How do you survive jangma (장마), otherwise known as the monsoon season, in Korea?

Rule number one: Buy an umbrella.
Rule number two: Never forget your umbrella.
Rule number three: Buy a new umbrella if you forget your umbrella.
Rule number four: Refer back to rule number one.

The monsoon season generally begins in mid-June and lasts until mid-July. Hot and humid weather accompany it.

And, frankly, it wasn't too bad this year (apart from the hot and humid). I've heard horror stories, and seen pretty terrible videos. I was pretty prepared to expect the worst. It never really hit us that badly... unless you're talking about those night time rains. But, you know what, I don't count those, really, because I was safe and sound at home watching the monsoon hit Ulsan from my home.

In any case, here's a video of when it really happened. And I was so freaking lucky, because it started juuuuust when I got home.

Now, it's time to await the typhoon season. Siiiiiigh...

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Jinha Beach: lovely. Jinha village: almost desolate.

It's truly a pity that the village of Jinha isn't as developed as, say, Ilsan-dong. And, for that matter, public transportation is seriously lacking there, whereas I can hop on the 133 from Guyeong-ri and it will take me directly to Ilsan, or the 127 from my high school when I finish early. Ilsan Beach isn't quite what you're used to back home but at least they're making an effort and trying to revamp itself as a beach destination where you can sit back, relax, and have a cup of coffee with friends, go to a noraebang, or shop to your heart's content (not my forte, that last one -- nor the coffee, but I digress). On the other hand, Jinha is a sprawling stretch of a beach, was quite empty in June as opposed to Ilsan Beach which was already getting packed, or gosh forbid, Haeundae Beach in Busan which, it goes without saying, was already a ridiculous sea of parasols (!!), and has a nice little islet to discover. All right!

The lovely and yummy restaurant next to the Jinha beach where I had jjajangmyun and mandu with Zach and... I forget the other guy's name...

Joe, Zach and myself swam our way to the island in question and ended up spending quite a bit of time meeting with nature's little creatures, some of which I hope I will never meet again in this lifetime (eurgh!). But all in all, a fun time was had by all and I was properly happy at my decision to make the trip out there.

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Goodbye South Korea, hello Philippines! (photo source)

I'm off to enjoy a week of well-deserved quality time in Cebu and Bohol. See you on the other side! I will miss my Ulsan family. And, of course, as always, my Montreal family.

<3!

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The Banger Sisters

I have no idea how we acquired this nickname or even who thought it up, but one day Dana and Andrea went to Seoul for the weekend and the next thing I knew I was apparently part of the Banger Sisters... whatever it is we... er, do...

Anyway, here is a video showing you our Friday night out in Seongnamdong at The Royal Anchor, a foreigner bar. We were surprised to get there and find it nearly empty, but quickly made the most of it, as we are wont to do in any given situation.

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View of the shopping streets of Seongnamdong at night (photo source)

I am months behind on this and upcoming videos, that I will of course begin sharing without further ado.

Back in early May, I believe, the mayor of Ulsan threw a music and dance party in Seongnamdong, the older part of Downtown Ulsan, after which several restaurants and bars opened their doors with discounts for those of us with coupons. Here's a little video recap of what went down!

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A theatre adaptation of the award-winning, cautionary children's tale about selfishness and vanity. Sharing brings happiness and acceptance!

Yup, I joined a theatre troupe. And I'm a red fish. And a clam. And an octopus. Dear gosh, what did I get myself into?

If you're in the Ulsan area and want to check out an amateur piece, here's some information:

We're playing every Saturday until September 29th at 2pm and 4pm at the Dongrami Theatre on the second floor of the Dowon Building, smack dab at the Gongeoptap Rotary (search Gongeuptop on the "Ulsan Buses" section of the UlsanOnline website... yes, they spell it wrong). Tip: It's the building on the left of the police traffic box. Reserve in advance at 052-258-1248, and remember to bring 10,000 won (it's not for us)

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This is going to be an "inside" vlog post, and I believe no one else but those who were there will find it in any way funny, but I'm going to post it anyway. Last weekend, the Ulsan Hash House Harriers met up for its bimonthly Sunday hike. It was gross. It was hot. We whined a bit. It was tough. But we made it. And then relaxed at the Seaside Restaurant in Bangeojin with some good food (though it was in no way enough... rawr!) And then the joke crackin' began. I had to take a video.

Unfortunately I totally missed the gravy / bechamel sauce tirade, but that was priceless.

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This summer, if I'm not at home in Guyeong-ri relaxing after a gruelling day of work, I can usually be found at Ilsan Beach kicking back with some friends or, more rarely, on my own. But tonight I'm going to show you what being with Patrick, Andrea and Dana is like... I love it!

Before this particular video, we'd gone bar-hopping with some friends in Bangeojin just, you know, to pass the time since I had a hike the next day and was going to spend the night at Dana's anyway and did not feel tired in the slightest. I ended up knocking back three shots of whisky, which explains why Andrea and I later ran in the water and frolicked like little kiddies while Paddy and Dana watched on like indulgent parents (they are, after all, the eldest in our group). But this, this is what followed, after we joined them again.

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One of the myriad things you hear about but never truly believe until you actually experience it for yourself is... your washing machine, ladies and gentlemen, is a beast. As I indicate in the video, I am not touching the normal button ever again. Wool it is for me! I did one normal cycle back in March and it nearly destroyed my clothes o__O

Anyway, so for those newbies, here are some translations that might prove very useful :) Obviously, every machine is different so some of these might be on yours, others might not. This is just a general guide. Print it out or jot it down for future reference. I've got mine scotch taped to my machine, although I don't really need it anymore. Ah well, times of need. May prove useful one of these days!

(source)

Hope these are helpful for you, too, as they were for me when I first got here. Cheers!

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