Try something new...

It's essential to keep an open mind, and be willing--better yet, eager-- to try new things 

 ~ Michael Abrash   

This weekend has been quite the adventure in Korea... like most of course! This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to go on a staff trip to the East Coast with my staff (including eating various different types of raw fish, noribongs - aka karaoke, hiking in the rain and the DMZ ), and experience Seoul's largest fish market.

 Make a wish...

Temple (TBD)

This part of the temple is where the former president of Korea hid (because of corruption) from the military (because of corruption), before he took his life. Because the former president hid here, this temple is now famous and is a huge tourist attraction.

Heaven & Paying respects to Buddha

Sashimi
(various kids of fish & squid and octopus joined the fish shortly after)

Beautiful fall leaves in Korea

Sangam's English Deparment:

Visiting the DMZ - Don't walk off the main path ok?

This dam was built to protect South Korea if North Korea were to ever "attack South Korea with water." The South Korean government made nearly all the people in this area move for safety reasons. There is now only 3 houses accessible via boat that were allowed to stay as a lady that cooks amazing Korean food agreed to open a restaurant at her house. We went to her house for supper and it was delicious. All the veggies were grown and hand picked in the mountains.

Live Octopus

 

The wonderful lady who prepared the octopus

At the market there is over 700 of these "shops" (this is just one) with various different kinds of fish and shell fish. Many of these things I have never seen before.

Would you like some fresh crab? It was by far the best crab I have ever tasted. Nothing like FRESH sea food. Every day shipments of fresh seafood comes in, and believe it or not this market is open 24 hrs a day. At this market you take your live purchase to a restaurant above the main market where the cooks will cook your purchase and within a matter of minutes you'll be enjoying some delicious fresh food.

Sea Urchin Sashimi (it tasted like a mouthful of ocean water)

This weekend I have started to take far to much video of my adventures for educational purposes and to document memories... the thoughts are going through my head that MAYBE I need to be looking into a proper video camera. (I acutally took more video of my adventures this weekend than I did photos!)  I think this week the search begins. :)  Stay tuned for some videos of Korea.