So, I had gone to a Noreabang (Karaoke Room) in Jeonju during orientation but didn't have enough time to properly document it.  So here is my official blog on Noreabang.  In Korea, they have rooms for everything.  There is a pc room to play games or do other things on the computer, a DVD room to go watch a movie with friends, or a Karaoke room called Noreabang (bang means room so to play on the computer they say PC Bang).  It is not nearly as social an event that most singers are used to.  I was a karaoke DJ for a long time back in America and although I thoroughly enjoyed the company I was with, the Noreabang leaves a lot to be desired.  You walk into the room and there is a big couch area with a table on one side.  On the other side is the screen.  They provide you books and a huge remote.  You basically pick the song you want to sing, enter it in the remote, and bam it starts playing on the TV and even queues a cystal ball and light show.  The problem is, the echo is full blast and there is no stopping it or adjusting it.   So don't try to do a wrap song and don't expect to be able to adjust the reverb for any song to try to make your good singing shine through.  For me it was fine because I can use it as an excuse for why it sounds so bad (even though it's really my voice that kills it)!  Another odd thing is that they do not play videos on the screen of the actual song.  The words come through but instead of being on a normal blank screen or the actual video playing in the background these have random Korean videos.  So you might be singing "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC but having two love birds walking on the beach hand and hand on the video.  It can be quite odd at times.  Sorry about the lighting quality of the pics.  I only had a short time to document the room before my date came back from the restroom.  I didn't want to be caught being a tourist, lol!  Big shout out to all my ex karaoke groupies!  Love you guys!

A couple Sunday's ago I went to Daecheon Beach.   Every summer they have a 10 day long event they call the Boryeong Mud Festival.  Basically everyone goes and covers themselves in cleansing mud and engages in all these activities and games.  Then you drink, party, and they have concerts at night.  It is very popular among the foreigners.  Check the pics in my gallery.  We arrived on Sunday at around 6pm.  Most people had cleared out by then so the pics don't really do justice to the wildness that is Boryeong Mud Festival.  You can do a search if you want to see how crazy it gets.   The water was really nice and only a little cold.   I went in right away for about 10 minutes figuring I would have plenty of time to walk around and dry off before the sun went down.  It's been really hot in this area the last couple weeks.  I was mostly right :-).   The beach was better than the beaches I have been two in TX and almost on par with beaches on Long Island.  It was nice to be there and it's even a better feeling knowing that this is only a one hour drive from where I am in Korea.  Most people travelled 3 or 4 hours to get there!  I hear the beaches on the eastern coast of the country are nice but I was thoroughly impressed with the one's on the western side.  Next year I will make sure to attend during the busy time so I can do a proper blog posting.

Okay.  Time for a blog post on food in Korea.  I've talked a little about it before but after a few outings with friends and some school functions I figured now would be a good time to divulge everything I know.

When going out to Korean style places for dinner there are going to be lots of differences from America.  First of all there are still several places where you have to sit on the floor.  I find it very uncomfortable and my legs always fall asleep.  After asking several Koreans they tell me that their legs fall asleep as well, it just takes longer because they are used to it.  Regardless, it is uncomfortable for everyone involved, but appears to be a tradition that is not going away anytime soon.  With me it just involves sometimes pushing myself away from the table so I can stretch my legs.  It certainly stops people from lingering too long at the table!  Once you are done you just want to get up and leave.

Another very big difference is the concept of sharing.  When we get food in America normally you get your main dish and side dishes and the only thing you might share is bread or an appetizer.    Of course there are family style restaurants in America as well, but pretty much many Korean places are family style.   I've been to a chicken place, a duck place, and a pork place and the experience has been the same.  You get your own little grill (see the pic inset) and you cook everything on that grill.  Then, there are several side dishes and you pretty much grab a piece of lettuce in your hand.  Then, you take some meat, side dish stuff, dip it in sauce, and put in one by one on the lettuce.  Then you put down your chopsticks and roll up the lettuce and eat it.  I struggle with this constantly.  It's hard enough picking up little pieces of vegetables or what have you with chopsticks (i'm getting better), but then holding a hot piece of meat shielded from your hand by only lettuce is VERY difficult.  It takes a lot of effort and practice.  I have to say though, once it hits your tongue it's nothing but wonderful flavor.  I haven't have much food that I haven't enjoyed here so in the end it's been worth the practice.  Just realize that if you are going to a work function or out with friends you may be sharing their germs and you either need to accept it or starve.  Head to the gallery to see pics and you can also take a little and the silkworm I tried.  It didn't have much flavor and was chewy.  Then it left me with a chalky feeling in my mouth.  I will pass next time and ironically I was the only one at the table who even touched them.  Perhaps it was a joke and they were all waiting to see if the silly foreigner would try it.  Well I did so laugh it up!