Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

Let the games begin!!!!

Tomorrow is Independence Movement Day, memorializing the beginning of resistance to Japanese occupation in 1919. From one of my co-teachers: The ancestors of Youngsan people fought the Japanese. Many died.

In honor of this, Youngsan is having a festival. The highway through town is lined with tents selling belts, mountain climbing walking sticks, shoes, pocket knives, wooden spoons, fancy chop sticks, t-shirts and hand bags, that candy made from pumpkin stuff rolled in peanuts (W1,000), restaurants selling squid and I don't know what all, a ride---yes, we have our very own mini-Viking that seats 8 (the 4 middle school girls were squealing in delight so it must be a whale of a good time), a tent with darts and balloons to bust...The thrills just go on. So many things to see and do. Sensory overload. Even our square lake has been mostly cleaned of its usual scum and the plastic bottles and bags have been fished out. One side of the lake has more tents. Why most of the tents aren't 'down town' (I use that loosely) rather than along a highway I don't know. No one asked me to give them advice about what to do about kids and drunks getting hit by cars.

Must be more red, white, blue and yellow giant balloons with indecipherable banners dangling from them floating above town than you can shake a stick at. I'll bet you can see 'em all the way to Jangma.

A stage has been set up on the soccer field at school and the sound check is under way, so I know there will be singing and dancing tonight. A hot time is at hand. Word on the street is we will even have a world famous TV star. I can't wait.

If you are anywhere within a 4 hour radius I don't see how you can pass up an opportunity to come down here tonight or tomorrow and kick off festival season with a bang. A good time will be had by all. Need I mention that these things always have good dong-dong ju?

For those making travel plans: Youngsan is located between Changnyoung and Namji. We have our own exit on the express way. Just look for the big balloons. Four direct buses to and from Seoul every day. (Who said we're a hick town?) [Important: check your bus ticket to make sure it says 'Youngsan', not 'Yongsan'...if necessary, tell the ticket girl you want 'Boo-goke Youngsan'. Bugok is our more famous neighboring village, known for Bugok Hawaii. Everyone knows Bugok.]

If I seem a little excited its because this is the biggest thing to hit town since Onion Day last fall. (You missed Onion Day you say: it's the day when school is cancelled so the boys can help plant onions. What else would it be?)

Please don't complain that you heard about the festival too late. It ain't my fault. I am no more in the loop for information than the rest of you. And I KNOW you don't have 'a promise'.

[endofthewor1d]

that title would have worked equally well for mardi gras. that's today, isn't it?

[Jensen]

sounds like a chance to photograph ajummas in their native habitat. pics please.

[peemil]

[visitor q]

Soooo lame. Anyone that attends this nationalistic, hate-driven festival needs a boot to the head. Really. And if you cannot see why, then you are just as retarded as them.

[Ya-ta Boy]

visitor q,

Your mom was right: If you eat breakfast every day, you won't be so cranky.

Although it was cold and rainy last night, the festival drew a big crowd. It seems it's the happening social event of the whole province. I think people came from as far away as Milyang. (!)

We had two, yes two fireworks displays. The first one was downright impressive. They launched from the small mountain on the east end of town, from the memorial up there. Then there was a smaller display shot off from the islands in the square pond. It was OK. The best part was that some of the fireworks hit the big balloons. I had my fingers crossed for a burning balloon, but alas, it didn't happen.

Aside from all the normal displays of the jim-crack stuff I mentioned previously, there was one particular item worthy of note. One shop had furniture (tables, benches, plant holders) made from big chunks of trees. Some was interesting. But the prize, IMO, were the giant male appendages. I've seen them on occassion before and have been told you are supposed to rub them for good luck. ( ) I chuckled over them and passed on. Later, I decided I needed a good souvenir of the festival...something to remember my time in Podunk, S. Korea. Somehow a giant wooden male appendage seemed like just the thing. I'm now a proud owner of an anatomically correct hand-carved wooden male appendage. I'm curiously happy.