korean guy, Clare Gutjahr (the gooch, my favorite) and another random Korean guy.  Those big cups of beer were only three or four bucks, and the Redbull cup was a Jaeger bomb for a buck more (cant remember how much, it's been almost a month)  Those were the glow sticks we were given upon entry.

Just an average subway stop in Seoul.  This is at about 3 on a Sunday afternoon.  I have never seen so many Koreans in my life.  They move very efficiently too.  I don't really have much to compare it to though, because I have never seen a New York rush hour of anything even close.