Paul Balluff

25/02/2013

Coordinates: 34.9406968,127.69588820000001

After visiting the EcoPark in Suncheon we headed to our next destination. The way to Gwangyang was short, because we wanted to have a small rest.

Tomorrow’s trip is going to be 75km.

Paul Balluff

24/02/2013

Coordinates: 34.950637,127.48721350000005

After a very amazing breakfast, we hit the road again and headed more down south. The mountains were steep but riding downhill in between was fun.
We stopped at the Huaeom Temple (화엄사) for a rest and continued our journey shortly after.
Later we checked in a Jjimjilbang and have a relaxing stay.

Paul Balluff

23/02/2013

Coordinates: 35.416357,127.3904877

Today was very sunny and very tiring. At first I thought my body gave up and every kilometre was painful. Then in Jeongju after 40km I realized that I was riding with a flat tire. I got it fixed and from there things went smoothly.
Then we arrived in Imsil and there was no place to stay. Because it was dark and -6 degrees celsius, we took the bus to Namwon.

Winter and Autumn

Winter is coming – 冬到来

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Coordinates: 35.020507667285315,135.71033477783203

Just right after Halloween had ended, the enterprises in Japan switched their decoration to Christmas inspired themes. So starting from November I could listen to Christmas songs while I went shopping, and admire Santa Claus figurines advertising the latest products. Autumn is known to be the finest season in Kyoto and therefore thousands of domestic and international tourists are streaming into the city to take pictures and buying souvenirs (お土産omiyage - souvenirs A very important word in Japan.) for their friends.

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Things you should do in Japan

As my time in Japan is slowly coming towards an end I started thinking about if I really have made good use of my time so far and what I am still missing. I came up with this list:

  • Visit at least 3 major Islands (Honshu, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, Okinawa)
  • Do Karaoke until dawn
  • Stay at a Japanese friend’s house
  • Visit Onsen regularly
  • Talk to a Japanese person every day
  • Go to a Karaoke with a girl you like
  • Get lost in Tokyo
  • Visit a rural place
  • Go to a Hanami (花見) with only Japanese people
  • Go to a Purikura (プリクラ)
  • Sleep at a temple
  • Sleep in a Ryokan (旅館)
  • Soak in a wild hot spring
  • Eat Sashimi (刺身)
  • Spend a night in a Love Hotel
  • Visit Yasukuni Shrine (靖国神社)
  • Eat Fugu (ふぐ)
  • Have a BBQ with Japanese friends

Some items are already checked, but others are still open. . .

More suggestions are always welcome!

DSC07758-edited

Chapter II – 第二章

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The summer vacation is almost at its end and autumn is getting closer. The first semester is definitely over now and changes came with the vacation. Our dormitory was almost empty at the beginning of the vacation but now it is filled up with people again. Almost four dozen new students brought new life into the empty halls. The nights are lively again as they used to be before the break.

September was the month of part-time job and Kanji. Trying to catch up what I was missing to join a higher language course I spent my free time to practice drawing the ancient characters radical by radical. Furthermore recent alterations in my health-related behaviour are torturing and blessing me at the same time and therefore many distractions are necessary. I also re-polished the blog theme and it is more gorgeous and flexible than ever (unless you’re using internet explorer).

Last week orientation sessions started again and with them the language placement was conducted. I successfully entered the aimed course and this semester will be dedicated to the Japanese language. Chapter II begins. 第二章開始.