the pentaport festival

Saturday was one of Koreas biggest music festivals - the Pentaport Rock Festival. Tessa, Frannie, her boyfriend David and my co-worker Craig all took an hour trip to Incheon (just outside of Seoul) in hopes of rocking.
David was pretty intent on rain boots because he said the word was funny and thought it would be even more hilarious if we all wore them. It was pretty likely it would rain so I was inclined to go along. We stopped by several stores on the way and couldn't find any to fit our giant foreigner feet, so we gave up and decided to rock without.
When the cab dropped us off, much to our surprise, the rain boot gods had lined up rain boot vendors down the sidewalk leading straight to the festival. I was hesitant to spend $15 on the off chance it would rain but decided to go along. Plus, I found some really cute white ones that I figured Id get some use out of.
So we took our cute boots, stepped into the festival, and I immediately sunk 3 inches into the ground. It wasn't raining, but it had earlier that day. As you can see from the photo, this is what happens when it rains in Korea. And this is what happens when I decide I really wanna see the band up close.
Koreans, as it turns out, go absolutely wild for just about anything with the words rock or party in the invitation.
The shows were amazing, the food was interesting, the cocktails were in plastic bags and I was rolling in the mud until 4 a.m. One thing I can say is when you get knocked over in a mosh pit in Korea, everyone stops to help you up, which was nice. Wish I could have found someone to help me with laundry the next day.

My apartment

In the back left you can see the black gate that leads to my apartment. Through the soju, that is. This is basically like sake and Koreans drink it like water. Walk down the entrance and to the left and this is the patio area. Last night we barbecued and drank soju till 5 a.m. When I woke up I drank a gallon of water and swore Id never drink soju again. Tonight I'm going out with Tessa and Frannie. I will probably drink soju.

The hood: Seocho-dong

This is a street in my neighborhood. Lots of little family restaraunts, grocery stores, dry cleaners, clothing stores and my personal favorite...dorinbongs! That's karaoke in Korean.

getting settled

I'm sitting at my new desktop computer handed down to me from previous teachers. Not a clue where it came from but grateful to have it since I don't have an adapter for my laptop at the moment. Among the other luxeries passed down to me include a hairdryer, straighter, umbrella, half bottle of wine, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, videos like Empire Records and Pilates for Dummies, and a pair of undies. As you can see from the photo, which honestly doesn't do it total justice, I am now living like a queen. My room is tiny but it works. I really think the smallness of it all will keep me from getting too lonely. It's cozy. The other teachers live in the apartment and we all walk to work in the morning for the most part. They took me out the other night for dinner and some rice wine and I must say so far it's been pretty wonderful.

As for teaching, I had my first experience today and it's exhausting. Come to find out I arrived at the most intense study time for students and the next month will be hell. Quite the initiation but at least I get the worst out of the way and can look forward to smoother sailing. The kids are pretty cute and call me Leah Teacher. "Leah Teacher, I finished my work." "Leah Teacher, I know all the answers." "Leah Teacher, Jin-Ming spoke Korean, he should get a sad face on the board!"These kids are 6 and ridiculously smart for their age. I will work on getting a phone card so I can talk to you all. I miss everyone and hope to see some of you in korea this year. If you love me, you will come!