Two Words: COMMUNAL. BATHS.

Please excuse my shock but I have never done team sports where one is required to shower with others. naked. together. I have never been a gym member who showers in the locker room, or does anything that would allow you to see others and their nakedness.   I don't exactly consider myself modest about these things, but when you're surrounded by a naked asian women on all sides, it sort of makes you rethink your choice to move to Korea, and reminds you that being naked is not this sacred thing, but is really just a part of life . I'll get to that in a minute. 

Friday was Buddha's Birthday.  We had the day off of work and my coworkers and I decided to take a trip to Busan, which is a coastal area of Korea.  Apparently the rest of Asia was going to Busan for the three-day weekend as well, because we took a bus, and what should have been a 5 hour bus ride, turned into a 7 and a half hour bus ride (due to traffic).  Anyways, we arrived Friday around 3 pm, and made our way to a famous fish market in the middle of the city.  I saw many things... lots of fresh fish, but the most shocking thing, was the eels.  Never have I felt sorry for an eel, but now, I have great remorse for Korean eels. Poor babies. Here's what they do: They take the eels, alive.  They skin them. alive.  then they put them in a bowl of ice, still alive.  and display them for people to see, skinless and wiggling, their little eel mouths squealing in pain.  When some passerby decides to have a nice fresh eel for a snack, they throw the skinned eel on the grill, until it reaches a nice golden brown, no longer alive, because it was grilled to death. Then, people eat it. Can you imagine?! It was so sad! Needless to say, I lost my appetite at the fish market that day. I had a coffee instead.  After the fish market, we decided to go to the popular beach for the rest of the evening.

That was awesome because there were people singing and playing instruments. We hung out there for a while, watched the sunset, and went to find dinner of course.  We ate at a pizza place that was overpriced, but decent.  Then to find somewhere to stay for the evening... which brings me to the title of this post.  In Korea, they have these things called Gymjabongs.  This means "Spa" which sounds relaxing and awesome right? It's really just full of nakedness. No, but these spas are ideal for the traveler who doesn't want to spend tons of money for a hotel room. You can stay at the gymjabong for less than 10,000 won/ night ($10).  You get a mat and blanket to sleep on, and free reign of the 24 hour communal baths and as long as you don't leave, you can stay for however long you want! Sounds too good to be true? Oh, that's because it is.  I'll explain.  Firstly, you get there and are required to shower with other ladies, scrub your body of excess skin, and detail your hair follicles in case your American-ness rubs off in the hot tubs.  Then you're naked, walking around from one big hot swimming pool to another, feeling awkward as anything because you're the only white girl in there, and one that actually eats food, so I looked a little different.  OH! and you're with your COWORKERS. being naked. which makes Mondays at the office a little bit awkward.  But anywho, we hung out in the baths, got stared at, went into the sauna room and sweated out our toxins, and eventually got more comfortable with ourselves.  It was time for bed. They give you really attractive pink shorts and tshirts to wear, to remind you that you're part of the spa, and then you go to the top floor to sleep on your mat.  With 200 other people in a giant wharehouse-like room.  And it was 85 degrees and the floor was heated. Marissa was not a happy camper. literally.  Also, it's a 24 hour spa, so people were coming and going at all hours of the night! I just tried not to get my fingers smushed as people walked over me.  So, totaling around 3 hours of sleep that night, we promptly got up and went to the beach at 5:45 am.  No one was there of course, so we laid out our mat and went back to sleep, in the cool beachy air where no one was naked. 

Saturday was spent at the beach and then a Korean temple to celebrate the birth of a beautiful man, Buddha, who believed in loving all things, and striving for kindness wherever you go.  I love what he believed in and I loved being in such a spiritual place next to the sea to enjoy the day in memory of him.  (pictures for reference).  Saturday night we went to the other popular beach, got a bottle of soju and sat on the sand watching the drunk Koreans throw each other into the ocean clad in business suits. Apparently it's a funny sport there... who can stand up without falling over as the waves crash around you.  The answer? No one.  They were tooooooo drunk.  So that was entertaining.  Then we went to a bar, still in celebration of Buddha, called The Happy Monk.  Met a lovely Italian man who talked my ear off, and politely excused ourselves to meet up with another friend.  He happened to be at the wrong subway stop, so Jaclyn went to meet him, while I waited for them on the corner of another street. While waiting, I got asked twice if I was Russian (meaning, are you a prostitute) and a lot of other interesting stares.  Apparently white girls in short dresses standing on street corners has the same meaning everywhere in the world.  Ooops. So we stayed at a seedy love motel that night, because going back to the heated floor of the gymjabong was just not an option for me...

Sunday was a leisurely morning spent with Jaclyn. It was raining so we set off in search of shopping of course. When we found nothing spectacular, we sat in a coffee shop drinking lattes and watching the surf competition from the window.  Yes, surfing in Korea. Silly I know.  Then it was time to go home! Busan, you did good.  I would definitely go back. Good memories, lots of laughs, enough naked women to last a lifetime. 

3 Months Down! and the Shoes Don't Fit.

So I'm on my third month here, and I just cannot believe how quickly time is passing! It's been an amazing adventure so far, I've seen and done so much! Still loving teaching... (Did you see the pictures? Who wouldn't want to hang out with them all day?) Their little personalities are coming out more and more each day and their English is really getting so good! I'm amazed at what they are picking up! Each sentence has so many words in it, they are finding ways to communicate their tiny thoughts and I am thrilled! I feel so great about work now.  I was a little overwhelmed with the workload this last week or two, but things are slowing down again.  The weather is becoming beautiful! Many of my northern coworkers are complaining about the heat, but it's nothing like Tennessee yet.  I hear the humidity will be crazy soon, but if I can survive a Memphis summer, I think I can do just about anything.  It's around 65-70 and sunny most days.  I hope it stays like this for a while... I am able to take the babies to the park.  They LOVE going outside.  I feel like it's my duty to let them run around freely, make messes, and not be perfect for an hour or two.  They look so genuinely happy blowing bubbles and picking dandelions.  (which of course, are a beautiful bouquet for Marissa Teacher.) We had mini-Olympics two weeks ago.   Basically we dressed them up in SLP t-shirts and had them run around the park doing really silly things. It was more enjoyable for me than them I think, because I couldn't stop laughing when they had to run around a tree with two of them in a hoola hoop, put on the sunglasses and crazy hair wig and then run back. Then they had to run to a tray of white flour and use only their mouths to "dig worms (gummy) out of the sand."  These are all becoming official Olympic sports next year.  So classes are wonderful, the kids are being so sweet. I have had two successful experiences with CCTV now (where the mothers/fathers of the kids come to watch your class from a hidden camera while you get scored on how well you are teaching).  So YAY for that.  And tomorrow is TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY!!! I'm excited. Apparently they bring us flowers and candy and tell us how wonderful we are.  Sounds like my kind of holiday.  Only I won't be eating the candy because I'm on a major health kick at the moment. I've been running and working out, eating much better and cutting out sugar.  I have to start looking bathing suit ready for when my beautiful boyfriend comes to visit! (SOMETIME IN JUNE for allllllll the people that keep wondering :) We are wonderful, God has blessed our relationship beyond belief. Not a day goes by that we do not thank Him for keeping us healthy, happy, and so incredibly in love.  Cheesy, I know, but so true!

I found Mexican food. Well, I say I, but really my friend Anna found it.  There's an On the Boarder in Bumgay... yes, funny name.  Bumgay is about 30 minutes on the subway from me, and so far I've been twice in the past two weeks. The tacos are SO expensive, but I probably would have paid $100 to eat Mexican. It did not disappoint.  I have been shopping a little bit and looking for new shoes... the shoes here do not go past a 7 in US sizes.  I am so sad :( My feet are too big :( Luckily my Mama is sending some rainboots my way! The monsoon season is not far off! This weekend is Buddha's birthday which means we get a day off of school on Friday! Jaclyn, Kade, Michelle, Kate and I are going to Busan (beach town about 5 hours away) for some leisurely sightseeing and beach time! I'm soooooo  ready to be on the beach, sleeping in the sunshine.  Hopefully the rain holds off so I can live this weekend in wonderland.  I have booked my first 8 day vacation which is at the end of July, beginning of August. I am going with Michelle and Anna to Japan! YAY!  I have always wanted to go there and see the Geisha district and the flower gardens and temples. We will be going to Kyoto and Osaka for 6 days and it's going to be AWESOME.

So, in summary, I have a lot coming up! Teacher's Day tomorrow, Busan this weekend, Adam's coming within the month, Dad's visiting 4th of July, Japan at the end of July, and hopefully my Mama will be here in September! I'm one lucky girl, and I am so thankful for my many blessings.  If someone reads this to my Grandma, please tell her I love her a bushel and a peck.  I think about her often and wish she had a smart phone. It's on my list of things to get her.  Also, on the next shipment that someone decides to send me, if you could just box up Madison and Makenzie, that'd be sufficient. I miss them more than almost anything.   Being around these babies all day just makes me realize how sweet and far away my two favorites are :( Your Aunt Issa misses you girls! Bode family: I am teaching the big kids about family trees.  I drew ours on the board. It took up the ENTIRE board.  I am so happy to have such a big wonderful family :) You should have seen the Asian 3rd graders trying to pronounce your names... I said "Who is Marissa Teacher's 2nd Uncle?" They said, "STOVE." hah. "Who is Marissa Teacher's Aunt?" to which they replied, "BeCAW".  It was kind of like having you all there with me.  Please know you are loved, and I wish all of you a very happy month of May.  Nine more to go until we're together again! xox