Korean Job Discussion Forums

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

a different thread brought up the lack of bird fact, which had escaped my attention here...

and someone dared anyone to ask the Koreans what happened to the birds.

so I did Very Happy

I asked my H.S. students.

they said "die". "air". "factories".

so give credit where credit is due.. no one is denying the ovian absence and the causes for it.

on an unrelated matter.

They served bulgogi (only for teachers though) at school for lunch the other day. I didn't know what it was.. since I had not tried it here yet (actually turns out I had it at my welcoming dinner off the plane but I forgot)

I just something that looked like decent meat, so plopped a big amount on my plate. The Koreans get a kick out seeing my plate.. since I always put on lot of meat or fish.. very little rice... and some vegetables.. plus I refuse to eat their hot soups in this weather when the AC in the teacher's room isn't working (or used) and I need to run home to take a cold shower.

but they can't comment on my diet having seen the results (have lost 20 lbs since coming here 3 months ago)

anyways.. even though it was commented (and I'm sure correctly) that the quality of this beef/meat wasn't the best , my body absolutely LOVED it. Adored it.

First time I've had beef here since that first day. And it was good. Damn damn good. And i liked the way they prepared it. Delicious.

was told it runs for 10-12K won at a restaurant.. which is PRICEY as all hell.

but perhaps once every 2 weeks.. might be worth it.!

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

I was up in the north of seoul recently...walked past this little area of greenery next to a kids playground and saw a small flock of tiny birds...no idea what they were...like little sparrows...maybe they were sparrows Embarassed

it was a very pleasant surprise at the time but i didnt know why....when i got back i realised why...theres no birds down here in the city proper...just the scraggly mangy pigeons that are everywhere..

kinda cool seeing the little flying bags of bones..

blurgalurgalurga · Joined: 18 Oct 2007

there's still a few different types of birds down here in the sticks, in jeolla-do. At least ten species...maybe even twelve.

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

I've got a magpie lives in the steeple on the roof of our building. The bird sometimes comes down the outer roof stairs to within four feet of me as I sit on the veranda. It's so neat. It doesn't see me and squawks away, 'Raarr raarr.'

But yeah, basically a lack of birdsong because of lack of trees. My last place lived in same neighborhood was next to a house with lawn and trees. I woke up with birdsong. Now, apart from squawk now and then there is no real birdsong to speak of as there are so few trees.
Anyway, if you were a bird would you live in Seoul?

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

An Osprey landed in a tree about 10 feet away from the wife and I when we were on vacation 2 weeks go. Very cool. I've seen a few hawks here but not as many as I see back in North Carolina.

aldershot · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

poet13 · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject:

I will start (live) trapping pheasant out here in the sticks in a few weeks. I think I'll keep my limit to six unless they're well fatted, then only four. On a morning ride on the riverbanks, I will usually scare up more than forty, or several every kilometer. A brace of braised pheasants for dinner with a nice red wine followed by a warm glass of Jamesons on a chilly rainy evening will be wonderful. I will get onto the ducks (hook and line or bow) in mid October to mid November. There is a winter flock of several hundred, so I don't think they'll miss four or five. I think I'll whack two of my sons rabbits in December and saute them in dijon mustard and a red wine reduction. I luuuuuv food.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

I've seen grilled sparrows in Tobongsan. There is a Makoli market on the way up the mountain. They grill the sparrows there.

Faunaki · Joined: 15 Jun 2007

There's lots of birds where I live, and I'm in Seoul but at the foot of a mountain. The first time I went to my house I was amazed by the wonderful sound of chirping birds.

Some parts of Seoul should not be lived in. They are vile and smelly. But some parts rock.

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

As for Bulgogi, yes it is delicious!

You can get it for about 6,000 won. I got to this little restaurant and they serve the bulgogi in a broth with veggies, it's really good.

gteacher · Joined: 24 May 2007 Location: Ghost in the machine

When I lived out in Incheon there were a pair of hawks nesting in a hole in the side of thh school. Seeing them soar around the school every so often was the only thing that made that place bearable.

Mr.Mulder2 · Joined: 05 May 2008

There are plenty of birds around, just not in bigger cities.
Check out www.birdskorea.org - a lot of migrating birds are increasingly threatened because of the unchecked developement of mudflats that is going on. There are some petitions on there to sign. Also, 'Latest bird news' is worth looking at, if you want to see some Korean birds.

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

poet13 · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

lol....no, he has a pet rabbit. Just one. The other 6 are outside in a cage. He enjoys them, he has responsibilities with them, but he also understands they are food too. We have a rule in our house. If it doesn't have a name, pappa can eat it.

On a side note, in theS, my first wife had an older aunt who came to dinner one night. I put a plate of rabbit in front or her, and she announced that she didn't eat rabbit. So I removed it from the left, spun it 180 degress, and replaced it on the right, and said, "Here's your chicken!". For a long time she told people how good her chicken was that night.