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Last weekend we had our first experience of Korean night life.We went out on Friday night, after I finished work, with a colleague of mine who took us on a guided tour of some of the bars downtown.The bus there cost us 1000WON, which is about 55p. No real ales unfortunately, just really fizzy, weak lager, but we did get to try some Soju.This is a favourite with Koreans, and is made from ethanol!After going to several bars where there were many foreigners, we went to a Korean restaurant/ bar for Soju.We had a bottle of the 'maple' Soju, with a jug of strawberry slush with Soju in too, so we could down some neat, and then pour the rest of the bottle into the slush to make it stronger.We also got to witness a Korean woman screaming and shrieking at her boyfriend at a nearby table, which was quite amusing.She really made a scene!
We then headed back to the Bubble Bar where we had been earlier, bumping into another colleague of mine on the way, and ended up staying there until they swept up around us at about 6.45am!They had great music and a dance floor, so I was in my element.We both thought we were fine, until the next day, when we only surfaced out of bed at 10pm to go around the corner to buy pizza.Even on the Sunday we were still feeling pretty rough!We're getting old and just not used to the lager and the Soju.
On the Monday we took a walk to the World Cup Stadium.Graham had been there already whilst I was at work, and thought I would like it as there is a huge shopping mall there.There is also a reservoir nearby, with walking tracks around, so we took a walk there.I think it will be really pretty down there in summer.We then went out again on the Monday night, as Tuesday was a holiday.We met up with a couple who live near us and went to an Indian Restaurant downtown.The food was fantastic, and they had some pretty good wine too.We then went to a bar to play darts.They have electronic dart boards that you can choose different games on, with up to 4 players.It is a bit like playing with stickle bricks, but such a good idea, as you don't have to do the maths yourself!I had a couple of lucky first throws, and then after that it all went downhill!I came last in every game.It's amazing how time just slips away in Korea, and we ended up getting home around 4am - we're just not used to these late nights anymore!
The next day we did manage to get up at a reasonable time, and take a walk up the higher mountain near to us.It's really steep though, and the tracks seem to go on forever.One day, we will make it around the whole track, but today was not the day!Whilst I have been at school, Graham has been doing lots of running, and has climbed this peak many times, so he's keeping busy! He's also been to downtown to do some exploring, and find things for us to do at the weekends.
Last night we finally went to a Korean restaurant.We went with some friends for Shabu Shabu.Basically you sit on the floor at low tables which have a hob set into them.They put a large pot of very spicy soup on the hob, and give you a plate of vegetables, meat (we had beef), fish cakes, dumplings, then noodles, and you put in the soup what you want and cook it for a few minutes before serving.After you have got through all of this, they then bring you egg fried rice too.It was really good food, great company, but Graham suffered trying to sit crossed legged all that time!After food we went to another bar for a couple of beers and then home, as I was tired from my first few days at work.In the bars here you are supposed to buy food with alcohol, but as foreigners you can get away with it, and they will just bring you some free snacks with your drinks.In this bar they brought the usual nuts and tasteless crisp things, but they also brought silkworm larvae, and dried squid!I tried one silkworm, but it tasted kind of fishy and had a strange after taste, but Graham seemed to like them. The squid's not too bad though.
So, it's been a great first couple of weeks.Today I woke up with no voice (Graham was pleased about that) I think I'm catching all the germs from the kids at school.This afternoon we are going to the first football match of the season at the World Cup Stadium, so I'll report on that next time…
Maggie x
- comments
ian Hi guys, I've finally found your blog - Graham did tell me the web address but I forgot - Google has it indexed now :) Sounds like a good place S.Korea from what you have written. I especially like the idea of Soju - sounds like you could fuel your car with it! a 2 day hangover proves it (especially for you guys!!) - Cheers! Ian
Paul *shakes head in disapointment* Onto other matters: Hey Graham, you going to set up an Iron-Man challenge course for us to contend in the Autumn...?