What an eventful Chuseok weekend this was. Chuseok is the equivalent of Korean Thanksgiving, except its centered around the harvest moon. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the holiday jumps around. This year the holiday fell on Saturday and Sunday with the preparation day falling on Friday. Normally Chuseok falls in the middle of the week resulting in a 5 day weekend (Sat-Wed or Wed-Sun). This year we got screwed but whatever, its fine. Time off is time off. My weekend started on Thursday due to exams. I had no classes but I still had to be at school. At about 9:45am Mrs. Lee told me that I could go home. SCORE!!!
When I got home I stopped at Office Town to get a sketch book and some pencils then headed to Odongdo. I don't think the weather could have been any more perfect. It was high 70's at least and sunny. My plan was to explore every inch of the island then sit down for some sketching. Right after I hit the trail a Korean man called me over. Turns out he is a guide for Odongdo and also for a Buddhist hermitage (not Hyangiram). I proofread his speeches and he offered to give me a tour of Odongdo. It was spectacular. He took me all around the island. The Dragon's Cave, the Lighthouse, the sunrise viewpoint...everywhere. I tried to buy him something to drink afterwords but he refused. Climbing all around Odongdo was exhausting so I sat down to listen to the music, watch the fountains and do some sketching. Awesome way to spend an afternoon. That night was your typical LSG followed by noraebang shenanigans.
I laid low on friday and just rested. Later that evening I went to Yeocheon to pick up the groceries that I left at April's house. When I got back to my apartment, I saw that the light was on. My first thought was "funny, I thought I turned it off". There have been plenty of times where I had left and forgotten to turn off the light or tv. I unlocked my door and entered my apartment to find someone standing in my bathroom. That was probably the scariest thing I have ever experienced. You always think that if you return to find someone in your house you'll do this or that, but in reality you're too stunned for a few seconds. In that few seconds after my "OH SHIT!!!" I was looking eye to eye with the intruder, he said "sorry" in English, and ran out. It all happened so fast I didn't have time to chase him. From what I saw he wasn't carrying anything of mine. I quickly surveyed my apartment and saw my computer, ipod, digital camera, passport, and American money all right where they should be. I counted my blessings that I wasn't hurt and my posessions were still there. What really confused me was how he got in. My door was locked when I left and when I entered. My guess is that he somehow got in through my window. I vaguely remember seeing it open when I got in, although I know for a fact it was closed when I left. On Saturday morning I realized that I had in fact been robbed. The thief stole all my change. I have a jar next to my bed where I throw all my coins in when I get in every night. The jar had maybe 10,000 won. I guess the guy really needed to make a phone call.
Saturday was also relaxing. I went for a scooter ride all around town. From my house to Shinae and all the way to Dolsan. I can't even explain the traffic jam I was in on the way off of Dolsan island. Thats what you get when the only bridge on and off the island is only one lane each way. Good thing they're building the second bridge. At about 7 a bunch of us went to LSG where Matilda (one of the Korean owners) prepared a Chuseok feast for all the foreigners. Bulgogi (Korean BBQ), chop chae (noodles with veggies and beef), rice, seaweed chips, kimchi, and home made sampyeong or rice cakes. It was wicked good. After dinner a couple of bands played and some engineers from a container ship that was docked in Yeosu were giving out drinks like alcohol was going out of style.
Today was pretty eventful. A few of us went down to Mosagum beach. Yeah, the beach in October. It was great. We were the only ones there because Korean beach season ends in August but the weather is fine during the days up till now-ish. Even the water wasn't that bad. After dinner and ice cream we went to find bus cards. The Koreans have these little tag card things that they put on their phones (much like the charms you put on your phones) that give you a discounted bus fare. They cost between 6,000 and 7,000 won and you put however much money you want on them. I put 10,000 won on the pass and called it a day. Even though I have a scooter there will still be days where I'll want to take the bus if its raining or too cold. Also sometimes its just cheaper than taking a taxi if you're not going very far.
All in all, burglary aside, this was a great weekend. I haven't had a full work week in 3 weeks, so we'll see how this goes. Back to the daily grind tomorrow.
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