Team Lady Fury

There have been a number of occasions over the past 7 months where I’ve felt like I’m a competitor in The Amazing Race – bailing on cabs to run up mountain roads, speeding in a taxi through the mountains in a mad rush to catch a train, then jumping on that same train while it began to depart, perhaps even eating dog soup… and all was not in vain, as this past weekend, these trial tasks came in handy as I competed in The Amazing Race Busan. This was a foreigner charity event that saw 50 teams of 2, race around the entire city completing tasks, taking photos, finding specific products and locations while attempting to master the bus and subway systems and out race the other teams to the finish. For 7 hours tension was heated, bodies fatigued and legs in constant motion we did it all: kissed a fish, ate cooked silkworm larvae (almost), and formed a Korean/Waygook pyramid -among many others- before crossing the finish line. The race ended in a bar at Gwanagli beach, where the famous bridge there would become the backdrop to an absolutely phenomenal fireworks display for hundreds and thousands of onlookers. An explosive ending to a long and wonderful day. Go Team!

Guilty Pleasures

Since coming to Korea I’ve become quite involved in the bowling scene. It's such a competitive good time, it promotes teamwork and sportsmanship, and on a Friday night it definitely goes well with a bottle of soju. I know it’s a little geeky, but it’s insane amounts of fun, and I’ve even been able to rock the boys with some high scores and turkeys… Mad Skills… Truth is though, I’m no stranger to the lanes... I grew up in the middle of nowhere, but was just a 25 minute walk from a 10-pin alley, I played in a league every Saturday morning in grade school, and I even competed in tournaments with my parents.

Judge me if you may, but my blog is becoming a sort of confessional of the secrets of my past and present, and the bizarre inner workings of my mind. So, I figured there was no sense in stopping now… Truth: Bowling is Fun, and I love it!

And I challenge all you non-judging competitors to a night at the lanes!

Looking the Part

As the warm summer sun fades, and the cooler fall weather rolls in… I feel that our weekends at the beach may be replaced with hikes in the mountains. This past Saturday we ventured up and spent three hours on beautiful, and at times exhausting, trails that led from my neighbourhood to a temple at the other side of town. I’m convinced that hiking in Korea, (or Busan at least) should be considered a national sport. Every weekend, large numbers of people head to the trails for some mountain trekking. I’m not sure though which aspect is the most important… the hike itself, or the attire that goes along with it. Hiking gear will always include a full ensemble of hiking shoes, jackets and pants..(possibly matching if you’re a couple) and may also adorn any combination of the following: a walking stick, waist pack, visor, gloves, backpack and headband. In the more popular spots, all of these items are available for purchase at the base of the mountain just in case you’re an impulse buyer who forgot your wind breaker when you left the house. It doesn't matter the intensity of the hike, if you’re on a trail in a mountain you must come equipped to conquer based on attire. Goodbye Bikinis, Hello Fanny Packs.