Dog House W/ Patio

My First Korean Beach Party

This weekend Dave and I decided to have a beach party. Well, it was more like a get together on the beach, but a good time nonetheless. The cast of characters: Dave, Dara, Less, three Korean teachers, and myself. I tried to convince other people to drop their plans but no one did. So we just had a good old fashioned sing along time at Ilsan Beach instead.

Dara, a young Irishman that seems to bring a good time wherever he goes, hauled out his guitar and commenced to dazzle us with his repertoire of songs. He was a busker (read: street musician) back in Dublin but don't let that fool you: the kid has talent. So needless to say we were having a blast just relaxing on the beach as Koreans advanced us cautiously and usually sat around for a song or two. Anything for free English exposure. The night progressed well until Dara announced that somewhere along the line he lost his wallet. We searched the beach for a good forty minutes but came up short. To my knowledge it's still missing. We ended up at a restaurant when the sun came up amid a heated political discussion that ended in us being asked to leave because we were too loud for the other patrons. By other patrons I mean two hung-over Korean men that didn't want to hear our views on American politics. C'est la vie.

Despite it all Dave and I made it back to my apartment to take a much needed and deserved sleep. Waking up to instant coffee we threw on Team America: World Police just for amusement as Independence Day is around the corner (and Dave's birthday, too). All in all a good weekend that seems to have come right before the rainy season officially starts. By rainy season I mean it drizzles about non-stop for three weeks and then its back to normal.

Amusing side note: fireworks are legal here, and people tend to take advantage of that fact… especially at the beach… and we especially did as well.

Pictures for your amusement:

Dave on the roof of a building dubbed "The Pisser." Note the Haeundae shipping yards in the background. Its the largest ship building complex in the world. Impressive and scary to see.

Me on "The Pisser." A little bit more picturesque.

Dara taking a break from playing to rail on the English like a good Irish boy.

Less (Canadian) and one of the teachers. The Koreans love showing the peace symbol. Now if they would stop staring....

A Coney Island-like theme emanates from Ilsan Beach. There are more batting cages here than I've seen in America and I still can't hit a ball. This is one of Dave trying not to crack me with his follow through. (He missed the pitch, by the way).

Just sitting out maxing, relaxing all cool and shooting some soju outside of the mul... Sorry I had to. Mul means water (pronounced "Mool") Soju is a vile vile drink that's cheap and tends to escalate any situation... and never for the better.

I'm telling you, they shoot these thing off non-stop. You'd think they know how to aim them, but no. My advice, keep your head up and remember to stop, drop, and roll.

To address the scooter issue: consider me looking for a good deal for next month after I get paid. This ought to be amusing...

Posted by Schaffer at June 26, 2005 09:02 PM