Korean Job Discussion Forums

kermo

Mark your calendars, ye who hunger for hummous and sunlight! Hopefully, both will be in abundance at our next meet-up!

Before I set a time and location, I'd like some feedback. We met up at 4:00 pm, which was weird, but gave us lots of time to hang out before the sun set. Personally, it worked out really well. What did you think? Shall we meet at 4 again?
Also, shall we try a different park? I loved our little nook at Yongsan Park, but I'm open to suggestions. Is Yeouido Park too fenced-in and boring, or is it a charming idea? Is the Han River Park too sprawling and crowded, or is it perfectly picturesque? I'm tempted to head to Seoul Forest, which is a new park near Ttukseom station (line 2.) It's got a lot of interesting botanical features, and an enclosure full of deer in a very natural habitat with a walk-over path from which to observe.

Talk to me, please!

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

I'll come, if I can. I don't know what my work schedule is like or anything is like for that matter, but I should be arriving in Korea shortly before the 12th and if I get settled by then I'll gladly come. How close is this going to be to Anyang?

kermo · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I can't make it, but it sounds great. I was wondering, though, where one can get vegetarian type fare in Seoul, Ilsan etc...

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

As we get closer to the dog days of summer it's probably better to meet later in the afternoon (unless we find cool, shady spots...)

This would be the third straight Saturday meeting, but more restaurant options are available on Sundays ...

Originally, the Seoul Veggie Club met only on Sundays because it was thought a better fit for most peoples schedules, but we've had pretty good turnouts on Saturdays (including the recent lunch gathering at Wazwan...)

Seoul Grand Park (in Gwacheon...) is another place that should be considered (and it's near several other major attractions...)

Actually, it's won my vote after my reading a couple articles on it like this Lonely Planet review: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/south-korea/seoul?poi=78856
This one's from Yahoo Travel Guide: http://uk.holidaysguide.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-222169-action-describe-seoul_grand_park_seoul-i

maeil · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Haebangchon

Mmm, picnic. Count me in. Cool

kermo · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject:

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

It's a trifling 1500 won for adults - mainly to help fund the zoo and botanical gardens, I reckon...

I've never been to it, but aparently there's a nice picnic area alongside a river...

As the largest zoo in Korea, this animal park boasts 400 kinds of exotic species, and 12,000 kinds of plants in the nearby botanical garden. It is located in a 668,000-square-meter area that also includes Seoul Land Theme Park and the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The animals mainly from Africa, South America, and Australia are divided by species, ecology, and habitat. There is a wide viewing tunnel in the Africa Hall, allowing a close view of the animals. Highlights include the white tiger or regular dolphin shows (three per day). Admission: Adults KRW1,500; youth (aged 14-19) KRW1,200; children KRW700.
http://uk.holidaysguide.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-222169-action-describe-seoul_grand_park_seoul-i

Since tomorrow is a holiday, maybe someone in the Seoul area (like President "Kermo" or one of her minions...) could go on a scouting mission (I'd take the trip in myself, but my right ankle's swollen, and I think I'd better rest it...)

Here's a website that describes a few other places:http://www.zofona.com/outdoor-recreation-seoul.html

kermo · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:07 pm Post subject:

I'll scout it tomorrow or this weekend, thanks R.

Masta_Don · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul

Seoul Grand Park's zoo may not be the best place for a vegetarian outing. I mean, it's no Children's Grand Park zoo, but the cages are still disappointingly small.

kermo · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject:

peanut · Joined: 19 Nov 2006

The park it's self is in a nice setting but it is not a good zoo. The animals were in horrible conditions and did not look happy at all.

kermo · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 2:32 am Post subject:

aveguard · Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Location: Dongdaemun Seoul

Seoul Forest sounds like a great idea...I went to that zoo it wasn't all that great. I agree that we should find shade if its during the day....or make it a little later in the evening....what usually happens at these veg outings...like do people hang out afterwards bring food or......

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I see no more moral quandary than going into a regular supermarket (that also sells meat...) to buy fruits or vegetables...

(Perhaps a more apt example would be when our veggie club gathers at restaurants that also cater to meat-eaters, indirectly supporting slaughterhouses and butchers...)

No one has to go to the zoo; and, since it's a big tract of land, I would imagine (not having gone there myself...) that the picnic area needn't be close to the zoo animals. And, personally, I'd like to check out for myself what conditions are like (which any activist interested in helping animals probably should do at some point...)

We've already been to Seoul Forest Park... While it was nice, there wasn't much shade, and for me (hauling a lot of stuff...) it was a relatively long walk from the subway station...

What I like about Seoul Grand Park is it's location right next to some other attractions (including Seoul Racecourse Park, the National Museum of Contemperary Art - and "Seouland" Amusement Park...)

There's also a picnic area in the infield of Seoul Racecourse Park (but everyone knows that racehorses are also abused to varying degrees as are most domesticated animals - and many humans...)