Leaving on a jet plane!

We are about to board the plane. See everyone soon!

North Korea

This is a photo of North Korea from the DMZ.

Pyeongang

This is the last stop on the railroad before North Korea.

This place has no traffic.

Ok it's Namsam not Namwon

Here is the last view of Seoul from NAMSAM tower. View of Pyongyang.
North Korea less than 200 KM, @120 miles, away.

United States Embassy

Here is a photo of our embassy in Seoul

More views of Seoul

Cool views

Views from Namwan Tower

More pictures!

Seoul view from Namsam Tower

Pretty cool view!

Post Skype snack

After we skyped with my Mom and then one of my History classes we
ordered fried chicken take out.

So much fun.

New Posts on the school blog

Here are a list of links for new blog posts and photos from the school blog.

Blog Posts
Last days in Jeonju

Sori Performing Arts Center

Jeonju English Center

Photos Albums
April 28th, Jeonju

April 29th, Jeonju, Korea

Oh the press is so bothersome

In the news, again! So much fun.

Teaching in Korea

We visited a middle school, high school, and an arts academy. The
music division of the academy focused on traditional Korean music and
art.

Afterword I was able to speak to a class of Korean students. I was
able to play Greer's photostory. They loved it!!

I then lead a question and answer session about American schools and
Hutchison.

It was great to be in front of a classroom again.

The photo below is of a "senior" in high school who played a
"kayeageum", a traditional Korean string instrament. It was great.

Visit with the Lieutentant Governor of the Province

Today we visited the Jeollanbuk-do government. We visited the province
(think state) assistant Governor.

After meeting with him we met with the head of the State Assembley of
Jeollanbuk-do.

We watches some promotional videos for the state. The cool thing is
that we saw nearly everything that te video promoted.

A visit to a Pepper Farm

After we left the Jirisan Mountain National Park we were treated to a
you of one of our new friend's farm. He grows green, red, yellow, and
orange peppers.

When you drive around Korea you see these small to large greenhouses
all over the place. They enable the Korean farmers to farm all kinds
of things that would be typically out of season.

The Koreans may not have a ton a land in their country but they use
eery inch of it.

Tea with a monk

Today we visited one of the most simple yet most spiritual Biddhist
Temples. Ssanggyesa monastery is well known in Korea and in the
Buddhist world.

They have an organic farm and anyone can go and live there while they
learn to farm in an organic and "Zen" way. Sounds neat, for a week.

While there we were invited to have tea with the Head of the
Monastery. Even the Koreans we were with had never done this!

He was great. He spoke pretty good English and had a very warming
smile. We had a couple of cups of tea with him.

Lunch in the Mountains

After our walk in the mountains and the park we had lunch at a small
mountain resteraunt. They cooked a meal thatvis special for the region
called, "Black Pig".

They smoked the meat outside the place. I sat outside while they
cooked the meat. It was delicious.

Great meal and better people. The peope of Namwon have been fantastic.

A Walk in Jinsan National Park and Mt. Jiri

Although today was a bit chilly the sun was shining and the view was
great. We walked for about an hour and a half up the mountain. We
stopped were the photo was taken.

The view was spectacular!

On to Namwon

Namwon is a smaller town about an hour drive from Jeonju. It is known
as the, "City of Love". There is legend in this city about a couple
from different classes of society that falls in love. It's basically
the Romeo and Juliet of Korea.

They were finishing up their three day town festival which celebrates
the city's history and culture.

We walked around the fesrival. Even though it was in the rain it was
still quite nice. In the afternoon we had some delicious freshly
ground Ginger tea.

Dinner was amazing as usual. People imagine having Thanksgiving dinner
for three straight weeks. Welcome to my Korea dining experience.

Here is a photo of the city park. Namwon is a beautiful city.
Tommorrow we head for a walk through the Jirisan National Forrest.

See everyone soon!!!!!

New post on school blog

Video and photos. Check it out.

http://johnstephany.blogspot.com/2010/04/rotary-district-conference-video-and.html

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