Goodness me!

Well after I left you, sleep deprived from the night before we wandered around in the tipping rain and had many coffees. We bought some snacks from the shop because we didn't know what the food would be like in the temple. We walked down to the university temple and borded a bus, heading straight to the back. I got out my hat and my video camera and Caroline sung happy birthday to me, it was amazing. We waited for the Keele students to finish their lectures and come on the bus along with the 2 international guys and Mahinda. We were soon on our way but had to stop numberous times due to the fact that the windscreen wipers were broken and the rain was making it impossible to drive.
So we arrived and got out stuff out the bus and trekked up these stairs. We passed these big scary gaurdians on the way in, they were huge and watch over the temple. We then went over to the main hall and took off our shoes, which were sopping anyway. Next we went inside and got our name badges for the visit. All the girls were ushered into a cuboard type thing and we were given the most baggiest, unflattering temple uniform ever. It was orange and about a size 18 which flogged us all. We came out, embrassed at our new uniforms and sat on the mats in front of the alter. Next the men went in and got green temple clothes and sat besides us. The next hour was us being shown how to prayer. You stand, hands together, bow, on your knees, head to the floor, hands up, then down, bring into yourself before standing up again. It was tiring and we were told we had to do it 108 times, it was crazy! We got some information about the temple but were unable to look around due to the weather. Instead our mats were placed in a square and mini tables brought out and cups where we had to make lotus flowers with a wish inside. It was really flidderly and Caroline made fun of mine until karma attacked her and it went wrong. A temple lady helped me with mine and then gave me hers as well, a birthday present she said. We then got to place our lotus flowers to the buddha who would rid the world of destress for us and grant our wishes. I think he was having a day off though because neither of mine came true.
However, all of a sudden the room went quiet and everyone started to sing happy birthday and Lucy brought out a chocolate cake. I was really really excited and blew out my candles. I made the first cut but made my international guy do the rest of the cutting. Caroline reckons he fancies me as he lingers round me and asks millions of questions, along with photos to match.
This was at 10pm and we ate cake, coke and watermelon before packing away and getting out our mates for the floor. We made a bed type thing with prayer mats, sleeping bag and blanket nicked from home, it was really comfy. Girls were on the left and guys on the right with a very naff curtain seperating us both. We slept in our uniforms which was annoying as we brought nighties to stay in, thinking we'd need them. I got out my camera and turned on the Night vision, it was realy funny as Lucy grabbed Carolines foot making her jump. We slept by the buddha, figuring that it was the safetst place to be.
-Angharad

Labels: birthday, Buddha, lotus flower, men, rain, sleeping bag, storm, temple stay, watermelon, yongjoosa

Hello,
Today I got up really early and had a shower and such before heading over to Hongik university where we all met up at Dunkin Donuts and had some coffee. We then realised that the Free market wasn't open for another 4 hours. We wandered round the shops and laughed at the names of the stores (such as Boobi Boobi and Condomania) before having more coffee and wandering in and out. Helena saw an amazing t-shirt that said 'Don't kill yourself, I will pray for you' with a cross through suicide. Made us laugh anyway.
We then went over to the free market. It's basically a market for the students who can't afford to own shops so have stalls to sell their artwork and fashion. It's really pretty and one girl wrote my name in korean for me. We then looked at some earrings and I managed to get some lovely presents for people although I paid full price for everything (there's something morally wrong with bartering with a student). There were bands there and one group that amused us for looking quite indie only to not really be. Helena iffed and awwed about a painting for a while but gave up eventually and didn't get it. We went to go get some rice but I was just so hungry and ended up going to a really nice Indian resturant. There was a bollywood film on and I think we all were amused by it, watching it over and over. I ordered rice to the guys amusement and a Naan as I still feel abit dodgey with my stomach. Lucy and Helena had a curry and Caroline had some noodles, however it was full of peppers and chili so it was so funny to hear her complain about how hot it was.
Lucy then left us as we went to Isadong for the rest of the day. We found a big protest about the treatment of people in North Korea and talked to an Amercian protester about it while filimg, then we pasted an animal protest about dogs being in the cages in pet shops (don't worry dad, I didn't touch any dogs). We wandered around the art shops and got cornered by a boy who had the biggest book ever on Britian and started quoting facts about what everyone in the UK likes, sterotypically. It was quite funny actually and he mentioned Wales which was damn awesome. We were getting quite tired and decieded to have some tea at a traditional tea house. It was really funky and although it cost about 6000won we got to try new things. I had citron tea which was lemon pulp and hot water. It felt so nice to have a sit down and a break. Caroline had some crazy watermelon punch and Helena had some tea that tasted like Christmas.
We wandered some more before going home. I managed to not get crazy people and when I got home was greeted by a large amount of watermelon. I ofund out that brother has to be up at 6 tomorrow to go to the enterance exam for a posh highschool, he's been studying all night now.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: art, crazy people, free market, seoul, students, teacher, teapot, traditional, uk, wales, watermelon

Goodness me!

Well after I left you, sleep deprived from the night before we wandered around in the tipping rain and had many coffees. We bought some snacks from the shop because we didn't know what the food would be like in the temple. We walked down to the university temple and borded a bus, heading straight to the back. I got out my hat and my video camera and Caroline sung happy birthday to me, it was amazing. We waited for the Keele students to finish their lectures and come on the bus along with the 2 international guys and Mahinda. We were soon on our way but had to stop numberous times due to the fact that the windscreen wipers were broken and the rain was making it impossible to drive.
So we arrived and got out stuff out the bus and trekked up these stairs. We passed these big scary gaurdians on the way in, they were huge and watch over the temple. We then went over to the main hall and took off our shoes, which were sopping anyway. Next we went inside and got our name badges for the visit. All the girls were ushered into a cuboard type thing and we were given the most baggiest, unflattering temple uniform ever. It was orange and about a size 18 which flogged us all. We came out, embrassed at our new uniforms and sat on the mats in front of the alter. Next the men went in and got green temple clothes and sat besides us. The next hour was us being shown how to prayer. You stand, hands together, bow, on your knees, head to the floor, hands up, then down, bring into yourself before standing up again. It was tiring and we were told we had to do it 108 times, it was crazy! We got some information about the temple but were unable to look around due to the weather. Instead our mats were placed in a square and mini tables brought out and cups where we had to make lotus flowers with a wish inside. It was really flidderly and Caroline made fun of mine until karma attacked her and it went wrong. A temple lady helped me with mine and then gave me hers as well, a birthday present she said. We then got to place our lotus flowers to the buddha who would rid the world of destress for us and grant our wishes. I think he was having a day off though because neither of mine came true.
However, all of a sudden the room went quiet and everyone started to sing happy birthday and Lucy brought out a chocolate cake. I was really really excited and blew out my candles. I made the first cut but made my international guy do the rest of the cutting. Caroline reckons he fancies me as he lingers round me and asks millions of questions, along with photos to match.
This was at 10pm and we ate cake, coke and watermelon before packing away and getting out our mates for the floor. We made a bed type thing with prayer mats, sleeping bag and blanket nicked from home, it was really comfy. Girls were on the left and guys on the right with a very naff curtain seperating us both. We slept in our uniforms which was annoying as we brought nighties to stay in, thinking we'd need them. I got out my camera and turned on the Night vision, it was realy funny as Lucy grabbed Carolines foot making her jump. We slept by the buddha, figuring that it was the safetst place to be.
-Angharad

Labels: birthday, Buddha, lotus flower, men, rain, sleeping bag, storm, temple stay, watermelon, yongjoosa

Hello,
Today I got up really early and had a shower and such before heading over to Hongik university where we all met up at Dunkin Donuts and had some coffee. We then realised that the Free market wasn't open for another 4 hours. We wandered round the shops and laughed at the names of the stores (such as Boobi Boobi and Condomania) before having more coffee and wandering in and out. Helena saw an amazing t-shirt that said 'Don't kill yourself, I will pray for you' with a cross through suicide. Made us laugh anyway.
We then went over to the free market. It's basically a market for the students who can't afford to own shops so have stalls to sell their artwork and fashion. It's really pretty and one girl wrote my name in korean for me. We then looked at some earrings and I managed to get some lovely presents for people although I paid full price for everything (there's something morally wrong with bartering with a student). There were bands there and one group that amused us for looking quite indie only to not really be. Helena iffed and awwed about a painting for a while but gave up eventually and didn't get it. We went to go get some rice but I was just so hungry and ended up going to a really nice Indian resturant. There was a bollywood film on and I think we all were amused by it, watching it over and over. I ordered rice to the guys amusement and a Naan as I still feel abit dodgey with my stomach. Lucy and Helena had a curry and Caroline had some noodles, however it was full of peppers and chili so it was so funny to hear her complain about how hot it was.
Lucy then left us as we went to Isadong for the rest of the day. We found a big protest about the treatment of people in North Korea and talked to an Amercian protester about it while filimg, then we pasted an animal protest about dogs being in the cages in pet shops (don't worry dad, I didn't touch any dogs). We wandered around the art shops and got cornered by a boy who had the biggest book ever on Britian and started quoting facts about what everyone in the UK likes, sterotypically. It was quite funny actually and he mentioned Wales which was damn awesome. We were getting quite tired and decieded to have some tea at a traditional tea house. It was really funky and although it cost about 6000won we got to try new things. I had citron tea which was lemon pulp and hot water. It felt so nice to have a sit down and a break. Caroline had some crazy watermelon punch and Helena had some tea that tasted like Christmas.
We wandered some more before going home. I managed to not get crazy people and when I got home was greeted by a large amount of watermelon. I ofund out that brother has to be up at 6 tomorrow to go to the enterance exam for a posh highschool, he's been studying all night now.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: art, crazy people, free market, seoul, students, teacher, teapot, traditional, uk, wales, watermelon