wanderlust

At a young age I was exposed to the joys and magnificence of traveling and exploring the world. It all started with a naive, fifteen year old me heading to Europe with NO FAMILIAR faces or people. Needless to say I was stricken with a strong sense social insecurity terror. Between making new friends,  American-school-approved severely underaged drinking sightseeing and becoming lost in the Vatican, I found myself drawn to the experience of something new, something different, something foreign. A thirst within me grew for new adventures, no matter the style.  Ahhhh. Yes. *deep inhale in* The beginnings of "the travel bug" have begun ...

 Had you told me then that I would become a world traveler, one who is more than comfortable traveling solo for extended periods of time, and to investigate, research, inquire and plan out multiple trips abroad I would have guffawed at you.  

With this increase in travel adventure had as well as ones to come, I cannot help but wonder how this will affect me long term. At no point in human history have we been afforded such vast opportunities to glimpse into the worlds and cultures of others as we are able to today. My question is, have I created a monster within? A monster of insatiable desire to travel the world, continually seeking the next new adventure that lays around the river bend?

Currently, I feel the strong desire to flee Korea and embark on another adventure. I don't even care what it is. I just know that I have learned all I can here; all that I was suppose to. I have completed the growth I was suppose to, at least started the continual process of self discovery, self acceptance and self exploration. My body is craving a change. I have become so complaisant with where I reside and I have grown to dislike this feeling of staleness.

On the flip-side, will I one day wish to settle down somewheres and not be able to? I will have left parts of myself across the world without a true sense of home in the broadest sense.  Will I wish to lay down roots and truly not know where this place is?

I do not anticipate that traveling will be ended for me, especially not in the foreseeable future. Though these questions do beg for some attention and consideration. In my quest for new adventures, new experiences, new sights and new smells, have I royally screwed myself over despite all the positive life gains I am creating?

Am I too old  for this one to apply to me any more? :p

Birthday Abroad

As each one of us ages, as each year passes, we are afforded the opportunity if being reflective and truly appreciating just how far we have come. Heck! I'm in Korea! Never would I have ventured to think I would end up here. So many wonderous experiences and opportunities have come my way simply by being here.

Though the day may have been filled with a sense of weirdness, uneasiness, a skin crawling feeling all day, and things may not have gone exactly to plan - but when do they get! - I was extremely fortunate to have a delightful birthday with my abroad friends. Thankfully I was able to Skype and phone home to chat with my family and friends. 

The day started with somewhat of a hike, hanging out wandering, a run to try and shake the full body willies, dinner and dancing. Regardless of the all encompassing blah, I had a rad day!

A Little Slice of Paradise

May log weekend in Korea - Buddha's birthday and Children's Day - afforded many a chunk of much needed respite to bring in the spring season. I for one was I desperate need of time away from work, the city and the daily grind that continues to feel never ending. 

Friends and family alike were nervous for the ferry ride to and from the islandof Jeju   after the recent tragedy. Little did we all know the bus ride to the ferry would prove to be the more dangerous portion of the trip. Our bus was cut off, swerved and was sideswiped by a semi. The semis side view mirror smashed through one of the bus windows, spidering the other windows on the same side. Luckily, when we landed all wheels back onto pavement the other bus prevented momentum from flipping us over and no one was injured.

Though our trip leader acted more as a tourist than a trip leader, our tours and stay in Jeju was fantastic. You always meet some very interesting characters and complainers along the way; this just added to the comical feel of our adventures. You can only look on the bright side, especially when you are on vacation!

Sitting on the sandy beach, listening to the waves crashing, children playing and feeling the warmth of the sunrays through the windchill I felt at home. The mountains. The smell of the sea. The relaxed, island time vibe. This trip has been truly spectacular. I never want to go back to the gray, drabbiness, conformity, monotonous, blah that is the mainland style.

I will definitely be trying very hard to bring the island time vibe into everyday here until I depart ...

Udo

Udo. I've never even heard the utterance of this islands name, yet it is more fantastical than Jeju and everyone hypes up Jeju! Full of magnificent scenery, ocean views, sea and sand in a multitude of colours, a complete island time feel. There is no place I can think of on the mainland that is such a wonder of untouched beauty. Though she was windy, as to be expected, the people and the sites were incredible. 

This too, is THE ONLY place in the world that one can taste peanut magkoli and peanut wine. I may have broken a personal sobriety contract in order to try these. And heck yes they were delicious!!! I even tried tangerine magkoli. Wow! What a tantalizing treat for my taste buds. mmmm, mouth pleasures!

We biked around the island stopping to view the sites along the way. Our trip ended at a burger joint, which we thought houses chocolate and burgers. Little did we know, it was a shrine dedicated to Anne of Green Gables - yes mamasita, I took pictures for you and thought of g-ma the entire time as dozens of porcelain, Anne replicas stared into my soul.

Hemya

A group of traditional Hemya (Korean lady divers), native to Jeju/Udo Island. Originally having dove naked, these women dive only with wetsuits, flippers, goggles and large lung capacities. If you have eaten seafood on the islands, it is more than likely they are responsible for it having been put on your plate!

After having achieved great financial success for their efforts, these women wanting nothing more than a better life for their daughters, used their earnings to pay for their children education on the mainland; many becoming doctors, lawyers, etc; Due to this, the traditional ways have not been passed down through the generations. The majority of Hemya are in ther late sixties! Slowly this incredible way of life is dying. I do wish I could be inducted into this career of badassery, becoming a tribal women, further perpetuating my 'dirty kid' lifestyle choice :)

A Welcomed Sense of Calm

The peacefulness and serenity of this temple truly resonates throughout your being. A sense of calm, a sense of presence, a sense of gratitude and appreciate overwhelm you positively. It creates a feeling of wanting to throw in the towel and go vagabond. And really what is there to stop us? Oh right, those pesky societal pressures we are continually bombarded with. Regardless of the life lessons I was to learn through my current job abroad, this place welcomes me. In the same breathe I am saddened that I was unable to be in a place like this on a daily basis. Something to strive for ...

Loveland; Jeju

If you're missing decent amount of sexual images with a focus in male genitalia, then Loveland is the place for you! Though the park is much smaller than anticipated, one can definitely take in an eyeful! With how convservative Koreans are about certain things, it is fascinating how many similar parks there are in Korea. Jeju has been no exception, and definitely does not disappoint.