I've got Seoul!

Yeah? Seoul! The best place ever. I'm so glad to be back from China. Yesterday our group went to eh DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). It's the 38th parallel, which was the border created during the Korean war which separated the two opposing sides. When the war "ended," they just decided to put away with the flighting, but here in the DMZ, it is still like they are at war. It's a very intense place to be.

It really surprised me, as well as the other people in our group, that South Korea has turned the DMZ into a tourist attraction. There's about 3 or 4 tours a day that go through the area. When you are there, you are not allowed to make any gestures with your hands. You cannot point, or even wave. It is said that the North Koreans will Photoshop your hand to make it look like you are flipping them off. We were also told we are not allowed to laugh, or be loud.

So, we stepping into North Korea for about 3 minutes. It was so intense! Our whole group was on edge most of the time. It felt like we could be shot at randomly at any moment, and the North Koreans were watching us at all times.

I want to show a bunch of pictures from this intense outing, but I cannot. When I was there, they told me I couldn't use my camera because it would zoom too far. Sadly I had to leave me camera on the bus. When I get some pictures from the other people in my group I will put them up.

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Later that night, the girls and I went out on the town with some local boys we met. They manage a little honey-biscuit stand just down the road and asked us if we wanted to hang out. All three girls, and the three Korean guys, went out of a bite to eat. So much fun. Two of the girls went home, as did their dates. The two girls had to get up early. Somehow, me and one Korean guy still hung out. We went to a little district full of Karaoke bars and pubs. It seemed to be the happening spot. Drunk people crowded the streets, most of them stumbling and struggling to make their way to their destinations.

The Korean guy and I found a cute little bar on the busiest street. We sat near the front, where there was a little balcony. It was quaint and romantic. We talked for a couple hours about life and what we've done. Sometimes our attention would be brought to the street when odd people would walk by, or come up and wink at me. At one point, we looked out and we saw a man throw a huge advertisement sign at another man, thus creating a fight.

All I can say is: SEOUL IS OUT OF THIS WORLD ON SATURDAY NIGHTS!!!

Asian Grafitti

This Blog Needs More Photos

So here are some :)

This is the subway in Seoul. It's pretty crazy, but fun to ride. I've figured it out pretty well, and our group rides it all the time.

This is an Asian toilet. Never in my life had I had to squat before.


Madison eating tornado potatoes in MyeongDong, Seoul.

This is our group outside of a gallery in InsaDong.

I forgot what this place is called, but it is gorgeous!!

Of course the GREAT WALL OF CHINA.These are the girls I hang out with: Ellen, Madison, and EunJi. They are way cool. And then these are just some random guys that wanted a photo with us at the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Tuesday, May 12th

Today I went to China. When I stepped off the plane and went through the check for the swine flu, I was pulled away into a little blue sectioned-off area. There I was questioned about having a headache and my temperature was taken. After the Chinese dude took my temp, he called another person and they took me to another blue sectioned-off area, where they took my temperature again. It must've been too high because they took me to see a doctor. She took my pulse and tempterature, and then directed me by patting my body to lay down on a pink bed. All of a sudden she stuck her hands down my shirt and started feeling my boobs... After that I was released by they told me to see a doctor.

Moral of the story: Don't mark that you have a had a headache, even if you truly do, on the the Swine Flu paper you have to fill out on the airplane.

Welcome to China!!

Today we also went to the Forbidden City, which was grungy and worn-down. It definitely wasn't as cool as I thought it would be.


Tonight we went to a Chinese Circus. It was an acrobat show. The acrobats were incredibly fit and could do the most unimaginable things. It was pretty much one of the most amazing things I had ever seen anybody. I got really sick during the show and had to have "explosive rrea" (according to Ellen) during the first half of the show. When intermission finally rolled around, I ran to the bathroom only to realize they were holes in the ground. Quite the experience--squatting. When I was finished, I turned around to realize there was no toilet paper!!! In public bathrooms in China, there is no toilet paper. You have to supply your own... or maybe not wipe? EW! Good thing I have a bunch of tissue in my purse!

Anyways, the acrobats in the circus were all orphans and were purchased by the circus to perform. During the show I couldn't help by imagine the kind of torture and punishment these children experience when they are training or mess up during the show... I hope it isn't how I imagine, but this is China, if you know what I mean.

Also today, outside of the Forbidden City, a man with a no eyes was beautifully playing a stringed instrument. It reminded me o the movie Slumdog Millionaire when they poured the acid on the boy's eyes so he would be blind and make more money begging in the streets on Bombay. It was such a sad, sad site to see that as a reality. But that's the real China that I'm dying to see....

We're on this government tour, where we are being shown around Beijing. But the catch is that they only take us to see the things they want us to see in China. They want to hide all the flaws of China, and we don't have any free time to go exploring on our own.

Here's a photo of our tour guide. Sean is what he likes us to call him. His Chinese name is Dong. He's a great guy. He looks very similar to my friend Ho Pun Ng. But Sean is much more tan. Also, Sean calls me China girl... I don't really understand where that name came from.... But I like it.

So Skinny. So Pretty.

Asian Girls.
They are so tiny,
so fashionable,
so polite,
and so conservative.


EunJi (one of the girls studying at Utah State--pictured above) told me that some of her friends don't eat after 4 pm just so they can stay skinny. The girls here in Korea are tiny! They can't weigh more than 100 pounds, nor are they any taller than 5'7".

The other day, when I was the Everland (a theme park here in Seoul), I saw a girl who looked to be 14 years old. She was so skinny and had white makeup on her face. Apparently here in Asia, to be pale and white is beautiful. I watched this girl for about 20 minutes as we were waiting in line for a ride, and she kept opening up her makeup case and checking herself out every few minutes. She also looked incredibly uncomfortable in her 4 inch heels and baggy clothing waiting in line in the heat of the day.

I was told that girls here get plastic surgery to have their eyes opened wider.

Also, I just want to add this: every girl here either does a peace sign or covers part of her face by gently setting her hand on her face while getting a photo taken. Pretty cute.

RECAP + Day 3 :)

Annyeong Heseyo!!! Greetings from South Korea, home of the "Nicest People!"

So after traveling for a day and a half, we finally got checked into the place we will be staying for the duration of our trip. It's a 6 floor building, in the heart of Insa-dong, this traditional area of Seoul. I believe there are 14 people in our group, a few are staying on the 5th and 4th floor, and Madison and I are staying on the 3rd floor. I'm actually sitting in our cute little kitchen right now and I write this. Madison is passed out on the couch. Wait--Did I mention we are staying in a hostel??? On each floor there is 5 bedrooms. Madison and I are in one, and we have roommates from Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and of course the United States. I've only met one--a young Japanese fellow. Seems nice, and speaks English fluently.

This is the building we are staying at.

Last night after we got in, Madison and I were settling down and getting ready for bed when our group leader, Jinman Jo, came running in yelling "Dinner time!" Before we knew it, our group was sitting in a room in a restaurant across the street from our place. It was traditional Korean style which means that the tables are about a food off the ground, and we each sit on a pillow with our legs crossed. We ate dinner with 3 Korean professors from different universities from across the city. To sum it up, Jinman Jo ordered Soju for everybody and taught us how to drink Korean style. Here, somebody else has to pour your drink for you, and you use both hands to pour the beverage, and to hold the cup that you are receiving your drink in.

Day 1? or 2?

So the past day(s) have been crazy. I've been awake for nearly 40 hours now (I think... I can't do math on such little sleep), however, tomorrow when I gain all my sleep back, and wake up in 6 hours for my massage, I will fill this page up. So much has happened.

Allison-- I think you would be proud.... but maybe not.

Anyways, Dinner was crazy tonight and Jinman Jo was doing Taekwondo on a bunch of people.

Well-----When I regain my consciousness, I shall explain everything :)

Until then, enjoy your day in America while I get all the sleep I can out of this tiny bed.

Annyeong