Swimming?

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Yesterday, it wasn't extremely hot out, but we decided to take advantage of the weekend and try to go swimming. We looked up a place on the Wonju English Teachers facebook group and then wrote it down to give to the cab driver. So, it was Kyle, myself, Terri, Arran and Zak. We went to Chilbong (seven peaks) and it wasn't quite as serene as the pictures made it out to be.

It was in a beautiful location though. Right beside the valley and fully of these gorgeous mountain peaks. There wasn't really anywhere to sit since it was fairly busy and we had to 1000 won ($1) to get int the swimming place. We didn't so much appreciate that after we took a $20 cab to get there. Oh well. It was definitely nice to be outside and out of the house for a bit and to explore something new. Zak (as you can see him in the picture) was so excited to be in "the pool" (as he called it) that he didn't care how cold he was, and that kid was shivering, he did not want to get out of the water.

He spent some time talking to the sand that his Arran was pulling out of the water for him, he also tried to eat it, but he was just having so much fun being there. It has been so hot here lately (constant 35 degrees and 90% humidity, even at midnight) that it was so good to be in some cool water. The Korean obviously shared this sentiment since it was so busy there!! We didn't stay very long. We also didn't realize that all the Korean go swimming fully clothed, in long t-shirts and shorts and shoes... weird. So, we all stayed in our clothes and waded through the water.

Kyle and I explored down a little bit from the main area and saw some people fishing. We didn't realize it at the time, but we walked right through their fishing area. I do not think they appreciated this so much. Oh well. We are foreigners, we don't know any better :) It was definitely beautiful as you can see from this picture. This just shows 3 of the seven peaks that surrounded the area.

We didn't stay longer than an hour or so and then went for a short walk. When we were walking on the road, Terri and I were talking and then Kyle says "Look out for the snake!". Terri and I jumped, but then after we freaked out Kyle said "oh yeah, it's dead!" Jerk! He thought it was funny and so did Arran. I wasn't sure what kind of snake it was, which was why I jumped, but I do prefer to see them behind glass until I know whether or not they are dangerous. We then caught a cab back home and Kyle and I rearranged our apartment. We moved our bedroom into our livingroom and our livingroom into our bedroom. Only because, this way we have the air conditioning above our bed/in the same room as where we sleep, compared to the power source for the air conditioner (which was in the bedroom before) that heats up the room like crazy if we have the air con on. So, this works better, plus now we have a nice little TV room. Although, it does make it hard to hear people at the door when the knock.

I will be starting my one adult class tomorrow. I think it will go okay. John said that it is actually a brother and a sister in the class, the girl being 20 years old and the guy being 26. They barely speak English, but at least I know they won't be running around the room screaming and mocking me. Who knows though!!! Also, we are starting summer intensives on the 24th of July. So, I will be working a couple extra classes in the morning as well. At first I was rather upset about this because they neglected to tell me about it till a student asked me about it 2 weeks after the letter was sent home. It also put me over 37 hours a week when I am only contracted to work 30. I would also be the only teacher in the school working from 1:00-8:30 everyday and everyone else wouldn't start till 3:30pm. I talked to them about the classes taking all my prep time from me (since they run right through our prep time) and that I would have to come in 45 minutes earlier to prep as well and it just wasn't fair. So, they understood and they also didn't want to pay me for 8 hours of overtime a week for one month, so they are making some other arrangements and letting me know this week sometime. Needless to say, I am happier now than I was on Thursday night! That of course, is the short version of events, but my fingers are tired and I do not want to write it all.

Off I go, we are having spaghetti tonight, Kyle's favourite, although it is too hot to cook, but he loves it! Only 13 days till we go get Matt at the airport!