METROOOOOOOOOOOOO

Seoul Metro, need more Metros like this (SEE it says METRO MAP not subway, people giving me crap for saying Metro. It also ends the confusion of whether you're talking about the sandwich shop or the train...)

Hiking Dobongsan and the weekend before Chuesok

Last Saturday Sarah and I decided to go climb Dobongsan, the most popular mountain around Seoul. You get off at Dobongsan metro station which is situated on Line 7 and 1. It was a lot easier to get to then Suraksan since so many people were headed that way. In all situations just follow the other hikers, they led us straight to it. Along the way we saw many temples. Right from the beginning we past this amazing temple at the beginning of the trail:

It was quite massive, and was so immaculately clean that its hard to believe that it was a few centuries old. Monks really know how to maintain their temples.

This was another temple we saw along the way, and I recommend everyone to go see it. It is right after the first temple. If you go the way we went you will see it on your right, a huge hill with a sign and description of the temple. Although I do not know exactly when this buddhist monastery was made, I do know that the Buddha sculpture below was from the 1st century, making it over 1000 years old!! Which is crazy because it looks brand new!! Don't be afraid to go up there, the monks are very nice. I have never been turned away from a Buddhist temple, they are some of the most welcoming people, and are always willing to let you in.
The garden was beautiful, and so were the several sculptures scattered around. Tablets were also placed in piles, and they had a little cemetery for monks who had passed on.
The details on this temple were amazing. The must repaint the place every year because the temple was so vivid with color.
One of the most amazing things to see at these temples are the trees surrounding them, they are very interesting to say the least. I took a picture of one, it looks as though the tree is dancing with itself.
Ok, so this is a picture of a bee? it looks really insane, I did not have the chance to run into one, and hope to never have that chance. It looks like a plant is growing out of it, this picture really confused me!
Climbing Dobongsan was a lot more difficult then it first seemed. We followed the trail to Jaunbong Peak, which I think is the highest peak. It is ok for the first few kilometers, butfor about 1-1.5 km, it's completely up hill, just like you see in this picture of Sarah. You feel like it's going to end but it never seems to. I am sure there are less steep ways to go, but we definitely took the steepest and it took a lot of will power to get to the top.
We finally reached the top, and needless to say, I was freaked out. Heights scare me a tad, but what scared me even more was the several dozen people sitting on the peak, looking like they were ready to fall off. I couldn't handle it, I left after 5 mins on the top.
The view was spectacular though, and I do not regret it one bit. It really shows how much you accomplished when you look down.
On the way down I saw my first sign of fall, seeing that it is almost October, it is about time!
You can also rock climb Dobongsan, not that I ever would, but it is definitely an option. Just looking at these people made me weak.
On the way down we came to a little area filled with buddhist figurines, behind it was a temple. The temple actually serves free lunch, not sure when, but you have to wash your own plate!
On the way down, after the mountain, we passed a fish market which was incredible. They had everything from sea urchins to conches, it was crazy, and I want to try everything. I saw some Manta Rays, wouldn't mind to nibble on some of that. It was so fresh too, when people come to deliver fish there, they come in a car that basically carries an aquarium on its back, it is quite a sight to see and I regret not getting a picture of it.
Everything there smelled so good, I had no money but I would definitely recommend a sit down here for some authentic korean seafood.
Beautiful flowers in a garden on the way. This flower was very velvety it was so strange.
That night I went to a cultural exchange where I met many different people. French, Jewish, Korean, American, I loved it! It was a great way to experience Seoul. Korean people are so friendly, they just want to host, which I definitely enjoy! Thank you Ryu, the first really cute korean I met. Guess how old he is? 38! wtf?? incredible.
My two friends a I met at Itaewon, Eby and Tina. They are so awesome and I am so glad I went for it and decided to talk them. That's what's so great about foreigners here, most of them are so willing to talk and hang out, so you should have no fear of approaching anyone. Of course there is always the occasional douche bag, but I think the majority is always willing to chat with you.

Today we celebrated Chuesok early and a Birthday party for two of the students. I am standing with two of my favorite students, Barbie and Connie. Barbie is in my homeroom and is the only girl so she latches on to me a lot, and cries alllll the time, but she super sweet and had the most beautiful hambock in school (traditional Korean dress).
I borrowed a Hambock from one of the lunch teachers and Jack decided to join us in the picture. He is one of the sweetest kids, and quite the ladies man, him and barbie were boyfriend and girlfriend a few weeks ago, I don't think it lasted a long time.
Alex is one of my homeroom children and is a major devil child. He needs serious ADHD medication. He has a good heart but he never listens and never gets any stars or stickers.
Billy has to be my favorite. He's super small and has the smallest squeakiest voice ever its soo cute. He is super hyper though and likes to hit the other children, but he loves me, and I love him :)
Barbie being super cute, she was sleepy today.
I teach Connie Math, Games, and Art, she is the sweetest thing alive. She's very quiet, but gets much respect from other boys in school because she's so cute. She cries a lot too but gets over it quickly, I almost want to cry when she does because its so genuine.
They sit in their class lines to wash their hands. It's cute when they actually listen.
Connie is such a little Angel, Billy is a little devil but cute just the same.
Soooooooo smalll i could just eat him!!
Eric and Bosco, the smartest kids in kindergarden. They are both in my homeroom so I don't have to do a lot teaching.
Elly, the most beautiful girl in school. Doesn't look to Korean, but she looked like a little princess the whole day.
She waited patiently, seeing as she was the last one to wash her hands.
Peter's birthday!! Jack gave him his birthday hat.
My 4 year old class in the afternoon. Aileen and Evan, very cute, I love a 2 kid class, it makes it more fun, and they re really sweet.
My Harvard class, they are very smart but are not very enthusiastic about learning, they more so like to play with my hair, which I don't mind...
Jade behind me his thoughts are always on killing people and blowing things up, it's slightly disconcerting...

Getting Enlightened

Last weekend I decided to break away from the routine binge drinking and late nights, and decided to do something for the soul.

Me and my amazing friend, Sarah, thought that climbing one of the many mountains around Seoul would be a great way to clear the mind. After failing to find our first mountain, we got off at Danggogae Station, last stop on line 5. After hopelessly searching for the path from vague directions from some miscellanous blog, we found a map near the metro exit which helped us direct ourselves to one of the many paths leading up to Mt. Suraksan.

The path consists of several hundred steps, that eventually leads

to a more rocky terrain that requires some much needed hiking boots for grip, rather then my street pumas. Half way up the mountain we took a break to see the breathtaking view of the city.

It was quite a trek but when you reach the top its all worth while:

We had a lot of fun! I recommend it to everyone out there, climb a mountain, it clears the mind :)

The enlightenment weekend did not end there. After climbing the mountain and passing out at 8pm on a Saturday night, we thought that Sunday should be reserved for a more relaxing environment.

There is a temple, Hwagaesa,. near Suyu station on Line 4 that offers free english meditation every sunday for 1-3pm on the top floor, get out at exit 3 and take the number 2 bus, It is about 5 min away and its at the end of a road. More information can be found on http://www.seoulzen.org . You can come at 1230pm to get some tips from the friendly lead meditator, Chris. He is from New Zealand, and definitely easy on the eyes.

The meditation routine consists of 30min sitting meditation, 15 min walking meditation, 30 min sitting meditation, 15 min and another 30 min sitting meditation.

To be completely honest, sitting cross legged for 2 hours is definitely difficult, and I do not think it will be repeated by me. I would however recommend to go for at least 30 min, you can walk in whenever. The english meditation class is on the top floor of the temple, there is a Korean meditation room on the floor below, and much more gorgeous.

You are allowed to drink tea, but make sure you wash your own glass! Also donations are optional, I would recommend some sort of contributions since Buddhist monks do not work and the only way they feed themselves is from donations.

The most interesting part of the whole experience was the Dharma talk at 3pm. The head monk comes to the class and talks with you for about an hour. Each week has a different theme, this weeks theme was the seed, basically the thought that helps you gain your enlightenment. I would recommend it for anyone, it is absolutely fascinating and the stories that the monk tells the class are very helpful.

After Dharma talk you can actually talk to the monk one on one. They provide tea and snacks for the students and its kind of like a little soiree. I decided not to go because I was extremely exhausted from the trek the day before, but I would encourage anyone to go at least once, it will benefit you no matter what.

My very first blog

Hello world!

My name is Marina Bijelic, I am 23 years old, and this is officially my first attempt making a blog.

I have had many travels in the past and I always regret that I have nothing to look back on. I think a blog would be a great way to save my thoughts and experiences for years to come.

A little bit about me, I was born in Rijeka, Croatia, 100% Croat and 100% proud to be one.

I spent my adolescence in Toronto Canada, and moved to Fairfax Virginia when I was 12.

My high school experience was spent in the most horrible place ever: the suburbs. I must say I learned a lot from the experience, mostly that I will never subject my future children to such a place.

I moved a lot during my childhood, I went to 6 different schools pre college. In college I went to 3 different Universities, and moved about 7 times through the 4 year experience. In conclusion I get bored easily with my surroundings. My impatience with monotone life has made me somewhat of a drifter, I usually cannot stay in one place for long.

My most recent relocation has been my move to Seoul. I decided I was bored with my one year in Washington DC and I wanted to experience something different and exciting. Never being to Asia, I thought this would be a great opportunity.

I am an English teacher at a Hogwan (private elementary school), I teach children from the ages of 4-9 and I must say it is quite a trip. My school consists of 3 foreign teachers and 4 Korean teachers, it is very small, but that makes it more family orientated. I love my kids, I think everyone would agree that Asian children are the cutest children.

This is my first time living alone for a year in a completely foreign environment so I think this would be a great opportunity for me to start this "blog" like so many others do.

Bear with me and my horrible grammar, I am a little rusty and hopefully this blog will help me improve.

ENJOY!