Another weekend has passed with it's fair share of fun. Have you noticed that I only ever sit down to write a blog post on Mondays? Usually because all of the fun happens on the weekend. I'm going to try to put together a "Day in the Life" soon, but in the meantime, here's what I did this weekend.

Friday we went into Seoul to eat Mexican food. An hour by bus for Mexican. I was missing the Taco Time on Idlewild, a short walk away at home... But anyway, it was very good, well worth the drive. But sadly my stomach was protesting all the spice it's been fed lately and I was not feeling well that day, so didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. A fruit smoothy from Smootie King soon made me feel better, however. After supper we went to a very posh bar to drink 10 dollar cocktails. Needless to say we only stayed for one, then it was back on the bus. After a long and tiring week we didn't even have the gumtion to find a noraebang. My first weekend in Korea that involved no karaoke.


Saturday I had to work. I volunteered to do level testing for the summer camp that our school is putting on this month, so while all my friends went shopping in Seoul, I spent 5 hours quizzing 12 year olds as to what their favourite food is and what they think is the biggest problem in Korea. It was alright though, much easier than a day at real work. And I get to trade it for a day off in the future, which might come in handy.

That evening we gathered to watch the last 3 episodes of Canadian Idol. I was very much enjoying my new discovery, Boones Sangria, and a good time was had by all. After the shows were over the two Brits, Hannah and Shaun, and I decided it would be a good idea to go for a swim in the fountain in the park across the street. 1am.

But it was a gorgeous night and the water was super warm. We were also trying out Shaun's new electric bug zapping tennis raquet. I know I know. Electronics in the water. What will you all think of my lack of common sense... It's the coolest invention though. An electrified metal screen where the strings should be, complete with a light for attracting the bugs. All you do is wave it around and it zaps them. We didn't get a single bite!



Here is the Lotte World Castle.

Sunday we went to Lotte World. It's an amusement park in Seoul, partly indoors. It had been closed all winter for repairs after several people died on the rides. But the spent many billion won fixing it up, and re-opened it a few weeks ago under the name of Lotte World 2. And it sure did look new and spiffy, let me tell you. I rode my first rollercoaster [pictured above](something I can now check of my list of things to do before I die) and many other terrifying rides. This was my first time at an amusement park and the whole "scary is fun" thing has never really been my way of thinking, but I have to admit it was actually tons of fun. Apart from this one ride called the Gyro Swing[pictured above]. It was just a huge pendulum with seats and it swung you and rotated and it was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. You're horizontal to the groud (or the water, depending which way you're facing at the time) peering down as it swings back down and I honestly thought I was going to die. It lasts almost 2 minutes too, and by then end I just closed my eyes and held on for dear life. (We were securly strapped in, but it feels safer to hang on as well) Some of the others wanted to try it again but I didn't think my heart could take it. So we went to the haunted house instead. Much less scary.

I came across this Mountie walking around. Not sure if he was an employee of the park or just a wacky guy, but he was very shy about taking a picture with me. Mounties in Korea. Who woulda thunk.

And I've decided that after my teaching contract is up, I'm going to get a job doing this. Playing trombone in the Lotte World band.