Bangkok

Yesterday marked the first day in our 24 day journey throughout Thailand and Cambodia!

We arrived in Bangkok very late (2:30am to be exact) due to a flight delay. The hostel we stayed in for the night was very clean and well kept and all of the staff were very friendly! We were very happy to have made it this far and to have a clean and safe place to sleep.

The next day we headed out via taxi to the airport to connect to downtown Bangkok via the skytrain. The train was pretty conveinient as Bangkok traffic can be sometimes congested. This train, however, was NOTHING compared to the train Svein and I took while waitin at the airport in Shanghai! During our 8 hour layover we met a Chinese man and woman who were so eager to show us around the city. We were very hestitant considering we had just met this man in this country that is very foreign to us. He eventually purchased tickets for us to ride the Shanghai Transrapid into the city! It was the most generous offer Svein and I had ever received! Especially considering that these tickets were about 120 RNB each which is about 20 bucks each! So, Svein and I decided to board the train and head into Shanghai! Why not?! Luckily we were allowed to leave the airport during our layover, which was opposite to what we believed. We thought we would have needed a VISA. This train was like no other train we had taken in our lives! It was a high speed bullet train that reached..... 430km/h!!! That's' nothing compared to the 300km/h KTX  in korea! It was to say the least, thrilling! Once we reached the city we were disappointed to see that we weren't actually in the city centre - we were in fact quite far from it. And with only thing long sleeved T's on we thought it wouldn't be worth going deeper into the city. Next time Shanghai! Next time!

Now, back to Bangkok!

I am currently sitting in our guesthouse, the Sivarian, which has been amazing! The beds are the most comfortable Svein and I have seen since leaving Canada. It has been so nice to get a solid nights sleep. After reaching the guesthouse on our first day we decided to grab a bite to eat at a small local restaurant. It kind of looked like a diner. We ordered the obvious. Pad Thai and Changs (beer). Mm Mmm Mmmmm it was delicious! (Machisayo!) AND it only cost us about 3 dollars each. Very good! But not the best! We had seen Pad Thais being sold on the street later that day for about a buck a pop!

After our meal we boarded the number 3 bus to Chutachat Market which is only open on the weekends. It was HUGE and filled with so many different vendors selling clothing, china, plants, food, bags, ... you name it, it was there! The sun was beaming down on us the whole time which was also welcomed! We found some incredible steals at this market! $3-5 dollar T's, Tanks and Lacoste Polos, amazing smoothies, Chai teas and coconut icecream for under a buck and a nice hand made bag for about 5 dollars! 

After a long day at the market we headed out for dinner near Khao san road (the local foreigner hangout). As Svein and I had a beer and ate some amazing food (Massaman curry and Green curry fried rice) we were in awe at our surroundings. I think we were in shock, actually. There were so many interesting travelers, bright lights everywhere, funky music, Thai peddlers on the streets... it seemed like we were in some kind of movie. I don't think the idea of us being in Bangkok had really set in until this point.

Later we traveled around Khao san Road, which was somewhat of a disappointment. It was just so dirty and chaotic. There wasn't anything traditionally Thai about it either. Svein and I had read up on this however, so we were somewhat prepared. We did find some cheap dresses, which was nice for me!

Once we finally got back to our hostel, which was so peaceful and quiet, we crashed HARD into our beds! It might have only been 10:30 too.. haha are we getting old?
Tomorrow we look forward to a day filled with temples, a night bazaar and more amazing Thai food!

Till then and love to you all!
S & S

A Korean Wedding Experience

A week or so ago, Svein and I headed up to Yeoncheong to attend my coteacher's (Ms. Jung's) wedding.  After quite the transportation mix up, two buses and 2.5 hours later, we arrived in Yeoncheong (which is really only 1 hour away).  As we just barely made the start of the wedding we were surprised to see so many people wandering about outside the wedding hall.  For those of you who don't know, when people get married in Korea they register with a wedding hall.  These wedding halls generally provide the bride and groom with appropriate wedding attire, along with makeup, hair and what have you.  The hall also provides all of the flower arrangements and decorations, along with a buffet meal following the ceremony.

As we approached the second floor wedding hall it was very confusing as it did not seem as though a wedding was actually taking place.  There were people moving around everywhere and talking very loudly! As we made our way through the busy crowd we found ourselves standing at the end of the isle of the wedding hall.  Directly infront we could see the bride and groom being spoken to by... my principal?? This was weird and very unexpected!

Following whatever they were saying (it was obviously in korean) there were a series of strange events such as trumpet playing, a tribute song for the new husband and wife, as well as the firing of giant confetti cannons.  The strangest part, however, was when the groom started performing a series of calisthenics.  Push ups, squats, you name it.  He was definitely showing his male strength and agility.  But why?  We still don't really know.... During the whole ceremony the entire audience continued to talk or text on their phones and speak loudly to one another.  It seemed so rude and inappropriate, however, no one was phased by it.  As one may say, "it's the korean way".

Towards the end of the ceremony the bride and groom proceeded to walk towards the very spot where Svein and I were standing.  As they approached us, confetti and bubbles floated above their heads and the multiple assistants fussed with the brides dress and hair.  This was in preparation for the series of photographs that were taken at the end of the isle.  Despite the loud and rude attendants, the tacky confetti and bubbles circling their heads and the constant flash from the photographer, the newly married couple looked very happy and excited for their future together.

After the ceremony had finished, Svein and I were rushed downstairs by the other teachers at my school. First we were given two tickets and two envelopes.  The tickets were for our buffet lunch and the envelope contained a note in korean, as well as 10,000 korean won (~$10).  We still don't really know what the money was for haha. But thank you anyways!?  Then we were hurried to a long table in a very large dining hall.  We were told to get in line and fill up our plates with what looked like a very appetizing buffet!  The bride and groom were nowhere to be seen so we thought it must not be impolite to serve ourselves before the couple of the hour.  The food ended up being mediocre, however, the pumpkin soup and pomegranate drink were quite good!

Overall, attending a korean wedding was definitely a great cultural experience! It was very interesting to learn about the various wedding customs as well! Here are a few facts we found pretty noteworthy!

- The bride and groom rent all of their wedding attire. This is a MAJOR money saver!
- The hall is actually very reasonably priced considering they provide the food, location, dress, decorations....etc. etc.
- Get this! The groom buys a house for his wife! Pretty cool! 
- The bride, however, furnishes the house.
- The brides family provides her with 3 sets of jewelry
- The parents of both the groom and the bride provide linens, towels, kitchen ware, etc. for the couple
- The kit and kaboodle only lasts about 40 minutes! Then, they're off for a half hour family gathering and then onto their honeymoon! Short and sweet!
- You can wear practically anything to a korean wedding! Jeans and sneakers included.