We laid low here this weekend while most of the others traveled to seoul. On friday night, thanks to Kate Barney's fantastic sixth sense, we found the group on a whim while wondering on the outskirts of town. After nearly claiming defeat, Kate suggested we take a random elevator up to the second floor in search of a bathroom and hopefully of friends too! To our surprise, we found the group of friends we had been searching for. After trying my first taste of a corndog, I went on crazy escapades through the wilderness barefoot and attempted, somewhat successfully under the circumstances, to scale a climbing wall on the side of a stadium. Looking back, none of the recently mentioned endeavors should have been undertaken, but all's well that ends well right? On saturday we spent a leisurely day around the campus. Around 4pm Emerald, Kate and I mustered the energy to bare the high temps and explore the riverfront. We took these kitchy swan boats out for a paddle and mosey down the river.
Following our relaxing boatride, we hit up the jinjibang. a jinjibang is a public bathhouse. There are at least one or two in each town; a very popular pasttime of koreans. Jinibangs have hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, a gym, restaurant, some include personal noribang stations and internet stations as well. Jinjibangs are a great hostel alternative. You can show up at any time of day or night and sleep there. You must be very comfortable with nudity since you just roam around the spas naked. We have been debating whether jinjibangs would ever make it in the united states. I would argue that gyms in america provide many of the same amenities. However, where Korea is a group based society versus America which focuses on the individual- jinjibangs can exist without the need for membership. The concept of membership, which exists at most health clubs, is almost a superficial symbol of community. For this reason, jinjibangs are much more culturally acceptable and membership is not necessary. i am rambling here without much coherence but it has been something i am trying to work out. Anythoughts?
As we walked home we were summoned to a fair where we became the spectacle due to our american status. We got free food and awkwardly attempted to practice our korean somewhat unsuccessfully infront of an entire audience of native speakers. Our walk home proved equally entertaining. Kate and her sixth sense again-she didn't think we were in the best neighborhood, to which Emerald and I responded "oh it's fine." Not 10 seconds later though did we stumbled across a mini red light district. Interesting to say the least. We ended up catch a taxi and getting cheesy pork rice. the best meal second to takbuki and takalbi!
