Bathing with Strangers...or that time I went to a public bath in Korea

So I went to a public bath in Korea. It was really naked.

My friend Megan and I knew that we wanted to go to a public bath house (called a Jjimjilbang) and were really excited when we (thought) we found one at a local shopping area. We decided to make a Sunday out of it.

The saunas are normally gender segregated and very cheap. We paid 5000 won (roughly $5) to rent 2 towels, a locker, and have unlimited time in the hot tubs. We also thought that we'd receive bathrobes or clothing to change into because Jjimjilbangs usually have rooms that are unisex for lounging, sleeping, eating, and relaxing. When we didn't receive anything to cover our bodies we were pretty shocked. We asked the older lady working in the locker room where the clothes were and she laughed at us. Turns out we weren't in a Jjimjilbang- just a regular sauna. Fine, fine, we could make this work.

After a few deep breathes we accepted that we were just going to have to go in the nude..with a bunch of old Korean ladies...in hot tubs. Initially, I felt really shy about being naked around people I didn't know but its surprising how quickly you adjust.

The sauna was comprised of a locker room and a large hot tub space. There were 3 hot tubs of different temperatures, 2 shower areas (you needed to wash yourself off before entering the hot tubs), and an area to get a massage. You could pay extra to have a woman (who was naked...it was hot in there!) massage you or scrub your body. Now, when I say scrub your body I don't mean she's going to gently wash you with soap. The woman used a coarse sponge to buff your skin until it felt like a baby's butt.  I wasn't feeling super comfortable having myself scrubbed down in the nude, but Megan is a lot braver (and wanted amazing skin) and had the massage. For the rest of the day Megan kept touching her legs and arms and repeating "I just can't stop touching myself!" Understandable. Her skin felt amazing.

While Megan was having herself scrubbed to perfection, I sat around in the hot tubs and people watched. There weren't many people there (it was 2 p.m) and we were definitely the youngest. It was amazing how much time and effort these woman were putting into their skincare. I saw a woman buff her skin to perfection for almost an hour- that's dedication. Everyone else came prepared with their own toiletries (lesson learned) but you were able to purchase shower shoes, toiletries, more towels, and even drinks from the locker room attendant. While I wouldn't stay at this particular sauna, there was also a room with beds for napping or staying overnight. People commonly stay at Jjimjilbangs overnight (cheaper than a hostel) and I'm tempted to do so in the future.

I would definitely go back to the sauna. My one room apartment only has a shower so it was really nice to relax in a bath. Plus, the locker room had a scale (I've lost weight!) and blow dryers- things that I don't have.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I (obviously) couldn't really take any pictures this time around. But here's an idea of what it looked like:

It was a lot brighter but it pretty much looked just like this.

Hopefully doing some fun things this weekend.

Peace!

What are Indoor Shoes?

So today I'm going to talk about shoes. 

One of my first lessons in Korea was the importance of removing my shoes inside. Now, I don't have to do this everywhere (stores, certain restaurants, movie theater, etc) but I do take off my shoes in my own apartment, school, others homes, and I have removed my shoes at certain restaurants. Why?

Found this perfect picture at Eat Your Kimchi (fantastic website and funny vlogs)

It is considered impolite to leave outdoor shoes on when entering a home or certain buildings. Near the door there is usually an area to change into your indoor shoes/slippers called a 'hyeon gwan' (현관). Compared to Western society, it's much more common for Koreans to eat while sitting on the floor at a low table or even sleep on the floor. Thus, keeping the floor clean is incredibly important. Who knows what you stepped in with your outdoor shoes?

I bought my first pair of indoor shoes on my second day in Gwangju. During our first visit to  the school we were offered visitor indoor shoes- which were super uncomfortable- and made the idea of buying my own ugly pair of shoes more appealing. There are separate areas in shoe stores dedicated to indoor shoes- not a large variety but more than enough to accommodate to different styles. 

What makes it an indoor shoe?
They tend to be made of softer rubber material and really comfortable. Imagine rubber sandals and Crocs everywhere. The great thing about wearing indoor shoes is that I can wear my sneakers to school (it's a 30 minute walk) and generally not care at all about matching shoes to outfits.

I'm the black sandals at the top. Posing with all of my co-teachers.

Additionally, most people (like me) buy house slippers for walking around the home and bathroom shoes. Bathroom shoes are the norm and are can be bought in couple packs (1 blue pair, 1 pink pair).

I can't believe I just wrote a blog about shoes.

Peace. 

Drinking with my Principal a.k.a The English Center welcome dinner

I am currently avoiding making more lesson plans. I have my open lesson this Friday and I'm dreading it. All English teachers in S. Korea go through this pain; at least once a semester the class is open to parents, teachers, and administrators. But enough about that, lets talk about something happy.

I went out drinking with my Principal and co-teachers and it was really fun.

Not the best quality but you get the idea. Co-teachers and me in front of the restaurant. You had to take off your shoes to enter. 

Closer picture of the teachers. Sorry for the graininess. Not my camera :(

In actuality, the English Center hosted a welcome dinner for the new teachers (me and Chia). All day at school we were told that this dinner was a really big deal. The Principal was taking everyone to a really fancy and expensive traditional Korean restaurant ("he must really really like you guys!"-my co-teacher). We were warned to be on our best behavior, that we might have to give small speeches, and that we should try everything in our might to get (even more) in our Principal's good graces (he seems really great so that was already a goal).

Chia and I sat in the center and right across from the Principal. While he doesn't speak English, the other teachers were able to quickly translate what he said to us and our responses. He was incredibly friendly and wanted us to try every food. He supposedly likes us a lot because he cut up food for us and placed it on our place. This was a really big deal to the other teachers. We also used our new Korean manners and made sure to pour the Principal Soju. I may have already mentioned this but people don't really pour their own drinks in Korea- it's expected that someone younger will pour it for them. We jumped on the chance to show the Principal our good manners and made sure his glass was full. Speaking of Soju- I had been feeling sick all day with a cold and had no plans on drinking that evening but...peer pressure?

I enjoyed a few glasses of beer and Makgeolli (Korean rice wine) with the Principal and was rewarded with being told that the Principal liked people more if they were drinkers. Perfect. I was going to fit right in at this school.

In the end, it was a great night with fantastic company and delicious food. It should also be noted that the meal felt never ending. A woman was constantly bringing out plate after plate of new foods to try; bamboo shoots, fish, shrimp, duck, sweet potato, kimchi, octopus, chicken soup, and things that I didn't recognize but would eat again.  

Really fresh fish and different sides 

Nearing the end of the meal. From the left: rice in black tea water, white kimchi, kimchi, raw garlic with kimchi sauce, duck and fish to eat with the rice soup thing.

Yes, I ate this. It's just as chewy as it looks.

Some of my co-teachers

Soju and beer- this was maybe a third of what was brought to the table?

After our wonderful welcoming feast I went home and went to bed really early. Turns out that although the alcohol might have been good for me socially, it wasn't great for my health. My cold took a turn for the worst.

Yet, I'm healthy now. Still happy. The end.

Peace.

Preparing for and celebrating Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)

Preparing for Chuseok was a lot more stressful than I thought possible. 

I wasn't expected to give gifts but I really wanted to show certain people my appreciation for all of their help since I came to Gwangju. First on the list was my principal. I really want my principal to like me. It's really important to have a good relationship with the principal so why not give a gift?

Choosing a gift was tough. First I went to Emart (imagine a Target/Nordstrom mix on drugs) with Donna, my co-teacher and we discussed what was appropriate. Turns out nothing I imagined would have been appropriate. I couldn't really go over 10 dollars or that would have been too extravagant and impolite. Instead, it's ideal to give gifts that are practical. Koreans REALLY like gift sets. All kinds of gift sets. Shampoo/Conditioner gift sets, perfume gift sets, lotion gift sets, olive oil gift sets, Spam gift sets, wine gift sets, etc. I can't even begin to describe the amount of gift sets I've seen at bigger department stores but here's a snapshot of what can be seen at my local supermarket.

Spam gift sets for the family

Just some olive oil gift sets...and some mixed with spam.

Shampoo gift sets to the left, oil (?) to the front. 

Not only should the gifts be practical but gifts are really only for in-laws and bosses. I don't think it's normal to give gifts to friends/co-workers. In my opinion, this really fits with Korean culture. For example, I've noticed that I get strange looks when I hold open the door for strangers. It turns out that Korean's don't expect niceties from total strangers- only family members. You aren't expected to hold doors, press the button on the elevator, etc for strangers.

It the end the other American co-teacher and I gave the principal a gift. The shocking and wonderful thing was that he also gave us a gift! He likes us!

We also gave a gift to our landlords. They're incredibly nice. They've been really helpful with everything- giving us rides to school, giving us extra bowls/utensils, making us food and gifting us with fruit, etc. As it turns out, they also wanted to give us a Chuseok gift. Their gift was traditional Korean snacks.

Really beautiful and tasty snacks I received from my landlords

I didn't do anything special for the actual day of Chuseok but it was still really great. We ordered delicious food to our hostel, watched Korean variety shows, napped, and then went out with another Wooster alum for dinner and drinks.

The end.

Peace.

My average weekday

So I thought I would give everyone a glimpse into what an average day for me looks like in Gwangju. Here you go~


Between 6 and7 am: Wake up. Roll over and turn on the air conditioning. Press button to turn on hot water for shower. Convince self that I really really should shower- everyone will know if I don't. Shower. Turn on TV (NCIS is always on at 7. Yay!) and dress up like a teacher.

7:50-8:10: Leave early if I'm walking to school (it takes 30 minutes). It's a really nice and easy walk. If leaving late that means that Donna (a co-teacher who lives in my building and parents own the apartment) is driving. Meet with Donna and Chia (an American co-teacher) downstairs to begin our trek to school.

8:25: Arrive at school and start the day!

Now this is my schedule Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

8:30-8:50: Prepare for classes by looking up lesson plan ideas and whatnot. Or Facebook.

8:50: Go downstairs and greet 5th graders from visiting school (they take a field trip to come to our school for a two day English immersion excursion). Line them up in groups, have them change into indoor shoes, and send them to auditorium for introductions.

9:00: Introduce self and topic to 5th graders. Have them struggle with last name. See excitement and fear.

9-9:50: Prepare classroom and self for classes. Make (very necessary) coffee which tastes weak and sugary (Korean coffee is the WORST- but I still love it).

9:50-12:20: Teach the same class three times with ten minute breaks between. Work in second cup of coffee.

12:20-2:20: Lunch with the other teachers in the cafeteria. So many amazing options prepared by the school and their own nutritionist (ALL public schools in Korea have nutritionalists!) Either take an after lunch walk around school/gym with co-teachers or go back to desk. Spend remainder time preparing for lessons, checking Facebook, and trying, but failing, to organize desk.

2:20-4:40: Teach three classes with ten minute breaks between. First class- 1st and 2nd grade, second class- 3rd and 4th grade, last class- 5th and 6th grade. Laugh, sweat, and wonder what they're saying about you in Korean.

4:40-5: Clean up.

5-I fall asleep: Walk home, maybe go shopping, turn on air conditioning, change into pajamas, eat food, watch TV, tell self that I'll study Korean tomorrow...definitely tomorrow.

OR

5-sleep: walk home, change, meet Megan or others for dinner. Explore, laugh, eat so much that I feel like dying, bed.

AVERAGE DAY. 

the end. 

Peace!

What have I been doing in Korea other than teaching?!

Watching lots of K-pop and eating tons of delicious food!

Dinner last night with Megan. Grilled meat with lots of sides!

Just kidding. Sort of. I have been going out to eat and have been able to try many different Korean meals. Throughout our week of orientation we were provided with a buffet which always included rice, kimchi and at least two traditional style meals (i.e. spicy). When we had a field trip to the Jeonju Hanok Village (traditional Korean houses), we were treated to a lunch of Bibimpap. My area of Korea is well known for its food. Specifically, its known for the large amount of side dishes that are provided with meals.

Our Bibimpap. The actual meal is in the gold bowl. All the other bowls are side dishes

While I've already fallen into a pretty relaxed routine during the week (work, eat, sleep), two weekends ago I went and saw a baseball game. I saw the Kia Tigers (Go Tigers!) and learned to cheer for baseball teams in Korean. They sing the same chants for every player but replace the name. It was really interesting to watch (and join in with). I went with my friend Megan, her co-teacher and a relative of the co-teacher. They were really nice- they taught us all the chants and bought us the cool yellow balloons so we could blend in. 

Lots of yellow ballon things to make noise

Megan and I enjoying the baseball game. 

I swear I'll get better and more consistent with writing but I just wanted to share a snippet of whats been happening in my life.

Peace!