I’m leaving for Busan, Korea in about three weeks to teach english for a year.
My question to you all, as weightlifters, is the following: What would you bring along?
There is no doubt I’m bringing my Jumpstretch bands–they travel easy. I may have protein powder delivered after a while, provided I can determine its legality and shipping isn’t cost-prohibitive. I don’t really use many other supplements, so I’m not planning on bringing any with me.
I may bring along my CoC grippers, I think they would go through the X-ray as checked baggage without any difficulty. The Eagle Loops are almost certainly coming, and possibly a jumprope.
The thoughts of anyone currently in Korea or Asia in general would be greatly appreciated. [Yes, this means you, Char. ]
Damn, Ike, and after your longest post of the year!
Seriously, good luck, and it ought to be quite the experience.
Just out of curiosity, why Korea? I don’t know, call me a pussy, but I think I’d rather go when tensions between the North and South weren’t quite so high!
Mike - at least Ike’s going to Pusan, which is at the southern tip of South Korea, so it’ll be one of the last places to be invaded in case of a war.
Ike - I’m going to Korea (Seoul) on September 17th and will be there until September 25th to hang out with my cousins and friends, shop, etc. Are you going to be in Korea at aroudn that time and are you ever coming up to Seoul? Pusan’s not as fun as Seoul if you ask me! If you want, you can ping me in Korea when I’m there.
Seoul is a lot of fun. As for what to bring, you can still get supplements shipped here. If a legal issue arises as to something you want that is legal in the US but not in Korea, find yourself a soldier to have it shipped to - much better prices on shipping that way too I would imagine - APO’s are nice. Raw garlic is great!
Wow, Ike. That’s so cool. I’ve know a couple people who went off to teach English in other countries for a year and ended up taking years to come back for good.
War? Eh. shrug Not really worried about it. It’s cool though, in my contract it states that my school is obligated to buy me a ticket out of town in case of severe unrest or wartime. Of course, the airports have to be running for that to work, and I’d like to be out before it came to that anyway! In all likelyhood I’d just bribe a fisherman to take me to Japan.
Stella:
I’ll probably just miss you. I’m scheduled to arrive on the 25th. If, however, you are there anytime during the next year, look me up.
Aibrone:
The idea of shipping via the military already came to me and I think it is a good one. Something I’ll definately investigate. Thanks.
Patricia:
I’m glad that someone else’s world (besides mine) revolves around food as well.
I’ve had kimchee before, although it was most likely more similar to what pat had than the “real” stuff, seeing as how it was made here.
My uncle lived in seoul for 20+ years, he is a diplomat (now lives in nyc). So we get korean type dishes made for us every time we see him, which is all of once per year during a holiday.
I also recall some sort of dish made with those see-thru skinny noodles and pickled type veggies with a wee bit of meat in there, dont recall what it was called though.
He’s also been up in the north, although sadly he wont tell us specifics aside from obvious stuff such as many hungry people up there and military/govt service is sorta the only way for most people to live.
one of the bonuses of being part Asian in a VERY white community was getting to know other Asians and growing close to them; when you could.
Growing up, my mom was very good friends with a Korean woman; and yes, this woman would bring over JARS and JARS of kimchee that she had lovingly made (much of it was ferns on her property). Ah man…the memories.
But in all seriousness, Ko’s kimchee rocks. And that’s an open invitation for Ike to come over sometime before he leaves to try some. Maybe I should make sure Ko’s got some pickling someplace…
The noodles you speak of are called either “rice sticks”, “rice-flour noodles” or “vermicelli”. Hmmm, not sure about that dish. Maybe Ko knows…
Do you have springs? I don’t know what they’re called, but the handles that you can attach 1-5 springs to. Hmmm, just realized that I only use them for delt raises, biceps curls, and stretching, so if you don’t already own them don’t bother.
Mike is right. Ike must be getting sentimental. He’s posted some of the longest posts I’ve ever seen from him today.
Bring something to take a few of those North Koreans out with should a war break out. Your grippers might work. 1. Place over testicles. 2. Close grippers.
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