tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55026632797031647742024-03-19T21:34:51.529+09:00Waking in the Land of the Morning CalmJUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-89137187316327401002009-09-18T19:15:00.002+09:002009-09-18T19:37:55.822+09:00On the Home StretchWith two and a half months of traveling behind me I am looking forward to the cross into Thailand for our last 5 weeks of backpacking. Right now I am in Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia - I've spent the last couple of days exploring the ancient Angkor Temples that were once the epicenter of the Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia. I've been fortunate enough to sit in front of the great Angkor Wat at sunrise among many of my experiences here. With Laos and Vietnam behind us there is still much more that awaits - the monsoon rainforests of eastern Thailand, the lazy charm of Mekong River villages, the vibes of of Pai, Chaing Mei, Chaing Rei, crazyBangkok, and the white sand beaches of the south for some R&R (rock climbing and rest).<br /><br />Here is the route we have taken so far through southeast Asia: starting in Hanoi south to Ninh Binh, back up to Halong Bay, north to Sapa, into Laos at Tay Trang, following the Nam river south to Muong Khua, Non Khiao, and onto Luang Prabang. From there it was 9 hours north to Luang Namtha for trekking then back down to LP before heading south to Vang Vieng, Vientiane, and Savannakhet. This was our last town before heading back into Vietnam at Hue. The road south took us to Danang, Hoi An, and Nha Trang before catching some cool highland climate in Dalat. Ho Chi Minh was our last destination in Vietnam before moving along into Cambodia as we didn't have the time to get to the Mekong Delta. In Cambodia we moved rather quickly stopping only in Phnom Penh, Battambang and here we are now in Siem Reap.<br /><br />There has been alot of change in plans as you meet other travelers and things don't always go your way because of time, money, and illogical bus schedules. There are many ways to do the route, this was just our way. If youre not already traveling, I advise to get on the road - there are more people out here than you think. It's easy and undoubtedly inspiring.<br /><br />Talk soon, justinJUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-37993100853225188162009-07-21T20:52:00.002+09:002009-07-21T21:05:40.328+09:00All is Well in VietnamIt's been a while since updating anything on this blog but I'd like to just take the moment to catch up with the past few weeks. Caitlin and I have arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam on July 6th and we have been travelling around the area for the past two weeks.<br /><br />So far, we have been to Ninh Binh where we explored Cuc Phuong National Park, Tam Coc Karsts, and some local temples. After that we headed back to Hanoi where we stopped momentarily before visiting our friends from Korea, Matt and Ashley. Matt works as a rockclimbing/adventure guide on Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay. We spent about four days there exploring the Island, the bay and getting to know the locals. We took a private boat out on the bay and did some kayaking under/around/through the giant karsts, tried my will at deep-water soloing on some gnarly cliff faces, learned how to ride a motorbike, and explored a Vietcong secret hospital that was built inside a hidden mountain.<br /><br />Now we are in the town of Sapa, the northwestern region of Vietnam. Sitting beneath mighty Fansipan, the city is quaint and almost European. With french colonial architecture, a large town plaza, and walkable streets the local charm is attractive. We are enjoying a break from the unbearable weather up here in the mountains and making some good friends among fellow travelers.<br /><br />We are doing things from early morning to early evening here - there is much to do, new food to be eaten, and great people to get all chummy with. The living is cheap and adventurous if you don't mind forgiving some modern conveniences (like cleanliness). All is well and I will be updating with pictures and stories to come. <br /><br />Talk soon, Justin.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-88875492709387666802009-06-25T12:30:00.004+09:002009-06-25T13:09:40.378+09:00Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SkL4ctix-DI/AAAAAAAAG5c/TnbHDKvevUI/s1600-h/IMG_2021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SkL4ctix-DI/AAAAAAAAG5c/TnbHDKvevUI/s400/IMG_2021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351112479415072818" border="0" /></a><br />Today, Thursday, is my last day of work. After ten months of living and working in Gwangju, South Korea the time has arrived to move onto bigger and better things. For those of you wondering my plans for after SK, here they are:<br /><br />After packing up my life and either donating it or shipping it home, Caitlin and I will be trekking around South Korea for one more week before departing. We are planning a week long camping trip with our friend Shane starting in the Southeastern islands of the peninsula. We will leave the city of Gwangju on Sunday and head for the island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoje">Geoje-do</a>, just south of Busan. From there we will seek out the private botanical island of Oeido and enjoy some beachfront camping. Next we will head of the eastern coast and to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=seoraksan">Seoraksan National Park</a> in the Northeastern corner. Beyond some more camping and hiking through beautiful wilderness, we will make our way over to our final destination - Seoul. After saying goodbye to some friends and taking in the last waves of Korean culture over the July 4th weekend, we will depart Korea forever heading for the city of Hanoi in northern Vietnam on July 6th.<br /><br />The next three months of the summer are still being hashed out but our basic scheme is a three month tour of the Southeast Asia Peninsula. Starting in the north we will do a loop through the uppermost mountain regions of Vietnam and Laos, stopping to checkout major (and not so major) cities along the way, climb Fansipan, explore tropical rainforests, and do a bit of volunteering along the way. From there we will return to Hanoi and head over the Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay to visit our friends Ashley and Matt, who are now living there and working as rockclimbing/adventure guides for a company called SloPony.<br /><br />After a rendezvous with our good friends the route will continue down the eastern coast of Vietnam stoppig in the likes of Vinh, Hue, Hoi An, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phong_Nha-Ke_Bang_National_Park">Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park</a> before arrving in Da Lat and Saigon. From there the best way into Cambodia will be a ferry trip up the Mekong River Delta. Pnom Penh and Siem Reap will not be our only stops in the beautiful country of Cambodia as we are sure side trips and travel buddies will come with the wind.<br /><br />Thailand will be one of our final destinations and we will try to explore as much into the vast country as we can. If time and budget permit, we would like to adventure south towards the Malaysian end of the peninsula. There is still much to figure out along the way but as budget travel permits itself to living by whats cheapest, safest, and most convenient at the time - plans will change. In our experience with traveling the good nature of local people always help guide you in the right direction.<br /><br />Our departure plans are set for either Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, depending on which country we are in at the end of our travels. From there I hope to fly into the west coast of the United States, visiting university friends in L.A. then heading up to the Pacific Northwest to see Ryan and Jen, little Jenny, and maybe even baby RJ. If it is possible I would like to check out Vancouver and Portland as possbile places to live and work while I am in the area.<br /><br />Everyone take a deep breath.<br /><br />Then its finally back to home. Where I hope to be greeted by family, friends, and mounds of assorted cheeses.<br /><br />I won't have a computer on the road but there will be many PC Rooms that I will be able to drop a line every now and again to update everyone with progress and pictures. I hope to keep in touch with everyone near and far so I will be using my email more frequently. You can reach me at justinmrazik@gmail.com.<br /><br />So long for now and take care, JustinJUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-13060243483209506172009-06-20T19:18:00.003+09:002009-06-20T19:22:38.268+09:00Bogil-do<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/BogilDo?feat=directlink"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sjy36JNV-mI/AAAAAAAAG20/RFQMie2xk1s/s400/bogildo-137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349352666941487714" border="0" /></a><br />Enjoy some <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/BogilDo?feat=directlink">photos</a> from our weekend on Bogil-do, one of the southernmost islands stemming from the Korean peninsula.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-90180280880486306072009-06-10T23:49:00.013+09:002009-06-12T13:50:49.826+09:00Jirisan National ParkCaitlin and I took a weekend trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jirisan</span> National Park. The park is absolutely gorgeous, you could spend an entire week there trekking up mountain and through valleys. We did not have the leisure to do the longest walk in the park (65km from western to eastern end) but we did a fair amount of hiking. We covered about 8-9 hours of wilderness hiking in total by the end of the weekend. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_RsGEsFjI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/qzu3XQWg-fE/s1600-h/jirisan-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_RsGEsFjI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/qzu3XQWg-fE/s400/jirisan-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345721838186796594" border="0" /></a><br />We started at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hwaesom</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sa</span> temple, worked our way up to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nogodan</span> Peak where we stayed for the night. The following day we took a valley trail down the mountain and ended our day in the little riverside village of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Banseon</span>.<br /><br />Before embarking on the mountain, we were bombarded by a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">hordette</span> of snacking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Korean</span> children at least 20 deep. They spotted us entering the park and were quick to try their "hellos" on us. As soon as one child discovered that we <span style="font-style: italic;">really did</span> speak <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">English</span> and that we really were <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> form Korea, it wasn't long before we became the new attraction for the entire field trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_RsTR94MI/AAAAAAAAGiY/62Wjn5-t-_Y/s1600-h/jirisan2-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_RsTR94MI/AAAAAAAAGiY/62Wjn5-t-_Y/s400/jirisan2-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345721841732149442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_TRRbjngI/AAAAAAAAGjY/r8hZESqMS5k/s1600-h/jirisan2-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_TRRbjngI/AAAAAAAAGjY/r8hZESqMS5k/s400/jirisan2-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345723576402288130" border="0" /></a><br />It was their lunchtime so if you can imagine being surrounded by a group of kids all snacking on big, dirty bags of chips and bugles while sucking down pints of sugary red juices you can't help but feel like a sideshow to them. We fielded all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">types</span> of questions from their little-kid, crumb-encrusted mouths. "Where are you from? Who is your favorite baseball player? Do you like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kimchi</span>? Are you married? Do you like bananas? Is your hair real? " and others...<br /><br />(there are oranges in my backpack)<br /><br />Little Kid: "Do you like oranges?"<br />Me: "Are you going through my backpack?"<br />Little Kid: (motions away from backpack)<br /><br />One little girl made Caitlin move her cell phone off of the bench to make room enough to sit next to her. We were being inspected, analyzed by their little Korean minds and their grubby little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">cheetoh</span> fingers. They left us with the premonition, "you will see a bear today!"<br /><br />...and up we went.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_SrXB-71I/AAAAAAAAGjI/G9wyYiVeT8E/s1600-h/jirisan-87.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_SrXB-71I/AAAAAAAAGjI/G9wyYiVeT8E/s400/jirisan-87.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345722925070610258" border="0" /></a><br />The mountain was foggy the entire weekend so we weren't fortunate enough to take in the full vistas of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Jirisan</span> but we were still gifted with beautiful virgin forests, peculiar natural oddities, and cascading rivers. The variety of trails and maturity of wilderness in this area has made it one of my favorite hiking spots in South Korea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_RslYbl5I/AAAAAAAAGig/XMsP2JL7bQA/s1600-h/jirisan-25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_RslYbl5I/AAAAAAAAGig/XMsP2JL7bQA/s400/jirisan-25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345721846591100818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_SqZEwd8I/AAAAAAAAGiw/scGr50Qt7RY/s1600-h/jirisan-30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_SqZEwd8I/AAAAAAAAGiw/scGr50Qt7RY/s400/jirisan-30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345722908439246786" border="0" /></a><br />Upon arrival at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Nogodan</span> mountain hut after a somewhat empty hike up we were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">surprised</span> to see that there were crowds of people at the top that had <span style="font-style: italic;">driven</span> to the peak to spend the night with their families. A wonderful location indeed to do so, but we felt they had cheated the grueling demands of the mountain. Not only that, but we were late to claim a room for the night and didn't have a plan B.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_RtANrgeI/AAAAAAAAGio/sfpLPFZdMlk/s1600-h/jirisan-41.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_RtANrgeI/AAAAAAAAGio/sfpLPFZdMlk/s400/jirisan-41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345721853793763810" border="0" /></a><br />On top of the mountain at 6pm with minimal food and no place to sleep: "So, Mr. Mountain Man Sir, what happens if no room opens up - where can we go?" He replies in broken <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Konglish</span>, "You...uh...you, uh, must...go down." <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Ok</span>? We ended up waiting for an hour and a half and a couple slots opened up for us to stay the night, thankfully.<br /><br />The mountain hut is an interesting experience. There are basically two bunked up platforms, the lower one for men and the upper for women. Visitors sleep side by side beneath the number that you are designated. I was given number "73."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_SqkCvJ-I/AAAAAAAAGi4/wgORsyRB_Y0/s1600-h/jirisan-51.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_SqkCvJ-I/AAAAAAAAGi4/wgORsyRB_Y0/s400/jirisan-51.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345722911383562210" border="0" /></a><br />I slept next to an elderly Korean man whom I'd repeatedly wake up with his hand on my face. On the other side, a bulbous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">rolly</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">polly</span> whom <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">wreaked</span> of Korean plum wine and couldn't keep his farts to himself. Not to add that you wake up delirious from the piping heat...a wonderful place to sleep. Seriously though, at W7,000 a night - you cannot find a cheaper sleep in Korea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_SqwNjmNI/AAAAAAAAGjA/5Mq9-uFhmMI/s1600-h/jirisan-82.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_SqwNjmNI/AAAAAAAAGjA/5Mq9-uFhmMI/s400/jirisan-82.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345722914650167506" border="0" /></a><br />From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Nogodan</span> Peak hiking down the valley the next day was wonderful. The trail down <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Baemsagol</span> Valley runs almost entirely alongside a cascading river. There are so many places to stop and eat lunch on the middle of a warm, flat rock surrounding yourself with gushing whitewater. This 5 hour hike allows plenty of time to make friends with the teams of Korean hikers. One group of fellow hikers shared with us their lunch of freshly-sliced squid, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">totori</span> (acorn tofu), sticky bean rice, fish salad, and various types of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Kimchi</span>. We left them with a bag of trail mix as thanks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_T5Tqn76I/AAAAAAAAGjo/1j9NzPZM_VQ/s1600-h/jirisan-163.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_T5Tqn76I/AAAAAAAAGjo/1j9NzPZM_VQ/s400/jirisan-163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345724264197124002" border="0" /></a><br />"<span class="huge">In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." -John Muir<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_WnWu4xuI/AAAAAAAAGkU/dcPGe0HkMXQ/s1600-h/IMG_0754.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_WnWu4xuI/AAAAAAAAGkU/dcPGe0HkMXQ/s400/IMG_0754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345727254317549282" border="0" /></a><br />If you are planning a trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Jirisan</span> yourself from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Gwangju</span> the bus runs to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Gurye</span> about every 30-40 minutes from U-Station, costs about W7,000, and takes 1.5 hours. From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Gurye</span> we took a 20 minute shuttle to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Hwaeom</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">sa</span> temple for W1,000. We entered the park from the Southwestern corner of the park at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Hwaeom</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Sa</span> Temple.<br /><br />From there, the hike to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Nogodan</span> Peak takes about 3.5 hours. If you are planning on staying in one of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Jirisan</span> mountain huts be sure to have a reservation in advance, bring sleeping gear, and any food or cooking equipment you might want. Most information says they provide cooking equipment, but they don't. We had to ask the hut staff to boil us some water just so we could cook noodles. You can rent warm blankets for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">chun</span> each, which I recommend - they are very warm. The rooms are also pumped full of heat and the number of sleeping bodies crowded together can make for a sweaty night.<br /><br />You can hike north through the park and come out the other side at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Banseon</span>, where you can catch a shuttle bus to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Namwon</span> (about an hour ride, W6,000). From there you can catch a bus back to U-Station. Here is a map of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Jirisan</span>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_VvHSPjCI/AAAAAAAAGkM/g4jE_NoApRQ/s1600-h/IMG_0614.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Si_VvHSPjCI/AAAAAAAAGkM/g4jE_NoApRQ/s400/IMG_0614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345726288098200610" border="0" /></a><br />Trail map of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Jirisan</span> National Park. Click on it for a larger view.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/JirisanNationalPark02?feat=directlink"><br />More Jirisan Pictures</a>JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-81465653799866405382009-05-27T14:26:00.004+09:002009-05-27T14:35:23.471+09:00Green Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzPcprkf1I/AAAAAAAAGMg/r1-4xQypr6w/s1600-h/IMG_0228.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzPcprkf1I/AAAAAAAAGMg/r1-4xQypr6w/s400/IMG_0228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340371349286453074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzP4buN_dI/AAAAAAAAGNA/JyE1Etj3yFI/s1600-h/IMG_8224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzP4buN_dI/AAAAAAAAGNA/JyE1Etj3yFI/s400/IMG_8224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340371826575801810" border="0" /></a><br />The sunnier days have made my plants grow at a faster rate than ever before. My large succulent is sprouting all kinds of limbs and the base of the trunk is hardening even more. You can see in just a month's time that the upper limbs are multiplying rapidly and more leaves are appearing with each day.<br /><br />The avocado below is maturing quickly and the leaves have finally unfolded. They double in size within a week and the stem has quadrupled in size within a fortnight's time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzPdcOZM2I/AAAAAAAAGM4/0Z_TxAr40T8/s1600-h/IMG_5468.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzPdcOZM2I/AAAAAAAAGM4/0Z_TxAr40T8/s400/IMG_5468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340371362854286178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzPc7--uFI/AAAAAAAAGMo/O_NE9eJ_cZ8/s1600-h/IMG_0232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzPc7--uFI/AAAAAAAAGMo/O_NE9eJ_cZ8/s400/IMG_0232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340371354199701586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzPdGErZLI/AAAAAAAAGMw/SwarU_xKxKo/s1600-h/IMG_0233.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShzPdGErZLI/AAAAAAAAGMw/SwarU_xKxKo/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340371356907955378" border="0" /></a>JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-78608925747298309202009-05-27T10:05:00.008+09:002009-05-27T12:45:00.441+09:00Sinji-do Beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShycfWrh4wI/AAAAAAAAGK4/IyYNQ1kK124/s1600-h/sinji-do-38.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShycfWrh4wI/AAAAAAAAGK4/IyYNQ1kK124/s400/sinji-do-38.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340315320632599298" border="0" /></a><br />This past weekend a group of us ten large went to the southern coast of the Korean peninsula to enjoy a beach weekend at Sinji-do. The land mass breaks up into a cluster of hundreds of islands in the south so it is simple to find adventure within a couple hours' travel. From Gwangju, you can take a 2 hour bus ride to Wando [W14,000] and then get on a shuttle bus to Sinji-do (Sin-jee-do Beach-ee) for W1,100.<br /><br />There is a small town that hosts beach goers mostly through the summer but its nicer to get here earlier in the season before the organized hordes of Koreans arrive and take over the coast. It was clear that this beach gets packed as there was a public restroom every 100m down the entire boardwalk. You can camp here if you like but there were so many of us that we rented out two minbaks and spread out on the floor. They only cost W30,000 per night so its the best bet if you have a large group of people without tents.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Shycgffz29I/AAAAAAAAGLQ/M4FSF42rFYk/s1600-h/sinji-do-86.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Shycgffz29I/AAAAAAAAGLQ/M4FSF42rFYk/s400/sinji-do-86.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340315340179233746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShyeDrcKTvI/AAAAAAAAGLo/uoHTp9-qqOs/s1600-h/sinji-do-90.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShyeDrcKTvI/AAAAAAAAGLo/uoHTp9-qqOs/s400/sinji-do-90.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340317044192202482" border="0" /></a><br />We brought with us a slew of vegetables, weiners, fruit, and homemade dips to chow on. The minbaks provide mini ranges and refrigerators so its best to bring your own food because the coast towns don't have much but ramen and snacks in their bodegas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShycupOc7eI/AAAAAAAAGLY/GmhGQDXbK54/s1600-h/sinji-do-117.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShycupOc7eI/AAAAAAAAGLY/GmhGQDXbK54/s400/sinji-do-117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340315583308951010" border="0" /></a><br />It was cloudy at first but the sky cleared up and we got the best of the beach weather. We met a trio of Italians - Alissio, Fabio, and ???? - that work for a boat engine manufacturer in Mokpo and miss cheese as much as we do. Also, we witnessed a series of Korean families participating in over-organized beach games. This included relay races up and down the beach amongst 50-60 year old Korean men and women dressed in hiking gear. They also played a game in a circle where you hold one leg up in the air and attempt to knock others down with your remaining balance. Quite the show.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Shycfm2_sgI/AAAAAAAAGLA/VwTKaf4tmwI/s1600-h/sinji-do-21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Shycfm2_sgI/AAAAAAAAGLA/VwTKaf4tmwI/s400/sinji-do-21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340315324975657474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Shycf_e3LEI/AAAAAAAAGLI/QrwYHRVmHTk/s1600-h/sinji-do-51.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Shycf_e3LEI/AAAAAAAAGLI/QrwYHRVmHTk/s400/sinji-do-51.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340315331585322050" border="0" /></a><br />Of course we played some of our own games too. Matt devised the literary version of the popular Korean wrestling game, his rendition included a Venn Diagram that each player was required to stay within without being forced out by your opponent. You will get the gist from the <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/SinjiDoBeachFantastic?feat=directlink">pictures</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShycvNECdSI/AAAAAAAAGLg/wOtenQzi4Yk/s1600-h/sinji-do-107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShycvNECdSI/AAAAAAAAGLg/wOtenQzi4Yk/s400/sinji-do-107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340315592928949538" border="0" /></a><br />One of our friends also broke/sprained her ankle going up the stairs and since there were no hospitals open within a 50 mile radius we succumbed to our better resources. She was up and running again with an ankle support made of fishing net and twine. Later I fashioned a crutch from a pine limb and leftover twine.<br /><br />This upcoming weekend we are saying goodbye to our friends <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b6eXeCfy70OAhC3ifNo5Eg?feat=directlink">Matt and Ashley</a> as they finish up their year in Gwangju and head to Halong Bay in Vietnam. Matt will be working as a rock climbing guide and Ashley is transforming herself into a an avid adventurer...I mean she's already got the gear for it.<br /><br />The Italians, Jess Lewis, and a bunch of our other friends will be descending on Gwangju to join in on the festvities...which include a group campfire at the secret pagoda up on our ridge, an international food and talent festival at Honnam University, a Korean body-building competition, final group bike rides along the stream, and a JoEun Villa rooftop yard sale.<br /><br />One month left on the contract and every weekend is booked.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/SinjiDoBeachFantastic?feat=directlink"><br />Sinji-do pictures</a>.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-14991385631753140932009-05-22T17:38:00.005+09:002009-05-22T18:40:41.452+09:00HDR<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/d9t7FVSi2iRTJXBMF3P3aA?feat=directlink"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShZk9FQceMI/AAAAAAAAF-c/hPixT6m0-vI/s400/apartments3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338565408840251586" border="0" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/d9t7FVSi2iRTJXBMF3P3aA?feat=directlink">This</a> is my first attempt at an <a href="http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/HDR_ps/hdr-ps.htm">HDR Image</a>. The construction site you see in the foreground is a luxury apartment complex that they began putting up around the time I arrived in Korea. You can see that they have no problem putting a couple buildings up at a time, adding to the already-clustered valley of high-rise apartments. I took [then later altered] this picture from the 24th floor of an adjacent complex right across the street.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-76894779065404581032009-05-18T17:45:00.003+09:002009-05-18T17:52:23.085+09:00Miniature Korea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/MiniatureKorea02?feat=directlink"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ShEgdS-yxyI/AAAAAAAAF8E/OwIcmSB108w/s400/constructiontrucks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337082721094256418" border="0" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/MiniatureKorea02?feat=directlink">Here</a> are some photos that I have been working on. I have been experimenting with tilt-shift effects and I think the results are rather enjoyable. Tilt-shift is another way to make it appear that you are taking photos of a small model. If you want to try for yourself, here is a <a href="http://www.tiltshiftphotography.net/photoshop-tutorial.php">tutorial</a> on how to do it.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-41271578127714607612009-05-03T22:10:00.003+09:002009-05-03T22:34:38.839+09:00This Kid's Name is Tobias<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sf2X7_jw2BI/AAAAAAAAFyw/GlwgjUtVngE/s1600-h/IMG_7169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sf2X7_jw2BI/AAAAAAAAFyw/GlwgjUtVngE/s400/IMG_7169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331584590806046738" border="0" /></a><br />Alot of the kids that attend Avalon have never had an English name before so there has become the interesting ritual of "naming" our children. In my one elementary class most of the kids are first-time Hogwon students and have yet to be given an English name. There is a traditional name list and a creative name list that you can pass around to the kids and let them pick one. Some of the kids, like Tobias, don't even know where to start when picking an English name so I usually have to choose one for them. There tend to be some unusually named children at our school given the satirical attitude of the foreign teaching staff.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sf2X8T7OtnI/AAAAAAAAFzA/zVx98fwEaSg/s1600-h/IMG_7165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sf2X8T7OtnI/AAAAAAAAFzA/zVx98fwEaSg/s400/IMG_7165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331584596273182322" border="0" /></a>This is Bear. However, the other kids made fun of his name so I took the privilege of changing it to Noah. I think he will grow up to be a virtuous young man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sf2X8PunbZI/AAAAAAAAFy4/SiGCQBBZtes/s1600-h/IMG_7164.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sf2X8PunbZI/AAAAAAAAFy4/SiGCQBBZtes/s400/IMG_7164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331584595146534290" border="0" /></a>The kids pictured above are name Tom (green), Steel (back left), and Kyd. Some of the more peculiar names I've come across have been:<br /><br />Brain<br />President<br />Thunder<br />Star<br />Guy<br />Santa<br />Chalice<br />D (like the letter)<br /><br />If any of you are planning to have kids anytime soon...gimme a call. I've got experience identifying children with a proper name.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-17729189105600632432009-05-01T14:34:00.007+09:002009-05-01T15:40:29.532+09:00Octopus Ocellatus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfqKcRCIH4I/AAAAAAAAFxU/7W7hnASgJbg/s1600-h/tentacles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfqKcRCIH4I/AAAAAAAAFxU/7W7hnASgJbg/s400/tentacles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330725327159697282" border="0" /></a>Since I am destitute of my own mother's home cooking here I have to cop meals off of my Korean friend's mothers. My friend and co-worker, <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k_fZlTeMuAYkKPU42K0qAw?feat=directlink">Kihyun</a>, offered to have her mother cook me some of her specialty octopus...I was quick to accept. A week later she showed up at my door with containers full of octopus ocellatus, rice, and kimchi. A meal here wouldn't be complete without a full spread.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfqLf3x6PfI/AAAAAAAAFxc/mdY0lRZQ_PU/s1600-h/yum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfqLf3x6PfI/AAAAAAAAFxc/mdY0lRZQ_PU/s400/yum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330726488611896818" border="0" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k_fZlTeMuAYkKPU42K0qAw?feat=directlink">Kihyun</a> said she eats this dish with her family regularly.<br /><br />The octopus is separated in half - tentacles from head - and cleaned. It's then mixed with an assortment of vegetables - mushrooms, carrots, onions, peppers - and cooked in sesame and a spicy red pepper sauce. It leaves the mouth tingling with delight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfqKDxPw7JI/AAAAAAAAFw0/udoZVfwaBtI/s1600-h/eating.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfqKDxPw7JI/AAAAAAAAFw0/udoZVfwaBtI/s400/eating.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330724906310102162" border="0" /></a>Yes, I always take my meals without a shirt on...it gives me a much more primordial experience of eating.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfqKEBO2IoI/AAAAAAAAFw8/LPVHv-BfHx8/s1600-h/spread.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfqKEBO2IoI/AAAAAAAAFw8/LPVHv-BfHx8/s400/spread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330724910601216642" border="0" /></a>Pictured above is the full culinary ensamble. This photo wouldn't be complete without the unintentional yet aptly placed copy of Michael Pollan's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Defense-Food-Eaters-Manifesto/dp/1594201455"><span style="font-style: italic;">In Defense of Food</span></a>.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-71804330821350615652009-04-26T14:29:00.008+09:002009-04-27T00:37:47.460+09:00Honam Marathon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfP2qtbOtKI/AAAAAAAAFvs/N2y1WH1iNMY/s1600-h/burnin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfP2qtbOtKI/AAAAAAAAFvs/N2y1WH1iNMY/s400/burnin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328873997718172834" border="0" /></a><br />1:39:31 - my final time for the <a href="http://www.run.com/showroute.asp?map=1539756">Honam Half Marathon</a>. The race last Sunday was everything I had hoped for. My original goal was to hit 1:45:00,so it was exciting to come in more than 5 minutes faster than what I had planned. The race was fulfilling for many reasons...it was great to bring two months training into fruition, I met some wonderful people, and racing competitively again brought back some good memories of running high school XC.<br /><br />I thought I would be running alone the day of the race but it wasn't far into the first kilometer before finding a friend. A fellow foreigner pulled up beside me early in the race, introduced himself to me and we stuck a healthy pace together for the first 10 kilometers. Chris (pictured below) is a brewer from South Africa and, along with his wife Daniela, a longtime avid runner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPxjxYGCEI/AAAAAAAAFvM/R8zJ8aDI418/s1600-h/finished.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPxjxYGCEI/AAAAAAAAFvM/R8zJ8aDI418/s400/finished.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328868380961540162" border="0" /></a><br />I shared a brief hello with the couple before the race, thinking to myself that I would see them again later in the day. I was right when he pulled up beside me in the first leg and we enjoyed a short chat. It was good to have Chris' encouragement during the run, it really does help to have a fellow runner push you along...it was good teamwork all the way to the half mark. Chris managed the strength to push ahead, finishing two minutes ahead of my own time. He was nice enough to send me our shared splits the week after the race:<br /><br /><div>1st km = 4:15</div> <div>2nd km = 4:30</div> <div>3rd km = 4:41</div> <div>4th km = 4:38</div> <div>5th km = 4:17</div> <div>6th km = 4:37</div> <div>7th km = 4:34</div> <div>8th km = 4:48</div> <div>9th km = 4:42</div> <div>10th km = 4:42<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />I had a bit of worry halfway into the race when I began to cramp up and the pain became crippling. It was one of those awful stitch cramps that gets you in the gut and paralyzes the rest of your body. I had a moment where I thought I had screwed my chances for a good time. After pushing through it and gaining control of my breathing, I managed to catch back up to my original pace. It was helpful to have some of the other racers push me on. Even though there were only 2-3 foreigners in my race, the comradery with the Korean runners was encouraging the entire way.<br /><br />I thought I was well into two hours when I hit the stadium because the cramp had slowed me down. Quite surprisingly I was well ahead of my mark as I approached the finish line. I ended up hitting halfway at 53 minutes and managed the second leg of the race even faster than the first at 47 minutes...much quicker than I had imagined at the time.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPzPh0dPnI/AAAAAAAAFvk/Z_9j1CXTaK0/s1600-h/people.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPzPh0dPnI/AAAAAAAAFvk/Z_9j1CXTaK0/s400/people.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328870232211406450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPzPWPS8OI/AAAAAAAAFvc/UGp-TaYB5iE/s1600-h/girls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPzPWPS8OI/AAAAAAAAFvc/UGp-TaYB5iE/s400/girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328870229102751970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPzPZpaE4I/AAAAAAAAFvU/OLl0I4Y9ZGg/s1600-h/hoorah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPzPZpaE4I/AAAAAAAAFvU/OLl0I4Y9ZGg/s400/hoorah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328870230017577858" border="0" /></a><br />Altogether it was a fulfilling day. The girls - Leah, Caitlin, and Cassandra - had a great run together and we all finished the event on a happy note. This race has inspired me to go for longer distances, adventure out into the countryside more, and set more challenging goals for myself. Perhaps a full marathon, a distance bike journey, or even a transnational walk will be in the books, who knows?....maybe Greg Allen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPxj_gmSII/AAAAAAAAFvE/DGu6OtK7Obo/s1600-h/world+cup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPxj_gmSII/AAAAAAAAFvE/DGu6OtK7Obo/s400/world+cup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328868384755304578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPxjpnFWiI/AAAAAAAAFu8/gVQzHtuD7Kc/s1600-h/gunninit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SfPxjpnFWiI/AAAAAAAAFu8/gVQzHtuD7Kc/s400/gunninit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328868378876926498" border="0" /></a>I have to give full credit to my lanky British friend, <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xucUtMKWekk4Ta8olUkbwA?feat=directlink">Stuart Beesley</a>, for the beautiful photographs of the day. He really is a nice guy once you get to know him...don't let his dead-person eyes fool you.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-80659855391763795112009-04-23T18:19:00.003+09:002009-04-23T18:31:34.450+09:00FoodThree upcoming documentaries about the food we eat:<br /><br /><object width="400" height="270"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4189462&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4189462&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="270"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/4189462">FRESH trailer</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1599293">ana joanes</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yhhfr_hIL7A&hl=ko&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yhhfr_hIL7A&hl=ko&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><object width="400" height="320"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4110659&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4110659&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="320"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/4110659">Food Inc.</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/organicjar">Jason Cairns</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-30692391655211718312009-04-20T12:50:00.005+09:002009-04-20T13:18:34.203+09:00New Specs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SevzAtQVUaI/AAAAAAAAFtc/z26AuILqhZU/s1600-h/Photo+55.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SevzAtQVUaI/AAAAAAAAFtc/z26AuILqhZU/s400/Photo+55.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326618177769394594" border="0" /></a>Check the new rec specs...eye care is wicked cheap in Korea. At home I could buy a new pair of frames, lenses and an eye exam all for about the happy price of 200-250 bucks. Plus, I'd have to wait a week or two for my glasses to be ready...I love complaining...but if/when <span style="font-style: italic;">all </span>of you come to Korea this is the place to upgrade your specs.<br /><br />I enjoyed an eye exam, prescription lenses, and new frames for 50,000 won (current equivalent of $37USD). Also, since Caitlin and I were such nice customers the optometry staff also decided to offer my frames to me as "service," or as we know it better, "free." This was all put together for us in a matter of fifteen minutes while we enjoyed a cup of juice on the couch and caught up on Christina Aguilera's latest weight gain in <span style="font-style: italic;">Glamour</span> Magazine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sev3gxiuJhI/AAAAAAAAFtk/Nj-TWcg39qw/s1600-h/Photo+66.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sev3gxiuJhI/AAAAAAAAFtk/Nj-TWcg39qw/s400/Photo+66.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326623126722586130" border="0" /></a>JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-63214993368669764922009-04-15T00:07:00.002+09:002009-04-15T00:11:53.122+09:00In A Dream<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3115082&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3115082&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/3115082">IN A DREAM: Theatrical Trailer</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/herzliyafilms">Herzliya Films</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br />For anyone familiar with all of the mosaic murals in Philly, here comes a documentary about the man behind them all - Isaiah ZagarJUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-73985357613971431922009-04-13T15:44:00.005+09:002009-04-13T17:16:50.259+09:00The Long Now<object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/StewartBrand_2004-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/StewartBrand-2004.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=402"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/StewartBrand_2004-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/StewartBrand-2004.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=402" width="446" height="326"></embed></object><br /><br />This is one of my favorite <a href="http://www.ted.com/">TED Talks</a> and an ideal multidisciplinary design project. Forward-thinking, listening to the natural environment, and working with a cooperative team of highly specialized professionals.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-22912648102757433062009-04-09T13:31:00.003+09:002009-04-09T13:38:11.146+09:00Green Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd16nIxF1rI/AAAAAAAAFqo/l2hBeoNF6hA/s1600-h/IMG_4134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd16nIxF1rI/AAAAAAAAFqo/l2hBeoNF6hA/s400/IMG_4134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322545147408668338" border="0" /></a>Remember this short little guy? Well, look at him now. Not only has he grown twice in height but he is now morphing into a whole new animal. There are entirely new limbs replicating out of the main stem of the plant. Not only that but the stem is beginning to form a protective bark at the base of the plant. He seems to want to branch out and explore a new axis of life..it may be time for a re-potting soon. How metaphorical?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd16ne5yOJI/AAAAAAAAFqw/TDlcI6p303A/s1600-h/IMG_8224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd16ne5yOJI/AAAAAAAAFqw/TDlcI6p303A/s400/IMG_8224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322545153350711442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd16nUPUaXI/AAAAAAAAFq4/QWrFUFcYDfw/s1600-h/IMG_8225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd16nUPUaXI/AAAAAAAAFq4/QWrFUFcYDfw/s400/IMG_8225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322545150488242546" border="0" /></a>JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-10444817975323738752009-04-09T13:28:00.003+09:002009-04-09T13:31:22.125+09:00Caitlin's Granola Bars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd151jiNjWI/AAAAAAAAFqg/Q2wtpXBqzuk/s1600-h/IMG_8220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd151jiNjWI/AAAAAAAAFqg/Q2wtpXBqzuk/s400/IMG_8220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322544295600557410" border="0" /></a>Here are some snaps of Caitlin's latest creation. These homemade granola bars are perfect for a grab out of the ol' pack on your way up the trail...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd151JlIlII/AAAAAAAAFqQ/x5j292imQ64/s1600-h/IMG_8222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd151JlIlII/AAAAAAAAFqQ/x5j292imQ64/s400/IMG_8222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322544288633492610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd151uvKusI/AAAAAAAAFqY/rrlkXmMbrMg/s1600-h/IMG_8223.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd151uvKusI/AAAAAAAAFqY/rrlkXmMbrMg/s400/IMG_8223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322544298607688386" border="0" /></a>JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-27165192548985046392009-04-09T12:03:00.008+09:002009-04-09T13:27:50.265+09:00Wolchulsan II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1mSxyq9zI/AAAAAAAAFoU/5_OCrqMvBbA/s1600-h/IMG_8094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1mSxyq9zI/AAAAAAAAFoU/5_OCrqMvBbA/s400/IMG_8094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322522807411341106" border="0" /></a>Caitlin and I went back to Wolchulsan National Park over the weekend and decided to camp the night instead of heading back to Gwangju. Our original plan was to hike from <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6t_eFNvtNJ3fc1SbIcpS_A?feat=directlink">Dogapsa</a> Temple in the West to Cheonhwangsa in the East (8km, about 5-6 hours) with all of our gear. That plan was quickly fumbled as our jackass taxi driver sped off towards the wrong end of the park. He tried charging us 5,000 won for a 1 minute taxi drive that had us buckled up and hanging on for our lives...when we got out I flashed him the stink-eye and stiffed him with a measely 4,000 won. Prick.<br /><br />It turns out that he got the best of us, as I later found out that the mouthpiece of my camelback had come loose in his trunk and we would be without a water carrier for the day. We hadn't planned to be on this side of the park and our water was gone so we decided to setup camp on the Cheonhwangsa side of the park, hike the peak, then return the way we came. It worked out much better this way because the course was much steeper than we expected and would have been an unwanted pain with our packs.<br /><br />Hiking up to Cheonwangbong at 809m is not the highest of peaks but it is certainly one of the most beautiful in Korea. Wolchulsan has some of the craggiest landscape I've seen in any park here and a cool sky bridge to boot. Just before crossing this bridge, we were invited by a troupe of adjumas to share in their Korean feast. It would be rude not to indulge so Caitlin and I were glad to accept some of their mysterious Korean wraps. After being reassured there was no meat inside, Caitlin ate hers only to find that it was oddly crunchy and tasted like putrid fish. She was polite and swallowed even though the taste could have ensued vomit. Caitlin hurried away before losing it to the pavement and tried washing the taste out of her mouth with a granola bar and pumpkin bread snack. The strong taste, however, remained in her mouth for the rest of the day and made for some bouts of queasiness. Gross.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1mSbDbY0I/AAAAAAAAFoE/ZoKFdyZ91mM/s1600-h/IMG_8024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1mSbDbY0I/AAAAAAAAFoE/ZoKFdyZ91mM/s400/IMG_8024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322522801307607874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1mSqx4C1I/AAAAAAAAFoM/oSoQL-tNi9M/s1600-h/IMG_8063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1mSqx4C1I/AAAAAAAAFoM/oSoQL-tNi9M/s400/IMG_8063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322522805528955730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1tTDmnlgI/AAAAAAAAFpA/ZSNAE8AuKHo/s1600-h/IMG_8070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1tTDmnlgI/AAAAAAAAFpA/ZSNAE8AuKHo/s400/IMG_8070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322530508774020610" border="0" /></a><br />Reaching Cheonwangbong, we snapped some pictures of adjumas at the top then rested with the perky-eared squirrels to have some lunch. We had a pbj and a veggie sandwich, homemade granola bars and bread, and a couple handfuls of cherry tomatoes. From up here you could see Yeongam to the north (where we arrived by bus), spreads of rice fields, and the descending western trail to Dogapsa. After a brief lunch we gathered our things and headed down the valley path before Caitlin would lose full circulation in her fingers. The peaks and valleys here and very windy and can make your extremedies rather numb.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1tTFWOk6I/AAAAAAAAFpI/8NKet6TAE0A/s1600-h/IMG_8111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1tTFWOk6I/AAAAAAAAFpI/8NKet6TAE0A/s400/IMG_8111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322530509242143650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1tS4lPnVI/AAAAAAAAFo4/mz15YqfPq1A/s1600-h/IMG_8128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1tS4lPnVI/AAAAAAAAFo4/mz15YqfPq1A/s400/IMG_8128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322530505815465298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1uu4PvwGI/AAAAAAAAFpg/E-8OGe10HDw/s1600-h/IMG_8174.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1uu4PvwGI/AAAAAAAAFpg/E-8OGe10HDw/s400/IMG_8174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322532086273261666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1uuqZiNMI/AAAAAAAAFpY/DdKiVigwI0s/s1600-h/IMG_8173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1uuqZiNMI/AAAAAAAAFpY/DdKiVigwI0s/s400/IMG_8173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322532082556220610" border="0" /></a>Tempted..hell, you couldn't <span style="font-style: italic;">stop</span> me from calling it a "bread-shaped" rock.<br /><br />During the descent we came across a disappointing, dried-up waterfall, a rock that looked like a "book," and caught a pack of climbers ascending the main ridge up from the valley floor. Upon returning to our campsite, I found that a family of Koreans had taken over my fire pit and were using all of the wood I had collected that day. Naturally unphased by the situation, I gathered more wood and had a blaze aset in our new pit within two shakes of a kitten's whiskers. We spent the night enjoying my favorite Korean beverage, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makgeolli">Makgeolli</a>, eating cream-filled cookies, and throwing wood on our amazing fire.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1yJPBukMI/AAAAAAAAFpo/4zyriRzQOJ0/s1600-h/IMG_8018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1yJPBukMI/AAAAAAAAFpo/4zyriRzQOJ0/s400/IMG_8018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322535837599961282" border="0" /></a><br />Koreans camp much different than we do. They do not have open-flame fires or pitch their tents right on the ground. Rather, the campsite was contained and manicured, allowing for tents only to be setup on designated platforms and lacked any fire pits. All of the other campers had with them portable stoves and cookware for making elaborate Korean feasts and early-morning noodle dishes. We even one spotted one group of campers had their kids glued to a television set inside of their family tent. Caitlin and I opted to setup camp away from the buzz, constructed amazingly complex bench structures, and enjoyed an unweilding <span style="font-style: italic;">American</span> fire.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1mTB6bFSI/AAAAAAAAFoc/qvy0vOgjYSo/s1600-h/IMG_8209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/Sd1mTB6bFSI/AAAAAAAAFoc/qvy0vOgjYSo/s400/IMG_8209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322522811738821922" border="0" /></a><br />If you are coming from Gwangju, you can catch a direct bus from U-Terminal to Yeongam for 6,000 won that takes about an hour. From Yeongam, you can ride a shuttle or a taxi to either end of the park. There are many labeled trails to the peak from either side, tea fields, temples..there is also a hot spring just north of the city and a rock climbing gym in the area.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_xI2hzC0KQYNFqHz4nmXRA?feat=directlink">Here</a> is a park map for those of you planning to go hiking here.<br /><br />More pictures from our weekend in Wolchulsan are <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_xI2hzC0KQYNFqHz4nmXRA?feat=directlink">here</a>.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-7786109222974845852009-03-31T16:32:00.008+09:002009-04-02T14:41:06.850+09:00Top Eleven List<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SdHQ5vhlP9I/AAAAAAAAFR0/Kq5Zc33ts6g/s1600-h/wesanderson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SdHQ5vhlP9I/AAAAAAAAFR0/Kq5Zc33ts6g/s400/wesanderson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319262325329706962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here are a list of movies that I want to see in 2009, 10, and 11:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432283/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Fantastic Mr. Fox</span></a> stop-motion directed by Wes Anderson, based on Road Dahl's children's book.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfcc_laLVR4&fmt=18"><span style="font-style: italic;">Severed Ways: the Norse Discovery of America</span></a> set entirely in North American Woodlands, the story of two stranded vikings in the new world.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/9/large.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">9</span></a> Animated film produced by Tim Burton.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809922970/video/11943386"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tokyo!</span></a> Three directors: Michel Gondry, Leos Carax, Bong Joon-Ho.<br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/tyson/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tyson</span></a> starring Mike Tyson.<br /><br />6. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--N9klJXbjQ"><span style="font-style: italic;">Where the Wild Things Are</span></a> Childhood favorite, director Spike Jonez.<br /><br />7. <a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/daytimedrinking/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Daytime Drinking</span></a> Foreign comedy about the Korean drinking culture.<br /><br />8. <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810021973/video/12355455"><span style="font-style: italic;">Public Enemies</span></a> Gangster flick directed by Michael Mann. We all have a crush on Johnny Depp and crazyhorse Christian Bale.<br /><br />9. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Alice in Wonderland</span></a> (2010) directed by Tim Burton.<br /><br />10. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0837156/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pee Wee's Playhouse</span></a> (2011) Paul Reubens is back.<br /><br />11. <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XTRVOa2ssk">Arrested Developmen</a><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XTRVOa2ssk">t</a> (2010) original cast.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-1812552990358227682009-03-31T10:35:00.002+09:002009-03-31T10:36:48.840+09:00Bali II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SdFzhSQxUsI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/ygZC2T8QR3E/s1600-h/ahh.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SdFzhSQxUsI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/ygZC2T8QR3E/s400/ahh.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319159650576323266" border="0" /></a>Believe it or not, <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/BaliII?feat=directlink">more photos</a> from Bali.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-67719902344629524242009-03-31T00:08:00.003+09:002009-03-31T00:11:36.323+09:00Bali + Lombok<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/Bali?feat=directlink"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/SdDgyNakI9I/AAAAAAAAEwE/8fg5xZULQsM/s400/kecak.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318998313123718098" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/justinmrazik/Bali?feat=directlink">photos</a> are up from our venture into Bali.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-22551110235352326962009-03-20T10:03:00.002+09:002009-03-21T01:50:06.069+09:00My Dad and a Horseshoe Crab<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ScPJNUSHqPI/AAAAAAAAEMU/fwkGl16VbjE/s1600-h/IMG_2122.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ScPJNUSHqPI/AAAAAAAAEMU/fwkGl16VbjE/s400/IMG_2122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315313215847508210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ScLrmGrB0RI/AAAAAAAAEL0/js9eM5oXLkw/s1600-h/IMG_2122.JPG"><br /></a>JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-44583302718714896082009-03-20T09:59:00.005+09:002009-03-21T01:49:28.755+09:00My Dad and a Heron<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ScPJD3tD2wI/AAAAAAAAEMM/716fJChH3sQ/s1600-h/IMG_2182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ScPJD3tD2wI/AAAAAAAAEMM/716fJChH3sQ/s400/IMG_2182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315313053557054210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xK4T3fe1jvw/ScLq_zf2ILI/AAAAAAAAELs/IyODxv45-Ug/s1600-h/IMG_2182.JPG"><br /></a>JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502663279703164774.post-85757255230382022072009-03-19T23:43:00.012+09:002009-03-20T00:13:55.658+09:002009 Honam Half Marathon<span style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192);font-size:1500%;" ><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">20K</span></span></span><br /><br />Exactly one month from today is the <a href="http://marathon.jnilbo.com/main.html">Honam International Marathon</a> in Gwangju. I'm not hunting for the full length, but I am signed up and in training for the half marathon (20k). The race is a 13.1 mile loop that begins and ends at the Gwangju World Cup Stadium. I mapped out <a href="http://www.run.com/showroute.asp?map=1539756">the route</a> today on run.com. (click the <span style="font-style: italic;">satellite</span> button for a better look)<br /><br />I like this site because it has helped me map out new running routes in unfamiliar territory. I've got my local spread pretty much down pat because of it. You can also peruse some of my other favorite loops in and around Gwangju on the same site.<br /><br />Caitlin is signed up to run the 5k race (3.1 miles) on the same day with <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iv-prvxSQ9_j1RT6eUp7qQ?feat=directlink">Leah</a> Potluck Dinner. She will be adorned with sparkling tights and a cape. Everyone should come.JUSTINhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397811810283867909noreply@blogger.com1