Memoires to a friend from S. Korea

Andrew,

Always good to hear from you, since being in asia...it's difficult to keep in touch with other esl teachers (since most quit and move home after a year). I met up with the 4 year Korea veterans (group that are cycling from China to Ireland in April 2009 (http://www.brakingboundaries.org ) or at least two of them (David..Canada, Tom..Ireland) and one's South African girlfriend (Katheryn). Their ride will support KIVA FOUNDATION, enriching business entrepreneurs in developing nations with small capital business loans. They are all really nice, we had a wonderful ski together [@Phoenix Park]. Tough part is the reality they all live in distant parts of greater Seoul, ILSAN and BUNDANG. Those are also the better parts to live in, cleaner air, good pt work and institutes. I can't move now, we did find a bigger Officetel with a bedroom...you can come see/stay this time without being in the same room with all of us (oops!!!). Pollution is depressing, having the quit cycling early at the end of the summer with all my respiratory infections wasn't good. Ansan/Osan/Incheon, etc...are some of the dirtiest parts of Kyunggi-do, of course it's everywhere, but we have it the worst. Mi Sung has her parents here...I have the current jobs, but change will come next year. It's too bad we can't live near the mountains in Kangwon-do (Province) out East...it's virtually pollution-free compared to Seoul. Very nice to ski there!

Keep me posted, Happy End of 2008!

Brian & Family

Memoires to a friend from S. Korea

Andrew,

Always good to hear from you, since being in asia...it's difficult to keep in touch with other esl teachers (since most quit and move home after a year). I met up with the 4 year Korea veterans (group that are cycling from China to Ireland in April 2009 (http://www.brakingboundaries.org ) or at least two of them (David..Canada, Tom..Ireland) and one's South African girlfriend (Katheryn). Their ride will support KIVA FOUNDATION, enriching business entrepreneurs in developing nations with small capital business loans. They are all really nice, we had a wonderful ski together [@Phoenix Park]. Tough part is the reality they all live in distant parts of greater Seoul, ILSAN and BUNDANG. Those are also the better parts to live in, cleaner air, good pt work and institutes. I can't move now, we did find a bigger Officetel with a bedroom...you can come see/stay this time without being in the same room with all of us (oops!!!). Pollution is depressing, having the quit cycling early at the end of the summer with all my respiratory infections wasn't good. Ansan/Osan/Incheon, etc...are some of the dirtiest parts of Kyunggi-do, of course it's everywhere, but we have it the worst. Mi Sung has her parents here...I have the current jobs, but change will come next year. It's too bad we can't live near the mountains in Kangwon-do (Province) out East...it's virtually pollution-free compared to Seoul. Very nice to ski there!

Keep me posted, Happy End of 2008!

Brian & Family

Memoires to a friend from S. Korea

Andrew,

Always good to hear from you, since being in asia...it's difficult to keep in touch with other esl teachers (since most quit and move home after a year). I met up with the 4 year Korea veterans (group that are cycling from China to Ireland in April 2009 (http://www.brakingboundaries.org ) or at least two of them (David..Canada, Tom..Ireland) and one's South African girlfriend (Katheryn). Their ride will support KIVA FOUNDATION, enriching business entrepreneurs in developing nations with small capital business loans. They are all really nice, we had a wonderful ski together [@Phoenix Park]. Tough part is the reality they all live in distant parts of greater Seoul, ILSAN and BUNDANG. Those are also the better parts to live in, cleaner air, good pt work and institutes. I can't move now, we did find a bigger Officetel with a bedroom...you can come see/stay this time without being in the same room with all of us (oops!!!). Pollution is depressing, having the quit cycling early at the end of the summer with all my respiratory infections wasn't good. Ansan/Osan/Incheon, etc...are some of the dirtiest parts of Kyunggi-do, of course it's everywhere, but we have it the worst. Mi Sung has her parents here...I have the current jobs, but change will come next year. It's too bad we can't live near the mountains in Kangwon-do (Province) out East...it's virtually pollution-free compared to Seoul. Very nice to ski there!

Keep me posted, Happy End of 2008!

Brian & Family

Memoires to a friend from S. Korea

Andrew,

Always good to hear from you, since being in asia...it's difficult to keep in touch with other esl teachers (since most quit and move home after a year). I met up with the 4 year Korea veterans (group that are cycling from China to Ireland in April 2009 (http://www.brakingboundaries.org ) or at least two of them (David..Canada, Tom..Ireland) and one's South African girlfriend (Katheryn). Their ride will support KIVA FOUNDATION, enriching business entrepreneurs in developing nations with small capital business loans. They are all really nice, we had a wonderful ski together [@Phoenix Park]. Tough part is the reality they all live in distant parts of greater Seoul, ILSAN and BUNDANG. Those are also the better parts to live in, cleaner air, good pt work and institutes. I can't move now, we did find a bigger Officetel with a bedroom...you can come see/stay this time without being in the same room with all of us (oops!!!). Pollution is depressing, having the quit cycling early at the end of the summer with all my respiratory infections wasn't good. Ansan/Osan/Incheon, etc...are some of the dirtiest parts of Kyunggi-do, of course it's everywhere, but we have it the worst. Mi Sung has her parents here...I have the current jobs, but change will come next year. It's too bad we can't live near the mountains in Kangwon-do (Province) out East...it's virtually pollution-free compared to Seoul. Very nice to ski there!

Keep me posted, Happy End of 2008!

Brian & Family

Winter in Korea :: Time to Chill, Time to Relax, Time to Work

Winter in Korea :: Time to Chill, Time to Relax, Time to Work

Winter in Korea :: Time to Chill, Time to Relax, Time to Work

Winter in Korea :: Time to Chill, Time to Relax, Time to Work

Cycling in South Korea :: Fall 2008

These photos were taken on an epic 350km 2.5 day trip in South Korea. Jared (New Zealand) at left, Dave (Canada) next poking his head over the table and me with the green cap. Jared was the lead of navigation having a Garmin GPS equipped to his Scott 20. Dave rode a Grasshopper recumbent super-bike. I rode a borrowed ICON from a Korean friend. We rode from Seongnam (Southeast Seoul) 350kms to Daegu in just 2 and 4 1/2 hours. The last 100+kms were completed in just over 4 hours!!! It was a wonderful trip with 2 of the 4, WEBSITE= http://www.brakingboundaries.org team members. We stopped in Suanbo Springs the first night after riding 134kms. The second day was a brisk 103kms into Andong, where we took in the Korean Mask Festival. That was mixed with a carnival, several stage performance shows including an inspiring amateur Tae Kwon Do ~high-kick and choreographed performance. We finished the tour in Daegu, actually the city wasn't spectacular at all, the roads between cities were where we found solstice and the friendly Korean papparazzi taking our photos. Overall, it was a fabulous trip, and we have another 1 day 138km mountain loop planned for November. It's nice having friends that not only ride, but also love bikes, they are always an inspiration in my life! Blessings to all cyclists, and anyone who can give up the engine to go the distance. BP

Cycling in South Korea :: Fall 2008

These photos were taken on an epic 350km 2.5 day trip in South Korea. Jared (New Zealand) at left, Dave (Canada) next poking his head over the table and me with the green cap. Jared was the lead of navigation having a Garmin GPS equipped to his Scott 20. Dave rode a Grasshopper recumbent super-bike. I rode a borrowed ICON from a Korean friend. We rode from Seongnam (Southeast Seoul) 350kms to Daegu in just 2 and 4 1/2 hours. The last 100+kms were completed in just over 4 hours!!! It was a wonderful trip with 2 of the 4, WEBSITE= http://www.brakingboundaries.org team members. We stopped in Suanbo Springs the first night after riding 134kms. The second day was a brisk 103kms into Andong, where we took in the Korean Mask Festival. That was mixed with a carnival, several stage performance shows including an inspiring amateur Tae Kwon Do ~high-kick and choreographed performance. We finished the tour in Daegu, actually the city wasn't spectacular at all, the roads between cities were where we found solstice and the friendly Korean papparazzi taking our photos. Overall, it was a fabulous trip, and we have another 1 day 138km mountain loop planned for November. It's nice having friends that not only ride, but also love bikes, they are always an inspiration in my life! Blessings to all cyclists, and anyone who can give up the engine to go the distance. BP

Cycling in South Korea :: Fall 2008

These photos were taken on an epic 350km 2.5 day trip in South Korea. Jared (New Zealand) at left, Dave (Canada) next poking his head over the table and me with the green cap. Jared was the lead of navigation having a Garmin GPS equipped to his Scott 20. Dave rode a Grasshopper recumbent super-bike. I rode a borrowed ICON from a Korean friend. We rode from Seongnam (Southeast Seoul) 350kms to Daegu in just 2 and 4 1/2 hours. The last 100+kms were completed in just over 4 hours!!! It was a wonderful trip with 2 of the 4, WEBSITE= http://www.brakingboundaries.org team members. We stopped in Suanbo Springs the first night after riding 134kms. The second day was a brisk 103kms into Andong, where we took in the Korean Mask Festival. That was mixed with a carnival, several stage performance shows including an inspiring amateur Tae Kwon Do ~high-kick and choreographed performance. We finished the tour in Daegu, actually the city wasn't spectacular at all, the roads between cities were where we found solstice and the friendly Korean papparazzi taking our photos. Overall, it was a fabulous trip, and we have another 1 day 138km mountain loop planned for November. It's nice having friends that not only ride, but also love bikes, they are always an inspiration in my life! Blessings to all cyclists, and anyone who can give up the engine to go the distance. BP

Cycling in South Korea :: Fall 2008

These photos were taken on an epic 350km 2.5 day trip in South Korea. Jared (New Zealand) at left, Dave (Canada) next poking his head over the table and me with the green cap. Jared was the lead of navigation having a Garmin GPS equipped to his Scott 20. Dave rode a Grasshopper recumbent super-bike. I rode a borrowed ICON from a Korean friend. We rode from Seongnam (Southeast Seoul) 350kms to Daegu in just 2 and 4 1/2 hours. The last 100+kms were completed in just over 4 hours!!! It was a wonderful trip with 2 of the 4, WEBSITE= http://www.brakingboundaries.org team members. We stopped in Suanbo Springs the first night after riding 134kms. The second day was a brisk 103kms into Andong, where we took in the Korean Mask Festival. That was mixed with a carnival, several stage performance shows including an inspiring amateur Tae Kwon Do ~high-kick and choreographed performance. We finished the tour in Daegu, actually the city wasn't spectacular at all, the roads between cities were where we found solstice and the friendly Korean papparazzi taking our photos. Overall, it was a fabulous trip, and we have another 1 day 138km mountain loop planned for November. It's nice having friends that not only ride, but also love bikes, they are always an inspiration in my life! Blessings to all cyclists, and anyone who can give up the engine to go the distance. BP

Cycling is starting a new life, each ride!

This is the Summer 2008 Escape Ride. It was a 350km ride in 4 days, west coast of South Korea. It ended with an extra 25kms of hitch-hiking in a Bongo/Korean pick-up which is really another mode of transport that earns points!!! Does riding a bike help me live life, damn right! Cycling is one of the best means of moving from one location to the next. Every mile/km builds strength and leaves you feeling fresh. If you don't ride, you should, it so wonderfully balanced. ^^++ Blessings & peace out to all my friends and family. ~~++ The highway is a language spoken by people moving in a new direction. Riding helps it happen, learn a new way to live everyday!

Cycling is starting a new life, each ride!

This is the Summer 2008 Escape Ride. It was a 350km ride in 4 days, west coast of South Korea. It ended with an extra 25kms of hitch-hiking in a Bongo/Korean pick-up which is really another mode of transport that earns points!!! Does riding a bike help me live life, damn right! Cycling is one of the best means of moving from one location to the next. Every mile/km builds strength and leaves you feeling fresh. If you don't ride, you should, it so wonderfully balanced. ^^++ Blessings & peace out to all my friends and family. ~~++ The highway is a language spoken by people moving in a new direction. Riding helps it happen, learn a new way to live everyday!

Cycling is starting a new life, each ride!

This is the Summer 2008 Escape Ride. It was a 350km ride in 4 days, west coast of South Korea. It ended with an extra 25kms of hitch-hiking in a Bongo/Korean pick-up which is really another mode of transport that earns points!!! Does riding a bike help me live life, damn right! Cycling is one of the best means of moving from one location to the next. Every mile/km builds strength and leaves you feeling fresh. If you don't ride, you should, it so wonderfully balanced. ^^++ Blessings & peace out to all my friends and family. ~~++ The highway is a language spoken by people moving in a new direction. Riding helps it happen, learn a new way to live everyday!