zoos and beaches

 

I think all English teachers in Korea were looking forward to the long weekend from May 26-28.  That extra day was golden, full of possibility, and relieved of any responsibility.  (I think shortened school weeks are as wonderful for teachers as they are for students.)

Despite detailed and dedicated planning, however, all of our grand ideas for the weekend fell through; ferries to various islands were booked, and booking love motels in advance is near impossible, meaning that faith that we would find accommodation was slim.  So, instead of heading away to one location for three days, we instead decided to visit a different Daejeon-centric location each day.

(Stuart already had plans this weekend to go to some 3-day foreigner beach party, which I had absolutely no interest in attending.  So, I was generating plans with other Daejeon friends.)

On Saturday, we ventured to the south of Daejeon to O World / Zoo Land: an amusement park / zoo / flower garden.  There, we rode various rides and walked through the zoo portion.  It was rather sweet to be there when my South African friends saw their first bear, moose, and raccoon.  We waited in line for ages to go on an “African Safari” that featured Asian elephants, tigers, and brown bears….  It ended up being utterly depressing, as the animals were restricted in small enclosures covered in concrete. 

On Sunday, we work early to take the train to Daecheon, the closest beach to Daejeon, although it was still two hours away.  We spent the day lounging on the soft sand, reading, chatting, and napping.  We did splash in the sea a bit, but it was too cold (and dirty) to really swim.  The beach itself was nice enough, although nothing compared to South Africa’s beaches or those I anticipate seeing in Thailand this August.

The most horrific and upsetting of things, though, to happen on the beach was how much of a spectacle we were.  Koreans were stopping behind us and slyly taking pictures of us with their phones.  We would be relaxing quietly, and then hear the unmistakable click of a camera and the muffled giggle that followed.  It was all I could do not to jump up and demand that the photos be deleted. 

I really really hate being an object and a spectacle in Korea, just because of the color of my skin, eyes, and hair.

On Monday, our day off, I was feeling under the weather and so stayed at home, reading and relaxing, while the others ventured to a soccer game.  I really needed the sleep!