today i decided to explore a little more of gimhae. i wanted to go to Yeonji Park. (see left) so i got on the number 2 bus, but it turned out something like lucky bus number 7... so i got off and waited for another. i ended up on the 8-1 which took me relatively close to the park. it's a huge park surrounding a natural lake. it was designed "for the residents' relaxation and leisure" and it was lovely. here are some photos that i took:
the "magic mirror" at the park entrance. there were a few of them, but i like this one best... don't i look like a milan supermodel??? (heehee)
a walkway into the park.
there is a huge fountain in the middle of the lake which sprays water in all kinds of formations. this was my favourite. notice the apartments in the background? that's just one of the many many many complexes that you see everywhere. korea is quite small (can actually fit over 100 south koreas inside of canada) and so they build up instead of out.
another shot of the apartments - for every set of buildings there has to be an elementary and middle school in walking distance (it's the law) that's why there are so many schools in korea. a lot of these buildings are built by large corporations like hyundai or lotte (japanese food producer/importer) and many of their workers live in them. my neighbour hood - sambang-dong - has about 3 or 4 of these complexes. anyway, back to the park....i didn't actually get to see very much of it, i'll have to go back (perfect for when kat visits this week). i didn't get to see it because almost as soon as i got there, a foreigner came up to talk to me! YAY! the second foreigner i saw in gimhae actually came up to me! i'm so excited. anyway, his name is chris, and he was at the park with his wife lois. they're australian but have lived in zimbabwe, mozambique, tasmania, and new zealand, to name a few. they're both teachers in their 60's and came to korea to be closer to their son, who is married to a korean woman. so after the initial chit-chat, we figured out (on my map) where each other lives and i got their phone number and they're going to put me in touch with other foreigners! they know where the gimhae foreigners all hang out - a bar called B and Girls. i'm going to go this week and check it out. the best part is that this means i have finally discovered where all the foreigners have been hiding - the other side of town!
after chatting it up in the park for a long time, we decided to rustle up some grub and headed to the Home Plus (giant store that sells everything and has tons of foreign stuff too). i have a home plus in my 'hood, but nothing like this one. mine is tiny in comparison... this place is the closest thing to a mall that i've seen anywhere in korea. we didn't really shop - the crowds were insane, imagine the eaton center two d
ays before christmas, and you'll have an idea. again, this is because of chuseok... everyone was last minute shopping. anyway, inside the "mall" they have a KFC. yes, that's right, i caved... i haven't eaten at Kentucky Fried Chicken in about ten years, but they assured me it was pretty tasty and so i went with the flow. it was either that or McD's and we all know how i feel about that place! it actually was pretty good. i had a "zinger burger" which is a spicy chicken burger, and it was actually delicious... tasted and looked like real chicken... maybe they have laws against genetically modified meat here or something, but i really think it was the real thing. with yummy tomato and lettuce... it was a nice lunch, and chris paid! (thanks) after lunch, lois invited me back to their apartment for coffee, and also so i could see where the B&Girls is... now i know!!! it was a lovely afternoon and i'm so happy to have made some new friends, even if they are the same age as my parents! they were really nice and have amazing stories to tell of their travels. before i took my leave to come home and call ranya, i took their pic and told them to expect it to be on my blog, so here it is, my new friends, chris and lois:
ays before christmas, and you'll have an idea. again, this is because of chuseok... everyone was last minute shopping. anyway, inside the "mall" they have a KFC. yes, that's right, i caved... i haven't eaten at Kentucky Fried Chicken in about ten years, but they assured me it was pretty tasty and so i went with the flow. it was either that or McD's and we all know how i feel about that place! it actually was pretty good. i had a "zinger burger" which is a spicy chicken burger, and it was actually delicious... tasted and looked like real chicken... maybe they have laws against genetically modified meat here or something, but i really think it was the real thing. with yummy tomato and lettuce... it was a nice lunch, and chris paid! (thanks) after lunch, lois invited me back to their apartment for coffee, and also so i could see where the B&Girls is... now i know!!! it was a lovely afternoon and i'm so happy to have made some new friends, even if they are the same age as my parents! they were really nice and have amazing stories to tell of their travels. before i took my leave to come home and call ranya, i took their pic and told them to expect it to be on my blog, so here it is, my new friends, chris and lois:
their son is in his 30's and has lived here for a while, he has a 2 month old baby girl and knows all the other foreigners in gimhae... most of them are in their mid 20's to mid 30's ... perfect for me! i'm really excited about meeting them, and finally having something resembling a social life in gimhae... hope i like them!so that was my incredibly productive day... i knew that just wandering around would eventually pay off! stay tuned for the chuseok holiday adventures!
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