Anyway, things have been quite busy and exciting here. Korea had yet another soccer game on Tuesday, which they won, so they advance to yet another round (for the record the US won as well). There is great questioning of whether or not Korea and the US might face off in the final game, but it is still apparently to early to tell.

After the victory (I as at home painting) I received a call that there was a trip being made downtown to celebrate. The trip ended up being mostly the few of us in a van stuck in traffic for about two hours. Of course, it was the most exciting traffic one has ever seen, with all the running and jumping and shouting, and people hanging out of doors, windows, trunks, and roofs yelling, shouting, screaming, and waving the Korean flag. It was the single happiest most positive riot I have ever taken place in. I also discovered that as a foreigner I have a special power. Apparently Korean for foreigner is mo-gook. I describe the power as mo-gooky. That's right. I've got mo-gooky power. Observe how this wonder power was put to use.

As we were stuck in traffic and generally not going anywhere our driver made several attempts to get ahead of the jam. Each time when we came to a point that we needed to merge we would throw open the back door and Micha and I would lean out through the opening and shout the Korean soccer cheer and finish with a loud "Korea Fighting". This invariably led to use being able to cut in front of whoever was there. Mogooky power. It also led to allot of free beer, more for Micha then myself, as I don't think Koreans believe that foreign women are hardcore drinkers.

Anyway.

Aside from all this excitement this weekend (after recovering from my soccer induced hangover) I ventured alone to the Sermon Market, which was really fascinated. I tried to stumble upon the fabric sellers but without much luck. I did manage to find the basement which had some of the most beautiful all wood tables I have ever seen, and they were all very inexpensive. I also found some interesting Korean drums that were also fairly inexpensive, but alas, I do not yet have the money to acquire one.

On Sunday I decided I really had to walk up the mountain behind my house. So I packed a bottle of water and a sketch pad and went for it. The mountain is crisscrossed with all kinds of trails, and I'm not sure what trail I started on, and I would occasionally take crazy little animal trails, and generally just walk around in the green. It was very beautiful and peaceful up there. After about half an hour or so, I managed to stumble onto a much larger trail that is the main passage to the top, and ran into more Koreans than I was expecting, most weren't expecting me, so I suppose we are even. About a quarter way up I came to three benches and took a break, while some fellow practiced some Yoga. After some water, and getting ready to go, he turned to me and asked in English where I was from. I stayed and talked a few more minutes and asked how far it was to the top (30 minutes he said) and started back up the rather steep trail. I passed any number of unusual rocks, trees, and ! a few burial mounds on the mountain, and I'd say after another hour or so I finally made it to a plateau where there was a badminton (don't know) court. There was a group of gentleman playing, and if they are there again this weekend, I might see if I can get in on a game. Aside from the court there were also a number of different types of exercise equipment (a few benches, weights, hula hoops, jump ropes, several places to do push ups). I suppose a hike up the mountain is not enough of a workout. I realize at this point that I was not at the very top of the mountain, and considered going further ( I was probably another twenty minutes from the summit) but decided instead to go off and draw something which I did.

The next time I go up, I'll be armed with a camera as well.

Anyway, that about covers it. My classes are going very well. And one of the mom's was so impressed with how quickly her son is progressing that she gave me a little gift yesterday. I thought that was nice.

I did learn how to use an ATM, no I just need to figure out how to do a wire transfer.

Hoping to get more e-mail.