Off to a Random Start

After a full week of running after kids, its time to relax and explore more of Korea. So what do we do – head to a South African Braai of course! My colleague, companion, and partner in crime, Malcolm is from Jo-Berg. With Malcolm and his South African school friend Sandilli (?) we 'cruised' our way an hour north of Seoul. Starting in Seoul Station a group began to form, South Africans linking together, soon we were large enough to fill our own carriage on the train and national anthems were being sung throughout the journey.

 We arrived in a sparse suburb of Korea to 'chow' South African meat. Malcolm claims its not as good as the Braais he is accustom too, but we spent the afternoon in front of the grill, cooking meat and sausage amongst 100+ South Africans. I'm not sure how the American girl slipped into the crowd but the South Africans were friendly and I spent an afternoon hearing Afrikaans and meeting interesting people teaching alongside me in Korea.

That night we danced our way through Hyundai University area in Seoul til 5 AM when we crashed in a jimjil bang, a Korean Bath House. This jimjil bang offered us hot baths, saunas, showers, steam rooms, and a place to sleep for a mere 12,000 Won. It is very common in Korea, on Sunday afternoon when we were leaving Silloam Sauna House the Koreans of all ages were lining up to have their soak and rejuvenate.  I asked my students about it and they all have been to a jimjil bang with their family before, half the class goes on a regular basis, some every week.  This particular place has five floors of services spanning from a hot baths and sauna rooms, to internet, movies, games, snacks, a gym, and more. I did some research after the fact and apparently once you pay you can stay for as long as you'd like. Maybe Silloam will be my new place of residence?

    

It was a bit bazaar when we were walking around at 6AM figuring out where the room was for sleeping. Koreans were passed out everywhere in the provided uniforms, sleeping sprawled on the floors with wood blocks as pillows.  There is even a “Snorers Room” for those who might disrupt others rest.   Delia and I found the women's sleeping room, it had the atmosphere of an incubator, and wooden bunks with a mat similar to a yoga mat and block for a pillow.  

[photos from Silloam website]