Olympic Torch in Seoul~craziness

(If you want, you can view a larger version through YouTube here. Make sure you click on 'watch in high quality' below the video to the right.)

Dear friends,

Well, I can't believe it, but I actually managed to figure out this video problem. Honestly, the learning curve is about 90 degrees...I am clueless about this sort of thing. I am indebted to my dear 'wikiFriend' back in Canada who seems to breathe technological understanding. Thanks also to jotman who left the helpful comment and who has an interesting blog. :)

So here you have it, and you'll be glad I figured out how to edit it, as it was twice this long at the start.

Background info: we were at Olympic Park in Seoul (where the '88 Olympics were held), and where the torch arrived early Sunday afternoon from Japan. The area was swarming with Chinese...many of them are in this country to study. I guess I can understand patriotism, especially when it comes to hosting the Olympics. What I can't understand is the signs saying things like, "Ugly Dalai Lama," and "Tibet has always been and always will be a part of China." Come on.

I really can't understand this crowd of Chinese. Good lord, they're mostly students...aren't they supposed to be well-informed??

Anyway, this video starts about 2 minutes after the torch has already passed by and is on its way into the heart of Seoul. The mob tried to swarm the one tiny truck of protestors who, actually, were not protesting about Tibet (well there was maybe one guy), but rather were protesting China's policy of sending North Korean escapees back to North Korea. A terrible practice, to be sure, since they are certainly being sent back to labour camps, torture, or death. How could these Chinese people, who have access to information here in Korea, ever, ever, turn on these demonstrators, some of whom were North Korean? These are Chinese people in Korea let's not forget. They were even throwing things for god's sake; shit was landing everywhere, though you can't really see it on the video. That's when you hear me say, "I gotta get out of here." Ridiculous.

Kudos to the riot police, who did let me through their line (though I was still stuck there in the middle of it all), and who somehow managed to push the Chinese back. It doesn't come through well on the video, but I had no control over where I was going...the crowd was very strong. It was actually really scary, and since the mob looks pretty tame on the video, I can only imagine what a terror it would be to be in the middle of a truly riotous mob, like those you see on the news. I can easily now understand how people can get seriously injured or killed. Things escalate and get out of hand quickly, and thankfully this situation did not...after about 10 minutes, it was pretty much over.

I'll post more pictures later. xo

Oh my...

...what a day it's been! I was (literally) in the middle of a clash today between hundreds and hundreds of Chinese people and a small group of anti-China protestors as the Olympic Torch made its way through Seoul. I have amazing video to show you! However, I need to edit it, since I left it on for 10 minutes. Problem...it's an AVI file and iMovie doesn't read AVI files. Help, anyone??

From CNN:

A man doused himself with gasoline and tried to set himself on fire -- but was stopped by police.

Scuffles broke out several times along the route between demonstrators and Chinese students waving their country's red flag.

At least 8,000 riot police were deployed to guard the 15-mile (24 km) route, which started at Olympic Park, built when Seoul hosted the Summer Games in 1988, and winds down at City Hall in central Seoul.

As the runners carried the torch through the streets of Seoul, three rows of guards flanked them on each side.

God's Ma, Joseph Smith, and the Jesus People

I answer my doorbell late this Saturday morning. Two ladies hurry over, apparently caught by surprise at the foreigner peeking out the door. “Um, ah, would you like to know more about--(ruffles around in bag for English version of tract, thursts it in my nose)--the Bible??” I politely decline, and to their credit, the ladies leave, although that could’ve been due to my PJs and weekend morning Dr. Seuss hair. I’m sure they’ll be back, probably with someone who speaks better English.

From Wiki:

Seoul contains eleven of the world's twelve largest Christian congregations. South Korea is also the world's second largest missionary (with the United States as the first) nation.

Of course, any foreigner worth her kimchi would know this already, as one cannot help but be familiar with the Evangelicals in South Korea. This morning's ladies were the nicest/tamest I have ever encountered. I am always nice to them, because of my upbringing mostly (and also, of course, because of my naturally sweet and lovable disposition heheh). But I must admit, sometimes they make it difficult to be nice. They pepper the sidewalks on weekends, sashed and bannered, armed with tracts and free packets of candies or kleenex, and key English phrases. The latter is particularly annoying, because they are pushy, but lack the English necessary to hold a decent conversation. One man last weekend tried to push a tract into my hand while saying, “Would you like to come to church?” “No, thank you,” I said as I continued walking. “Why? Why! Weh, weh, weh?” (‘why’ in Korean) Then his voice getting louder as I got further away- “Why? No religion? No beliefs? Why? Let’s go church! Come drink coffee!!”

sigh. I had another woman come up to me while I was waiting for a friend, tell me I was beautiful, ask all sorts of questions about my home, etc., generally being friendly, and then, after about 10 minutes ask me to church. I find this- “I’m only interested in you because you are a potential convert”- very insulting. Reminds me of “friendship evangelism” when I was growing up.

Now I must say, the Christians are not as bad as the die-hard followers of the Heavenly Mother cult. Thankfully I’ve not had too much experience with them aside from a few sidewalk encounters.

Also from Wiki:

The World Mission Society Church of God was founded by Ahnsahnghong in 1964, when he left the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church believes that he (referred to by his followers as Christ Ahnsahnghong) is the second coming of Jesus. Ahnsahnghong died in 1985, three years before his predicted date of the second coming of Christ. Today, the leader of the church is Zahng Gil Jah, known to followers as the Heavenly Mother. They introduce themselves (to foreigners) by asking whether the individual has heard of the Mother's love, or of the Heavenly Mother. The church believes that Korean resident Gil-Jah Zahng is "God the Mother" (who they believe is referred to in the Bible as the New Jerusalem Mother) as well as that Ahnsahnghong is God the Father. The church regards that the earthly family system is a copy and shadow of the heavenly family system, consisting of a Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother, and the spiritual brothers and sisters (humans).

Oh brother, give me a break. How ridiculous that this embodiment of the second-coming Christ died 3 years before his own predicted second coming. And how convenient that the Holy Mother steps in right at this time and place to save the day. I have no time for these people. The mental gymnastics necessary to continue to hold these beliefs! I have known some naive foreigners to get sucked in and have difficulty getting out.

There are Mormons here too. You can see the young boys walking down the street, in pairs, impeccably dressed, always sweet, and sometimes a little wary of foreigners. They studied the language for 3 months before coming and raised their own money to fund their mission, all before their mid-20s. They spend their days pounding the pavement and giving free English lessons. I've never had too much problem with Mormons being too pushy, and usually I can have interesting conversations with them about their upbringing, happily skirting the finer points of their erroneous perception of reality.

Personally, I just don't like being accosted. I dislike being called to, pushed or grabbed, and treated like I'm deluded or misinformed. I'm not anti-religion, I'm freedom of, in, or from religion. To me, it's all about respect.

3am Thunder

Hey, good morning everyone. The loudest thunderclap I have ever heard just propelled me suddenly and completely out of dreamland and into the land of a dark and dripping wet Seoul. Leaped out of bed to see if I could catch it for you, and I did catch a lesser one before the storm moved on. I love thunder and lightning. As you can see, at 3:30am, there is less neon, praise Thor. Must be fewer people around at this time of night to woo with its charm.

Entertaining

Me & the Kindies

Friday was a field trip to the Children's Grand Park, which was rather grand, actually, except for the Zoo part. More on that lovely display of exploitation later.

Apart from that, it was a super, sunny day and we all had a great time. Picture above is with my homeroom kindergartens, who I teach for 80 minutes every day. Charming, smart, and generally a great group of munchkins.

Before bed

I am depending on Mr. Default to not password-protect his wireless. God bless his naive, generous, or don't-really-care-who-shares-my-internet soul.

But for moocher's rights, I have to give up some things otherwise taken for granted, such as speed of uploading pictures. That is to say, I was going to send along some pics from my wee trip last weekend, but it's taking far too long, and I'm bushed. Although, if you can believe it, it's almost, *horrors* too hot to sleep already. Geez. It's April!! Oh, please think of me, my cool, Canadian cousins, while you are feeling the ocean breezes, or getting some chilly spring weather.

Ah yes, well anyway I digress. It's time for bed. As you can see, I've managed to upload one picture. Ah, magnolias. How I love spring!!

Love you all, and I think of you lots, even if I ignore you in cyberspace. Hugs and kisses. *muah!!*

Tibet

A few images from the net I thought I would share.
First up, from Students for a Free Tibet earlier this week (and I quote):

A group of Tibetan monks in Labrang Monastery bravely demonstrated during a tightly-scripted media tour conducted by the Chinese government. Like the monks of the Jokhang Cathedral last month in Lhasa, the Labrang monks took great personal risk to show the world that Tibetans are not happy under Chinese rule.

Next up, both from ABC News:

Nepalese police officers snatch a Tibetan flag from a Tibetan protester demonstrating in front of the U.N. office in Katmandu, Nepal, March 17, 2008.
Supporters of Tibet gather at Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall for a candlelight vigil March 17, 2008, in Taipei, Taiwan.

Cinquain

Here's a poem my fun-loving grade threes wrote in class for me about my whiteboard eraser. This was about 10 minutes after they'd just been introduced to the idea of poetry, and about 2 min after learning about cinquains.

eraser
red, rectangle
cleaning, hiding, disturbing
the teacher always loses it
marker's rival

I swear, these kids are so smart...they are light years ahead of many of the native English speakers I taught back home.

PS When I asked why "disturbing," they said it was because we spend so much time looking for it...erm, yes...organized teacher that I am...

My weekend and the psychedelic golden forest

And now to inundate you with photos. So don't expect any more for awhile. ;)

First of all, can I just say yay, magnolias?! They are the most splendid spring blossom on the face of the earth, and I feel Canada is missing out. Korea has gone from the bare trees of winter to sidewalks lined with magnificent, giant blooms! They come in white usually, but also in pink, and smell beautiful as well. The cherries are also in bloom, so my bike ride to work usually has more than one happy smile from me as I pass these great plants.

I threw this next pic in so you can see me enjoying me weekend in Seoul, as we went to see some sights.Here is a picture of the Han River, and the Han River Park. You can see some of Seoul's skyline on the other side of the bridge.

And here is Building 63, the tallest in Seoul. I think I told you last year that I went to the aquarium in the bottom. Yesterday was just the food court. haha
And here is part of the super-awesome outdoor (and indoor) market called Namdaemun (Nam-day-moon), which we visited for a couple of hours. You can get EVERYTHING here. Ginseng, veggies and fruit, street food, clothes, curtains, shoes, backpacks, stationery, posters, purses, you get the idea.



Warning, next picture is..erm...unlike anything I've ever seen for sale in La Senza, shall we say...

YES! It's elephant underwear for men. And there above, a tiger. I swear, Korea is so hilarious and random at times.

And now for the golden forest. Outside of 63 Building, there was this art, basically a shiny, golden forest. I loved it. You can walk into it. Neato.

Ok, bye! Have a great week everyone! Love! xo

Diving for a Free Tibet

The coolest thing I've seen in awhile!

Two French tandem parachuters skydive and hold Tibet's flag. The coolest things is that they stop the video to show you when the skydivers are at Lhasa's (capital of Tibet) altitude! Which is, in case you were wondering, 3650 metres, or 12 000 feet. Wheeeeeeee!!

Sweet!

In winter there's lots o hot food to be found by way of street vendors. On my bike ride home, I stopped for some fresh-roasted sweet potatoes. Since I had to wait, I took a little video for y'all.