Busan Blunder

I failed to mention one somewhat humorous event that happened while in Busan. In an attempt to do some hiking around the hills of Busan, though I was actually seeking out the famous yeomso gogi (grilled goat meat) in Sanseong Village, I got lost. I read my guide book's directions pretty well, but watching some other foreign foreigners (that means they were European) that looked like they knew what they were doing, I followed them off the bus in the middle of nowhere. Once I realized they were lost, I pretended to know what I was doing (I mean, who wants to admit they are lost, right?) and walk up some random hill only to find the hill keeps going and going and going and leading to a temple. I did get some funny looks from people who were probably wondering, "What is this strange guy doing walking up a hill that leads to nowhere?" So, tired and without having tried the famous goat or mountain rice wine, I trek down the hill, catch the bus back to my hosts place, only to eat Ramen noodles! Still an enjoyable day, but no pictures to remember it by, only this story!

Braving Beautiful Busan

In the afternoon, I headed to Busan, Korea's second largest city, to continue couchsurfing the country. My hostess, Marisa, was an ESL teacher from the US. She was a great hostess and had a real shower instead of one of the combined toilet/sink/shower rooms. I visited Haeundae Beach (there is Korean blockbuster movie about this place) and Jagalchi Fish Market nearby,

ate a "real" hamburger with Australian beef (they won't import from the US after Mad Cow), saw yet another temple, went to Taejongdae

partook in Busan expat nightlife, got lost around downtown, attempted to buy knockoff CK underwear, ate Mexican food, and perhaps one of my most gratifying experiences (thanks to Ann, my second Busan CS host)--went to a jimjilbang. If you are in Korea, you should go. They are in inexpensive spa like experiences with hot tubs of varying temperatures (including cold) and mixes (water, mineral, essential oil) and hot and cold saunas. You do have to be in the buff in the hot tubs and shower areas (same gender, of course) but they have co-ed (if you like) sauna areas you can relax in. You can also sleep overnight in a jimjilbang. I believe the cost to enter this one was about 10,000KRW or about 8USD. Oh yeah, Ann also had a washing machine that doubled as a dryer. I've never seen that before, and I was impressed! FYI: All my CS hosts receive lovely gifts from me that include chocolate digestive cookies and regular chocolate and sometimes wine or sansachun. I'm a great guest, aren't I? Pay no attention to the fact, that I also enjoy these items and have been known to consume them with my hosts!