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Enter The Dragon Pavilion if you dare.....

Earlier today my friend and I dropped by 융정다원 (YongJangDaWon) My pal grew up in Nampodong so he knows the area very well and tells me this teahouse has been around for quite a long time.
The easiest way to get there is to take the escalator up to Nampo tower. One flight up only on the escalator and you should see an enterance to a temple on your left. On your right is 용정다원 or dragon 용, 정pavilion 다tea 원 place or in this case according to the chinese characters garden. Apparently 차isn't the only character for tea. On the window you'll notice right away that they serve various coffees and smoothies now. Go the distance! Their teas are amazing, if you know what to order, and I am at your service!
They are well known for serving Korean teas in the very traditional old Chosun dynasty style goblets and tea bowls.

I recommend their 오미자차 (OMeJaCha) or 5 flavors tea. It seriously actually has 5 flavours all in one sip: sour, sweet a tad salty and fruity are as far as I can discern. A wonderful fruity complexity indeed. The lady there informed us that she picks the fruit herself. Omejacha, you can't go wrong! They are open 7 days a week too! Feel free to drop by anytime. And do make sure you go to the 2nd floor!!! (Way more character there).

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About the Author

Matthew William Thivierge has abandoned his PhD studies in Shakespeare and is now currently almost half-way through becoming a tea-master (Japanese,Korean & Chinese tea ceremony). He is a part time Ninjologist with some Jagaek studies (Korean 'ninja') and on occasion views the carrying on of pirates from his balcony mounted telescope.

Blogs
About Tea Busan * Mr.T's Chanoyu てさん茶の湯 * East Sea Scrolls * East Orient Steampunk Society

Tea Tour Part One

For those searching for teashops and tea houses look no farther. There's lots to cover so be patient, I aim to cover 'em all starting with Nampodong. Over the course of my 8 years here I have seen teashops and houses come and go. As to date in Nampo I my count is 2 teahouses 5 teashops.

Here are a few I dropped by earlier today.

When you take the subway to Nampodong take exit 5. As soon as you reach the top of the stairs you'll find yourself in teacountry where the hunting is good. Right at the top of the stairs theres a small teasupply shop pictured here. A basic shop with cups a plenty.
Here you can see exit 5 and the GSMart that is located nearby. Walk over to the GS and take that street on the left. Right where that white car in the picture is, yep, that street.

Next you'll see what's pictured below. This is the side street. The teashop is above the pharmacy (약) eeeeew Yagk: that's Korean for medicine. The teahouse is called 다래헌 or DaLaeHun. They serve a fine Boeycha there. I have yet to sample the rest of their menu but the proprietor is quite adept at a Japanese powdered green tea as he teaches tea classes there.

If you turn right at the pharmacy and go straight to the next intersection and turn left you'll find one of the best teashops in Busan. 지혜선 (JiHyeSun)named presumably after the owner, has a decent range of teas. Plenty of Oolongs and the Pu'er teas there are right from china all wrapped in bamboo ranging from 20,000won to 300,000won. The street its on runs parallel with the GSmart side street.
(They also have alot of teapots of the Chinese and Korean variety along with teabowls for Japanese green powder tea).

This next teashop is called 고물들의 미팅 or used stuffs meeting (GoMulDulUi Meeting.... sounds better in the Korean). It is an antique store with most of its stuff coming from China.

To get there you need to get to Nampo's Art Street. Its the street with the underground art shops that isn't connected to the subway line. (why they haven't connected them I don't know *hmph*). Suffice, The easy way to get to the street is to go to PIFF street (the one with the 3 movie theaters) and walk to the StarBucks. When you turn the corner @the starbucks there's a Hagendaz. That's how you know your on the right track and street.
Go straight until you see your first children's toy shop (pictured left). There's 2 toy shops on that street. The little side street next to the toy shop is the one you want.
Right next to the toy shop is the antique store. I will post details regarding their portable teasets later. Do stay tuned to channel T, where like OPS bakery "Tastiness is transmitted" and transmission ends upon consumption.

GoMulDulEui Meeting has alot of inexpensive tea items and is one of the best places to go for a first time shopper. Many of the other places have either expensive teas or parts of tea sets to add to ones collection.

On the first floor they have teapots and various teas; mostly the cheap everyday kind of teas Pu'er and Japanese green tea powder both usually go for 20,000won. Lower end tea but stored well in metal containers and that's about the average price for Japanese green tea. They also have many imported Chinese items that are great as gifts to send home.

The real gems are located on the second floor where they have tea boards (more on that later), and even portable tea sets that you can bring hiking or camping. The second floor contains many tea accoutrements.

A cheap basic boey

I bought a basic boey tea round at a teashop in Nampodong. Will post tasting notes once I start it.
I also bought an odd one called "홍화차" or red flower tea at the same place. Not exactly sure what the flower is but will find out in due course.
Suffice; stay tuned to channel T.

Seeing My Art on Display

Yesterday I went to the UPlus gallery / cafe at the LG UPlus building near Seoul Station. I made my out of exit 11 and found myself up against a late winter wind.

As you might recall I posted about this earlier in the month and was excited to get out there. I found my way with some helpful tips from Chris in South Korea.

As I entered the cafe I saw on the left digital monitors with the Artpoli's group works transitioning back and forth.

The barrista behind the counter greeted me and when I gestured that I was the artist on the wall she became very excited. She quickly went back behind the counter told her coworkers and then took out her cell phone. Next thing I knew she was taking a picture of me and then a "couple" shot together. Goodness! I didn't know I was famous. Haha... I think though since the employees of the cafe are the ones who most often see the works on the wall they probably have spent more quality time looking at them. Or maybe she was a fan of Artpoli? Anyways I enjoyed the 5-second feeling of fame I received.

I managed to get her to take a picture of me...

I thought it was a great little space in the cafe and the use of technology to display the artworks was definitely innovative. JH arrived a little later and saw the works too then we were off to dinner.

I suggested galbi, since I felt there was some celebration that needed to get done. He drove around the Namsan tower on his way closer to Nowon.

Last night's dinner was certainly very delicious and satisfying, mostly I think because it was my first meal of galbi since coming back to Korea.

It truly felt great to know that I finally had my artworks shown here in Korea. I hope this means that this year is going to be one that continues on this artistic path and finds myself more involved with the creative side of Korea.

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foreignerjoy.blogspot.com

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One “Global Standard” That Should Be Avoided: UAW at Hyundai

U.S. Auto Union Wants Hyundai to Unionize
The Wall Street Journal, and the mK Business Daily reported that the United Auto Workers (UAW), are approaching foreign automakers in order to form unions at the production plants that operate in the U.S. It is a well-known fact to Koreans that Hyundai-Kia have a production plant in Alabama, where all Hyundai Sonatas sold in the U.S. are assembled. The UAW, due to the generous benefits that it negotiated with U.S. auto manufacturers, have been partially blamed for the decline of the U.S. auto industry. While that may not be totally true, and that it could be stated that there has been plenty of blame that can be shared among many, there is little doubt that the U.S. automakers have suffered greatly due to the higher costs of production resulting from the union’s efforts.

As a person that has witnessed, first-hand, the effect that unions have had on the auto manufacturers in the U.S., there is only one thought that rings through the mind of many when seeing these articles: “Oh no….”

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www.seoulgyopoguide.com www.twitter.com/thelostseoul

Last weekend in Sydney

Saturday 19th March 2011,

The days were going quick and before I knew it, it was the weekend- my last weekend in Sydney. So we decided to make it a good one! Sheridan and my sister Eden were going to hit the town.

Sheridan came over late in the afternoon and we started getting ready for a night of dancing. The first place we went to was La Cita, on King Street Wharf. I love it here. We always have a good time and the music is very latin awesome. It was Eden's first time at La Cita. As security checked our ID's, he noticed Sheridan was from Springwood. He was from Penrith, and he was telling us how great Springwood (Booberella's) pizza's were. We couldn't agree more.

little koala clips on the foothpath WTF?!

dude form Dubbo

On arrival we were given complimentary drinks, as well as our free drinks. It was really quiet and there was hardly anyone dancing, so we thought, we'd go somewhere else and come back later, when it would fill up more. We decided to head to Jacksons on George. In all my years I'd never been inside here lol. I have no idea considering I used to work directly across the street from it. Anyway, so we went inside and settled on some couches. The music was really good and pretty soon we were dancing and making new friends.

cheers!

Eden looking HOT

Eden and me

Before we knew it, it was 5.30am. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun! By this stage it was pouring down with rain, we had eaten macca's and I was ready to fall asleep on the pavement. These days, when I go out, I hardly stay out that late. So when I do, I really start to feel it... must be this thing called, getting old lol. We were soon ale to get a cab home.

I had such a great time with my girls!! We'll definately be having an all nighter again when I'm back in Sydney.

Sheridan ended up staying the night, so we got up around 10am and had breakfast. We were just going to bum around the house, because in the evening, we were going to go see Stone Temple Pilots at the Hordern Pavilion. I was sooo excited, as they are one of my favourite bands. Also, Grinspoon were supporting them, so double awesome!!

The gig was really good. We were so tired from the previous night, so I was glad we were able to get some seats to sit on. It was a sell out show and the support acts were so good, as were STP. Great last weekend in Sydney!!!
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Our Polaroid x

Our Polaroid x

Last weekend in Sydney remains copyright of the author Two Otters, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The Zen thing that is 보이차 (Boey Cha)

In Korean 보이차 (Bo-E-cha) is the most common tea of teahouses and teashops in Busan. However, in Chinese and English it is called Pu-erh tea. Information on it can be found here:
Wikipedia: Pu-erh_tea

When you should find yourself in a teahouse you can use your magic 주새요 (Jewsayoh) and order Boeycha i.e: Boeycha Jewsayoh, (cha is Korean for tea). or Boeycha Hana Jewsayoh for one boeycha. They will bring over a fine collection similar to what is pictured here along with some hot water.

The fun of boeycha is that you get to steep it yourself for however long you like. The little clay teapot contains the leaves, hence, you put your hot water in there first. Boeycha is usually steeped for 2minutes. Afterwhich you pour it into the bowl provided or as with most teashops they provide you with a larger (usually glass) teapot. This is for your tea to cool before pouring it into the small cup. Sometimes they will give you another larger bowl. This is for when you first steep the tea. For all the dust and impurities that may be there, the leaves need a rinse off. Hence, first steep the tea then pour it out into this refuse bowl. Steep it again: the 2nd steeping is the one you can drink.

You can keep filling up this cooling pot/bowl at your leisure. Boey or Pu'er teacups are usally quite small as Boey tea is a sipping tea, (I shall post various brands and flavors later) where half the fun of Boey tea is the pouring and preparing; an appreciation of the art of tea. It's a Zen thing.

Rant and Rave of the Week 3: The Gym Gargoyle

Despite the subtle differences in my experience with gyms and my current one I was not prepared for a recent encounter with a gargoyle husk of man who has been attending my morning sessions. It was not until the loud clearing of his throat that my attention was brought to him. Sadly the unfortunate man was burdened with cold. However luckily for all, the gym was acoustically equip to handle his mucus movements from the gullet up his windpipe to his mouth and back again.

Unsurprisingly it was not long before a loathing grew for this despicable man. I watched him as he slimed from one machine to the next. One of his favourite haunts was the ‘Well-Bring Master’, a machine that has a cotton belt attached that vibrates furiously. He spends on average 10-15 mins being pleasured by it, letting it vibrate from top to bottom. Whilst he indulges in the melancholy motion he clears his throat like a gorilla beating his chest to ward off foes.

Moving around the gym, I try to forget about him, letting the music and endorphins take me. Shortly however we meet again, this time naked. In the shower room. A closed small tiled room is perfect for sound to bounce from the wall. As hocking fills the room, the unpleasant expelling sound of gunk follows. Disgusted by this ritual I hastily finish showering, turning into horror as the same man is now squatting on the floor cleaning his anus with his hands and a bar of soap. Granted I’m all for cleanliness but there are other methods of cleaning oneself and also in private.

I leave, nauseatingly tarnished by this grossly hygienic toad. As I exit into the changing rooms I spy a pair of socks over the nozzle of the hair dryer. Like a bad episode of Scooby Doo my guess at who dunnit is spot on as shortly after irrigation the toad retrieves his toasted socks from the dryer.

This man is certainly unique in terms of grooming habits and his social etiquette. Thankfully for all, his cold has subsided leaving us with just his abnormal cleaning habits.

Squid Boats and Island Dusk

Squid fishing’s big on Ulleungdo. It’s done at nighttime, when old Korean fisherman pull out in boats strung with long hanging bulbs that plunge light deep below the sea’s surface, luring the creatures toward their next-day destiny of drying out in the sun.

I’m not drawn toward spending days out on an open ocean, but I love strolling through ports like this one in Jeodongni, the island’s second-biggest (but still village-like) settlement. Old, rusty boats rock against the dock at dusk, waiting to set out for the evening’s catch.