The Continuous Evolution of Chuseok

Transcription

discovery
AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2013
“Arirang at the DMZ”
The Continuous
Evolution of
Chuseok
Membership Musings
Thankful for
Chuseok
Dancing for Difference
The O Train and V Train
S E O U L I N T E R N AT I O N A L W O M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
August/September 2013 Discovery 1
Contents
discovery Magazine
August-september 2013
12
SIWA News and Activities
Editor’s Letter Board Members & On the Cover
President’s Letter Drawing winners
Regular Events
SIWA Membership Musings,
by Melissa Menard
Impeccable Fashion
SIWA News & Activities
Clubs & Groups
SIWA Clubs & Groups
Bazaar News
Cultural Connection
Cultural Culinary Exchange
by Pilar Perez-Mc Kay
SIWA Spotlights
5
Thankful for Chuseok “The Continuous Evolution of Chuseok” Arirang at the DMZ Discovery Interview: Kerstin Poepplau by Isabelle Min
SIWA Welfare Committee, Busan Trip
by Jennifer Valentine
by Stephanie Anglemyer
by Robbie Schuldt
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
16
18
Dancing for Difference Tours Policies Life in Korea
Advertiser Ads Seoul International Women’s Association
21
by Danielle Scher
20
Special Happy Busday Tour 21
by Pilar Perez & Michelle Morrison
Tours to Look Forward to 22
Letters from SIWA Members to Tours Team 26
SIWA Trip with Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) 27
& KORAIL: The O-Train and V-Train Adventure!
by Kerrie Matthee
18
by Milee Kim
6
10
6
Care & Welfare
Tours
10 Magazine,
Seoul Foreign School,
WY Dentistry
2
3
4
5
Events Around Town Lesson in Korean 28
29
27
28 Changeuimun-ro 5-gil
Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea 110-819
www.siwapage.com
News & Activities
s
e
i
d
a
L
o
l
l
e
H
of SIWA,
SIWA 2013
I
t’s August already! Welcome back from your restful
vacations. The summer will be winding down soon,
and very quickly Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving, will
be at our doorsteps (September 18th-20th). The streets
grow quiet, shops close down, traffic thins (for one day at
least!), and the city that never sleeps settles into a mellow
lull.
Editor’s
Letter
Introducing
the brave few who answered
the call to join the editorial
staff. As editor for Discovery,
I’m very grateful for their
help and support!
New Editorial Assistants:
Although our thanksgiving holidays in all our different
countries may come at different times of year, there isn’t
a better time in Seoul to count our blessings. There are
some helpful tips on just how to do that in this issue. We
get to see how some of the SIWA volunteers get to show
their appreciation and hope for peace at the border, and
others share what family means to them during the
Chuseok season. It’s also a great time of year to give to
those in need--which we hope our Care & Welfare section
will inspire you to do.
Also in September, SIWA members will be able to meet
and sign up for classes. This is a great way to meet others,
learn a new skill, and find out more about the country
we live in. Our tours team has also been busy putting
together fascinating trips in and around Seoul, including
the horse racecourse and a brewery.
Wherever you go or whatever you do with SIWA,
consider writing an article and taking pictures for your
Discovery magazine. We’d love to see SIWA from your
perspective!
With gratitude to you, the SIWA member,
Sincerely,
Danielle Odenath
Editor of Discovery Magazine
Board
Members
Executive Board 2013
Terri Hartman
President
[email protected]
Ursula Tarasyants
VP Activities
[email protected]
Isabelle Min
VP Community Relations
[email protected]
Bockhee Lee
VP Fundraising
[email protected]
Lorrie Gomes
Board Administrator
[email protected]
Anastasia Popova
Treasurer
[email protected]
Standing Committees 2013
Arts & Exhibitions
[email protected]
Mihe Shin
Mariya Maderich
Communications
[email protected]
Nuchjaree Klongsungsorn
Diplomatic Liaison
[email protected]
Danielle Odenath
Discovery Editor
[email protected]
Melissa Menard
1
2
3
1. Stephanie Anglemyer
2. Danielle Scher
3. Amy Zhong
On the Cover
Cover Photo: Stephanie Anglemyer
Editor : Danielle Odenath
Graphic Designer : Emilie Lavaud
Printing Coordination : Hannah Minn
Printed by 10 Magazine
Advertising Coordinator :
Contributors:
Tiana Pan
Stephanie Anglemyer, Hyejin Kim, Milee Kim, Anne
Ladouceur, Melissa Menard, Isabelle Min, Terri Hartman, Pilar
Perez-McKay, Danielle Scher, Robbie Schuldt, Ursula Tarasyants
Discovery Photo Files All photos used by Discovery Magazine, unless
otherwise stated, have been provided by SIWA photography group and are the
property of SIWA.
Welcomed!
Contributors
D
iscovery is published bi-monthly (six issues per year) by SIWA with articles and content written
by our members and associates. It is printed and distributed exclusively for SIWA members. All
opinions expressed in articles are those of the respective authors, and may or may not reflect the official
position of SIWA. All right reserved SIWA 2013. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any for
without prior written consent of SIWA.
4 Discovery August/September 2013
Membership
[email protected]
Pilar Perez McKay
Public Relations
[email protected]
Ingrid Peeters
Special Events
[email protected]
Leah Rutz
Sponsorship
[email protected]
Robbie Schuldt
Tours
[email protected]
Milly Kim & Milee Kim
Welfare
[email protected]
Committees 2013
Tiana Pan
Advertising
[email protected]
Arts & Exhibition Co-Chair
[email protected]
Amanda Barut
Michelle Morrison
Cultural Connection Jinsung Yang
Culinary Cultural Exchange
[email protected]
Elmira Urazaeva
Working Women’s Network
[email protected]
News & Activities
A
s I was reading about our August Coffee
Morning, I started to think about the role
of technology in our current life. I try to
imagine what being an expat was like only 20 years
ago. Calling someone “long distance” (do we even
still use that word?) was an expensive proposition, to
be with rewarded with static filled sound at the other
end and much shouting to be heard. No instant
messaging and pictures. I can only imagine how
much more homesick expats were,
waiting for actual letters to arrive
in the mail. Yet for all of our use of
technology and “instant” contact
with our friends and family around
the world, has it gone too far? I suspect this may
be a generational thing, with those of us that think
it is rude to text someone while you are having an
in-person conversation with someone else. I am sure
many of you have experienced, especially among our
children, texting each other from the same place. I
fully expect one day to have to text “dinner is ready”
to get everyone to come to the table!
So in today’s technology, what is the role of the
personal touch? For me, it is wonderful to be able to
conduct the business of SIWA around the world in
any time zone. Still, we find it really important to
actually get together and meet sometimes, even just
to socialize. While it is great to keep in touch with
people all over the world, one of the first things
we want to do when we come to a new place is to
explore it and meet other people. SIWA can help
you. Through SIWA, you can attend between 7-10
different tours each month, including everything
from market tours, to cultural events, and physical
activities. Coming up next month is the sign up for
our enrichment classes, where you can learn a new
skill or perfect an old one. Don’t forget our cultural
connection and culinary exchange, where you can
see and taste from around the world.
Almost since the beginning, SIWA has been having
a monthly coffee morning, a chance to
meet up with friends and make some
new ones. We are continuing this
tradition starting this month in the
brand new Conrad hotel. This
is a wonderful five-star property at the International Finance Center (IFC), an up and coming location in Seoul. It is really easy to get to
by subway or bus, and parking for the event is
free. You can also stick around afterwards and
have lunch, or even a movie, in the IFC Mall.
We hope you can join us, and we want to hear from
you. One of the great uses of technology is to get
your feedback. We want to hear your thoughts about
coffee morning, so that we make sure we are meeting
your needs regarding our programs and offerings, so
look in your email for a quick survey.
We look forward to seeing you on August 21 at our
first coffee morning at the Conrad. As always, I am
extending my invitation to any member to a coffee:
send me a note at [email protected]. I look
forward to seeing you soon!
“SIWA can
help you”
SIWA
Special Announcements
Welcome to our new Hospitality Chair,
Tatiana Siufi!
T
atiana and her husband arrived in Seoul in December 2012. She
was born and grew up in Brazil where her family still lives.
Throughout her life, Tatiana had the opportunity to learn and
experience different cultures whilst living in Spain, USA, Switzerland
and Australia - the country she now calls home after becoming an
Australian citizen. She speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, a little bit
of French and is trying to learn Korean. She enjoys traveling, dancing,
learning new languages, playing chess, reading and catching up with
friends. Tatiana is very excited with the hospitality role and is
wishing to meet you all in upcoming SIWA events.
Premium Platinum Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
President’s
Message
ns to our
CongratulatioDrawing Winners
Membership
P auline Tan
Inge Hofmann
and
! Both ladies
renewed their membership, and both
received a gift certificate to Maple Tree House
restaurant valued at 50,000W each. Thank you to all
of you who renewed your membership and
welcome to our new members! We’re excited to
share in SIWA with you this year.
For places you can use your SIWA
membership card benefits, please visit:
http://siwapage.com/join-us/
member-benefits/
Gold Sponsors
K O R E A
*photos courtesy of Conrad Hotel
News & Activities
Regular
Events
August & September
Transition Group
Venue: Conrad Hotel,
Yeouido
News Flash
SIWA’s new Coffee Morning ‘Home’
Conrad Seoul, Yeouido
Date: Wednesday, August
21st, 2013 & Wednesday
September 11th, 2013
We will be meeting for
lunch after the August 21st
Coffee Morning at the Conrad Hotel and September 11 Enrichment Class Sign-up. For more
information and details please email [email protected].
Newcomers’ Meeting
We are delighted to announce that SIWA’s Coffee Mornings will be
hosted at the new venue - the Conrad Seoul. Join us for our inaugural
event on
Wednesday, August 21, 9:30am-11:30am
Located in the heart of Yeouido Business District overlooking the
beautiful Han River, the Conrad offers a mix of sophistication, luxury
and comfort; an intimate venue where
SIWA members and friends can easily
mix and mingle at our monthly meetings.
Venue: Fifth Floor, Myeong-dong M
Plaza, 31-1 명동2가서울
Directions: Exit #6, subway line 4,
Myeongdong station; walk 5 minutes
Date: Tuesday, August 16th, 2013 &
Tuesday, September 10th, 2013
Time: 10:30am to 12:00pm
If you are new to Seoul or new to SIWA,
we encourage you to join our Newcomers’
meeting. It’s a great chance to get to know
a little more about our organization and
the city of Seoul.
Cultural Connection
Coordinator: Jinsung Yang,
culturalconnection@siwapage.
com
Venue: 19 F, Seminar room,
Korea Foundation Cultural
Center, Mirae Asset Building,
West Tower, 67 Suha-dong,
Jung-gu, Seoul (Jonggak
Subway St., line 1)
Date: Monday, August 19th, 2013
Cost: Free for SIWA members
Maximum number of participants: 20
The August Cultural Connection is designed to give each SIWA
member & participant a good chance to talk about her own
experience about culture home and abroad. Through stories and
visuals such as photos, we can learn more about one another and
enjoy the different perspectives each of us has.
Refreshments: all participants are kindly asked to bring along a
small Korean snack and some drinks to share!
Cultural Connection group meetings are opened ONLY for SIWA
members!
Guest Speaker
Liam Lusk
Well-known Social Media expert Liam Lusk
will present: “How to get the most out of Social Media in Expat Life”
L
iam Lusk started his first blog in 2008 and has since created a
number of blogs for clients and friends as well as himself. By
effectively using social media, Liam has increased his career opportunities and personal network. He runs his own company, Artam Consultancy, and is an author and radio presenter. Liam’s personal blog,
liamlusk.com, continues to grow, obtaining readership from around
the world through the combined use of social media like Facebook,
Twitter and YouTube.
Our meeting will be the perfect opportunity for both newcomers and
long-term Seoul residents to be introduced to Social Media and to
share our experiences and suggestions. Liam will speak on areas such
as how to keep in touch with family, blogging for fun or for business, meeting people with similar interests, and about networking in
general.
Cost: Members 20,000w, Non-Members 25,000w
Coffee Morning is one of SIWA’s core activities, an occasion when all
members come together to enjoy topical lectures, panel discussions
and special events over a cup of coffee or tea and snacks. It is a chance
to reconnect with other members, make new friends and share information. Organized by the Hospitality Chair, Coffee Mornings provide
information about Korea, current affairs, culture and issues of interest
to all. Coffee Mornings are open to all members and friends, and are
held regularly on a third Wednesdays of every month.
Directions to Conrad Seoul- by Subway:
Yeouido Station, subway lines #5 or #9, Exit 3. Go straight along the moving
walkway (underground passage) until you reach the IFC Entrance. Walk
to the escalators (located in front of the ‘8 Seconds’ store) and go up to L1.
The entrance to Conrad Seoul is located between the “Stradivarius” and
“Bershka” stores.
** Parking is free for event participants.
News & Activities
SIWA Membership
Musings...
T
he raffle games we played at our luncheon in June reminded me just how
easily the membership list can turn
into a nondescript pile of paper slips. And
how is it possible to remember so many
names at the beginning of a busy SIWA
year when so many have enrolled at once? I
hear this question all the time; but when the
membership prize goes to someone like Inge
Hofmann, the answer’s obvious.
I first met Inge during
a SIWA tour of Wonjin
Beauty Medical Group
in Gangnam where we
learned with other members about the ubiquitous
market for cosmetic
surgery in Korea. I also
learned that Inge is President of the German
Club Seoul and when SIWA Cultural Culinary Exchange Program proudly announced
that Inge and Uli Schwickart would prepare
an example of traditional German cuisine,
Inge’s generous hospitality left another
impression.
SIWA clubs, tours and volunteer opportunities are thoughtfully planned to engage your
interest, inspire your creativity, and along
the way we finally get to see who you really
are. Everything you thoughtfully included
on your registration form—names, titles,
phone numbers, birthdates and addresses—
is enlivened when you come out to say hello,
to share a meal with us or to offer us a story.
SIWA activities bring us together.
If you are wondering
how your membership
record will enable you to
register conveniently for
SIWA tours and events
or if you’ve recently
decided to recommend
the benefits of a SIWA
membership to a friend, please email me at
[email protected].
Come out and visit with us. We
hope to see you soon.
“SIWA activities
Bring us closer
together”
Melissa Menard
Membership Chair
Impeccable
Fashion
O
n Friday, June 21st, SIWA ladies were invited to Carolina
Herrera’s flag store in Seoul for fresh-berried champagne,
decadent chocolate mousse, and, of course, impeccable
fashion offered at a discount during the event!
We would like to thank the Carolina Herrera company for
such lovely evening.
Carolina Herrera’s flagship store is located in Cheongdam-dong,
Seoul.
News & Activities
SIWA
News&
Activities
Announcement:
*photos courtesy of Conrad Hotel
Venue: Seoul Global Center
Building, 9th Floor, 38 Jongro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-110, Korea
Directions: From Jonggak St.
(Line 1) Exit 6. Walk 50m to
Gwanhwamun
From Gwanghwamun St.(Line 5)
Exit 5. Walk 5 min. to Jonggak
Phone number: 02-2075-4180
Date: Wednesday, September
11th, 2013
Time: TBA (please look online for
further updates)
Friday Mingle Night at Conrad’s Bar 37
Coordinator: Ursula Tarasyants
Venue: Conrad Hotel, 37 Grill & Bar on the 37th Floor
Date: Friday, September 6th, 2013
Time: 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Cost: Members 45,000w
Non-Members 55,000w
Registration ends September 5!
Participants: minimum 10, maximum 30, adults only – Men welcome!
Price includes:
• Welcome Sangria cocktail upon arrival
• Finger food menu (cold and hot) served for two hours
• Two drinks of your choice (wine or beer)
Cash bar is available: Local beer – KRW 12,000; white wine by the
glass – KRW 22,000; red wine by the glass – KRW 19,000
G
et together with old friends
and meet new people at
Friday Mingle Night. This event
has been especially created for
SIWA members and friends, and
the 37 Grill & Bar is reserved for
us. The location has breathtaking
180-degree city and river vistas
sure to make any evening magical.
We will have music by a DJ as we
enjoy food, drinks and conversation. Come enjoy the elegant evening
in a good company!
I
n order to promote cultural exchanges, sharing skills and connections between members, SIWA offers about 40 Enrichment Classes,
which are taught by experienced member teachers. Classes range
from languages, art, crafts, music, culture, cooking and much more.
The only way for a member to register for a particular class is to
attend a Sign-Up Meeting that happens twice a year: in September for
the fall session and in January for the spring session.
Please note that these classes are exclusive to SIWA members!
However, you may register your membership on the day of the sign
up meeting. Depending on the class, the cost of the course varies. For
more information on the list of classes and prices, please check the
Enrichment class guide at www.siwapage.com
Cultural Culinary Exchange -Creole Cuisine
Coordinator: Michelle Morrison
Venue: Deawoo Trump World 3, 65-230, Hangangro-3ga, Yongsan-gu
Date: Friday, September 6th, 2013
O
ur next meeting a SIWA member, Renee Cummins, who was
raised in southeast Texas, will teach you how to cook a typical
Creole Menu: Shrimp Remoulade, Duck and Sausage Gumbo with
potato salad, Crab Cakes, Bread Pudding, and Milk Punch. All
participants will cook together and then we’ll have time for eating
and chatting about the culture of our host country!
Minimum number of participants is 6 people. Maximum – 10 people!
This Event is open ONLY to SIWA members!
September Enrichment Class Sign up
Clubs & Groups
Clubs
&Groups
S
SIWA
IWA supports a variety of groups that are organized and led by our members. If you would like to create a
new interest group and would like our support, please contact: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Coffee Mornings
Coordinator: Tatiana Suifi Ratcu –
[email protected]
Coffee Mornings are one of SIWA’s core
activities
Meeting dates – the third Wednesday of each
month at the Conrad Hotel or another
announced location.
Newcomers Meetings
Coordinator: Jennifer Kim –
[email protected]
A great chance to get to know a little more
about our organization from some
“long-time” members and Seoul residents
Meeting dates – Second Tuesday of each
month at M-Plaza MyeongDong, Seoul
Global Center
Tours
Coordinator: Robbie Schuldt –
[email protected]
Experience all the wonders that Seoul, and
Korea, has to offer!
Visit siwapage.com for regular updates and
new postings.
Enrichment Classes
Coordinator: Selina Yoon –
[email protected]
Taught by experienced member teachers.
Classes range from arts & crafts, music &
culture, cooking, languages, photography
and much more. Exclusive to SIWA members!
Sign Up sessions: Spring (January Coffee
Morning) and Fall (September Coffee
Morning)
* This Event is open ONLY to SIWA members!
SIWA Cultural Connection
Coordinator: Jinsung Yang,
[email protected]
SIWA Cultural Connection group was
formed to bring all of our different
backgrounds together. Our purpose is to
help one another understand and appreciate
each other’s diverse culture. This is a great
opportunity to make friends and meet
wonderful people from all around the world!
We welcome anyone and everyone to come
join us and learn about the many
different types of cultures/backgrounds we
see around us each and every day.
Cost: Free for SIWA members
(CCE)
Coordinator: Michelle Morrison –
[email protected]
Enjoy culture and community over a
culinary creation! Members gather at a
hostess’s house to learn a recipe or two
from the hostess’s country. All members
participate in preparing and cooking, and, of
course, eating!
Meetings: once a month at the home of one
of our members
Moms’ & Tots’ Club
Coordinator: Amanda Beal Barut–
[email protected]
Friendly, active meetings designed to help
moms and kids. Children’s ages vary from 5
months to 5 years. Also, some Moms’ Only
evening gatherings!
Meetings: once or twice a month at the home
of one of our members or at the park. Visit
www.siwapage.com for regular updates.
Working Women Network
(WWN)
Coordinator: Elmira Urazaeva –
[email protected]
Our group is designed for SIWA members
and their friends who cannot attend the
monthly coffee mornings. Our focus is
networking, socially or professionally.
Dinner meetings: on the last Wednesday
evening of every month, at different
restaurants around town.
Transition Group
Coordinator: Isabelle Min –
[email protected]
Transition Group is dedicated to supporting
SIWA members in the process of, or starting
to plan, a global transition; either relocating
or moving back home.
Meetings: Monthly lunch meetings after
SIWA Coffee Mornings.
Book Club
Coordinator: Shubha Maudgal –
[email protected]
Members read a selected book and then
come together to discuss. Each member takes
a turn to host the group, either at a member’s
home, a coffee shop or restaurant. Meets
monthly.
*This Event is open ONLY to SIWA members!
Korean/English
Conversation Group
Leader: Bokkie Kim –
[email protected]
Enjoy chatting in both English and Korean!
Expat ladies can practice Korean, and Korean ladies can practice their English skills
in a relaxed and fun gathering. Meetings are
every month (except August) on the second
Tuesday from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Busan
Galbi in Itaewon. Busan Galbi is located
directly behind the Itaewon Hamilton Hotel
and exit 1 or 2 of Itaewon Station.
Yongsan-gu Itaewon-dong 112-6. 부산갈비 용산
구 이태원동 112-6번지
Bokkie Kim also receives text messages at
010 4338 5511.
Meetings: Lunch at a restaurant once or
twice a month
Clubs & Groups
SIWA & Diplomatic
Community Bazaar
Tuesday, November 5 at the Seoul Museum of History
B
azaar Volunteers – This is the perfect opportunity to step
forward!
We are looking for individuals to volunteer either on Bazaar
day (Nov 5, Monday); setup day (Nov 4, Tuesday), or both!
Contribute your ideas, enthusiasm, time and effort to bring about
this very important event – join the fun, join the SIWA team. Be part
of one of the largest International charity events in Seoul this year:
the SIWA and the Diplomatic Community Bazaar.
Please contact Judy Yun, our Volunteer Coordinator for
additional information at: [email protected]
Ingrid Peeters,
Bazaar Chair
I am happy to introduce the 2013 Bazaar
Committee Team. We started our first meetings with highly motivated members who
want to make the Bazaar 2013 a big success.
Our next meeting will take place on August
14th, 12:30 pm at the Seoul Club; you are
welcome to join us if you would like to learn
PLEASE WELCOME I
M
Ingrid Peeters
Mina Yun
JP Timmerman
Mihe Shin
Mariya Maderich
Diplomatic Community Liaison:
Nuchjaree Klongsungsorn
Donations & Prizes: Betty Willems,
Theresa Kang, Kerrie Matthee
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Administrator:
Art/Photography:
Communications:
Korea Table Coordinator:
Bockhee Lee
Logistics: Ida Bryn, Eun-Ju Hong,
Ursula Tarasyants
Opening Ceremony: Isabelle Min
PR & Media: Pilar Perez-McKay,
Michelle Morrison
Megan Fox,
Pilar Perez-McKay
Publications: Danielle Odenath
SIWA Information & Membership:
Greta Tonnon, Minkyung Kim,
Melissa Menard
Sponsorship: Leah Rutz, Bockhee
Lee, Terri Hartman
Treasurer: Anastasia Popova
Vendor Coordinator: Kies Bae
VIP Liaison: Bockhee Lee, Katie
Chun,
Volunteer Coordinator: Judy Yun,
Romy Shin
Welfare: Milly Kim, Milee Kim
Printing & Design:
Selina Yoon! I
y name is Selina Yoon, SIWA Interest Groups
& Courses new coordinator!
I’m an aromatherapy teacher of SIWA as well.
I was born in a port city in southern Taiwan and
lived in the U.S for years. I was involved in
fundraising dinner preparing in church. We used
lots of herbs for cooking and baking, and that’s
where my interest with aroma and herbs began. I have always been
amazed at the healing power of plants. After taking several courses I
received professional certificates of aroma and herbs.
I also enjoy many and various hobbies. Most of my hobbies are
related to herbs such as gardening, herb tea blending, baking and
cooking. And I have always been fascinated with travel. My husband
and I really enjoy new experiences about food and culture in different
countries.
My professional life also began to follow my newer passions. After I
more about volunteering. Please email me at:
[email protected]
had worked for a TV channel and advertising agency for almost 10
years, I finally decided to start my new career as an aromatherapy
teacher. I have enjoyed sharing with people about the secrets of
aroma botanicals. Before I moved to Korea in 2009, I used to teach in
two different community college colleges in Taiwan and work for a
vocational education & training council.
Since SIWA has great way for cultural exchanges, sharing skills and
building-up the relationship between members, I found a perfect
place to continue my aromatherapy career. I also appreciate the wide
range of SIWA classes. We aren’t only sharing experiences and skills
between instructors and class members, but also establishing a
special connection and friendship together.
Do you have a specialty or talent you would like to share with
people? Are you interested in these joyful SIWA courses?
Join us at the Fall 2013 SIWA Sign Up meeting on September 11th,
2013 at at Seoul Global Center Building.
Cultural Connection
Group meetings
S
IWA Cultural Connection group was formed to bring all of our
different backgrounds together. Our purpose is to help one
another understand and appreciate each other’s diverse culture.
This is a great opportunity to make friends and meet wonderful
people from all around the world! We welcome anyone and everyone
to come join us and learn about the many different types of cultures/
backgrounds we see around us each and every day.
Cost: Free for SIWA members.
This Event is opened for registration ONLY for SIWA members!
Coordinator: Jinsung Yang, [email protected]
August - “Your Interesting Cultural
Experience - South Korea”
When: Monday, August 19, 2013, from 10:00 am till 12:00 pm
Venue: 19 F, Seminar room, Korea Foundation Cultural Center,
Mirae Asset Building (Jonggak Subway St., line 1)
Maximum N of participants: 20
The August Cultural Connection is designed to give each SIWA
member & participant a good chance to talk about her own experience about culture home and abroad. Through stories and visuals
such as photos, we can learn more about one another and enjoy the
different perspectives each of us has.
Refreshments: all participants will be kindly asked to bring along a
small Korean snack and some drinks to share!
Clubs & Groups
September - “Italy - the Land of Many
Treasurers»
Venue: Residence of the Italian Embassy in Seoul, UN Village
When: Monday, September 30, 2013, from
Host: Mrs. Maria Giovanna Fahida Mercuri - spouse of the Ambassador of Italy to the Republic of Korea
Maximum N of participants: 25
This time a very special person and honored SIWA member, Mrs.
Fadiga Mercuri, kindly invites SIWA members to her home in Seoul
where she will be presenting about her home country, Italy - the land
of love, music, history, art, culture, beauty, fashion and gastronomy.
The meeting will be followed by a typical delicious Italian snacks
and, of course, famous Italian espresso!
So if you’re interested in learning more about other cultures or you’re
just looking to make friends with a diversity of different people, then
come join us!
Registration available on www.siwapage.com
The SIWA
English Conversation Group
The SIWA English Conversation Group lead by
Bokkie Kim met on June 10 at the Busan Galbi
Restaurant in Itaewon. The group meetings
provide a lively opportunity to practice English
and Korean among friends in a relaxed environment. To “beat the heat” everyone ordered 물냉면
(mul naen gmyeon), chilled buckwheat noodles in
water and vinegar broth.
To join the group, please email Ms Bokkie Kim at: bskim511@yahoo.
co.kr
[JUNE 10-GROUP photo]:
Nadia Jolling, Paticia Wilson, Bokkie Kim,
Melissa Menard, Cho Song Kang Kim
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Clubs & Groups
on a Journey to
Germany
A
s we gathered at the home of Inge Hoffman on a sunny spring
morning, you could sense our excitement at taking part in the
sixth session of SIWA’s Cultural Culinary Exchange (CCE).
Before we arrived, our hosts Inge Hoffman and Ulrike Schwickart
(both from Munich) had set out the basic ingredients, washed and
sorted the vegetables, got the pots and pans out, and the knives and
cutting boards were awaiting. Ulrike distributed the recipes for the
day’s menu and we were ready to begin our culinary adventure into
German cuisine, learning about the favourite dishes from our hosts’
home country.
The menu consisted of: Cabbage Potato Soup, Green Bean salad,
Pork Roast, Pretzel Dumplings and Red Berry Pudding (Rote Grütze).
Inge explained it was typical of a traditional Sunday autumn/winter
meal; the roast would be started in the morning, cooking slowly to
be ready just in time for when the whole family would gather after
church. Our first task was the plum sauce and the roast; the green
beans had already been prepared and were being kept fresh and crisp
with some ice (a trick we learned from Ulrike). Rote Grütze followed,
with everyone commenting on the enticing colours of the berries.
Next the dumpling mix; we learned that it’s best to use one day old
pretzels for extra texture and flavour. And lastly, Inge and Ulrike
began to expertly chop the potatoes, cabbage, and garlic and, to add
colour, leeks, and carrots for the soup. Another ‘trick’ we learned was
to sauté the potatoes and vegetables before adding the broth to keep
them soft and ‘crisp.’
The timing was perfect; the soup was ready to be served as we all
finished setting up the table in the courtyard, where we could enjoy
the sunshine while our tastebuds were tantalized by the exquisite
flavours and the succulent roast.
It was another perfect CCE experience! We all enjoyed learning about
our hosts’ country history and traditions and tasting authentic dishes
cooked in the spirit of sharing and friendship. Many questions were
asked, stories exchanged and new friends found. Thank you Inge and
Ulrike!!
By
Pilar Perez-McKay
Participants: Euiboon Shim, Kyoungsook Beck, Gabriela Grutter, Megan
Fox, Melinda Lowther, Pauline Tan, Pilar-Perez McKay, Sharon Gibbons,
Young A Roh
Organisers: Michelle Morrison, Mihe Shin
Documentary: PD: Mr. Lee.
siwa spotlights
Thankful for Chuseok
I
always find autumn a wonderful time of year to physically and
mentally prepare myself for the colder weather. Like the creatures
around us, we too seem to stock up on supplies for the winter
months and gather all that is important around us. As the leaves
change and the mittens and boots move from the back of the closet to
the front, many of us take pause and consider how fortunate we are
and for what we should give thanks. This Chuseok, I hope we can all
be thankful for some of the less obvious things that, once we take the
time to cultivate in our lives, will add value to our journey, regardless
of the season. Likewise, this can also be an opportunity for us to identify where we want to grow and develop over the upcoming winter
months as we plant the seeds for a promising new spring.
Below are my own gratitudes and, while I suspect many of them
will resonate with women everywhere (not just in Seoul,) I know
you will also have your own things that elicit your thankfulness. I
hope you find a way to honor those while you also strategically make
plans for growing both you and your future.
“The opportunity for us to
grow & develop”
Thankfulness is a daily state of mind and not just something that
I should consider a few times a year - this is crucial in my own
personal growth and cannot be just lip service to others. Honesty in
seeing myself as I am; not just all the flaws, but also all the positive
traits that make me truly special. Ambition in my life – be it career,
education, family, self-development – means I’m more likely to
achieve my goals and find satisfaction and fulfillment. Never saying
never means that I believe so much more is possible and within my
reach. Kindness that I give so freely when I’m not stressed out or
believe I’m too busy. Friends and family (far and near) that support
me and keep me grounded as I make my way in a world that can be
confusing and hard at times and yet fascinating and amazing at other
times. Understanding that I give to others and to myself when things
don’t go according to plan. Loves (current, past, and those to come)
that provide me excitement and special meaning on my journey.
FOR
Courage to not just see the world from the outside but to immerse
myself in, and truly experience, one of Asia’s most interesting and
dynamic societies. Humor that gives me the buffer to navigate
challenging times while remaining creative in my problem-solving
strategies. Unique perspective utilizing the tools given to me from
my childhood caregivers and supplemented by my years of gaining
experience and wisdom. Setting realistic expectations of others and
myself means we all succeed more often and feel good about our
accomplishments. Excellence is trying my best – while knowing I
can never be perfect. Openness to experiencing life deliberately and
being present in all that I do. Knowledge about who I really am and
that I can make positive changes in my life if I choose to do so.
By
Jennifer Valentine,
M.Ed., LCMFT, CEAP
Jennifer Valentine is the VP of Adaptable Human Solutions (AHS) in
Seoul and the Managing Director of the Singapore office. AHS has been the
premiere native English-counseling company in Seoul since 2006 and provides services for children and adults and corporations for a variety of issues
in a safe, familiar environment.
siwa spotlights
The Continuous Evolution of
Chuseok
C
huseok (추석) has been
celebrated in Korea for so
long that nobody knows
when exactly it started. It’s
centered around harvest and
starts on the fifteenth day of the
eighth month according to the
lunar calendar. Traditionally, it
was a celebration meant to thank
ancestors for a plentiful harvest
and share their good fortunes with
their family and friends.
As Korea has shifted to a less agrarian and
more industrial and urban society, however, things have changed considerably. Of
course some families still celebrate Chuseok
in a very traditional way, but most families’
celebrations have evolved with the changes
that have taken place in Korea.
Four different women in four very different
situations were interviewed for this article.
Hoonie Lee is a 35-year-old single woman
living in Seoul. Every Chuseok she helps her
mother prepare by cleaning and cooking.
Heather Fairclough-Lee is a 51-year-old New
Zealand woman married to a Korean man.
For most of the last 20 years, she has lived
in Korea with her husband. Not followers
of Korean tradiations, she and her husband
have her husband’s family every Chuseok
for early morning Christian hymns,
prayers, and breakfast. Ji-Eun Lee, a 39-yearold Korean woman married to a German
man, has been in Europe for the last twelve
years. She tried to recreate traditional Korean dishes while she lived in Europe, but
found it difficult without the proper ingredients. Hyun-Ju Lee is a 40-year-old typical
Korean 아줌마 (ajumma, married woman;)
she is married to a Korean man with three
children. Since she has been married, she
has been going to her mother-in-law’s house
first, where she helps with the 제사 (jesa,
ancestral rites,) helps wash the dishes, and
then goes to her family’s house to celebrate
Chuseok there.
Hoonie laments the changes she sees. “
아쉬워,” she says: “It’s a shame. It’s more
convenient now, but now it’s less like a
family-oriented holiday.” Many families,
especially if the father is not an oldest son
and is therefore not responsible for the jesa,
will take a small family vacation to places
in Korea such as Jeju Island, Ocean World,
or Everland. Families also look to avoid
the notorious traffic jams that occur every
Chuseok weekend and visit their families
the weekend before Chuseok, then spend
the extended holiday in other countries or
even elect to stay home, instead enjoying the
company of their immediate family by eating
out, seeing movies, and just spending time
with each other.
Traditionally, after a Korean woman marries, she becomes a part of her husband’s
family; instead of seeing her family on
holidays, she spends the entire holiday with
siwa spotlights
Heather Fairclough-Lee Hyun-Ju Lee
Ji-Eun Lee
her in-laws. This also appears to be changing according to Hyun-Ju. “For example, on
New Year’s Day, they (the wives) go to their
in-laws’ house, then on the next holiday,
like Chuseok, they might go to their parents’
house.” Surprisingly, she says the husbands’
roles are changing in other ways as well: “I
think these days many husbands share the
house chores on holidays. (But) they used to
sit, eat, watch television and play cards. It
was unfair for women!”
The husbands’ roles may be changing,
but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
When asked what her least favorite part of
Chuseok is, Ji-Eun replied, “Perhaps a lot of
Korean ladies may agree: constantly cooking and washing dishes during the entire
holiday.” Heather disagrees slightly: “(My
least favorite part is) getting up early.” The
day before Chuseok sometimes the family
makes sungpynog, with her mother in law.
Then early the next day the family gets up
and is ready for visitors. She enjoys seeing
the relatives and makes a big brew of coffee
in preparation. After prayers and breakfast,
the extended family enjoy sitting in the yard
having traditional Korean tea and snacks.
Because her husband is the oldest son of the
oldest son, in the family, the responsibility of
hosting Chusoek falls on him.
Of the four women interviewed for this
article, Heather’s Chuseok experience has
changed the least. She experienced her first
Chuseok twenty years ago after marrying
her husband and then moving to Korea. Her
mother-in-law has prepared almost all the
food from day one, indicating that because
Heather was a foreigner, she couldn’t possibly know how to do anything! “I expected
her to teach me how to cook some traditional
dishes, so at first it was a bit alienating, but I
found other ways to get involved. I understood that the kitchen was her domain, even
though it was my house, and a lot of Korean
friends envy me for that.” Heather explained
with a big smile, as everyone knows how
much cooking can be involved at Chuseok.
Every year until recently the extended family would all visit the family graves, where
some members would bow, in memory
of the deceased ancestor. Due to constant
development in the area though, the graves
have been moved south. Due to Chuseok
traffic, some family members visit the graves
now prior to the Chuseok holiday. The family
misses the visit to the graves, gathering fresh
chestnuts and enjoying the trip to the country. The tradition that has never changed
though, for her, is the early morning, simple
breakfast with the extended family.
Hoonie Lee
Heather has been surprised at some of the
changes that she’s seen in the last twenty
years. “My Korean friends’ experiences
have changed much more than mine, with
people sharing the food responsibilities or
going away,” she says. “Their attitudes have
changed more, they’re not adhering to the
traditions that they might have once done.”
Despite Korean society’s rapid changes,
many Chuseok traditions have remained the
same. Songpyeon (송편,) a special sticky rice
cake only eaten on Chuseok, remains close
to many Koreans’ hearts. Ji-Eun remembers
making songpyeon with her mother and
grandmother fondly. “I remember that my
mother and grandmother always soaked
rice in advance and went to a mill in a local
market near my house to grind the rice,
which became very white and (a) fine powder.” Upon her mother and grandmother
returning home, she enjoyed playing with
the dough and seeing all of the different fillings. “My grandmother spread pine leaves
underneath songpyeon when steaming them
in a pot. It made the whole house smell very
nice.” With the growth of large marts such
as E-Mart and Home Plus, however, many
Koreans choose to not go to the trouble of
making their own songpyeon and other
traditional Korean foods. “Now we buy
more food because it’s easier and cheaper,”
Hoonie says. “Even though it used to be a
lot of work (to prepare the meal,) it was also
fun.”
Stephanie
Anglemyer
By
siwa spotlights
Arirang at the
DMZ
T
he Ecological Peace Festival,
commemoration of 60 years
of the Korean Demilitarized
Zone
“And now the ladies of SIWA will
sing Arirang and Kohyangui Bom,”
said the interpreter to the audience at
Geonbongsa Temple. A few dozen of
us climbed up on stage clutching our
sheet music under the Buddha’s birthday lanterns glowing in the twilight.
Three buses of organizers, media and
guests had left Seoul early in the morning
on May 25 for the DMZ Ecological Peace
Festival in Gangwon-do, South Korea’s
northeastern province which is bisected by
the DMZ. The tour was organized by Gangwon Province, sponsored by MBC (Munwha
Broadcasting System) and Korea Tourism
Organization; and managed by NamuArt.
SIWA members and guests, along with other
foreigners in Korea, were invited to participate.
Our first stop was at the DMZ Battalion of the 22nd Division to serve lunch to
200 young men performing their mandatory military service as DMZ Police. They
greeted us with applause and smiles. 17
ladies were given aprons and we spooned
rice and salad and ladled soup before joining
the soldiers at the lunch tables. The men
were excited to see guests, anyone really, but
especially women, and they were intrigued
that we were foreigners. They were also excited that extra meat was available that day.
These young men are not allowed to have
cell phones but they gladly posed for our
photos. They wanted to know how we liked
the food, and where in Seoul we lived. When
we broached the subject of reunification with
North Korea, they simply said, “It’s a very
serious situation.” After lunch we went back
outside. I was chatting with “Joseph” who
had studied in Iowa in the USA and hopes
to return there someday. The trip organizers said it was time for hugging before we
got back on the bus. Joseph and I hugged
warmly. “It is an honor to have you here,”
he said. The soldiers saluted as we departed.
“It is an
honor
to have
you here”
We headed towards the East Sea, and
when the coastline came into view I realized
how I have forgotten the feeling of natural
expanse during the past 10 months in the
cement jungle of Seoul. I was tracking us on
Google maps and we went as far north as
the road appears, to the DMZ Observatory
in Goseong-gun. Our group was led to the
top of the hill where there is an amphitheater
with huge windows looking north. Our
guides pointed out the spectacular islands
and mountains. It was a brisk and overcast
day, a fine day for walking on the beach.
But there is no one on the beach. This land
is in the 4 kilometer wide DMZ buffer zone
between North and South Korea established
after the Korean War armistice was declared
in 1953, and there are no people as far as
the eye can see. I thought about the many
vacations I have had in Hilton Head, South
Carolina where families enjoy a similar
coastline. Hilton Head seems very crowded,
siwa spotlights
but I realized that is preferable to the eerie,
abandoned feeling this coastline evoked in
me.
We arrived at Geonbongsa Temple in time
to lay out our bedding before dinner. Dinner
was Korean Buddhist temple food, simple
and natural. Afterwards, we washed our
own dishes then found seats in the temple
courtyard to enjoy the Geumgang Mountain
Music Festival. After several speeches, we,
“the SIWA choir,” were called onstage.
“Perseverance
despite oppression,
hope in the face of
difficulty, joy despite
lack, and a strong
sense of identity”
I was delighted to learn the tune and words
to Arirang which we had practiced beforehand. Foreigners in Korea are sure to hear
Arirang during their first weeks here. Traditional versions performed by older people
on traditional instruments are often followed by contemporary versions by younger
citizens playing Western instruments. At the
gift shop of the Seoul Folk Museum many
months ago, I found a book called Arirang,
Song of Korea by Lee Chung-myun. I spent
time on the bus to and from the ecological peace festival tour to study the book.
Though not an official national anthem,
Arirang is a folksong which is sung by both
North and South Koreans. There are many
stories about the origin of Arirang and many
versions of the song. All versions reflect the
character of Koreans which is: perseverance despite oppression, hope in the face
of difficulty, joy despite lack, and a strong
sense of identity. I was proud to warble my
way through this song that meant more to
the audience than to me, as I feel it was an
important step in my attempt to understand
the Korea in which I live.
Following our singing, performers from
the Jeongdong Theater in Seoul (where Miso
is performed) took the stage. With Korean
instruments they entertained us with tunes
from Mozart and the Beatles. A troupe of
female dancers in white dove costumes
radiated the elegance and grace of the peace
theme. To conclude the event, we painted
words of peace on two freshly carved totem
poles.
Sunday morning greeted us with a breakfast much the same as our dinner had been.
Then we were given gray vests to enter a
building where we were to experience tea
ceremony and Zen meditation. Dressing
alike is supposed to minimize distractions when meditating. We were seated on
cushions on the floor and encouraged to
stare at the tips of our noses in order not to
fall asleep, which was getting difficult for
those who had participated in the sunrise
hike. The monks who tried to enlighten us
were real caricatures – one thin and ageless
and the other round and wrinkly. Their gray
clothing was accessorized by a burnt orange
cape draped over one shoulder.
A walk in the forest of Hyangrobong
Mountain was our final itinerary item. An
expert explained the uniqueness of the ecology of the area as it has not had much human
involvement in the last 60 years. Many are
concerned about the preservation of the area
should North and South Korea reunite.
Tomato slices, oranges and watermelon
graced our lunch trays and were washed
down by seaweed soup. As we headed back
to Seoul, I was engaged in my Arirang book
but when I glanced up, I saw a solitary man
seated in lotus position on a bluff facing the
East Sea. His face was bowed into his hands
though his posture was tall. I imagine he
was singing Arirang in his heart.
By
Robbie Schuldt
Tours Chair
siwa spotlights
Discovery Interview:
Kerstin
Poepplau
“I
won door prize airline tickets
to Seoul!” exclaimed Kerstin
Poepplau, earlier in March
when she called me from Hamburg,
Germany. Later in June, we met at
Hong Ik University area where she
approached me with her arms wide
open greeting “Annyong Haseyo?” in
perfect Korean.
Kerstin had spent five years in Seoul from
1997 and left just days before the 2002 FIFA
World Cup opened in Korea. I had met
Kerstin around her third year as an expat
but our friendship grew and stayed intact
long after her repatriation as she kept her
interest in this country by revisiting at every
opportunity.
On behalf of Discovery, I interviewed
Kerstin on her life in Seoul, repatriation, her
perspectives on expat living and what keeps
bringing her back to Korea after eleven years.
How often have you visited Seoul since
your repatriation and what brings you back
to Seoul this time?
My husband Andreas and I visited Seoul
every year until 2006 to revisit friends and if
possible, to attend one of our favorite international balls in town. However many of my
friends have left Korea since and I have not
been back for the last six years. At the end of
last year, I was attending a function organized by the Korean community where I won
the door prize tickets. As you can imagine,
there were many who bought multiple raffle
draw tickets in the hope of winning these
two round trip tickets to Korea. Although
I only purchased one entrance ticket and
no additional raffle tickets, I was somehow
convinced I would win the tickets because I
wanted it so strongly. And here I am!
“definite part of
who I am
today was shaped
by Korea ”
So is it friendship and fun that makes you
come back to Seoul?
Yes of course, but there’s more. I spent five
years of my adult life in Seoul, so a definite
part of who I am today was shaped around
living in Korea. I can’t say what specifically
attracts me back, just as you can’t say why
you love your own country. All I can say is
that I have my radars sharp and clear when
it comes to Korea.
Tell us about your life in Seoul and how
you came to join SIWA
I had a really busy life, where I even slept
with a mobile phone next to my bed in case
I was called for help in the middle of the
night. I was an active member of SIWA but
also volunteered for a FOCUS group that
served as an emergency helpline for expats
in Korea. This service later ended when
they opened the Seoul Global Center. I
joined SIWA only two weeks after arriving in
Seoul when the wife of my husband’s [then]
boss invited me to a Coffee Morning. I later
served for three consecutive years as SIWA
Board Administrator.
How was SIWA in those days and what else
did you do?
SIWA had anywhere from eight hundred to
siwa spotlights
a thousand members back then. I think the
large number in those days can be accounted
for by the lack of other expat support systems in Seoul, which is not the case nowadays. Though I was a Board Administrator, I
was often asked to back up or support other
positions like editing for Discovery magazine
when the editor needed an extra hand, organizing SIWA Gala events and Diplomatic
Community Bazaar or coordinating Presidential Blue House tour when those chairs
were out of town on leave.
“to have a sense of
belonging
& to have lots of
fun with people who
are also in transition”
Were you always active in community work
or is this something you started here with
SIWA and FOCUS?
Back in Germany, I had been working full
time for my brother-in-law, so this kind of
volunteer work started with Korea. By being
actively involved in the expat community,
I made many friends who I could not have
met otherwise. In fact, I always advise
people to join SIWA as soon as they arrive
because, after a while, they start feeling
like they don’t need it anymore. Of course,
there are also some who don’t renew their
membership once they settle in because they
know their way around. But I think being a
part of such an international community is
not just to gather information but to have a
sense of belonging and to have lots of fun
with people who are also in transition. My
experience has proven that it is important to
look out for each other. I can tell you that I
have talked to many international women
who have struggled with depression and
felt they had nothing else to do because they
didn’t get involved. This depression would
not have gotten into this dire if somebody
would have known who they are there and
missed them. The best tip at the beginning is
always “Get involved”.
“get
involved”
After being so involved in Korea, what was
it like going back to Germany?
It was initially difficult to reintegrate to life
in Germany. I went back to working for my
brother-in-law but soon I decided to explore
a new profession based on my experience
learning hand-acupuncture in Seoul. Since
I could not find a German certification near
my location, I chose to become a Shiatsu
practitioner. As you may know, Shiatsu is a
Japanese massage therapy and so my loyalty
to Korea (she laughed here) was in conflict
at first. Now I have a full time practice and
I love offering Shiatsu to regular clients
because this is an extension of what I did in
Seoul, which is to support people in being
understood and helping them relax and be
more comfortable with themselves.
What is your plan for this visit and what
changes have you noticed about Seoul this
time?
Andreas is busy meeting his former
colleagues and of course that means he’s
out having lunch with them now. We are
planning to go to some other cities like Jeju
island if possible. Every time we come, we
notice the new buildings and changes but the
people stay the same and our friends stay the
same.
Thank you so much for sharing your
precious time and thoughts with us.
If you would like to contact Kerstin for advice on living and adjusting to Seoul, please
email her at [email protected].
By
Isabelle Min
Care & Welfare
SIWA Welfare Committee
Busan Trip:
Collaborating with our sister group,
Busan International
Women’s Association (BIWA)
Dancing
Difference
for a
A
s an aspiring voting member for the SIWA Welfare Committee, I recently found myself on the fast train to Busan. As
the miles flew by my companion taught me more about the
committee and the important work they do. Upon our arrival we
were met by a group of three ladies from BIWA. This was a trip to see
if it would make sense for the groups to pool resources, both financial
and intellectual, and was, I hope, the first of many such collaborations.
We were to visit two facilities who requested
financial assistance in order to access their
needs and get to know them a bit. The first
was a small orphanage where 6 girls live, the
second a larger orphanage that is home to
over 37 children. After these visits, we were
fortunate to have the time to visit another
site. This one was an after school study room that feeds and cares
for many children of different ages who need a safe place to go with
lovingly-prepared nutritious food. During each visit, we met the passionate and humble caregivers raising children who would otherwise
have no home. We heard the stories of individual children and it was
abundantly clear that they are deeply loved. Their caregivers are also
very worried about the children, and spoke to us about what they
need and deserve. Their impassioned voices were both inspirational
and humbling.
Most of these children are not eligible for adoption and will spend
their young lives in the care of these facilities. The SIWA Welfare
Committee has been asked for help. Let’s make sure they get it!
The pictures are from Maesil children’s center and
Maesil opened as orphanage in 1952. They have more
than 37 children.
Because their building is old, they needed to add a
sprinkler system for children’s safety. However, they
couldn’t finish the work due to lack of funding so they
have asked us to help them to finish the construction
for the children.
By
Milee Kim,
A
s a corporate trainer,
Cheryl Obal teaches
South Koreans
presentation and meeting
skills and cross-cultural
competency in the business
world, but her true passions
go far beyond her day job. Cheryl first started traveling during
her junior year of college when she worked for a dance troupe
in Japan. Her dancing soon took her on adventures around the
world, performing and choreographing on cruise ships, eventually leading to her first trip to the Republic of Korea, where she
began work at an English Village in Paju.
“Charity & Hope”
Here, she joined a group of twenty international artists teaching
English through the arts, and creating original full-scale musical
productions for Korean families.
Cheryl’s next move was to Italy to begin her masters in international peace operators for humanitarian work. During her studies, Cheryl spent two of her summer vacations in India working
with local grassroots organizations to advance the professional
development of Indians from the lowest caste. Her work also
included informing local citizens of their rights to information
and the freedom to speak out against the corruption amongst
their public workers.
For the past eight years, Cheryl has chosen to celebrate her
birthday by holding charity benefit parties. Instead of gifts,
Cheryl invites her friends to celebrate to her birthday by making
Care & Welfare
a donation to a humanitarian organization.
Cheryl has also expanded her philanthropy
by teaching charity benefit jazz dance classes.
Cheryl was surprised by how willing the
manager at the Tony gym in Gangnam was
to allow her to teach in the space, and it was
merely months later that he told her that a
fortune-teller had recently told him that he
needed “to do something for charity”. After
only four months, Cheryl’s class, along with
a colleague’s zumba class, have already
raised enough money to rescue one refugee
from North Korea through the organization
Justice for North Korea.
Cheryl hopes to continue to expand her
charitable activities based on the “Alphabet
Club” model—an organization that hosts
social events to raise money for charity.
Events are organized as meet-and-greet opportunities that can also serve as occasions to
work on their language skills. For those who
are interested in learning more about the
nonprofit they are supporting, Cheryl plans
to host seminars and discussions, focusing
on one of the five different organizations she
will be supporting.
The current benefactor of Cheryl’s dance
classes is Justice for North Korea (JFNK),
an all volunteer, non-partisan, grassroots
organization founded and led by a South
Korean pastor who was following a calling to address the humanitarian crisis in
North Korea. The mission of JFNK is to
improve North Korean human rights inside
North Korea, support democracy in North
Korea, help North Korean refugees in other
countries and in South Korea, and work with
international society and organizations to
further the above goals.
JFNK holds a street awareness campaign
one Saturday a month in Insadong and
encourages people to learn more information
by organizing events such as documentary
screenings, speeches by defectors and activists, and benefit concerts. Volunteer opportunities include performers who want to
take part in the street campaigns and benefit
concerts, graphic designers to help with flyers, posters, or web content, and those who
can assist with translation and interpretation
from Korean to English.
If you do not have the time to physically
get involved, donations are accepted, which
go into the JFNK shelter/rescue fund. Part
of your donation will be sent to a shelter
in China for children, most of whom have
North Korean mothers who have been
forcibly repatriated, and Chinese fathers unable or unwilling to care for them. The rest
of your donation will assist North Korean
refugees in efforts to reach safety.
For more information on JFNK please see
their website, http://www.justice4nk.org/en/
Charity dance classes are currently held at
the Tony gym in Gangnam:
- Zumba Wed @ 19h30
- Jazz Sat @ 13h
Nonhyeon Subway stop, Line 7 (dark green).
Exit 2, walk straight and Tony Gym is on
your left on the 1st floor.
5,000 Korean Won
By
Danielle Scher
SIWA tours
Tours Policies
U
pdated information for tours can be found on www.siwapage.
com (“activities” tab, “tours”). Some details may have changed,
and more tours for this time period may have been added.
To register for a tour:
go to the bottom of the tour description on the website (www.siwapage.com, “activities” tab, “tours”), fill out the registration form and
submit. Please pay tour fee in cash to tour coordinator at the beginning of the tour, or you may pre-pay by transferring the fee into the
SIWA account before the tour, unless otherwise indicated.
People who owe cancellation fees are asked to pay them before participating in another tour.
Cancellation by Registered Participant:
If
you reserve then need to cancel, please email [email protected]
at least 5 days (unless otherwise indicated) before the event in order
to receive a refund or not owe anything. Registered participants
cancelling after the deadline, including no-shows, will be charged a
cancellation fee of KRW 5,000 (unless otherwise indicated) assuming
the tour takes place.
Wait List:
If you are waitlisted, the tour coordinator may
contact you if space becomes available. Please reply within 24 hours
in order to accept the space, or the space may be offered to someone
else.
Cancellation by Tours
Committee: If the tour is cancelled,
the Tours Committee will attempt to contact
registered participants in advance. If due to
below minimum registrations, 1 day’s notice will be given. If due to bad weather, or
unforeseen unavailability of any essential
person, service or location, 3 hours’ notice
will be given. In either case, full refund will be made to registered
participants who pre-paid, and
no money will be owed by other
registered participants,
regardless of their own cancellation.
SIWA member
pricing for tours
applies to any relative of a SIWA
member when
accompanied by the
member.
Tours
Coordinators:
Tours Chair:
Robbie Schuldt
[email protected]
010-2931-8802
Coordinator:
Ursula Tarasyants
[email protected]
010-4810-2592
Coordinator:
Michelle Morrison
[email protected]
010-3575-1952
Coordinator:
Patricia Tiedemann
[email protected]
010-2514-9897
Coordinator:
JP Timmerman
[email protected]
010-4966-8844
Coordinator:
Greta Tonnon
[email protected]
010-2226-6129
Coordinator:
Betty Willems
[email protected]
010-4097-1401
siwa tours
2
1
Invitation to SIWA members and their families!
Special Happy
Busday Tour
(in English) – Saturday September 28
“H
appy Busday” is an innovative tour program created for
Korean families to “experience pleasant walks in urban
and rural areas” as part of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) ‘Industry 6’ Vision. Launched May
2013, the diverse tour concepts provide exciting opportunities for
families with young and teenaged children, and individuals interested in Korean agricultural innovation.
“Experience exciting opportunities
for families”
MAFRA seeks to introduce the vibrant concept of its new “Industry 6” Vision to the International community in Seoul and cordially
invites SIWA members and their families to participate in a special
Happy Busday tour on Saturday, September 28th 2013. A destination*
showcasing well-established harvest festival traditions will be chosen.
The Happy Busday team looks forward to have as many SIWA members as possible to join us on the especially reserved Happy Busday
tour on a journey to experience exciting Korean rural activities.
(* destination to be confirmed early September and published on
www.siwapage.com)
Opening a New Era of “Hopeful Agriculture, Lively Rural Areas,
Happy People”
In its endeavour to underline the
importance of agriculture to the
South Korean economy MAFRA
has developed a vibrant pluralistic
‘Industry 6’ Vision of agriculture
incorporating a variety of activities based on the policy of “Hopeful
Agriculture, Lively Rural Areas, Happy People.” The policy forms
part of the Korean government’s continued effort to tap the so-called
“sixth-order industry” in line with the adoption of the ‘Creative
Economy’ principles, where farmers not only produce agricultural
products (primary industry) but also process and market them
(secondary industry), and engage in agro-tourism as well (tertiary
industry), creating added value and generating jobs.
“The combination of the agricultural sector with the tourism industry has become a good example for a paradigm shift that traditional
industries have to seek for their future growth,” Agriculture Minister
Lee Dong-phil has said.
http://english.mafra.go.kr/main.jsp
By
Pilar Perez-McKay &
Michelle Morrison
SIWA Public Relations Chair and Co-Chair
1. SIWA members at the Happy Busday launch on May 19 the Yongsan Family
Park, Seoul
2. SIWA members joined Korean families on the June 9 tour to the famous “SSamzi
Nongbu (Rural) School” at Paju, where children enjoyed picking vegetables from
the field that were used to make ‘Doejang Bibimbab’ for our lunch – lots of fun!
SIWA tours
Tours to Look
Forward to..
.
#1.
Dongdaemun Fabric
Market
Walking market discovery tour
Tuesday, August 13, 2013; 10:00 am –
2:00 pm
Registration ends: August 11
Participants: minimum 5, maximum 8,
adults only
Cost: SIWA members KRW 5,000; nonSIWA members KRW 15,000. Lunch paid
individually.
Meeting Point: Dongdaemun station
(#128), outside exit #9
Ending Point: Jongno 5-ga station (#129)
exit #7 (Gwangjang Market)
Tour Coordinator: JP Timmerman
#2.
Bangsan Baker’s Alley
Market discovery and shopping
tour
Tuesday, August 27, 2013, 10:30 am –
12:00 pm
Registration closes: August 25
adults only
Cost: SIWA members KRW 5,000; non-SIWA members KRW 15,000. Optional lunch
afterwards paid individually.
Meeting Point and Ending Point: Jongno
5-ga station (#129), outside exit #7
Tour Coordinator: Greta Tonnon
T
his tour, where we will show you
Seoul Bakers’ Market, is for those who
like to make homemade confections
and goodies. The market is located in a
hidden corner of the larger Bangsan Market
and contains everything you need to bake
just about anything you can imagine. The
tour coordinator will lead an optional lunch
afterwards near Jongno 5-ga station.
is a member of the SIWA Tours
Committee. She is Belgian and has lived
in Seoul for one year. She enjoys exploring
new areas of Seoul with old and new friends.
Cancellation fee: KRW 5,000.
Greta Tonnon
T
his is the fourth offering of this popular tour in as many months. Dongdaemun’s fabric market is a five story
building organized into four quadrants. The
tour guide will help you navigate through
the labyrinth of fabrics, notions, craft materials, buttons, upholstery, sewing services and
more.
The group will have lunch during the tour
in the one of the Dongdaemun buildings.
Bring a pen or fine tipped sharpie for writing on business cards, paper, and a small
camera. These tools will help you remember
what you saw and liked and how to find it
again.
is an active SIWA member.
She is an American enjoying her second tour
in Seoul. She enjoys sewing, cross stitch, and
other crafts.
JP Timmerman
#4.
Sungkyunkwan University
Visit and Lecture about Confucianism
Tuesday, September 3, 2013; 9:30 am
- 12:30 pm
Registration ends: September 1
adults only
Cost: SIWA members KRW 5,000; nonSIWA members KRW 15,000. Optional
lunch afterwards paid individually.
Meeting Point and Ending Point: Hyehwa station (#420), outside exit #4
Tour Leaders: Mr. Pieter Stek and Ms. Lee
So-Young from SKKU
Lecturer: Dr. Christopher Payne
#3.
“Miso”
Non-Verbal Musical Show
Saturday, August 31, 2013; 3:30
arrival for show 4:00 pm – 5:20 pm
Registration ends: August 29
men and children welcome
Cost: SIWA members KRW 20,000; nonSIWA members KRW 30,000
Meeting Point and Ending Point: Jeongdong Theater. From City Hall (Sicheong)
(#132) subway station exit #1, walk west
with Deoksugung palace south wall on
your right for 5 minutes. Theater is on
your right.
Tour Coordinator: Michelle Morrison
M
iso means “smile” and smile is
what you will do as you watch this
beautiful “Romeo and Juliet” type
story of Chunhyang and Mongryong. It is
an iconic performance, revitalized in 2010,
which features an overview of nearly every
Korean musical and performance genre,
including samulnori (traditional Korean
percussion quartet), pansori (traditional narrative song), a fusion performance of gugak
(Korean traditional music) and orchestral
music, a fan dance, ogomu (the “five drums
dance”) and others. Actors convene in the
lobby afterwards for photos.
This special price for SIWA is a 50%
discount. The coordinator will greet you
as you enter the theater, but please pay for
your own ticket/s upon arrival, identifying
yourself as being with the SIWA group. NonSIWA participants should pay the coordinator KRW 10,000.
A
fter walking 10 minutes from the
meeting point, we will hear about
the University’s origin, present and
future. We will start by visiting the 600 year
old part of the campus.
Here we will learn about admissions, state
exams and student life during the Joseon
period. It is said that Confucius himself
liked to teach students under the shade of
ginkgo trees.
In the 21st century Lecture Hall we will
attend a lecture in English (11:00 – 12:00) by
Professor Christopher Payne: “Women and
the Great Sage: Confucian Oppression or
Confucian Liberation?”
The tour coordinator will lead an optional
lunch afterwards near Hyehwa station.
received his
PhD in Chinese modern and contemporary
literature and culture from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University
of London, in 2010.
Professor Christopher N. Payne
siwa tours
#5.
Namhan-san Fortress
Walking Tour
Wednesday, September 4, 2013; 8:30
am – 4:00 pm
children age 10 and older are welcome
Meeting Point and Ending Point: Grand
Hyatt Hotel, in front of Grand Ballroom
(upper bus parking lot)
Cost: SIWA members KRW 40,000; nonSIWA members KRW 50,000 (includes
transportation, English speaking guide
and Korean lunch)
Tour Coordinator: Ursula Tarasyants
Tour Leader: Diane Hong
F
irst we’ll visit the Namhan History
Museum and Catholic Memorial site,
and then continue with an hour hike
up to the Janggyeong-sa temple. On our way
back we’ll stop at Haegun temporary palace,
a former King’s secret residences. We’ll have
lunch at one of the Korean restaurants in the
village trying some local specialties.
Our knowledgeable guide Diane will be
with us all day to explain about historical
events and facts connected to the Namhansan fortress.
is an active SIWA member and
the owner of Diane’s Easy Korean & Cultural
Training who has over 30 years’ teaching
experience both in and out of Korea. She
helps foreigners to adapt to a new culture in
a foreign setting.
Diane Hong
#6.
Dong-Myo (shrine),
Dobongsan Mountain
Anyang-Am (hermitage)
& Myogak-sa(temple)
Hike-Bukhansan National Park
Walking tour of sacred sights east
of Dongdaemun
Friday, September 13, 2013; 9:30 am –
12:30 pm
adults only.
Meeting Point: Dongmyo station (#127),
inside exit #3
Ending Point: Dongmyo station exit #2
Tour Leader: Professor David A. Mason
#1. Tues. 13 : Dongdaemun Fabric Market
#2. Tues. 27 : Bangsan Baker’s Alley
#3. Sat. 31 : ‘Miso’
September 2013
#4. Tues. 3 : Sungkyunkwan University
#5. Wed. 4 : Namhan-san Fortress
#6. Fri. 13 : Dong-Myo, Anyang-Am &
Myogak-sa
#7. Tues. 24 : Dobongsan Mountain
Tuesday, September 24; 9:00 am –
4:00 pm
Participants: minimum 4, maximum 12, fit
adults only
Cost: SIWA members KRW 5,000; nonSIWA members KRW 15,000
Meeting point: Dobongsan station
(#113/#710), outside exit #1 Ending point: Mangwolsa station (#112)
exit #1 Tour Coordinator: Betty Willems
Tour Leader: Changdae Kim
O
ver a cup of complimentary tea and
with a beautiful view, we will learn
about Myogak-sa’s popular Temple
Stay programs and visit 3 landmarks: Dongmyo Shrine is an interesting compound
honoring a legendary 3rd-century Chinese
military commander, Guan Yu; Anyang-am
Hermitage, which sits on and beneath an
extraordinary rocky cliff extending from
Nak-san, old Seoul’s eastern mountain; and
Myogak-sa Buddhist Temple, which was
established by Master Taeheo Hongseon in
1930 at the foot of Mt. Naksan
lunch afterwards near Dongmyo station.
D
obong-san (Dobong mountain) is 739
meters high. It is a great hike (and
workout) with spectacular views of
Seoul and Bukhansan National Park peaks.
We will pass two Buddhist temples, which
make great resting points. The trail starts off
easy, but steepens towards the top, and there
are cables for climbing to the peaks. This 4-5
hour hike is demanding and strenuous. Participants can expect that this is really hiking,
not just a walk in the park.
and members of the Seoul
Hiking Club have hiked every Saturday
without fail regardless of the weather since
January 3, 1998. That’s over 800 hikes, not
including the hikes he does during the rest of
the week! Changdae also owns a theater and
restaurant near Changdeokgung Palace.
Changdae Kim
Upcoming Tours at a Glance
August 2013
#7.
#8. Wed. 25 : Bukchon Hanok Village
#9. Fri. 27 : Temple Tour: Jingwan-sa &
Samcheon-sa
October 2013
#10. Thurs. 3 : Sajik Park Dan-Gun Ceremony & Inwang-san Shamanic Shrines
#11. Fri. 4 : Hite Beer
#12. Thurs. 10 : Hike to Seungga-sa
#13. Sat. 12 : Horse Racecourse
www.siwapage.com
SIWA tours
#7.
#8.
Bukchon Hanok Village Temple Tour:
Walking Tour
Wednesday, September 25, 2013; 9:15
am to 12:00 noon with optional lunch
and craft experience afterwards
children age 10 and up are welcome
Meeting Point: Anguk station (#328),
outside exit #1
Ending Point: Anguk station (#328) exit #2
Cost: SIWA members KRW 30,000; nonmembers KRW 30,000 includes admission
to hanok with tea service and admission
to Gahoe Museum. Optional lunch afterwards paid individually. Optional craft
experience after lunch paid individually.
Optional lunch and craft afterwards
Tour Coordinator: Robbie Schuldt
Tour Leader: Robert Koehler
B
ukchon Hanok Village is home to
hundreds of traditional houses called
hanok that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. Today, many of these hanok operate
as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants
and tea houses, providing an opportunity
to experience and learn Korean traditional
culture. The tour will begin walking into
Samcheong-dong taking in a visit to historic
Jeongdok Library before following a street
that runs high through the neighborhood,
offering outstanding views.
is the executive editor of
Seoul magazine. A native Long Islander and
a graduate of Georgetown University, Robert
has lived in Korea since 1997.
Robert Koehler
#10.
Sajik Park Dan-Gun
Jingwan-sa & Samcheon-sa Ceremony & Inwang-san
Shamanic Shrines
Walking tour with some
moderate hiking near
Bukhan-san National Park
Friday, September 27, 2013; 9:30 am –
1:30 pm
adults only
Cost: SIWA members KRW 15,000; nonSIWA members KRW 25,000. Bus transportation and optional lunch afterwards
paid for individually.
Meeting Point and Ending Point: Gupabal station (#320), outside exit #2
Tour Coordinator: Patricia Tiedemann
U
pon meeting at the Gubapal station,
we will take a public bus for 10 minutes to Jingwansa Temple. After visiting this temple, we will walk on a small part
of the well-developed Bukhan-san Deulle-gil
scenic trail to Samcheon-sa Temple. We will
learn some fascinating things about Korean
cultural development and temple-artwork
features, and even hear about Wonhyo, the
nation’s best-known master-monk.
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and carry items in a
backpack. Please bring drinks and snacks for
yourself.
lunch afterwards near Gupabal station.
is an American who has been in
Seoul since 1985. He has worked in the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and is
currently a professor at Gyeongju University.
David Mason
Walking tour with some climbing
Thursday, October 3, 2013 (Gaecheon-jeol National Foundation
Holiday); 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Registration ends: October 1
adults only
Meeting point: Gyeongbokgung station
(#327), outside exit #1
Ending point: Dongnimmun station
(#326), exit #2
T
his is an interesting guided visit to
a major public ceremony honoring
Korea’s Ancient Founding-King and
then on up to Seoul’s center of Shamanic
shrines and practice. These are unusual
but fascinating sites very close to busy and
modern downtown.
At Sajik Park, we will view the Joseon
Dynasty Altars to the Earth and Harvest and
the large statues of a great Neo-Confucian
philosopher and his mother. Then we will
visit the large shrine for King Dan-gun just
up behind the park, and watch some of the
full-scale Neo-Confucian ritual held there by
a private association of devotees. We will
arrive at Inwang-sa (temple) area of Inwangsan (mountain), just west of
Gyeongbok Palace.
More Tours for Fall...
Check www.siwapage.com “activities” tab, “tours” for details
#1. Happy Busday – an all day Saturday tour for the whole family of a rural community showcasing well-established harvest festival
traditions. Sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
#2. Korean Furniture Museum – A private museum of 2000 pieces of Joseon Dynasty furniture housed in ten traditional Korean
hanok houses.
#3. Walking Tour of Independence Gate and Park, and West Gate Prison History Museum – Join Professor David Mason
for this informative tour of fundamental aspects of 20th century Korean history.
siwa tours
#11.
#12.
#13.
Brewery Tour
Temple in Southern Bukhan-san
And Park Tour
Hite Beer
Friday, October 4, 2013; 8:30 am - 4:00
pm
adults only
Cost: SIWA members KRW 5,000, nonSIWA members KRW 15,000 (price
includes bus transportation, guided tour,
Korean lunch and unlimited beer)
Meeting Point and Ending Point: Nambu
Bus Terminal station (#341), exit number
to be announced
Tour Coordinator: Michelle Morrison
Hike To Seungga-sa
Thursday, October 10; 9:00 am 2:00 pm
Participants: minimum 5, maximum 20, fit
adults only
Cost: SIWA members KRW 5000; nonSIWA members KRW 15,000. Bus paid
individually. Optional lunch afterwards
paid individually.
Meeting Point and Ending Point: Gyeongbokgung station (#327), outside exit #3
Tour Leader: Katja Otter
Horse Racecourse
Saturday, October 12, 2013; 10:00 am
- 2:00 pm Registration ends: October 10
children ages 10 and over welcome. Must
bring ID or passport to enter racecourse
Cost: SIWA members KRW 5,000; nonSIWA members KRW 15,000. Includes
admission to the racecourse. Lunch paid
individually.
Meeting Point and Ending Point: Seoul
Racecourse Park station (#436), outside
exit #3. Tour Coordinator: Michelle Morrison
W
W
e will board a private bus and
travel approximately two hours
to Chuncheon, the capital city of
Gangwon, the province northeast of Seoul.
The Hite factory is there surrounded by
beautiful mountains. We will see a 20-minute
video and get a tour of the facilities. We’ll
be shown storage, brewing facilities and the
actual control room for the whole factory. At
the end of the tour we will have unlimited,
very fresh, free beer. Also we’ll be served
some Korean food for lunch at the Korean
restaurant near to the factory.
is an active SIWA member. She is Korean-American and lived in
the USA for several decades. Michelle’s ability to culturally and linguistically navigate
tour groups in a variety of settings is a great
asset to SIWA.
Cancellation without penalty: by September 27
Michelle Morrison
W
e will take a public bus from the
meeting point to the Gugi Dong
Hyundai Villa Bus Station next to
the French school Lycée International Xavier
to begin the hike.
On this hike we will visit one of the most
scenic and interesting Buddhist temples in
the Seoul area (with important ancient relics)
and get plenty of healthy exercise.We’ll visit
Seungga-sa, a temple founded in 756 and
home to many famous monks, spectacularly
located just below one of the sharp peaks
of Samgak-san, Seoul’s prominent sacred
guardian-mountain.
, originally from Austria, has
lived in Seoul since 2010 after living in Abu
Dhabi, Tokyo and New York. She works
as a yoga instructor, and on the weekends
she loves to explore the mountainous area
around Seoul with her husband and their
three children.
Katja Otter
e will visit the main spectators’
section which has 6 stories holding
40,000 people, including all kinds
of facilities and services. There is also a family park for horse riding and recreational fun.
Within this park there is an exclusive bicycle
road for children, a playground, children’s
pony riding facility, racing simulation machines and a free rental store for horse riding
fans where you can borrow equipment. You
will also visit stables to meet horses personally. All the facilities within the park are
free of charge. There are English language
race-cards for participants who would like to
place bets. Horse race tickets are sold from
100 won to 100,000 won, with 3 kinds of
tickets from exacta, perfecta to quinela.
Cancellation fee: KRW 5000.
Volunteer
needed...
SIWA Tours committee is
looking a Korean speaking Tours Coordinator to
organize and manage SIWA
tours to help SIWA members to learn about our host
country culture and history.
If you are interested, please,
contact Tours Chair, Robbie
Schuldt per email:
[email protected]
SIWA tours
“Tours to be remembered...”
Letters
from
SIWA
Members to the Tours Team
Look & Cook Court meal Experience at Changdeok
Palace tour, May 23, 2013; Coordinator –
Betty Willems
“Dear Betty, thank you for organizing
this tour. Thaddeus and I had a great
time! Thank you also for the help with
my membership...” -
Thank you very much! “ -
Emma Roinila
Korean Folk painting (Minwha) Tour & Craft, June 13,
2013 Organized by
Coordinator -
Milly Kim;
JP Timmerman
Megan Fox
Cheonggyecheon Stream guided tour, May 24, 2013;
Coordinator -
Mildred Berenschot
“Dear Mildred, thank you so much
for the nice photos! I enjoyed the tour
very much and I am looking forward
to the next one. For me it is always
interesting see how Seoul changed
in the last ten years, my last tour to
Cheonggyecheon has been, when it
was newly opened..” -
Gisela Brink-
mann
“Dear Mildred, thanks for forwarding
us the photographs. I enjoyed the Cheonggyecheon walk. It was well
organized and was so good to have someone knowledgeable explaining the history of stream and how modern life has evolved around it.
The added bonus was seeing all the wildlife living there. In any case
wishing you all the best with your move out of Seoul. Bon Voyage!..”-
Parizad Setna
Conrad Hotel Tour & Lunch, May 29, 2013;
Coordinator -
Ursula Tarasyants
“Very well organised, super hotel,
delicious lunch buffet in a relaxed
surrounding with chilled company of
SIWA members”. -
Franziska Weller
“Dear Ursula, this tour was nice.
Perfect organisation. Great hotel with
incredible material used inside. Very
stylish and giving a ZEN feeling.
Lunch afterwards was very good
too!”-
Patricia Tiedemann
DMZ & Temple experience Tour,
May 25-26, 2013
Organized by
Namu Art; Coordinator - Bockhee Lee
“The best part of the trip was definitely lunch with the soldiers at
Korean military base. If not with your organization we would never
have had the chance to do that :) This trip raised my attention for
this area and this part of the DMZ as well as for this certain temple.
It was nice to see something not yet so touristic. The only part that I
was a little disappointed by was the part at the DMZ itself. I would
have liked to spend more time there. All in all I enjoyed the trip a lot!
“Hi, JP, I wanted to thank you for the tour today. I have already tried
“minhwa” painting, but the symbols were still ‘mysterious’ for me
and I was looking for a similar chance to learn more about them.
Milly’s explanations were clear and inspiring :) and I enjoyed the
ambiance in the gallery” -
Zoya Guekova
«It was a lovely tour. It was very interesting to learn the meaning of
the many different folk paintings. The chance to paint our very own
folk tiger was fun and all those who helped us were wonderful. “ -
Karen Stadnikia
Pop-up Restaurant lunch & Garuso-gil walk, June 18,
2013 Coordinator –
Betty Willems
“Hi Betty, Thank you for organizing today’s event. It was a really
good initiative! The food was great, the company was great and the
weather ever cleared so that we could have a walk down Garosugil. It was a good way to get to know new people. I think that SIWA
should organize more of these activities in the future. I really enjoyed
it!” -
Nadia Jolling
Dongdaemun Fabric Market tour July 4, 2013
Coordinator –
Michelle Morrison
“Your tour was great - the market is so huge, it is overwhelming your short analysis of each section was very helpful. I got the name
of a seamstress and sent her an e-mail. I am waiting to hear back to
see if she is interested in copying that dress - if so, I will be back at
Dongdaemun for fabric! The lunch was delicious - I would never
have known the lunch room was there without your tour and thaks
for the help with what to order for lunch - I will be back! I am also
interested in the traditional Korean skirts that I saw at the market and
plan to go back and do some shopping …” -
Renee Cummins
siwa tours
SIWA Trip with Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) &
KORAIL: The O-Train
and V-Train Adventure!
I
n May, SIWA was invited to take a trip on the
new O-Train and V-Train which started operating in April this year. The trip was hosted by
Korean Tourism & KORAIL.
The O-Train is a new tourist option to see the
beautiful mountainous areas of Chungcheongbuk-do, Gangwon-do, and Gyeongsangbuk-do,
covering over 250 Km. The train tracks were
originally used for the coal mining industry, but
since that industry has all but ceased due to new
and cleaner technologies, the train tracks have
now been updated and put to use for the new
O-Train.
“Enjoyed a traditional
lunch and a
fantastic
performance”
The O-Train has been beautifully decorated,
with each carriage representing a different season.
We seat in the winter carriage. One of the carriages has a small playground to keep the children
occupied and another carriage has small booths
that can be booked by families or couples. The
train is very comfortable and the scenery shifts
quickly from the city of Seoul to the scenery of the
countryside. Hire cars are available at most sta-
tions so that you can jump off the train and tour
in the area.
Our group was taken in buses to enjoy some of
the sights, with our first stop being in Jeongseon
County, where we enjoyed a traditional lunch and
a fantastic performance of Arirang by the local
men and women. Jeongseon County is where the
original Arirang folk song began, but has grown
over the years with different areas changing the
song to represent their story.
After lunch we travelled around the Taebaek
area, with the mountains reaching as far as the eye
could see. This area is reported to have the cleanest air and highest golf course on the Peninsular.
The V-train travels nearly 30kms through the
valleys between Cheolam and Buncheon. It has
3 carriages with seats facing the windows, which
can be opened to enjoy the rivers and mountains.
On the way you will stop at the smallest station
house in Korea. This was my favourite part of the
trip, with the scenery changing constantly especially with the beautiful colors of spring.
Information about the trains can be found on the
Korean Tourism site:
www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.
jsp?cid=1801886
By
Kerrie Matthee
LIFE IN KOREA
Events Around
Town
30 Aug-15 Sept,
Cheonan, South Chungcheon Province
1. Kids Model Contest Korea,
1. Wednesday Midday Concerts,
21 Aug/18 Sept/16 Oct/20 Nov/18 Dec
at 11AM, W10,000,
National Theater of Korea
2. Changdeok Palace Moonlight Tours
during the full moon period each month
23-24 August/ 22-23 September (8-10PM) /
16-17 October (7-9PM).
Cost W30,000.
3. Royal Court Embroidery Exhibition,
Ends 01 September.
Hours 9AM-6PM Weekdays /
Weekends to 7PM
National Palace Museum of Korea.
4. Yeol Lecture –
Women Artists of Modern Korea,
Tuesday 03 September / 8 October –
The Texts of Early Twentieth Century Korea,
Free admission, 10:30AM,
Seoul Museum of History.
ART & CULTURE
1. Musée secret_Une odyssée numérique
dans la peinture,
Ends 22 September, 11AM-8PM.
Admission : W12,000 –W8,000.
Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center.
2. Paul Gauguin Exhibition : Voyage into
the Myth,
Ends 29 September,
10:30AM-8PM Weekdays / to 6PM Weekends.
Admission: W13,000.
Seoul Museum of Art.
3. Art Nouveau and Utopia,
Ends 20 September, 11AM-8PM.
Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center.
4. Islamic Civilization Exhibition,
Ends 20 October.
Admission W12,000.
Hours: 9AM-6PM Tue-Th-Fri / to 9PM WedSat / to 5PM Sun.
National Museum of Korea
1. Food Sovereignty Tour Korea,
24 August-1 September.
Tour originating in US but can be joined in
Korea. Participants will travel around the
peninsula.
2. International Well-Being Food Expo,
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
ABOUT KOREA
FESTIVALS
Online entry period ends 10 August / Final
round 31 August (venue to tba).
No application cost.
Open to children 4-12 years of age.
2. Picking One’s Nose-Musical,
August-September 2013 (Tue & Thu 2PM, Fri
11AM & 2PM /Sat, Sun & Holidays 11AM
& 1PM.
COEX Art Hall.
3. Summer & Boarding School Expo
on Sunday 10 November,
1:30-4PM.
Free admission.
Intercontinental Hotel COEX, Gangnam.
4. Past Life of Koreans at the Children’s
Museum of the National Museum of Korea.
Open Run. Free admission. From 9AM.
ENTERTAINMENT/
THEATRE
1. Chicago – Musical,
6 July – 31 August.
Times: 8PM Tue-Fri / 3PM & 7:30PM Sat /
2PM & 6:30PM Sun.
Tickets: W120,000 – W40,000.
National Theatre of Korea.
2. Stand Up Seoul with comic Baron
Vaughn, 16-17 August at 10PM at Club
Horizon Hall, Renaissance Hotel.
Advance W30,000 (by 9 Aug) or W35,000.
Free ticket draw via korea4expats.com – entry deadline 8 Aug.
3. World Traditional Medicine Expo,
6 September-20 October.
South Gyeongsang Province.
4. Icheon Rice Festival,
30 October -03 November.
Free admission. Gyeonggi-do.
OTHER
1. International Residents Cooking Contest (home country dishes) by WWOOF.
Competition 03 October from 11AM
in Gyeonggi-do;
Application deadline 20 August.
2. Buddhist Teachings with Dzongsar
Khyentse Rinpoche
on 3 and 4 August at 10AM.
Free admission. Donations accepted.
Saturday topic ‘Everyday Meditation at
Bongeunsa (Temple) in Gangnam.
Sunday topic “Buddhist Wisdom for the
Modern World” at Sangdo Zen Center in
Dongjak-gu, Seoul
3. K-League Football/Soccer ,
August matches in Seoul 17 & 28 August
at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Tickets W10,000-W20,000.
4. Home-style Italian lunch
every Sunday at 1PM
in the basement of the Franciscan School in
Hannam-dong.
Cost W18,000.
Menu posted each week on Korea4Expats.
Adult and family friendly.
3. Ronn Branton Summer
Night Jazz Concert – Water,
20 & 24 August. Regular Tx W50,000/
W35,000/W25,000 (30% discount for K4E
Visitors. Also free ticket draw on K4E – entry
deadline 8 Aug).
Tuesday concert at Sejong Cultural Center
at 8PM and Saturday at Seoul Arts Center at
7PM.
4. Itzhak Perlman Violin Recital,
14 October at 8PM.
Tickets W180,000 to W60,000.
Seoul Arts Center.
I
Anne Ladouceur
s an experienced expat residing in Korea for over 10 years. You can find more
information on all events listed above on
her website at korea4expats.com
LIFE IN KOREA
추석 음식
Chuseok eum-shik: Chuseok dishes
1. 송편 Songpyeon: Half moon shape rice cake
Dough
Filling
Korean word
Pronunciation
Meaning
쌀가루
ssal-gga-ru
rice flour
물
mul
water
소금
so-geum
salt
콩
khong
beans
깨
ggae
sesame seeds
밤
bam
chestnuts
설탕
seol-tang
sugar
2. 잡채 Japchae: Mixed dish of vegetables and beef
Main ingredients
Seasoning
Korean word
Pronunciation
Meaning
당면
dang-myeon
sweet potato noodle
버섯
beo-seot
mushroom
시금치
shi-geum-chi
spinach
소고기
so-go-gi
beef
달걀
dal-gyal
eggs
양파
yang-pa
onion
당근
dang-geun
carrot
간장
gan-jang
soy sauce
깨
ggae
sesame seed
참기름
cham-gi-reum
sesame oil
설탕
seol-tang
sugar
Korean word
Pronunciation
Meaning
고사리
go-sa-ri
bracken
도라지
do-ra-ji
balloon flower roots
시금치
shi-geum-chi
spinach
간장
gan-jang
soy sauce
깨
ggae
sesame seeds
참기름
cham-gi-reum
sesame oil
Korean word
Pronunciation
Meaning
생선 살
saeng-seon-sal
fish fillet
호박
ho-bak
zucchini,
버섯
beo-seot
mushroom
밀가루
mil-gga-ru
wheat flour
달걀
dal-gyal
eggs
소금
so-geum
salt
물
mul
water
3. 나물 Namul: Seasoned boiled vegetable
Main ingredients
Seasoning
4. 전 Jeon: Korean pancake
Main ingredients
Seasoning
Hyejin Kim
is a Korean language teacher who for several years has taught a university language programs and government
programs. Heyjin also teaches ‘Active Korean Class’ for SIWA, course designed to teach practical expressions in
Korean. If you have ever taken a Korean class but still want more, Heyjin is the teacher for you.

The Continuous Evolution of Chuseok

Transcription

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