My Korean Bucket List

So here I am in Korea. The past 10 months have flown by, and I think it's safe to say the next two months in Korea will go by even faster. There are so many things to do and so many things to see in Korea so I've decide to make a Korean Bucket List to ensure that I do as much as I can possibly do. This list is in no particular order.

Note: Some bucket list items are stolen from this blog, Chris in South Korea

  • Korean Wedding. I really want to go to one, but sadly this is out of my control.
  • Eat Sannakji. In reality, I probably won't be able to do it, unless a large amount of soju is consumed first. But I would at least like to watch someone eat this. Wondering what it is? Check THIS VIDEO out.
  • Jeju. Jeju Island is the "Hawaii of Korea". Also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. I also want to visit Love Land, an erotic sculpture park on the island.
  • Swim in the East Sea and the West Sea
  • Run a race. I've ran enough 5Ks in my life, so I'm hoping to run a 10K in Korea. But let's get real, it'll probably be a 5K.
  • Speak Korean. Well DUH, I am living here for at least 1 year, so why not?
  • Ajumma Scrub. Basically an old Korean woman scrubbing dead skin off your naked body. Best described here and another entertaining story here.
  • Paragliding/Hang gliding. I've heard this is pretty big in my area, so I WILL jump off a mountain and glide across Inje County.
  • Penis Park. Just like it sounds, a sculpture park with penises. And it's in Gangwon-do! 
  • Climb a Mountain. Probably Seoraksan since it's close. But I want to go to the top!
  • Mud Festival. This sounds amazing! Boryeong Mud Festival
  • Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul.
  • Temple Stay. I've heard mixed reviews about staying overnight at a temple, so we'll see if this actually happens.
  • Sea Parting Festival. In Jindo, the sea mysteriously parts once a year and you get to walk on it!
  • Dakgalbi Street in Chuncheon. Rumor has it this is the best place for dakgalbi in Korea. Noms.
  • Roly Poly Dance. Tried and failed miserably. It's the thought that counts?
  • Watch the sun rise/set in one session. Didn't do it on the beach like I hoped, but I'm counting it anyway.
  • Read Korean. Show me anything in Hangul and I sing it for you.
  • Music Festival. Jisan Valley, UMF Korea, Super!Sonic. Amazing.
  • Ride the KTX.  I guess it's the fastest train in Korea, and it's a pretty big deal.
  • Cat Cafe. BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!
  • Korean Baseball Game. I love going to baseballs games and Seoul even has a team called the Twins!
  • K Pop Concert. There was a free Army concert in Inje with Rain! So I'm counting that as my K Pop concert. 
  • Drink outside the local convenience store. I love Korea for this. As soon as the weather turns warm, plastic chairs and tables and placed outside convenience stores for your drinking pleasure. Made a Saturday out of it.
  • Noraebang bus. Exactly what it sounds like. Noraebang, on a bus. It was on Teacher's Day and it was awesome.
  • Cherry Blossom Festival. Even though I could probably see this at home on the East Coast, it would be cooler to see in Korea. NOTE: We went, the events were cancelled due to the rain. At least I tried, right?
  • Date a Korean. I went on a date with a Korean. It was... interesting.
  • Subway of Shame. Stay out all night in Hongdae or Itaewon, or somewhere in Seoul, then catch the subway home when it opens at 6:00 AM. (Crossed this one off the list on NYE! And numerous times after that.)
  • Norebang. Korean for "sing room". This is part of daily life in Korea and is a must. (Already accomplished on my third night in Korea... and pretty much every weekend.)
  • DMZ. Get a peek into North Korea, the world's most secretive country. (I already went on a DMZ tour, but if given the opportunity, I may go again, on a different tour where you can actually step into N. Korea.)
  • Soju/Beer/Coke Cocktail. Cojinganmeks are part of our going out rituals in Inje. We're hard like that. Here is another person's experience.
  • Ski or Snowboard in Gangwon-do. I live in Gangwon-do, which is where most of the ski resorts in Korea. Snowboarding at Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort left me with an incredibly sore bum but great memories with K Water director and other important people.
  • Chopsticks. Learn them. Live them.
  • Jimjilbang. Spend the night here,  it's like a spa/sauna where you can sleep. I actually didn't spend the night here, but I did spend time in a sauna with a bunch of naked Korean women.

Last updated on October 7th, 2013. As I sit in the airport to leave Korea. I still don't have things crossed off. Does this mean I'm coming back?

YES I CAME BACK! Last REAL update: April 19th, 2013. BOOM.

More to come... this is a work in progress. 

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