So it's been a while...
There's been a lot happening now that the weather's much nicer. Festivals, trips, awkward situations, the usual. Korea's a great place to be in the spring because of Festivals. I've been to a few, mostly all flower related. Here's a list of the ones I've heard of:
The Sea-Parting Festival (I don't know if that is it's actual name, but I don't know otherwise)
Cherry Blossom Festival
Tulip Festival
Green Tea Festival
Strawberry Festival
Hi Seoul Festival
Lotus Lantern Festival
I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones I've either been to/heard of that have already happened. There's also mud-fest coming up in July, which I'm super psyched for. Lately I've been thinking about how much I love living here, and that I definitely want to return here after coming home. Then that got me to thinking about things that I don't think I'll ever get used to while I'm here:
1) spitting
It's just nasty. Especially when they do that narsty sound that comes from getting prepared to spit. ugh.
2) "health" habits
Korea has some interesting perspectives on what is healthy for you to do. Such as smacking your stomach after eating to help aid in digestion, or really just hitting anything that seems tense or in pain. I've done it before, but I'm not sure if it's actually doing anything. There's also the idea where if you're experiencing indigestion, you can wrap your thumb with thread, then poke the area just under your nail bed with a needle. Supposedly if the blood is a dark red, then you definitely have had some indigestion, but the release of the "bad" blood will get rid of the indigestion
3) Public walking
Ok, I've been here for a little over 9 months and have STILL never figured out which side of the sidewalk to walk on. For reals. It doesn't help that Korean people will NOT move from their path, making you the decision maker. I've done everything. Gone on the left, right, through the middle, and the awkward 2-person shuffle while you both try to go the same direction at the same time. In Seoul, they have signs designating which side to walk on (the right), but how often is it followed? Some of the time. Oh well.
4) Physical ideologies
The mentality around plastic surgery is very different than back home. Back in the states, if someone has plastic surgery, it's almost a scandal and very looked down upon. In Korea, plastic surgeons are the most prevalent. So many surgeries are done, and it's not a big deal at all. Surgeries done on eyes, noses, everything. Which, first of all, I don't understand why Koreans want to get surgery on their eyes to make them bigger. I've tried explaining this to some of my korean friends, that their eyes are gorgeous, they don't need to go on a diet, etc. But it's just a completely different perspective for them. They are so bombarded with western advertisements and concepts that they feel they need to have whiter skin, big eyes (or in some cases, a double eyelid) and high noses.
5) The school system
I've mentioned a few things before, about how kids study for most of the day, moving from school to academy to academy to academy until very late at night. You can see it the most in middle school and high school students. Completely ridiculous. On the other hand, it definitely makes me feel like I don't study enough and that I can learn so much more if I were more dedicated to learning (*ack* *cough* korean studying fail *cough*)
Well, there you have it. Kind of a lame post, but I couldn't think of anything else at the moment. Tomorrow is Buddha's birthday, so we have the day off. Woohoo!!!
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