So I got up about 10 ish and had my last ever Omellet! Yay!!!! Mother was really upset this morning and they loed my card with my bad Korean Calligraphy. I'm going to miss them. I packed up my last stuff and put the thigns I didn't want into bags and tried to explain that she can have them. The clothes would probably swamp her though. Next she drove me to Madu station. We waited, and waited, and waited for Mahinda but he didn't show. I had to ring on my UK mobile which really sucked nad he wouldn't pick up. my mother went searching for him, running around like a headless chicken, it was scary. He arrived an hour later than arranged and we got into a cab. I said goodbye to my mother and she hugged me really really tightly. I thought she wasn't going to let me go.
Next we waved goodbye and left for the airport. That's where I am now but I have to log off due to the secruity. The North are always trying to hack the airport through phone signals, or so I'm told.
I'm really excited to go back to the UK now, I've missed everyone so much.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: airport, bye, fly8ing, mahinda, monk, north, plane, scary, seoul, uk

Hiya,
So was very tired and went to bed earlish after writing my blog. I got up and had a shower about 6ish and my breakfast at 7.15ish. Now inbetween the time I went into the bathroom and brushe dmy teeth, father had his brecfast, got dressed and put on his shoes and was calling me to hurry up. I'm not really sure how he manages to do it but one day I'll catch him out.
We got to class really early so I got us good seats. Luckily we could finish at 10.40 as it was Dongguk graduation for some of the monks and teachers. Because the weather was good and we were all feeling refreshed we decieded that today would be good to do the Inwangsan Shamanist Hillside Walk. Now, I really do hate Korea Sparkling because not only did it lie to me about Noodle X being open, but it also lied to me about it being a 'hillside'walk. First we had to get out of the tube station and walk up this really hard slope, then up this hill to the top where we met some Americans and chatted then up some steps, and that was just the beginning. We got lost and started chatting to a monk who let us go in the temple alone to film and take pictures as much as we wanted. We searched high and low for the Shamanistic icons but only found Buddhist ones until the last 5 minutes where we spotted the drawings in the corner. We then moved on up the mountain, yes mountain, to these rocks which apparently look like a monk praying. I couldn't see it but apparently it brings fertillity. I figured I'd get blessed ready for the future and I done my prayers. I done extra as it's more work to ask for a girl than a boy, it sucked and my legs hurt after a while. We filmed a little and realised that there was a monk sitting on top of the mountain. Stupidly we figured we could get to him, how wrong we were.
We passed the Shamanistic temple, which was closed to our dismay, and carried on up the rocks. We met the American couple and figured that if they were climbing the mountain, than we definately could. Helena was a tad nervous of heights so I went first, she as behind and the Caroline at the rear. It was at this point that we realised flip flops were not the best idea in the world. I tried to find logs and gap in the stones to climb up and we stopped at the highest point to drink the cleansing mountain water. I'm pretty sure we almost deprived the rest of Seoul water for that time as it was really nice and cold. We carried on through the mountain and then started our descent. This was easier said than done and the sweat was running down me. I was at the back this time due to not being confident with going downhill. Helena became one with the forest and walked barefoot most the way and helped me to not slide down the hills.
We finished our walk and realised we smelt really quite bad and had to go meet a film direstcor. We wandered around a little and bought some t-shirts and spray and wetwipes to clean up. I thinkw e done agood job. We then went to meet Mahinda ina new area to get a taxi to the directors house. It was a strange place we went to, near an army base so many white girls and boys. It was unnverving and I really didn't like it there. It was too.. western and I think I'm now prefering the company of Asian people. There were all Americanised stores and one even called, ENGLAND! It was really disturbing. We bought a cake for Lee Myung-se, the director and went to his office in a taxi. He was a very nice guy and smoked like a trouper. He made us a lot of black coffee and was great to interview, I felt very lucky to interview him and he made me realise that I should be doing film, that life is too short. I could relate to him very much and we got talking about Anime and Manga series. I told the girls that he was my temple, my church. I am in much awe of the man. I gave him my email and youtube address, I hope maybe he will contact me.
After the interview his producer and assistants joined us and we went to Myeongdong for dinner. We walked up a dingey alleyway and I was surprised at how cool the resturant was. I had three bowls of rice wine which is really nice and he was kind and ordered omlette, cucumber, fruit salad and tofu for me and Caroline. Everyone had a good laugh and we made jokes about Mahinda, calling him the monk paparazzi because he takes about a million or so photographs.
Anyway, logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, buddhist, donguk university, free market, Lee Myung-Se, madu, mahinda, monk, mountain dew, seoul, shamanistic walk

Hiya,
So we got up without a hangover and attacked Caroline as she has the most annoying alarm sound (good morn-ning... la la la laaa la da da da da da morning) and got dressed really quickly. We packed up and had a sad excuse for breakfast (meats and jam) and then went to the Lobby where we were picked up by the Intreptrator and Professor. We drove around for a while before going to a church. It was amazing and lasted an hour and half but we were disappointed as we figured we'd be going to the 20,000 people a day church. I was shocked to see that the service was exactly the same but it was more outward prayer (like think American styles AMEN! Praise Jesus, in Korean) . We got a lot of attention, being foreign church goers has it's advantages. We then got in the car and I was shocked and a little annoyed that we were now going to the big church. However I'm glad we went, it was like the C.I.A (or Carling Academy depending where you're reading this) filled with Christians. The minister was on a podium and the Choir around him, think Star Wars council scenes. It was proper amazing and was being filmed, there were about 5,000 people there in the service and another 1,000 waiting or watching it in the lobbies. It had 5 tiers and international offices and everything. Luckily a nice American man talked to us about the Church and we got amazing footage for the film.
We also had great fun in the car imertating the preist going CHAA, every few seconds he'd say Chaaa. It was later that we found out that it was a filler word like 'well' or 'see'. However, we will continue to use it.
Next we all jumped in the car and went to the biggest department store in the world, fact. We had some nice lunch and everyone had something different. I had chips and a waffle, the way I was eating it, I thought the Professor was going to take me in the rehab centre, it went everywhere. We bought some cakes for our guides as presents and we got some gifts from the pottery in return (the special needs children make pottery). It was lovely and then we got took to the main beach. Me, Caroline and Helena went to the Aquarium which was amazing, I saw sharks and sang my shark song on repeat. I'm pretty sure our video is now 90% me singing about baby sharks. There were also jellyfish and seals and otters and a hedgehog! How weird is that, a hedgehog at a zoo, they seem so weird to Koreans.
Next we lay on the beach and Mahinda paddled in the sea. I joined him at one point when a massive wave came and soaked me. The sea is absolutely freezing, minus temperatures. I thought my little toes where going to drop off so I sat down and we all laughed at how excited Mahinda was by the beach. I'm pretty cure our tour guide was minutes away from buying a bucket and spade.
We then got taken to the Bus station where we boarded to go to a new place, Gyeongju. I was sad to leave the Professor and the tour girl as they were great fun and we sung loads in the car when we travelled.
Anyway, logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: aquirum, cake, card, fun, hedgehog, jellyfish, monk, paddling, pool, pottery

So I got up about 10 ish and had my last ever Omellet! Yay!!!! Mother was really upset this morning and they loed my card with my bad Korean Calligraphy. I'm going to miss them. I packed up my last stuff and put the thigns I didn't want into bags and tried to explain that she can have them. The clothes would probably swamp her though. Next she drove me to Madu station. We waited, and waited, and waited for Mahinda but he didn't show. I had to ring on my UK mobile which really sucked nad he wouldn't pick up. my mother went searching for him, running around like a headless chicken, it was scary. He arrived an hour later than arranged and we got into a cab. I said goodbye to my mother and she hugged me really really tightly. I thought she wasn't going to let me go.
Next we waved goodbye and left for the airport. That's where I am now but I have to log off due to the secruity. The North are always trying to hack the airport through phone signals, or so I'm told.
I'm really excited to go back to the UK now, I've missed everyone so much.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: airport, bye, fly8ing, mahinda, monk, north, plane, scary, seoul, uk

Hiya,
So was very tired and went to bed earlish after writing my blog. I got up and had a shower about 6ish and my breakfast at 7.15ish. Now inbetween the time I went into the bathroom and brushe dmy teeth, father had his brecfast, got dressed and put on his shoes and was calling me to hurry up. I'm not really sure how he manages to do it but one day I'll catch him out.
We got to class really early so I got us good seats. Luckily we could finish at 10.40 as it was Dongguk graduation for some of the monks and teachers. Because the weather was good and we were all feeling refreshed we decieded that today would be good to do the Inwangsan Shamanist Hillside Walk. Now, I really do hate Korea Sparkling because not only did it lie to me about Noodle X being open, but it also lied to me about it being a 'hillside'walk. First we had to get out of the tube station and walk up this really hard slope, then up this hill to the top where we met some Americans and chatted then up some steps, and that was just the beginning. We got lost and started chatting to a monk who let us go in the temple alone to film and take pictures as much as we wanted. We searched high and low for the Shamanistic icons but only found Buddhist ones until the last 5 minutes where we spotted the drawings in the corner. We then moved on up the mountain, yes mountain, to these rocks which apparently look like a monk praying. I couldn't see it but apparently it brings fertillity. I figured I'd get blessed ready for the future and I done my prayers. I done extra as it's more work to ask for a girl than a boy, it sucked and my legs hurt after a while. We filmed a little and realised that there was a monk sitting on top of the mountain. Stupidly we figured we could get to him, how wrong we were.
We passed the Shamanistic temple, which was closed to our dismay, and carried on up the rocks. We met the American couple and figured that if they were climbing the mountain, than we definately could. Helena was a tad nervous of heights so I went first, she as behind and the Caroline at the rear. It was at this point that we realised flip flops were not the best idea in the world. I tried to find logs and gap in the stones to climb up and we stopped at the highest point to drink the cleansing mountain water. I'm pretty sure we almost deprived the rest of Seoul water for that time as it was really nice and cold. We carried on through the mountain and then started our descent. This was easier said than done and the sweat was running down me. I was at the back this time due to not being confident with going downhill. Helena became one with the forest and walked barefoot most the way and helped me to not slide down the hills.
We finished our walk and realised we smelt really quite bad and had to go meet a film direstcor. We wandered around a little and bought some t-shirts and spray and wetwipes to clean up. I thinkw e done agood job. We then went to meet Mahinda ina new area to get a taxi to the directors house. It was a strange place we went to, near an army base so many white girls and boys. It was unnverving and I really didn't like it there. It was too.. western and I think I'm now prefering the company of Asian people. There were all Americanised stores and one even called, ENGLAND! It was really disturbing. We bought a cake for Lee Myung-se, the director and went to his office in a taxi. He was a very nice guy and smoked like a trouper. He made us a lot of black coffee and was great to interview, I felt very lucky to interview him and he made me realise that I should be doing film, that life is too short. I could relate to him very much and we got talking about Anime and Manga series. I told the girls that he was my temple, my church. I am in much awe of the man. I gave him my email and youtube address, I hope maybe he will contact me.
After the interview his producer and assistants joined us and we went to Myeongdong for dinner. We walked up a dingey alleyway and I was surprised at how cool the resturant was. I had three bowls of rice wine which is really nice and he was kind and ordered omlette, cucumber, fruit salad and tofu for me and Caroline. Everyone had a good laugh and we made jokes about Mahinda, calling him the monk paparazzi because he takes about a million or so photographs.
Anyway, logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, buddhist, donguk university, free market, Lee Myung-Se, madu, mahinda, monk, mountain dew, seoul, shamanistic walk

Hiya,
So we got up without a hangover and attacked Caroline as she has the most annoying alarm sound (good morn-ning... la la la laaa la da da da da da morning) and got dressed really quickly. We packed up and had a sad excuse for breakfast (meats and jam) and then went to the Lobby where we were picked up by the Intreptrator and Professor. We drove around for a while before going to a church. It was amazing and lasted an hour and half but we were disappointed as we figured we'd be going to the 20,000 people a day church. I was shocked to see that the service was exactly the same but it was more outward prayer (like think American styles AMEN! Praise Jesus, in Korean) . We got a lot of attention, being foreign church goers has it's advantages. We then got in the car and I was shocked and a little annoyed that we were now going to the big church. However I'm glad we went, it was like the C.I.A (or Carling Academy depending where you're reading this) filled with Christians. The minister was on a podium and the Choir around him, think Star Wars council scenes. It was proper amazing and was being filmed, there were about 5,000 people there in the service and another 1,000 waiting or watching it in the lobbies. It had 5 tiers and international offices and everything. Luckily a nice American man talked to us about the Church and we got amazing footage for the film.
We also had great fun in the car imertating the preist going CHAA, every few seconds he'd say Chaaa. It was later that we found out that it was a filler word like 'well' or 'see'. However, we will continue to use it.
Next we all jumped in the car and went to the biggest department store in the world, fact. We had some nice lunch and everyone had something different. I had chips and a waffle, the way I was eating it, I thought the Professor was going to take me in the rehab centre, it went everywhere. We bought some cakes for our guides as presents and we got some gifts from the pottery in return (the special needs children make pottery). It was lovely and then we got took to the main beach. Me, Caroline and Helena went to the Aquarium which was amazing, I saw sharks and sang my shark song on repeat. I'm pretty sure our video is now 90% me singing about baby sharks. There were also jellyfish and seals and otters and a hedgehog! How weird is that, a hedgehog at a zoo, they seem so weird to Koreans.
Next we lay on the beach and Mahinda paddled in the sea. I joined him at one point when a massive wave came and soaked me. The sea is absolutely freezing, minus temperatures. I thought my little toes where going to drop off so I sat down and we all laughed at how excited Mahinda was by the beach. I'm pretty cure our tour guide was minutes away from buying a bucket and spade.
We then got taken to the Bus station where we boarded to go to a new place, Gyeongju. I was sad to leave the Professor and the tour girl as they were great fun and we sung loads in the car when we travelled.
Anyway, logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: aquirum, cake, card, fun, hedgehog, jellyfish, monk, paddling, pool, pottery