Views of Seoul

I spent the weekend in Seoul.  Seoul is the 2nd biggest city in the world with about 20 million inhabitants, right behind Tokyo.  I visited Seoul Tower on top of Namsan Mountain to get these photos.

My School Campus

Here a few pictures of my school campus.  A new High School is in under construction and should be completed by the summer.  The school is the oldest in Daejeon, hence the simple name of Daejeon High School.  It has been around for about 95 years.  The brick buildings are newer.

StarCraft Championships

StarCraft is a popular game in America.  It have been around for over 10 years.  In Korea, StarCraft is more than just a video game, it is a way of life and very similar to a sport.  Every two months a championship is held in a different city.  The Championship is a culmination of a 2-month tournament.  I went to this event a little late but lucked out in finding empty seats.  It was held in a huge theater that was about 99% full.  I was speechless for the hour and a half I was there.  The fans were crazy!  There were commentators, pyrotechnics, smoke machines, lights, and confetti guns.  I have never experienced anything like this before.  Two final players were being cheered on by their teams, recognizable by their matching warm-ups sponsored by such brands as Intel and Blizzard (game company).  The winner took home about 50,000 US dollars, 2nd place received 20,000.

 

Advertising in Korea/ MCDs

Korea is a pretty clean country, but every night the streets in the downtown areas (there are two) become littered with advertisements.  Promoters just walk around and literally toss them into the air.

This is what my home looks like about 2 minutes down the road:

Unfortunately, a place I have eaten at about 5 times already...    :0)

Sports in Daejeon/ Eating out.

Last weekend, the Spring/Summer sports season began for the city's baseball and soccer teams.  On Saturday, some friends and I went to the Daejeon Citizen soccer game, and on Sunday I went to the Hanwha Eagles baseball game.  Somehow, by different means, I ended up getting free tickets to both!  Here, many schools have season tickets that they give to their teachers.  The weather has been very cold, but for this weekend, the weather was sunny and around 60-70 degrees, simply wonderful.  Here are a few pictures:

The soccer team tied and the baseball team lost by one run!  It was 11-0, but our team scored ten runs in one inning and the 11th run got called out at home!  It was an exciting weekend to say the least.

All is going great, my school is wonderful, my teachers are wonderful,and the friends I have made are making this experience unforgettable.  Here is a photo of most of us at a nearby restaurant we like.  The owner loves to treat us to more and more side dishes each and every time we come!  We are eating a beef and vegetable stew called Bulgogi Bak Bun.  The meal also comes with individual rice for everyone and a myriad of side dishes such as radishes, anchovies, red peppered salad, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and many other unknown vegetables that we have grown to love.

Finally in Daejeon

Much has happened this past week since I left Jeonju and orientation.  Over that time period, I got situated into my new apartment, new school, and new neighborhood.  I live in the "old downtown" of Daejeon.  Below  is a photo of the outside of my apartment and my desk at work.

This past week I have also finally set up my internet, TV, and my cell phone.  Unfortunately, Sim cards are very expensive to buy and top up as you go, so I bought a new phone with a one year contract.  It's huge to say the least.