Thursday, September 23, 2004
A tale of survival Thursday 23 September
Although many jaws dropped when we saw our thatched cottage accommodation last night, we rallied and looked on the positive aspects of living in cramped quarters with basic washing facilities. The proprietors provided hearty food for dinner and breakfast, but already people are starting to realise how good home is by comparison.
Much of today was spent in the bus. We were surprised to see barbed wire closing off many of the beaches along the east coast. Fortunately we found access to one beach where we spent a pleasant half hour, playing footy, paddling, and walking along the beach to the rocks, where two patrolling soldiers wanted to know what was happening.
Further up the coast, we stopped off at an old Buddhist temple, where there was a huge white statue of the Bodhisattva, Kwanseum Bosal overlooking the sea.
We then drove on to our hotel where the girls dressed for dinner and the boys continued their game of footy.
This may be our last entry as there is no internet access here for the kids and we had to sweet-talk our way into the office to produce this edition. Tomorrow we are hiking Mt Sorak, certainly one of the likely highlights of the trip. Then a full day on the bus to Seoul airport, then home. Too bad the Grand Final will be played and won while we are oblivious to it on the bus - no way of keeping in touch with the game we're afraid.
A reminder we get in at 9:30 am on Sunday, not 11:30 am as on some itineraries (you might like to check with the airline just in case though). We will be coming out through the international terminal, or are assuming this at this stage.
As this is likely to be our final contact (I will email some photos after this) we would both like to thank you all for your contributions to the "blog" - the kids and we have all enjoyed reading your comments. Your sons and daughters have been exemplary ambassadors for their families, their school and their country. We are extremely proud of them all, especially the positive way they have faced and overcome the many challenges they have faced. It has been a wonderful cultural experience for us all - one we will never forget. Having said that, it will be good to be home.
We are all looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Colleen and Peter
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
a land of contrast Today wasn't an extemely eventful day, as we spent most of it on the bus, travelling up the East Coast of South Korea, but we did pay a visit to the Posco Iron & Steel Works in Pohang. We were given an introductory video, a explanation of the different processes using a miniature model, then we drove through the factory to the re-heating plant and watched in awe as a slab of red hot steel was cooled and rolled into a thinner slab right before our eyes. Although the metal was a couple of metres below us, the heat was still very strong and we could'nt believe that the workers were wearing long sleeves whilst being so close to the metal.
after lunch with the workers, we boarded back onto the bus and drove for 3 hours to Hahoe Village where we were introduced to the 600 year old "houses" that we were to stay in tonight. A few of the students were dissappointed with the state of the house - not exactly modern but they DID have a computer and television.
after dinner the families along with the teachers and students all gathered around and are still currently chatting, with the men playing drinking games and laughing VERY loudly.
all of the students plus their new found friends (patrick, claire, natalie, jenni, katie, sam & john) are currently playing a communal game of SCUM (a popular card game, usually for the bus) or football outside the house, and are having fun, although we're all tired and dirty. DEFINITELY looking forward to what tomorrow will bring (especially if it's a hotel...)
Elisha Nathan Year 11
ps. Mum & Jo; i finally did it. during a very tame game of rugby between myself and two other boys, i managed to jar my left pinky finger and it is currently swollen, sore, and unmoveable. i was going to hurt myself eventually though, wasn't I? :P (but there's no need to stress, it's definitely not broken, just sore, cos im a wuss.)
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Gyeongju Historical Sights
Tuesday 21st of September
Today was probably the most historical day that we have experienced so far. We started off by visiting the Seokkuram Grotto. There was a huge statue of Buddha made out of granite, constructed in 751 AD. That was absolutely gorgeous as it had a jewel on his forehead which lights up in the early mornings suns rays, twice a year. After looking around the highest part of the mountain and observing the East Sea, we ventured back down to Bulguksa, which is a stone Temple, one of the oldest and largest in Korea. Here we saw two stone pagodas, which are very famous throughout the Korean region. Buddhist monks store relics inside these pagodas because they are extremely precious to monks and locals. In some of the temples within the complex, some monks were chanting whilst keeping the beat with small wooden 'moktak' drums. There was a fairly large Japanese tour group which donated money to the temples, while perhaps thinking they may be blessed in return. As we made our way through the large area, we noticed small piles of rocks and pebbles on the ground, which people had stacked in a Shamanist practice.
Next on the agenda was the National Museum where the Emile Bell is situated. There is an unfortunate story behind the making of the bell. A woman, whose brother created bells, sacrificed her baby into the molten bronze, as the first two attempts to make the bell had failed. Therefore when the bell is being struck, people say that you can hear the baby crying. The Shilla crown was also another beautiful attraction in the Museum, with jade comma shapes hanging from the crown as decoration. Amongst the other main attractions were artifacts from Gyeongju, the ancient capital.
After taking a well earned break at the museum (the majority of us eating a nutritional lunch consiting of ice-cream and coke), we then made our way to the Anapji Pond. It formed part of the royal palace gardens during the Silla Kingdom. The gardens consisted of beautiful trees and carp inhabiting the surrounding waters. We proceeded to Chomsongdae Observatory which was used to keep the calendar and forecast the weather. Tumuli Park was the next *exciting* historical place, which consisted of many burial mounds, where kings and queens of the Silla period were buried. We were able to enter one which had been excavated and saw how the king had been buried.
Dinner was unusually very good, with many of us filling our rather empty stomachs. It consisted of Pork Bulgogi with cabbage and rice noodles.
My account of Busan Homestay At first it was rather awkward for Melissa and I to communicate with our family as only the father could speak English. No attempt was made on Saturday night to talk to us, so we had an early night. The next day it was off with the school group to tour around Chagalchi Fish Market and the UN cemetery, where we were greeted by our families. Mr Kim, his daughter and two of her friends met us, and to our surprise accompanied us to the movies where we watched a Jackie Chan movie, 'Around the World in 80 Days'. That was rather funny. Melissa and I were delighted that our dinner (Pizza Hut - YUM, food we recognised) and movie tickets were purchased by the daughter. As we returned home we were showered with gifts from the family. so in the end it was a fun experience that we both enjoyed.
Jessica Lang - Year 11
Monday, September 20, 2004
Homestays in Busan and Visit to Dongrae High School Sunday Sept 19 - Samantha Mills Year 10
Samantha's account. The home stays were great. The parents treated us with going out places and sight seeing. I stayed with Janine and Elisha. The father picked us up on the first day and loaded our suitcases into the boot and left the hotel where the teachers were staying (where the bus had dropped us off). We were then taken for tea at a vegetarian buffet that was absolutely awsome. We ate more that night than we had eaten in so long. John (the father of the family we stayed with whom told us to call him that) after the buffet took us to the beach or what he liked to call the sea side. This was where we lit stick fireworks. This you would never be able to do in Melbourne. We walked along the beach for a while then went home to meet the rest of the family. After briefly meeting them we got their prezzies together to give to them, then after a very tiring day we were exausted so we went to bed....
We then got up at 7ish to get to the hotel where the teachers were staying to go to the fish market. It was really discusting and smelt bad, but was followed up by McDonald's and shopping. After about 2 hours of that we left to look at a mountain and then went to see the graves in the UN cemetery from the Korean War - the youngest aussie was 26 and the youngest in the whole place was 16.. pretty scary...
At the cemetery a guy with a huge camera came up to me first then later to Melissa, Ryan, Tim, Janine and others were asked to have their picture taken.
Straight after seeing the soldiers' graves we left for home - this was our last night at the homestay. The family again took us out but this time we went shopping. Many other families took their host children to the movies too. We left and said good-bye - they all seemed kinda sad that we were leaving...
Many gave their kids prezzies as good-bye gifts including mine.
Today we left our hosts' houses to meet at the hotel at 8 to get to the girls school - Dongrae Girls High School established by Australian missionaries in 1895. We made it to the school and the girls were hanging out the windows yelling and screaming as if we were famous pop stars or something. Later I spoke to a girl and she said that no one other than the girls attending ever show up so you my as well be a pop star. The guys were loving the attention getting all the photos with the girls - not just Tim and Ryan but all the guys. We went to a tea ceremony and saw the school history in a hall. Then we went into class with the kids, three in a group. I was with Nick and Katie (one of the girls from Brisbane who joined the trip) and we were asked questions and we answered them as best we could. After we had finished they asked if they could take photos and suddenly they all pulled out their camera phones. All 36 of them in the class. From then on at lunch which we ate in their cafeteria we were bombareded with girls wanting photos and email addresses.
strange huh???? and we got a free pen from them!!!!!!!!!
We left the girls and headed for the Hyandai factory which was different because we saw the cars being constructed. We also got free pens from doing/seeing this...
We had a lovely tea and now we are in the hotel ...
Hope you enjoyed what I had to say............ from Sammi
Peter here. Today's visit to the High School was one I will never forget. Trying to shepherd the boys through throngs of screaming girls along hallways, in the canteen, to and from classrooms - it was like the Beatles in Australia all over again. It got a bit crazy at times and the school Vice Principal and two head teaches worked overtime with Colleen and I to get the group where it needed to be. The behaviour of these students was as incredible as it was unexpected, and don't think some of our lot didn't play up to all the attention!! They just loved it. We have plenty of pics and some video to show to people at home who just won't believe it until they see it. Anyway new celebs such as Ryan, Tim and Patrick (from NSW) are now safely under lock and key in their rooms and will sleep well tonight, as will we all. Back to some normality looking at inanimate objects in museums tomorrow which should bring them all back to earth. A day to remember...
Saturday, September 18, 2004
In Busan Friday 17 September 2004
The day began with an invigorating walk through Gayasan National Park for a few hardy souls. We crossed the bridge, leaving the world behind, and entered the tranquility of the World Heritage Haeian-san Temple, famous for housing the 80,000 woodblocks. These can be used to print the entire Buddhist scriptures, and have been stored here for hundreds of years. The students saw a traditional drumming ceremony, followed by the ringing of a huge bell which resounded across the valley. They saw three huge Buddhas, and we were all taken by the beauty and serenity of the place.
We then headed to Hwaom-sa, another temple at Mt Jiri, where we stayed the night. We arrived in pouring rain to be met by the head monk, who showed us to our rather rustic accommodation. After dinner (all vegetarian) we attended a briefing, followed by a Buddhist prayer service in the temple, in which all members of our party participated.
Saturday 18 September
We all rose at 3 am and attended the 3.30 am service, followed by an hour of solemn meditation.
Peter and I were so proud of how well the students responded to the challenges posed by both the timing and the cultural demands. They were sensational. Most of us caught another hour of sleep before breakfast at 6.10, followed by a tour of the temple and its treasures, which date back about 1500 years.
The rest of the day was spent on the bus, making our way to Busan through mist, steep mountains, gushing waterfalls and rice paddies. We met the host families at 6pm and the students are now safely in their care. It promises to be a wonderful experience for them. The host parents looked delighted to meet our students. We are meeting them all at 10 am tomorrow for another busy day. All of the students are coping well with the experience, despite the challenges presented by the food and local toilets!! You would be so proud of how well they are all going. We'll be in touch in another day or two.
Colleen and Peter
Thursday, September 16, 2004
A Marriage made in Nanta Wednesday, 5:30pm
After a short break at the hotel we shot off to the largest bookstore in the Northern Hemisphere, the Kybo Bookstore. There we spent 1/2 hour shopping and eating dinner.
It was then off to to Nanta. Nanta is what you would think of when you see Jackie Chan, kitchen utensils and a whole lotta base, was one of the best concerts/live shows we've ever seen. Even more so since some of our own were involved. Michael was asked to taste one of the chefs creation with another woman and were then surprisingly pronounced man and wife. We then had Jessica and Andrew up on stage, helping the chefs create as many dumplings as possibe. After the sghow many of spent thousands of Won on souveniers and then met the cast. It was the true highlight of the trip so Far.
Thursday
Today we were in for a 4 hour drive to the Haeinsa Hotel in Gayasan National Park. Along the way we stopped off at the National Science Muesuem which was very similar to Scienceworks. We then visited Daejon World Cup Staduim, where Mook went mad and took over 13 photos of an empty staduim. We arrived at the hotel at around six and then enjoyed a nice meal ready for tommorow.
Russ (Popeye)
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Visit to the DMZ An early start today (up at 5 am and away by 6) saw us meet up with buses at the USO which took us to the De-Militarised Zone for the day. As we are all back now, I can report a safe and satisfying return for the whole crew. A really interesting day for all of us, young and older alike. So sad to realise that families have been separated for almost 50 years, and reunions allowed only in the last couple of years. Photos of these so painful to look at. We were escorted to the meeting place where talks between the sides are frequently held, some great photos there which might have to wait until our return as the school camera which said it had 120 mins left suddenly decided to die on us - it is recharging as we speak. We got a first hand look at the "bridge of no return" where soldiers and prisoners in 1953 had to make their choice, and stay there. There have been a few swaps since. Heavy security everywhere but really worthwhile. It is only at places like this you come to realise the true ravages of civil war, and also how lucky we are at home in OZ. There was one solemn reminder in the vistor's book - a message in Korean and English which read - "For my friend - may one day the peninsula be one."
Today we are joined by a number of families from Australia who are bringing their adopted Korean sons and daughters to vist their homeland for the first time, also some newborns here who are leaving soon with their new families. Haven't heard those cries for a while now - glad the nappies aren't mine to deal with any more!! But they are cute.
That's all for now - we leave on tour tomorrow, and not sure when the next update will be but will try to keep in regualr touch. The last loads of washing are on as we speak, so we are being good Mums and Dads as well as guides!!
Talk soon
Peter and Colleen
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Rush Hour 3 Hiya from Korea,
Our first late start, actually allowed to change our cemented timetable..haha Caught the subway to the Korean War Memorial. Ohh and the weather, hot and humid, definitely hottest day yet. In seperate groups we walked around viewing the sites, naturally taking an interest. Tim, Ryan, Andrew and the two of us, managed to find a local that had been to Australia and knew English quite well..went to Sydney on a teacher exchange program. We went to Yong San electronics market, many are bringing home new editions. After several wrong turns and crowded mini buses, we took to the streets and walked to Itaewon market, a Westernised market. No need to worry we are all getting PLENTY of exercise, just to let you know!! After a bit of whinging on the behalf of the majority, we finally got to Namdaemun Market, where we went wild, bargaining didn't go always in our favour, though Janine managed to use her Korean well and get a fair deal. Jess is getting along well with the locals, they all fall in love with her smile..ohh and we are all finding friends on the subway, a good way to practise our Korean. After several subway transfers, the tired mckinnon crew got home safely, as yet another day passes us by.
With love from all in Korea, kisses and cuddles (haha).
* written by Mel (chips/olive oil) and Janine (Fiddle)
Day 2 - Long and Fun G'day everyone.
Day 2 was started with another early wake up call (7:30) and then a 1 1/2 hour train trip to Suwon, The Dandenong of Seoul. We then had another 1/2 hour bus trip to Suwon Folk Village. Here we saw some traditional arobatics and a working traditional village. As it was a school day here we met hundreds of childeren who were amazed at our korean skills while on excursion to the folk village. We spent another three hours exploring the village, lying in the sun by the lake and trying tradional korean food.
It was then off to the much antipated Lotte World. After a much longer than expected bus trip we finally arrived, everyone pumped up and ready to go. We spent almost 5 hours on rides such as the Gyro Swing, A very large pedulum reaching 180 degrees in the sky and the Comet Express which was an underground spinning rollercoaster.
At 11:00 we headed home for a good nights sleep.
This news is brought to you by Russell Sivewright (Leo)
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Day One and all well Hi to everyone in Melbourne
Woke today to steamy weather, overcast and later on in the day buckets of rain. However spirits were not dampened as we headed off after breakfast to Kyeongbokgung Palace, home of the dynasty of kings who ruled Korea for hundreds of years. A huge expanse of land, the palace resembles the Forbidden City in Beijing with several smaller buildings inside the walls housing different members of the royalty, ministers etc. The Folk Museum was also good value, with many exhibits showing daily Korean life, agriculture, marriage, costumes and customs. A highlight was an impromptu drumming lesson given to all of the kids by the members of the cultural centre. Later in the day we made our way to Insadong for some shopping (didn't go too "mad"!!) and finished up with a traditional Korean dance show at another palace, and dinner at a traditional vegetarian restaurant run by Buddhists.
We will mail some photos to the school for uploading onto the intranet - you will be able to access these from the McKinnon Homepage. The kids are all fine and enjoying themselves. The itinerary is packed so people are getting ptetty tired at night which is good!!
Talk again soon - hope all is well. Year 9 passports safe with us as well as some travellers cheques. In case of emergency only, we have a mobile phone number you can ring - 0011 82 119659 6758.
Cheers for now
Peter and Colleen
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Made it OK Hi all
Just to let you know we are here - good flight and all well. Will talk again soon
Peter, Colleen and the gang
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Introduction Hi everyone
This is hopefully one sure way for us to communicate once the team is in Korea. We will post some news here as often as we are able, and will email photos to school for the college website during the last week of term. It will not be possible for photos from the second week to be posted onto the website until the new term begins. Eveyone will be able to read the messages placed on our "blog".
We will also organise an email list so messages can be sent this way, especially those which are more confidential in nature if there is a need.
More on this soon.
Regards
Peter Corkill
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