One of the teachers that was recruited by CDI had Swine Flu when they boarded their flight and exposed all of the new teachers at training. This caused over 100 foreigners to be quarantined and the the school management to decide what to do with limited staffing and a PR catastrophe.
That Monday I came to school early for our start of term staff meeting all of the teachers we were told to go home. All 100+ CDIs in Korea were to close until June 2nd! Now it's not a 100% confirmed that I will get paid. From reading my contract we should get paid the minimum of 24 hours a week, but having been in Korea long enough to know you don't know you will get it, until you got it, June 10th will be the day of reckoning on that front.
Now we were directed to buy thermometers and stay out of the public eye as much as possible. In addition to isolation, we were also asked to report our temperatures two times a day, as a rise in body temperature is the first sign of symptoms. Our branch having no contact with those that were infected, took this as more a vacation than a lock up. Nate, Lisa and I decided to head to the coast and take some time to relax in Busan.
I spent four glorious days in Busan for the second time. Seeing some of the same and some different things. I truly enjoyed this little break from the daily grind. However, while I was reading a book while laying in the sand, 70 of my fellow instructors were locked up at a facility in Southern Seoul waiting to show symptoms of the flu. A few of them blogged (http://underquarantine.tumblr.com/) about it and we on the outside read and laughed about it. However, it isn't really that funny. From the sounds of it they were treated well and miserably at the same time. At one point they were going to confine these people to individual rooms without reading materials, internet or any other means of entertainment. Take about extremes. Also, our school is all over the Korean news and while Korea is dirty and lacks soap in bathrooms and common western niceties like covering your mouth when you cough....my kids are practically Mysophobes (fear of germs). So, I tried hard to avoid talking about where I work. It just seemed like a good idea. While we were in Busan it was hard to tell if we were paranoid or more observant, but we felt that we were more than stared at. This could be for many reason and even without swine flu hits out on foreigners by the Korean media, we don't exactly blend into this homogeneous culture....but damn! There wasn't a trip on the subway or meal eaten where we weren't glared at.....
So these are some of the more interesting pictures I have from my vacation. In other news. A beloved ex-Korean President committed suicide by jumping off a mountain last week. He was buried in scandal over his family taking over $6million in kick backs from businessmen......Also, North Korea seems to be getting a little crazy with their bombs again. Who knows what will happen. I updated my information with the embassy and at the moment check the news more than facebook.....which is often! Korea has been a happening place lately, can't say thats a good thing.....
Our first day in Busan we went to a Baseball game. So much different from the states....Koreans bring their own food and alcohol. Big boxes of chicken and soju seemed to be the popular choice! I don't watch too much Baseball at home, but Nate said the level of play equated to the minor league or college ball.
KEG MAN
Beer gone Disco
Part of the bar show at the local foreigner bar. At "western bars" you see a lot of these shows with bottles and fire.....I wonder if they know it isn't the regular thing in the western world....hmmmmmm
THE BARS ON FIRE!
Sand memorial for the former president who committed suicide.
Back at the Jagalchi Fish Market! Octopus anyone?
Not sure what these are, they don't look yummy, but the color was pretty....
While we were walking through the restaurant section a woman threw this alive skinned eel into a bowl and laughed as we freaked out.....poor eel!
I almost bought this cat.......look at those eyes...
May buddha bring me in under par......Buddha hanging out outside a screen golf place.
