29 days and counting.

잠수 bridge.

Sometimes referred to as the the 반포대교 (Banpo Bridge) due to it's proximity, the 잠수교 (Jamsu Bridge) is the bottom span in the structure which crosses the Han River between 용산구 (Yongsan-gu) and 서초구 (Seocho-gu). The unique separation of the two bridges stems from the way they came to be. The 잠수교 (Jamsu Bridge) was not always the bottom span; before 1982, the 잠수교 (Jamsu Bridge) was the only span.

Today, half of the 잠수교 (Jamsu Bridge) is dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian use; while the 반포대교 (Banpo Bridge) is solely purposed for the heavy automobile traffic. In the rainy summer months, the 잠수교 (Jamsu Bridge) is occasionally submerged when the river swells. Perhaps for this reason, the 반포대교 (Banpo Bridge) was built on top.

30 days and counting.

세종대왕 the Great.

The small region of Korea has a long, often violent, history. Much of the violence and strife the country has experienced came from external forces. Yet, the difficulties which mare its history have also provided many opportunities for individuals to do great things for in the name of their country. One such individual is 세종대왕 (King Sejong the Great) who maintained a heavy emphasis in technological discovery; his most prominent success was the creation of Hangul, the alphabet of the Korean language. Before Hangul, the Korean language was written using Chinese characters. Due to the complexity of Chinese characters, the literacy rate of Korea (대조선국, Joseon Dynasty) was very low. To increase the literacy rate of the people, 세종대왕 set out to develop a phonetic alphabet, which his people could learn easily. Hangul is one of the easiest alphabets to learn in the world. This proves a boon to foreigners, who over a few weeks of practice, can learn to read Korean.

31 days and counting.

Creative utilization.

Desperate times call for desperate measures; or creative utilization. In studio apartment (officetel) living, one room must have multiple functions; if not, failure is inevitable. In Bizwell Officetel, there are technically two rooms, and both serve many purposes in the process of survival. The main room is segmented into regions, whose functions are similar to the those of rooms in a house. The regions of the main room include; foyer, kitchen, laundry area, dining area, library, closet, garage/stable, and bed. The adjacent room, most commonly referred to as the bathroom, doesn't have regions because that would be physically impossible in such a small space. Instead, the 'bathroom' has many functions bundled into one space. Within these confines, the user can; shower, use the toilet, cut hair, and wash a bicycle.

32 days and counting.

Slope style.

The Korean peninsula is mountainous and rugged. There isn't a defining mountain range similar to the Rockies, Himalayas, or Alps; instead, it seems the country is littered with many low lying peaks, all about the same size. The geological conditions of the peninsula provide plenty of steep terrain, perfect for skiing. Unfortunately the meteorological conditions usually don't provide enough snow fall. The frigid winter temperatures of Korea can maintain a consistent snow base, but lacking the needed snow pack, Korean ski resorts must generate their own snowfall using water, pipes, and fans. With the man made snow, snow recreationalists are able to enjoy a full winter of fun, provided they stay within reach of a snow blower.

33 days and counting. Addendum.

Candlestick 2.

Candlestick 3.

Candlestick 4.

33 days and counting.

Candlestick 1.

In 1988, as a sign of its advancement into the modern world, South Korea hosted the Summer Olympic Games. As every city and country does prior to hosting such an event, the government made substantial improvements to Seoul's infrastructure. In southeast Seoul, the city built an Olympic village--now an apartment complex--and a multi-stadium complex for baseball, track and field, soccer, basketball, and more. Perhaps equally impressive are the Olympic expressway, and the Olympic bridge. The expressway traverses the city east to west along the southern bank of the Han river. Congestion twenty two years later proves the need for this additional artery. Olympic bridge stands out as an architecturally unique fixture compared to the many which cross the Han river. The cement grey facade combined with the steel suspension cables makes for a very simple and modern appearance. At night, the cables shine in bands of Olympic colored spotlights, which lead to the pinnacle; a steel Olympic flame glowing bright.

34 days and counting.

Timeless design.

삼청동 (Samcheong-dong) is a neighborhood everyone visiting Seoul should, at a minimum, stroll through. As a seasoned Seoul tourist, the allure of the delicious food is enough motivation for regular visits. Among the many delicious traditional Korean options, 삼청동 houses tasty and cheap 라면 (ramen), 만두 (mandu, a.k.a. dumplings), and 수제비 (Sujebi, flour flaked soup). Also, not so traditionally Korean, but excellent no less, are the Chinese and Italian restaurants. Beyond full fledged meals, 삼청동 has quite possibly the highest concentration of cafes in any Seoul neighborhood, serving up artisan treats and gourmet coffee. It's no wonder the nation's president lives there.

While the draw of the cuisine in 삼청동 is enough for anyone to take a look, the architecture is also something to notice. Most of the shops and houses in the area are built with traditional Korean architecture. The government has gone as far as placing building restrictions on a residential area within the neighborhood. Dwellings in this area can be owned--for a high price--but all renovations must adhere to the Korean traditional architecture theme.

35 days and counting. Addendum.

Slushed 2.

Slushed 3.

35 days and counting.

Slushed 1.

The chemical battle between snow and salt forges on for days after a significant snow fall. Amazingly, even in subzero temperatures (celsius), the salt wins. Within the course of the first day, the busier streets become waterlogged and eventually clear. For the less trafficked residential streets, the slow process of deterioration begins. In the city, the high foot traffic tromping through the mucky conditions forces store owners and apartment managers to lay out anything absorbent on hand. Even so, hallways and elevators are lined with the black remnants of collected street grime.

36 days and counting.

Under the bridge.

Over two consecutive winters in Seoul, parts of the Han river have iced over from bank to bank, and then blanketed by snow. The snow dramatically changes the scenery around the river. What is normally a mysterious stretch of blackness becomes a vast white snowscape, reflecting colorful lights and whiteness in contrast with the night sky. The pylons holding up the bridges no longer stand in the eeriness of a dark river; instead the mind envisions them ending where cement meets snow.

37 days and counting.

Bizwell.

While living as a voluntary and temporary resident in a foreign land, the clock is perpetually moving through the weeks, days, hours, seconds, and minutes until it's time to move on. In the beginning, life resembles an extended vacation. The city is full of new experiences in food and sights. As time moves on, habits are formed, regimens set, and adventurous outings are separated by longer periods of consistency. As month becomes a word spoken only in singular form, a third sensation becomes noticeable; one of cognitive dissonance. With only a limited time remaining, there grows a list of many places to revisit--or places still unvisited. Yet the pull of a lazy, hermit-like lifestyle is hard to resist in the cold winter months. During times of choice, the decision is much easier when snow is filling the air outside the 10th floor window.

38 days and counting.

Mikey likes it!

This subway station advertisement is the white whale of funny cultural translations. It's locations are rarely noted, and therefore it sometimes feels close, but to no avail. Aside from the smiling baby with a mouth full of lotion, it also includes an obviously humored mother. Though the message is in Korean, it is easy to deduce; this product will give you smooth skin and feed your baby. The characters and content are certainly unique, even to Korea.

In a broader sense, cultural norms are portrayed in advertising, which can be quite an experience to even the most adjusted alien. The subways in Korea are a great place to witness this phenomena. Not only are the advertised products and services sometimes unique, such as the baby food and lotion. Occasionally the content stretches the boundaries of imagination such as; advertisements for plastic surgery, depicting before and after mug shots, or using keyboard icons to show which procedures can be performed. Most famously though, are the advertisements which use English incorrectly or inadvertently refer to a different topic, such as the cosmetic and skin care company Redflo.

39 days and counting.

Trashed, not treasured.

Pollution is universal. Around the world, laws prohibit acts of careless disposal, but still some individuals operate with a lack of social responsibility. These selfish consumers cannot consciously differentiate between a trash can and the shoulder of a road. In the Seoul metropolitan area, the many public parks, subway stations, and shopping areas are well manicured and regularly cleaned; forgotten rubbish is rarely visible. Yet garbage cans are often impossible to find within these public places. However, similar to the rest of the world, in less visible places outside the urban centers, the story is often different.

40 days and counting.

Traffic today, traffic tomorrow.

When it comes to automobile reliance, the United States may have most of the world beat. When it comes to automobile redundancy, Seoul may compete with many large cities in America. The city has quite possibly the world's easiest, cleanest, and safest subway system, teamed with an efficient and reliant bus system. Not only is the public transit system cheaper than driving, in many, most, if not almost all cases, it is faster. Traffic within the city is in a permanent state of congestion and parking spaces are limited. Regardless, many people see some appeal in the automobile, maybe as a status symbol or perhaps a means of escaping society.

41 days and counting.

Dongho Bridgie.

The 동호대교 (Dongho Bridge) consists of three independent sections; the two blue spans on the outside are for cars, while the orange span in the middle was built for subway line three. At night, the bridge isn't constantly illuminated, instead the lights change as subway trains pass over. When a train reaches the bridge, a succession of lights appear, following each train in a wave like motion; then turning off in the same pattern behind the last car.

42 days and counting.

At your own risk.

In a big park south of Seoul, there is a beautiful lake surrounded by untouched mountains. The park provides facilities for a variety of activities; there is a walking path around the shore, picnic areas, playing fields, hiking trails in the surrounding mountains, and bungee jumping. The facilities provide plenty of options for entertainment without marking up the scenery, with one exception. The bungee jumping platform sits on top a steel tower standing high above the surface of the lake. The tower is visible from all corners of the lake, and acts as a beacon for those navigating the hiking trails. If the sight of the tower doesn't dominate the landscape, the screaming does. The tower is open for business in the warmer months of the year. During which time, the vocals of each thrill seeker carry across the lake with piercing efficiency. Meanwhile, the other visitors can enjoy hearing and watching the brave patrons of bungee jumping; most of which are foreign.

43 days and counting.

Free, fresh, and cold.

The tap water in Seoul is advertised as drinkable, but most people believe the infrastructure of pipes are outdated and unsafe. Therefore, most citizens choose to purchase filtration systems or bottled water. For those living close to a mountain, a better alternative is available; spring water. Most mountains have at least one place where spring water can be collected. In this particular basin, the government also posts test results of the water, so any savvy individual can see what they're drinking. If you didn't bring a cup, don't worry. Each basin usually has a few community cups for all to share; if your courteous, you can wipe yours clean before hanging it up.

44 days and counting.

Cold and dark sunset.

The sunsets in Seoul are breathtaking. When the earth rotates to where the sun's rays are passing horizontally west to east across the city, the particles in the atmosphere glow bright orange. Sometimes the haze is thick enough to hide the sun before it reaches the horizon. When this happens, it quickly dissolves from a sharp orb to a murky light source; within minutes of the transition, the skyline becomes the dark foreground for a vivid introduction to night.

45 days and counting.

Business time.

Say goodbye to bad photos at the DMV, school, work, etc. The public and private systems in Korea which require photos also require people to provide them. For some, this may be an inconvenience, but for a society so preoccupied with appearances, this is the ultimate prevention for bad license photos. In many subway stations, there are automated photo booths where the official photos can be taken. The shots come in sheets of eight photos and are ready instantly. For a school teacher, the yearbook photo is a better option. Not only is the photo taken professionally, but the doctoring will take years off.

46 days and counting.

Delicious idea.

Today is a special day. Today marks the end of a long Winter English Camp season, and the beginning of a two week break from the helm of the blackboard. Three weeks ago today marked the beginning of winter vacation for most students and teachers in Korea. Three weeks ago Monday marked the beginning of Winter English Camp for many diligent students and a few nonplussed native English teachers. Although there are perks to winter camp, it's hard for a teacher not to think about the possibility of time off amidst all the craziness of excited students.

Tonight we're celebrating with a favorite, Max beer; "Delicious idea. Rich and full-bodied taste beer made from all malt and fine cascade hop." Just one hop, not two.

47 days and counting.

Where were you last night?

Sometimes a sign is misleading, but can still result in positive consequences. The name "700 Beer" as a restaurant fits this type of scenario. From the street, the sign has a potential to say, "we have 700 types of beer." Unfortunately it does not. What 700 Beer does have are free nuts and a menu of tasty snacks to complement the cheap 700 brand beer, whatever that means.

48 days and counting.

When the lights go down on the Bizwell.

Officetels, known to many as studio apartments, are a popular living situation for college students with boarding needs, the recently divorced, and native English teachers. The name is associated with another use for these spaces in Korea, as small offices.

The coming of age experience of living independently outside the parent's abode is timed much different in Korea. In America, for example, individuals living at home beyond the mid twenties are seen as lazy, unsuccessful dependents. For this reason, young adults move into their own dwellings as early as 18. Korean society employs a much different system, which relies on the necessity of marriage. The social norm dictates that each child will live with their parents until they are married. At which time, the new couple's parents will have purchased an apartment and furnished it for them.

49 days and counting. Addendum.

Rumble strip 2.

Rumble strip 3.

49 days and counting.

Rumble strip 1.

The Korean government is extremely considerate of blind people; either that, or it has realized how distracting cellphones are to it's citizens. Whichever way, in seemingly every public place, most notably in subway stations and on sidewalks, trails of rumble strips line every possible direction. The patterns change depending on the appropriate action for each location. If marking a path, the tiles feature four strips, spanning the width of each and pointing in the direction of flow. If marking an intersection or a place of interest, the tiles feature 36 small bumps. These small bumps indicate a street crossing, subway platform, elevator buttons, to name a few.

50 days and counting.

Lifeline.

For over 16 months, the plastic box labeled "fire escape device" went mainly unnoticed. Occasionally, in the midst of reorganization, it would find itself a new home, but nothing more. The size of the box leaves little to the imagination; it is obviously rope, and works in concert with the eye hook on the wall next to the window. Beyond the basic concept, curiosity didn't strike until recently, when I decided I'd try to see how this device should work. It turns out to be quite a sophisticated and practical piece of engineering, but I have a hard time imagining any situation in which I'd shimmy out a ten story window with this device as my lifeline. In short, it's basically a strap attached to a reel; the strap should be installed around the torso, under the armpits. The reel slows the rope's feed by running it through a number of pulleys, thus allowing the victim to grab the rope and control his or her descent.

51 days and counting.

Hanging it all out to dry.

For an American from the suburbs, the clothes dryer is as standard as the roof on the house. In contrast, for most of the world, such a luxury is as common as personalized helicopters. Clothes dryers consume copious amounts of electricity compared to the alternative, and they take up valuable space. The natural method of clothes drying does not produce instantaneous results, but the satisfaction of an energy free process is rewarding enough.

52 days and counting.

Typical Seoul Saturday.

These days, many weekend photos--and sometimes weeknights--are taken along the many bike/ped paths within the Seoul metropolitan area. Traveling along these paths offers spectacular views of the seemingly infinite cityscapes and a perspective of the great immensity of the city.

53 days and counting.

An Eastern symbol of eternity.

Due to its use by Nazi Germany, the swastika has been stigmatized throughout western cultures. However, the swastika existed long before Hitler used it as his official seal. In Korea temples use the 만자 (manja) as a designation. The 만자 can also be seen in places beyond the buddhist temples, integrated into a pattern, which is used in everything from fabrics to fences.

54 days and counting.

"Dew combined becomes sea."

Perhaps the most meaningful perk of living in a new place, is growing close to the unique people who represent their culture. Even more amazing is when a person can openly share their livelihood, while understanding the cultural gap between foreigner and native. But above all, a connection which bridges the gap of a formal acquaintance and becomes invaluable to both parties is indescribably fascinating. Such an alliance illustrates how similar the people of the world are; no matter how different we all seem on the surface.

55 days and counting.

See the goods.

For the past 16 months, I've walked by the same row of stores and restaurants on my way from the subway to school. One store stands out in particular, which sells a variety of vegetables and fish. An old Korean woman works there all day, she cleans her vegetables in the morning and watches TV in the afternoon. The most defining characteristic of this store, aside from the dried fish, is how she cleans her vegetables on the sidewalk and in the street. I often dodge her on the sidewalk, as she's moving between her store and the storm drain around the corner. The storm drain always has a little salad left over.

56 days and counting.

Abstract arch.

In the parts of the city where buildings are growing fast, there are plenty of opportunities to see interesting new architecture. Complementing the new buildings are fresh and clean landscaping, with shiny new sculptures to help the scenery resemble architectural sketches. The sparkling new edifices also provide ample opportunities to snap interesting photos.

57 days and counting.

Bongo nuts.

The entrepreneurial spirit is blatantly evident in South Korea. In the city, no trip beyond the front door goes without seeing at least one vendor selling a random product. Anything from sweat pants, to bike lights, to vegetables. The setups tend to be as diverse as the merchandise. Some lay the goods all out on blankets, others have their display in the bed of a pickup. For the nomadic vendor, the subway is a popular place to proffer merchandise. With a hand truck, these extroverted sales people move from car to car like walking commercials for cheap stuff most people don't need.

58 days and counting.

호떡 anyone? Dina?

호떡 (hoduk) is a delicious treat, pure and simple. "Inside-out elephant ear" is an attempted description, but really doesn't do the 호떡 justice. This fried pillow of dough surrounding a mixture of cinnamon, sugar and peanuts is likely to burn your mouth, fingers, and leave your front side decorated with sticky melted drops. If none of these ailments affect your first 호떡 experience, you should find another stand and try a fresh one. Each 호떡 vendor has their own flavor and mixture. Some lace the dough with green tea, some add small peas. An experienced 호떡 connoisseur will have learned the technique, and at least tried to make them at home, using the store bought mix. Make sure to never try a 호떡 stand near your house. Otherwise you'll figure out the most convenient way to have one every day; believe me, I've seen it with my own two eyes.

59 days and counting.

Loitering preferred.

In contrast to the United States, many countries around the world maintain loose open container policies. Korea is no exception--the concealment of the paper bag is not necessary. Convenience stores throughout the country provide tables and chairs on the sidewalk, where people can enjoy their food and drinks. Though the cold winter drives people indoors; in the heat of the summer these tables are rarely vacant. Late into the night, people escape the heat by sitting and chatting. No doubt, enjoying stock from the convenience store at the same time.