Culture Cookies: Chuseok

In less than 30 days the Korean lunar holiday of Chuseok will be upon us. For me that means my birthday but also a five day weekend! Korean people will likely be heading to their family grave site or doing something with close relatives. It's a time when Seoul empties out and the highways of Korea become clogged. Today I'll present some bloggers who have had their own experience of Chuseok or just something to say.

1. London to Seoul: A nice post about her experience of having Chuseok traditions at work. Students wore their lovely hanboks and it made for great pictures.

2.The Harrington Times: For foreigners one of the best things about Chuseok is getting a Fall mini-vacation. People take the opportunity to stretch their legs and travel. These guys did just that and went on a mini-vacation.

3. On Becoming a Good (Feminist) Korean Wife: If you really want to know what the experience is like of visiting family and doing the rituals, then read this post to catch up.

4. Buhay sa Korea: Chuseok is a major gift giving holiday and the stores will be abundant with large gift sets. This is great for if you want to stock up on lots of cans of spam. However, if you plan on visiting Korean relatives or in-laws it is a good idea to think about how much you would spend.

Chuseok also signals the start of Fall and the Winter to come. I hope everyone has a lovely Chuseok this year!

Abundance Go's: Swimming

It's getting hot out there and that means summer fun is on its way. If your like me then a hot day makes you want to jump into a cool pool of water. However, living in Seoul your options are kind of slim for this. You could use the pool at the Hamilton Hotel or perhaps swim with the kiddos at one of the Han River pools. But for me I would rather take a dive in the ocean or a river. Today I'm going to show you blog posts that feature trips for swimming. I hope it gets you to dust off that swim suit and find a place to go swimming this summer.

1. Kimchi and Cornbread: A good general post about where around Korea you can go swimming, which includes a handy map. Check it out to consider where to go this summer.

2. A Geek in Korea: More of a post about how they got their little one prepared for swimming, but gives you an idea.

3. A Search for Happiness: Here we see a place where people could go swimming in a river stream. I think river swimming in Korea involves getting use to chillier water. In the post you get to hear people coped with that. Otherwise just a beautiful place to relax.

4. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat: When I think of swimming I don't imagine myself diving around the water with sharks. Usually one tries to avoid that situation. But apparently you can go swimming with sharks in Busan. The price of such adventure includes the training and equipment. Plus it just looks like a good time to be had.

5. Korea Connection: For most of us the known place to go swimming in Korea is down in Busan. Here is a nice post about swimming at Gwangalli beach. It is supposedly less crowded than Haundae beach and also there are nice cafes nearby to rest at. Definitely, an easy place to get to and enjoy this summer.

6. The Compost Cook: Another look at the fun to be had in Busan, but this time from a more experiential view. I think you can tell she had a really good time.

As you can see it's not too hard to find yourself at a swimming hole here in Korea. I hope your summer is a soaked one, but not by the rain. ;)

Abundance Aid: Taxi Tips

It really isn't that difficult, but taking a taxi in Seoul or around other parts in Korea can be some what of a challenge the first few times. Even though there is a sticker on the side of the window that says "translation", you know it is quicker to speak it yourself. After you have figured it out taking a taxi around becomes a great option. However, there are times you are left with interesting experiences. Here for you are some stories people have had and also some links to sites that could be of use to others.

1. The View From Over Here: The most fun that I have had in a taxi is the conversations, in English, with the drivers. Usually it is a hacked up conversation that recycles itself on the same themes. Check out her post to get a clearer idea.

2. F5 Waeg: A veteran of life in Korea and certainly one with many stories. Here we hear the tail of his time trying to get to a mart to get beer, during the snowy times of winter. This time the ride included a rant, which can happen. Go see the post for the fun story.

3. Xweing Away in Korea: Who would have guessed that you can utilize a taxi as a way of taking tours around Jeju Island? Well she did just that and you can read about what the day would be like.

4. Jan is Cooking: Just one I found through Google, but definitely gives some great resources on the options one has with transportation in Korea, especially if you need to lug around a lot with you.

5. Seoulistic: Unfortunately, some taxi drivers are not as honest as others. So a guide should be out there to help the traveler not get ripped off while getting around Korea. This post gives you some tips such as, fake you know Korean and look at a map first before you go.

6. CnnGo: Just in case you still don't have a complete guide to riding the taxis in Seoul, here is another one. Who would have guessed there were so many types of taxis here!

I for one find taking a taxi a great convenience here, even when the prices rise. Do you have any fun or not-so-fun taxi stories?

Abundance Go's: Boryeong Mud Festival

Located South of Seoul and on the Daecheon beach in Boryeong city, is a thing called the Boryeong Mud Festival. Yes in my four years living in Korea, I have never been to it. But if you talk to most veteran expats you will hear them tell you how you must go to this event at least once. That is why I will showcase to you glimpses into what previous festivals were like, and if possible get you enticed to go to this years upcoming event in July.

1. Annie Around the World: I like how she sums it up in one sentence, "But a bunch of mud + the beach + summer + cheap alcohol + no open container laws = one out-of-hand party" It is originally promoted as a place to get a dollop of healing mud put on you, but the reality is that the place is a party zone. But that's great, isn't it?

2. Lee's Korea Blog: Can you believe that it has been about 15 years since the first festival. So it has likely evolved and expanded over the years, right? Here is a post from a festival goer that happened in 2008. As you read you start to notice that the festival added more attractions like a "mud prison." I can't imagine all the stuff that is going to be there at the next festival. At least they got away with some unique mud soap...

3. Elyse Marie: For the most part the festival is the place to be to capture exciting imagery. A lot has been said over the years about Korean media heading down there to get photos of foreigners behaving bad. But generally people covered in mud is definitely photogenic. I didn't know it but I guess you can paint yourself in different color muds.  (Photo from her blog..)

4. Long Time Gone: Maybe you want to know if Boryeong is a destination to go to when no such event is happening. Well take a look here and find out for yourself.

If you still don't get the point of the festival than go back and look at these posts. It is all good ...not clean...fun!

Abundance Go's: Blossoming Korea

It's that time of the year where you stuff your sweaters into whatever closet space you have and refresh in the happiness of spring. For many this means getting out there and exploring their neighborhood or seeing new places in Korea. Today, I'll take you to bloggers who have enjoyed the sweet blossoming times of spring in Korea.

1. The Chosun Bimbo: More familiar for his technological posts, but you can find ones of the regular life in Korea. This post about the Yeouido festival exemplifies how sometimes the blossom festivals can be a little too overwhelming. He especially appreciated that the Red Cross was there, taking advantage of the crowds and giving folks lessons.

2. Dale's Korean Temple Adventures:  Out in the Gyeongsangnam-do is the Seounam Hermitage. A place with beautiful views of Korea and of course a great temple to look at and admire. Although, he arrived a bit early for the full force of spring, he did capture it a bit in parts. Check out the post for a very informative and explorative time.

3. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat: Out in Daejon you can catch something called the, "Snow Flower Festival." If anything I don't want it to snow in spring, but usually the cherry blossoms make it look as white as snow. The variety of flowers look great and also there appears to be some good eats nearby.

4. Evan and Rachel: A nice little photo-video here of spring in Korea, to help you get even more excited!

Personally, I can't wait for the cool air to be completely gone and the blossoms in full force. Heck, I even started to daydream about the sticky humid days of summer!