Samgyeopsal Supper

   This Friday, a group of the staff at SnS went out for dinner to say good-bye to two teachers and to welcome the two new teachers. About 15 of us went out to a samgyeopsal (sam-gip-sal) restaurant just down the block from school. Samgyeopsal is composed of thick. fatty slices of pork similar to bacon. Like bulgogi, it is cooked on a grill at the table and served with a million different sides and fixings to make lettuce wraps. It is a popular Korean dish and tastes absolutely amazing. Although we made something similar at home, these pictures will hopefully give a little perspective about how intricate the meal can be. 

Munchen Ice Bar

   A couple of blocks away from our house is a bar called Munchen Ice Bar. Although it wasn't quite the icy-German experience that I expected, it has quickly become our local gathering spot. With $3 beers and complementary snacks that include sliced persimmons, corn chip like things, and  cherry tomatoes, it's hard to complain. It also has a karaoke bong, which is a karaoke booth big enough for two people. Where the ice part comes in is how the beer is served. Pints of Korean beer is served in a mug made of ice. After you are finished your beer, there is a target for you to throw it at. If you hit the target you can win an assortment of items, from orange juice, to a plate of sausage, to coupons. Although I haven't been able to hit the target yet, there certainly is a bit of incentive to go back again for some more beers. 

All of the lights

Pungam Reservoir at night 

Another day in the SK

   Here are some pictures from over the weekend. Highlights included a trip to a bath house (a very naked one at that), our friend's hip hop show, some amazing Indian food, a visit to the arcade, and a walking trip around our neighborhood. Just another day in the SK. 

Outside a seafood restaurant. Apparently the  oysters are popular!

     One of my favourite Korean meals that we've discovered so far is bulgogi. In Korean the word bulgogi means 'fire meat' and it refers to how the meat is cooked, usually over an open flame like a mini bbq. At bulgogi restaurants, you start by choosing the type of meat you want, which is usually beef that has been marinated, although there are pork and chicken types of bulgogi. Next they bring out a wide variety of side dishes which often include different types of kimchi, raw onions and garlic, hot peppers, and lots of sauces. They also bring out lettuce and other leafy vegetables like sesame leaves. Then they bring out the raw meat which you cook in a bbq that sits in the middle of the table along with the raw onions and garlic. Someone at the table cooks the meat and cuts it into little strips with scissors. After it is cooked you take the beef and whatever other sides you want and make little mini lettuce wraps. 

      It is a great way of eating, everyone can make their meals according to their own likes and dislikes and it tastes amazing. We've been out for several bulgogi dinners (which only cost about $7 per person) and will continue to enjoy more as the restaurants are everywhere. Tonight we made our own home version with bulgogi pork bought from Lotte Mart. Of course we had some homemade sangria to go along with it, too bad you can't find that in any Korean restaurants. Cheers!

The Colours of Fall

    Fall in Gwangju has been much more beautiful than I expected. Languidly humid days and nights. Explosions of burning colours scattered on sidewalks and skylines. With the extended warmth, each weekend is another opportunity to explore the streets of Gwangju. This weekend we traveled by bus to the north end of the city to go to Home Plus, another multi-leveled department store that puts Walmart superstores to shame. They also blow Costco's store'oeuvres out of the water. Often on a weekday, we find ourselves at Lotte Mart shamelessly sampling every type of meat and finger food in lieu of a real dinner. 
    We capped our Saturday night off with a familiar game of Catch Phrase, some Soju, and a trip downtown. Bubble bar is quickly becoming our rendez-vous spot to meet up with the other foreigners seeing as we don't have a cell phone yet. The bar scene involves a lot of bar hopping, late late nights, and some sort of foreign delicacy served a la street cart at the end of it all. It's funny how you find yourself halfway across the world and can be surrounded by people and places similar to those that make home feel like home. Not as good as a night out with friends and family back home, but enjoyable nonetheless. 

Home away from home

Found some ice at the nearby World Cup Stadium Centre!