Happy Canuck Day

Happy belated Canada Day to all Canadians out there and a happy preemptive Independence Day to all of those from south of the border. So...how was my first Canada Day in Canada in 5 years. It was ok. Nothing really spectacular since I am currently hangin out in a rather small town and really don't know people aside from family. I spent Canada Day bombin around some local bike trails on my new set of wheels, eating bbq and winding up the evening by consuming beer at a cousin's house. Not bad at all, but not the debacle I experienced last year in Busan at a little establishement known as Starface...that was a scary, booze-fueled Canadian-expat mess if I ever did see one.

That is to be expected though. In Seoul there is the Canada Day in Seoul bash thrown by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea. That is a hoot if you're into playing tug-of-war and beer chugging relays with 2500 other Canadian English teachers. I did it in 2002 and have to admit that it was fun, but had no desire to go back in and do it again. In Busan, South Korea, things aren't quite so organized. Basically, everyone goes to an expat bar in Haeundae known as Starface...wearing their finest Canadian garb of course, and get absolutely smashed. I'm sure Canadians across the globe yesterday were crammed in expat pubs and clubs, waxing patriotic over the local suds...good for them! Happy Canada Day!

I just put together a video I took earlier this year while living in Korea. It's of Daeborum, which is the first full moon of the lunar year. It is traditionally a big event in Korea and often marked with huge bonfires. The one in Busan is held on haeundae Beach. It was a really rainy night, but the fire was still held. Check it out below.

March 1st Independence Day

"Taegukis" (Korean flags) are flying everywhere in Busan today as it's Korean Independence Day. This one is close to my school in Gwangan.

This Sunday night there will be a monster bonfire on Haeundae Beach. I believe it will be for a traditional Korean holiday called “Chongwol Taeborum,” which means “big full moon in the first month of the year.”I took this pic this afternoon as I walked to work. They were building a massive pile of wood and brush to set ablaze later. Notice I mentioned that I was going to work? Yep...even on a National holiday!

It’s another day on the Korean Peninsula, but not just any day. Today is Korean Independence Day. This is the day when all Korean’s celebrate their freedom from Japanese colonial rule. Most Koreans and foreigners living in Korea are enjoying this national holiday by relaxing, visiting friends and eating out. I found out that this Sunday there will be a huge bonfire on Haeundae Beach in Busan to celebrate “Chongwol Taeborum,” which means “big full moon in the first month of the year.”. I was there this afternoon and checked out the scene, as I went to work. Yes, Kevin was walking to work on yet another statutory holiday! As a CDI (Chung Dahm Language Institute) teacher, I have to work on all national holidays (for those who know me, you will remember my rant about working Xmas Day). CDI is actually a very good place to work aside from a severe lack of time off. The people I’ve met who complain the most about working at my school are those who seem to have an allergy to work. This is an allergy that most English teachers I meet in Korea seem to have. Many are simply here to play and travel and when a school actually expects them to earn their keep, most teachers end up in arms, complaining and moaning.

So many people I meet complain that their schools are unreasonable. “They actually expect me to be at school 20 minutes before my class. I’m not even getting paid for it! I can’t believe the nerve they have to ask me that.” EEEkkk…heaven forbid a teacher actually having to prepare for a class they must teach (loads of sarcasm here!). I suppose that tells you a lot about a “teacher” when they don’t even think it’s necessary to prepare for a class. Mind you, there are many difficulties and often unreasonable demands made of teachers in Korea, but I don’t think this is one of them.

I hope everyone has a nice Independence Day and can see the giant bonfires Sunday evening. There will be a nice one at Haeundae Beach. I'll try to be there.