Seomun Market Revisited

17 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by in Cuisine, Strange Customs

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‘Tis true, I’ve got the winter doldrums.  It happens to me, and millions of other people, when there’s not enough sunlight to saturate our systems.  It’s called Seasonal Affect Disorder (S.A.D.).   Maybe you’ve heard of it.  I implore you, what kind of idiot names a depressive disorder SAD?!  I’d like to have a little chat with him.  Maybe pluck his eyelashes out one by one, or something equally torturous. But I can’t, and besides, I am a clever gal; one with lots of hobbies, interests, responsibilities, books to read and work to do.  Surely even this blog can keep me occupied enough to keep my hands off the chocolate truffles and fresh pastries sitting on the counter.  There are good coping mechanisms and then there are the ones that add ever more dimples of cellulite on one’s arse.  And that, friends, explains why I’m going backward in time on our trip to South Korea, revisiting some of our favorite outings and giving them some more attention.

Wholesale, baby!

Take this photograph above — Guy’s absolute favorite of the past 6 months. We stumbled upon this sleepy fellow at Seomun Market, in downtown Daegu, a sprightly outdoor wonderland of all things traditionally Korean.  Hundreds of people swarmed around vendors, each with something to offer:  jewelry, handbags, pottery, clothing, cookware, wooden bowls, seafood, spices, beans, books, fabric…I could go on.  Rip Van Winkle here offered peanuts, both shelled and not, along with some kind of root vegetable, squash, pumpkin, hazelnuts and dried chili peppers.  It blows my mind that someone probably bought these peanuts later in the day.  At least they have the shells on!

I look at the looks on the kids’ faces in this picture to the right, and I wish I could be inside their heads hearing every thought.  I’m certain they won’t remember much of the time they spent here in Asia .  Maybe this blog is, in some way, a letter to them, so they may have written memories where no real ones remain.  And hey campers!  Maybe I also just figured out the whole purpose and focus for this blog.  Love Letter to My Children.  Well, whaddaya know.  Put down the candy, pick up the computer.  Look what comes out of it!

Intestines, anyone?

Tri Hamlin buying chicken. Safe bet!

Seomun Market

International Night

15 Wednesday Feb 2012

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In celebration of countries and cultures from all over the globe, DIS created and enjoyed International Night this past Friday night. First, students in each grade chose a country they wanted to learn about.  Then, many volunteer Umas and Upas gave their time, and in some cases their expertise, to cook for our entire school population, something delicious from that country.  We ate until we were bursting!

Some of the cultures represented were Ghana, Mexico, Italy, Pakistan, Korea, the US, France and China.  Each class performed a song from their chosen country – including an “Achey Breaky Heart” line dance in celebration of the cowboys from the southern tip of the USA!  It was a unique event for students grades K-10 to enjoy together.  An awesome time!

Sally, Amy, Erica, Mellissa, Esther – 9th graders

Korean and Pakistani moms cooking together

Jerell, Luke and William singing

Party Like the First Grader You Are!

15 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Strange Customs

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In the words of my darling child, Luke, who I love and adore — Holy Crap!

Natalie and I spent most of day this past Saturday at The Novotel Hotel in downtown Daegu.  It is a beautiful place, overlooking the western side of the city, with white and light gray granite floors throughout, glass walls, brilliant original artwork, a lovely staff who wait on you hand and foot and heated seats in the bathrooms!  Who wouldn’t want to attend the event of the year at the coolest place in the city?  What event is that, you ask?  Why, the birthday party of Natalie’s 8 year old classmate, of course.   Yes, it was our latest adventure into Birthday Land, Korean-Style.  (And by “our” I mean “my”, of course, since the last foray Guy took to said land was an epic teddy bear nightmare.)

I, on the other hand, am thrilled to attend soirees such as these.  This one was like being inside that MTV show My Sweet Sixteen, only no horse drawn carriage showed up.  Or maybe it did after we left.  I really wouldn’t doubt it.

Rambutan

 

 

 

It was lavish.  Opulent.  Extravagant.  Lush.  The table displays were as nice, if not nicer, than the ones at our wedding.  The buffet was bigger than my current classroom.  On it was a salad station two tables long,  11 exotic fruits with a professional blender just in case you preferred a smoothie, fresh sushi, salmon, cod, chicken, roast beef, muscles, escargot, pad thai, bulgolgi, 6 different hot soups including pumpkin – yum!, an ice cream station with maple syrup and cereal for sundae toppings, 3 different kinds of brick oven pizza, sashimi, roasted vegetables, an entire array of Indian cuisine, and…AND…a cappuccino maker!  I think they brought that for me.  There was also an entire display (4 tables) of dessert, along with the actual birthday cake, which was cut, by the birthday girl, with a sword.  A sword!  So cool!

Cake with Sword

So with that enormous amount of food to choose from, guess what Natalie ate?  Chocolate soft-serve ice cream.  With rice crispies on top.  Man, I could do that.

We stayed and enjoyed the 45 minute magic show.  We liked the 6 foot tall clown who entertained the kids all afternoon making balloon swords and puppies.  The open mic was also nice, until the Umas had had enough of the screaming contests and took it away.  (It went downhill quickly when the sugar wore off.)  All in all, though, a superb way to party it up…whether you’re 8, or…almost 40.

Natalie with Olivia, the Birthday Girl!