bovalen
Contrary to what this blog may lead you to believe, life's not always tulips and concerts in Korea. Sometimes it's frustrating students, or even worse -- parents. Other times it's craving guacamole so bad that perfectly ripe avocados dance through your dreams, and at times it's missing your family, and friends, and all the familiarity surrounding those you love. And on days like today, it's typhoons. aka the Pacific version of a hurricane. This little ditty is named Bovalen. Sounds like an heirloom cow breed to me, but if it means the day off then go ahead and name it what ever you like. With Hurricane Isaac heading toward Florida and lil miss Bovalen hanging out over Korea, we've got a global window-taping party goin' on. Cheers.
once
August 15th was Gwangbokjeol 광복절, translation "Restoration of Light Day".
This day marks Korea's independence from Japanese rule, which as I understand it, lasted nearly 40 years. Though anti-Japanese sentiment is alive and well in Korea, many citizens treat this holiday as a chance for celebration of Korean culture rather than a reminder of past transgressions. Given that Gwangbokjeol is a public holiday, we received the day off. Annnnnd it just so happens that Czech musician Marketa Irglova was performing at the AX theater in Seoul! The weather was mild to torrential rain all day but the concert was absolutely amazing. Marketa completely surpassed all my idolized expectations and Aida Shahghesemi, an Iranian musician who accompanied her, was beyond inspirational. She plays a daf, a Persian precursor to the tambourine, and sings as if her soul depended on it. Most of the songs were sung in English, though both Marketa and Aida each sang a song in their native languages, Czech and Farsi. Naturally there was a little Korean thrown into the mix. Quite the medley.
A delicious Thai lunch and a trip to an English bookstore were also worked into the itinerary.
All in all, it was the best Wednesday of 2012 thus far.
This day marks Korea's independence from Japanese rule, which as I understand it, lasted nearly 40 years. Though anti-Japanese sentiment is alive and well in Korea, many citizens treat this holiday as a chance for celebration of Korean culture rather than a reminder of past transgressions. Given that Gwangbokjeol is a public holiday, we received the day off. Annnnnd it just so happens that Czech musician Marketa Irglova was performing at the AX theater in Seoul! The weather was mild to torrential rain all day but the concert was absolutely amazing. Marketa completely surpassed all my idolized expectations and Aida Shahghesemi, an Iranian musician who accompanied her, was beyond inspirational. She plays a daf, a Persian precursor to the tambourine, and sings as if her soul depended on it. Most of the songs were sung in English, though both Marketa and Aida each sang a song in their native languages, Czech and Farsi. Naturally there was a little Korean thrown into the mix. Quite the medley.
A delicious Thai lunch and a trip to an English bookstore were also worked into the itinerary.
All in all, it was the best Wednesday of 2012 thus far.
urban + alpine
The beginning was spent in Seoul: dining, riding subways, people watching, and discovering unusually housed goldfish.
Looming at Seoul's northern fringe stands Dobongsan. My limbs still ache from the climb but the view from the peak was beyond anything I've ever seen. A temple stands halfway up the peak, flanked by an infantry of Buddhas and guarded by a dichromatic* feline.
* such a Scrabble word
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