Wrapping up the 1st year

My last week in Seoul (for this time;)) was crazy. I got back from Busan around 3pm on Monday and then got ready and headed out to the Olympic Stadium to see Hillsong United--amazing!

I then spent the rest of the week packing up my classroom (I'll be moving classrooms next year), packing up my apartment (new apartment next year, too) and eating as much Korean food as possible. I also went out to DVD bangs and noreabangs. I also did a lot of shopping for gifts and went to many end-of-the-year faculty meetings and lunches. I also rewarded myself for another year completed my getting a massage and a new hair-do.

 Waving by to the students on the last day of school!

Getting my hair done

My last night, a whole bunch of us went out for dinner and noraebang (of course!). Then on Sunday, I got all of my luggage, headed down the hill and got on the airport bus to Incheon airport. I am definitely so happy to be back in the States but so glad that my time in Korea is not over.

I love living in one of the largest cities in the world and all the fun that comes with that. I love my job and my students and all the people I have met here throughout the last 10 months. I can't wait for future adventures in the Republic of Korea!

Looking rough after traveling all day when I first got here.

Busan

Monday June 6th was the Korean Memorial Day--3 day weekend! A few of us headed down to Busan for the holiday weekend. Busan is the second largest city in South Korea and is the country's largest port city. Busan (formally known as Pusan because of the change in the romanization of the name ) is located in the southeast part of the country.                                  

We took the KTX to Busan which is Korea's high-speed rail system. The travel time to Busan is generally about 4 hours or so but on the KTX, you can get there in a little less than 3 hours. Go bullet trains!

At the KTX at Seoul Station: We left at 7am---way too early

At the KTX stop in Busan

Welcome to Busan!

We toured the Haedong Yonggunsa Temple which  is on the northeastern coast of Busan. It was constructed in 1376 but then destroyed in a Japanese invasion. It was then restored in the 1930s.

Later that day, we headed to the world's largest department store, Shinsegae at Centum City. Of course Korea would have the world's largest department store!

At night, we walked on the beach and went to a mini carnival. The atmosphere reminded me of Niagara Falls and Atlantic City with all the lights and music everywhere.

Random dog ride!

On Sunday, we went back to the beach and saw the International Dance Festival and then headed to the Busan Aquarium.

The sand beach festival was also going on (Korea has so many festivals).

Salsa dancing!

Shinsegae Department store sand replica

What did we do Sunday night? Noreabang of course!

You just input the song number that you want (from these huge books with tons of songs) and you're set to be a rock star for the night!

Rocking out to The Cranberries

On the KTX on our way back to Seoul