Orange Goodness and the Weekend

I've been here long enough to see a metal frame become a building and to meet some reprobates so I thought I'd post some people pics for prosperity and give an idea on life outside of work.

Most of the foreigners I've met are teachers, with about 90% being from the States and Canada and a fair number of South Africans. English, Irish , Scots and Aussies add a bit of spice to the mix. I'm unsure if there's any Kiwi's here or if they're all still collecting benefits in Oz.

This is a shot of foreigners coming over all jiggy at the annual pig roast, a big and somewhat trashy event . And I'm not being rude, there really was a roast.
The log cabin in the mountains, the long tables, pitchers of alcohol and dicey music all gave it the feel of some sort of Nordic R'n'B hoedown.

The branch I work at employs about 30 foreigners on 12 to 6 month contracts so every once in awhile you have to say goodbye. This can either be a good or a bad thing depending on who's leaving.
This was a farewell dinner for Mikey, Mike and Chantelle. On the bright side I've now got exclusive rights to the name "Michael".

When you open the door...the Mormon's here are, well, unique to say the least.

Korea's a pretty mellow place at any time, so at a temple like this one in Busan even the birds crap on you slowly.
Ok, ok, unlike some Spaniards who shall remain unnamed, I don't normally take pictures of urinals in bars. I actually took this picture to try and work out what the hell the tongs are for! Face it fellas, if you have to use these you're either in real trouble or the arctic. Judging by the teeth on them, if you did use 'em you'd be in even more trouble afterwards.

This man is a Nav. So we can't show you his face. "Manchester baby, Manchester".

Levy the "Rock Pig" demonstrating the rumours are true. Without doubt one of the funniest guys I've met. They say you can't look away from a car crash - or Levy on a roll.

Classical Levy. One hand on his lighter, one on his blighter.

6am Sunday morning McVomit(tm).
Here's Will doing his bit for international gender relations on behalf of the states; all about the ladies all the time. Double click the photo to check out the yellow sign behind him. Bonus points if you can name the film clip.

Snap. Crackle. Pop.
Add milk.

DJ Oilcan Boogie showing his impressively impassive poker face and proving that yes, Canadians are indeed cooler than Americans.

Living in Asia you get used to being abused by neon.
They're building a second building across the road so you can guess what they'll call it...

During the week we have a bit of time to kill before work so the gym is a popular (except on leg day) destination. This is the Min Monster, fresh after destroying Tokyo. He's a 2XL size Korean at a solid 260lbs and benches 350.

...which makes my 200lbs and 250 bench schoolboy level by comparison

....but both of us are mere slips shaded by 170lb Patrick, also known as the human forklift. Yes sportsfans, those are actual balloons he's lifting.
There are some of my ex-training partners, I dunno, maybe working for Optus or Ticketmaster, who should bring their chunkyselves to Korea for some sessions. Boys, do remember to book two seats for yourself, one for each cheek.

Too school for cool. Hanging out at bar Oi, thus far the most original bar I've come across in Seoul. Imagine Santa's house on acid, add bongo's, and you're on the money.
There's a definite and unfortunate dearth of good venues with good music. Sometimes I fantasise about just being able to go to a pub, order a pint of Coopers with my chicken parma and watch a game of Aussie rules.

Jenny's over from Scotland to learn English and dry her underarms. Neither is progressing well.

The Min Monster attacks Icheon. Early mornings in a small town, what else would you do but put a road cone on your head?

"No way man, I don't care if you did just shower".

Angry man. With a sandwich.
Give him a croissant and all hell breaks loose.

Rob. Half English, half Ewok. All boozehound.

I don't actually know these guys but it's entirely possible they're still passed out in the bathroom at Polly's. Polly's is an absolute dive bar replete with scuba gear and few redeeming features, popular with the GI set, yet somehow as last stop on a Sunday night it becomes a divey shade of fun.
Happy hour makes the glam rock music collection an exercise in boisterous singalongs followed shortly afterwards by an exercise in shame, denial and headaches. The similarities with the invasion of Iraq are stupendous.

Silvia Watermelon drenched in NK, now she plays with plutonium and glows in the dark.

A happy snap of Patrick with Liezel and Fifi on the beach in Busan (pronounced "Poosan"). A friend suggested they should market themselves to tourists as "Seoul's Number 2 City". Catchy.
The 'poo is a nice city, more diverse and less modular than Seoul even though it's a lot smaller. Being on the coast gives it a fresher more laid back vibe and the beach and water are both nice.

Jacob, mate, you can't go back. One way ticket only, no matter how nicely you ask.

A proper "Korean Nightclub" as opposed to a "nightclub" is a novel and expensive way to hear some truly atrocious Korean pop music, annoyingly intrusive MC's and be ignored by Korean girls. Just the sort of thing that makes sense to drunk guys at 3am.

Cheers. After a couple of invasions and government sanctioned rape, the Japanese are none to popular with Koreans but luckily stomachs are apolitical meaning Japanese restaurants are common.
Not long after this photo I dropped my shot glass and Will dropped 30 pounds.

The Korean word for fart is bangu, here Sean listens intently whilst Levy demonstrates.