It has been a while (October) since my last blog post and I could regale you with stories until I'm blue in the face, whether it be from me talking or you choking me. However, I'll limit the bureaucratic bullshit of educational systems and focus more on my travels and adventures.
Fast forward from October to March, when I decided to forego a big international trip for a local visit to one of my favorite Indonesian islands: Lombok. Traveling with Diane and Sammy was an adventure itself, particularly with the 7 pm vs 12 am bedtimes, respectively. Venturing back to the Gili Islands is always a great time. A weird combination of serenity, clear blue water and stinky weed.
Next was a long weekend trip to Yogyakarta, trying to do/see all those touristy things I missed out on the first time. Prambanan and Kaliburu (above) were great, though the company was better.
Last, but certainly not least was South Korea. I met Joe in Seoul for a day before heading to Jeju Island for Ben's wedding. Seoul, on the surface, seems like a great city. Though the subway was pretty packed, it was a good walking city with a large number of expats and very easy to visit. Our most memorable stop was to the Korean War Memorial (below).
This place was MASSIVE. Aside from the building itself, there was an additional area with airplanes, trucks and a small ship on the other side of the pillars [to the right]. One of the best things about this museum is that it showed thousands of years of history without bias. Walking in the war museum in Ho Chi Minh made any American with a conscious feel awful for what the country did in that war (the museum didn't show what the Vietnamese were doing to draw us into the war). However, the museum in Seoul was exactly what a museum should be: interesting and unbiased facts.
From Seoul to Jeju Island is the most commonly flown route in the entire world, and with good reason. Ben met Joe and I at the airport and we were able to see a glimpse of what the island holds. I could only imagine that this is what Maui looks like. A huge island full of expats with multiple international schools and golf courses. Needless to say, people who routinely go here have a little more money than Joe and I. Evident as we walk through crowded airports looking like hobos.
After my last 22 hour plane ride from Jakarta to Chicago, I have finally reached the bustling town of Tama. Losing my money at the casino, tending bar and Subway. What a lovely way to spend the summer before heading to Shenzhen. I can only hope that this job and school are better and more applicable to what I know the Athletic Director position to be. Until I make that [shorter] trip in August, I'll enjoy cheap booze and far too much Mexican food. Psych! There is no such thing!
