Hoengseong Local Elections

Wow, who'd think I'd be able to publish 3 posts on the same day? Definitely not when I was with SDALI!

Living with just a parking lot and a small park between myself and downtown, things can get a little noisy, but not enough to really notice it and complain. These lasts days are NOT that case . . .

We're in local election season. All throughout the country, from Seoul to the tiniest villages, local elections are going down. I'm not sure how many political parties Korea has, but there must be about 5 candidates per party running. 

How is campaigning done in Korea?

I hear the same song played over and over again for about an hour.

You see a bunch of people in each party's uniform standing at places where the most traffic are, bowing and waving to each individual vehicle that passes (if they can).

In the traditional markets (like today) there are several party members--maybe even the candidates themselves--handing out cards, even making small talk to potential voters.

There's someone making a speech as I type this.

Koreans generally do everything they do with everything they have, why would election be any different? 

Let me show you the few moments I was able to capture:

How much propaganda can you see?

At the round-about, heading towards Wonju.

See how some of them bow.

This guy seems to direct the volunteers.

a wide view of the round-about.

The full central round-about.

The round-about in downtown.

I don't know what "5" stands for. The "5th" candidate?

I apologize for my ignorance.

Another candidate making his speech among the propaganda of the other candidates.

All angles are covered.

So yeah, that'll give you an idea.

Sunday Excursion

Yesterday (Sunday), after meeting my language-exchange friend, I went out on my own kind of excursion.

1st stop: Wonju Hoengseong Airport (원주 횡성 공항)

I wanted to book the plane ticket to Jeju for my summer vacation. Doing it online was a drag, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and buy it at the airport. It worked! I've never done this before, but I've heard of it done.

That's the entire airport, minus the runway (still don't know where that is).

Inside, from the snack bar/ restroom side, facing the other extreme of the airport.

Looking back at the door I came in through, plus the library & tv beside that entrance/exit.

Now, the other side of the airport, facing the snack bar & restrooms.

When you go through departures, that's where everyone goes.

Did I mention there's only 1 flight out & 1 flight in per day?

The library, entrance/exit, and snack bar.

I wasn't able to study the menu, but it all seemed a tad overpriced. It is an airport, after all.

The arrivals gate. This I took standing in front of the door to the ladies' restroom.

So that's the airport!

Afterwards, I went to Wonju to update my KEB bankbook. I was hungry so I decided to check out Hans Deli which was nearby. This is one of my favorite chains in Korea. I'm sorry for vegetarians, 'cause they barely have anything for you. But for everyone else. you can find something. 

My spicy stir-fried rice with chicken, scrambled eggs, fries, a tiny bowl of fruit and ketchup, as well as a blue lemonade. It was a bit spicier than I would've liked, but still ok.

To walk off the meal, I went over to an old area (I really don't know what it's called. I couldn't see a sign and I didn't ask).

One of the main gates.

Beside the gate, at the other gate.

This is a local funeral shrine made to honor the Sewol-ho ferry disaster victims.

The shrine.

Tons of yellow ribbon.

I'm guessing an old map of Wonju from a millennium back or so.

Panoramic shot of how it looks like when you step inside.

Afterwards, I went around the shopping area (just beside and across the street from the Sewol-ho shrine) and found a pair of long shorts I could get into for less than $10! Not the best looking, but they will be very necessary in the approaching summer.

In the same store, however, I found an item that disturbed me a bit. I've never seen this style before: have you?

Why a split crotch? Are there women who want to have sex without taking their panties off?

What can I say; I'm a virgin, I'm ignorant of these things.

Alrighty then . . . back in Hoengseong, went to the convenience store to get something to take the spicy away and I saw this:

Ok, here's the English on the back:

Wow! I remember drinking these all the time in the States!

Hey, they're not kidding with that "Sweet" label--it's much sweeter than what I remember the American ones tasting like; although it could be I've become more sensitive to sweet things since I don't eat/drink them as much anymore.

Rose Garden in 원주 (Wonju)

This past Sabbath, I went to the SDA hagwon church in Wonju. In the afternoon, I went back home, changed, and got my camera for the rose garden in the park behind the bus terminal. I was going to meet the other SDA lady teachers there. There's going to be a Rose Festival there next weekend, but with all the celebrities, performances, and crowds that will be there; we decided to go now, since the roses are in full bloom (some even dying) and the crowds are non-existent. Here are a few of what I was able to capture:

This was 1/2 of the entire rose garden. It hardly took up any space in the park.

Now for several profiles . . .

We were amazed by this two-toned rose. I couldn't take enough pictures of it. I've limited myself to share only 2.

This rose was given to me by middle-aged "happy" Korean man (we could smell the liquor off him). He greeted us, took pictures with us, gave each of us a hug (barely a hug compared to Western standards, thank GOD), and left. Then he came back with 3 of these roses: 1 for each of us. That was an "interesting" experience.