Eat Me Italian Restaurant in Daejeon

While making our way to our new home town in South Korea, we spent two nights in our old stamping ground, Daejeon. It was Farmboys birthday on the 24th June, and so our friends had made a reservation at a lovely Italian restaurant in the Time World Gallery area of Daejeon. Great food, and even better company were on the menu for us.

If you're looking for a little slice of Italian (pizza, pasta, salad) then this is a definite must stop while in Daejeon.

Eat Me is on the second floor in one of the buildings just behind Time World Galleria, opposite a GS25.

Eat Me currently has a most delicious Salad Pizza on the menu, with pesto, mozzarella cheese and a wonderful green salad heaped high on a margarita pizza base. Prices range from W8 000 - W13 000 for a meal.

Eat Me is open Wednesday - Monday (closed on Tuesday)

Farmboy's new toy...

This weekend, while waiting in anticipation for our 4D Movie at Say Department Store here in Daejeon, Farmboy and myself headed downstairs in the gorgeous Say Department to check out the cute and funky stationary section on the basement level.

And, well the only way I can describe what happened next when Farmboy saw what gadgets were displayed, is to ask you to imagine the look on a little boy's face on Christmas morning, when he see's that long awaited 'bicycle' shaped present, with the huge ribbon, parked under the tree...ok, ok, I think you get the picture.

Anyways...here is the outcome of what caught his attention:

These pictures were taken with Farmboys new Lomography FISHEYE camera. Cool hey?!

In photography, a fisheye lens is a wide-angle lens that takes in an extremely wide, hemispherical image. Originally developed for use in meteorology to study cloud formation and called "whole-sky lenses", fisheye lenses quickly became popular in general photography for their unique, distorted appearance. Wikipedia

Prices for these cameras range from W55 000 to W88 000 (thats +- $55 to $88), and they take standard film which can be found at any camera shop or Lotte Mart/HomePlus/Emart.

*Click here for a link to the Gmarket site where you can buy them online :)
*Click here for a link to Amazon*

Night time adventures

Cycling round Daejeon has been fun, hot..but fun.

But nothing compares to our cycle from FarmBoy's house all the way to Yuseoung (a 1 and a half hour trek) through fields, rough terrain, and of course blistering heat. The wonderful idea occured to Farmboy while sitting is his gloriously cool apartment, aircon on full blast and a cup of ice water to his lips...little thought did he give to the humidity and UV rays being pumped out by the sun that day. But the idea had taken seed, and soon he had his accomplice and tour guide and off we headed to Yuseoung.

The ride actually wasn't so bad, we arrived in Yuseoung, drenched but exilarated, and headed straight for the Jimjillbang (the public bath houses where one pays a very small fee of about R40 and then gets to shower/sauna/swim/relax/get a massage all in privacy of a segregated building). We left feeling refreshed and energised and ready to eat a small horse with our friends Claire and Jono at a fabulous Morrocan Restaurant we had heard so much about.

Half way through the meal, needless to say, it began to pour with rain. Now we had left our bikes (locked up after my last bike was stolen last week~ sniff sniff) at the Jimjilllbang and had planned to come back to Yuseoung the next day by bus and cycle back home, as Claire had brough a rather large parcel of bedding for my mom to use when she comes to stay next week...so a nice comfortable Taxi ride I was thinking it would be.

But no, Farmboy wanted to cycle in the rain, and of course, me not wanting to miss out on any slight chance of adventure, hopped aboard the looney train and back we cycled...at 11 o'clock at night, through the rain and the mud, Farmboy carrying the linnen sack on his back...and me carrying...well the little empty rucksack of course...to arrive home exhausted but happy :)

Heres to many more night time adventures in Daejeon!

Night time adventures

Cycling round Daejeon has been fun, hot..but fun.

But nothing compares to our cycle from FarmBoy's house all the way to Yuseoung (a 1 and a half hour trek) through fields, rough terrain, and of course blistering heat. The wonderful idea occured to Farmboy while sitting is his gloriously cool apartment, aircon on full blast and a cup of ice water to his lips...little thought did he give to the humidity and UV rays being pumped out by the sun that day. But the idea had taken seed, and soon he had his accomplice and tour guide and off we headed to Yuseoung.

The ride actually wasn't so bad, we arrived in Yuseoung, drenched but exilarated, and headed straight for the Jimjillbang (the public bath houses where one pays a very small fee of about R40 and then gets to shower/sauna/swim/relax/get a massage all in privacy of a segregated building). We left feeling refreshed and energised and ready to eat a small horse with our friends Claire and Jono at a fabulous Morrocan Restaurant we had heard so much about.


Half way through the meal, needless to say, it began to pour with rain. Now we had left our bikes (locked up after my last bike was stolen last week~ sniff sniff) at the Jimjilllbang and had planned to come back to Yuseoung the next day by bus and cycle back home, as Claire had brough a rather large parcel of bedding for my mom to use when she comes to stay next week...so a nice comfortable Taxi ride I was thinking it would be.

But no, Farmboy wanted to cycle in the rain, and of course, me not wanting to miss out on any slight chance of adventure, hopped aboard the looney train and back we cycled...at 11 o'clock at night, through the rain and the mud, Farmboy carrying the linnen sack on his back...and me carrying...well the little empty rucksack of course...to arrive home exhausted but happy :)

Heres to many more night time adventures in Daejeon!

Cool Places to go #6 Geoje Island

Geojedo or Geoje Island (also often spelled Koje Island) is the principal island of Geoje City, on the southern coast of Gyeongsangnam-do province. It is joined to land by two bridges from nearby Tongyeong. Geoje *pronounced Koje* (click here for googlemap) is  just off the coast of Busan, and a 3 hour bus ride from Daejeon, or 5 hour bus ride from Seoul.

Hallyeohaesang National Park (click here) in Tongyeong  has South Korea's longest cable car ride that takes you all the way up Mireuk Mountain, to the hilltop station, where (on a good clear day) you can enjoy view of the sea as well as Japan’s Tsushima Island. It costs W8 000 won for adults an W4 500 for children.

Farmboys Surprise Shindig :)

Thursday came on the 24th June just as every other comes to pass here in SK...but this particular thurday morning was different. Why I hear you ask? BecauseThursday 24th June was Farmboy's 24th Birthday..

So 06:00 came and saw me running madly to catch the bus  across town, to reach Farmboys house in time to surprise him...not an easy feat I'll have you know, as I am not the quickest person to get ready in the morning(this doesn't just happen you know *she says winking* ), and to get to his front door  FArmboy was still asleep the ensure the full element of drowsy/sleepy eyed surprise.

So armed with my polaroid and arms full of presents I hit the streets. Here are some pics of what went down then, as well as later that evening when I managed to surprise him again (sounds of trumpets blaring) with a dinner with our friends which included the happy snapper Jenny, our friendly Brits~ Sally & Lewis, our fellow Saffa's~Claire, Jonno & Dev, our FABULOUS American buddies~ Christina, Amy & Dan, as well the ever smiley Minnie!

Heres to many more Korean bbq's, free glasses/bottles of house wine, gifts of funny photo frames and hubbly grottos!

Farmboys Surprise Shindig :)

Thursday came on the 24th June just as every other comes to pass here in SK...but this particular thurday morning was different. Why I hear you ask? BecauseThursday 24th June was Farmboy's 24th Birthday..

So 06:00 came and saw me running madly to catch the bus  across town, to reach Farmboys house in time to surprise him...not an easy feat I'll have you know, as I am not the quickest person to get ready in the morning(this doesn't just happen you know *she says winking* ), and to get to his front door  FArmboy was still asleep the ensure the full element of drowsy/sleepy eyed surprise.

So armed with my polaroid and arms full of presents I hit the streets. Here are some pics of what went down then, as well as later that evening when I managed to surprise him again (sounds of trumpets blaring) with a dinner with our friends which included the happy snapper Jenny, our friendly Brits~ Sally & Lewis, our fellow Saffa's~Claire, Jonno & Dev, our FABULOUS American buddies~ Christina, Amy & Dan, as well the ever smiley Minnie!

Heres to many more Korean bbq's, free glasses/bottles of house wine, gifts of funny photo frames and hubbly grottos!

Pre~ World Cup Braai in Seoul!

Saturday morning saw us up bright and early to catch the train into Seoul...2 hours later and we were negotiating our way round the Seoul Subway system like pro's...on the hunt for our backpackers.

Now Blu Guesthouse is far from your average backpackers, with a very impressive entrance, a very friendly host, and immaculately clean rooms with your own bathroom and shower for the very affordable rate of W15 000!
After dumping our bags and catching our breath we marched off to join the other 346 South Africans who we would be braaing with at Naanjin Park to celebrate the World Cup!

What a sight awaited us when we arrived....vuvuzella's, green, yellow, flags, Zakumi's, and the cherry on the cake..the smells of borewors, lamb chops and BILTONG!

What a great way to spend a Saturday, surrounded by friends, eating delicious homely food, and listening to the sounds of hundreds of other South Africans having a great partykie :)

Then it was off to Itaewon with Claire to explore 'What the Book!', the only stand alone English Book shop in South Korea, as well as some other interesting sights (which included an eye popping moment outside a transgender club and a delicious Curry as well  as look around at the world food market!)
All in all a top weekend!
~even got home early enough on Sunday to finish off the first season of FlashForward~now what are FarmBoy and I gonna watch??

Pre~ World Cup Braai in Seoul!

Saturday morning saw us up bright and early to catch the train into Seoul...2 hours later and we were negotiating our way round the Seoul Subway system like pro's...on the hunt for our backpackers.

Now Blu Guesthouse is far from your average backpackers, with a very impressive entrance, a very friendly host, and immaculately clean rooms with your own bathroom and shower for the very affordable rate of W15 000!
After dumping our bags and catching our breath we marched off to join the other 346 South Africans who we would be braaing with at Naanjin Park to celebrate the World Cup!

Farmboys old Studio Apartment in Daejeon

No amount of google searching and forum scanning will ever give you a real depiction of the kind of place you are gonna be living in when you get to this jungle of wireless internet and stupidly small cups of nasty coffee. So I thought I might aswell add to the variety by posting what my home looks like. From what I gather I think this is generally what most of the 2010 teachers got, with an extra free bar of soap here (Citygirl) or a 40inch HD plasma screen there (Dan), being the only difference. I'll post more about my actual area soon but this will give you a rough idea of the place where the decision that effect the world are made.... drum roll..... trumpets.... Citygirls triangle..... I give you my "Studio".

Here is the Basic layout of the place...
I have a nice bit of kitchen with a two plate gas stove. My bathroom is a shower, toilet and sink all in one. That means you have to hide eveything when you shower so i doesnt get wet including loo paper!

My home is divided into three sections by big sliding doors and these are really cool. Allows for alot of light and manages to trick me into feeling like Im not in a small space.

All in all, not a bad place to live.

The place I call home.

No amount of google searching and forum scanning will ever give you a real depiction of the kind of place you are gonna be living in when you get to this jungle of wireless internet and stupidly small cups of nasty coffee. So I thought I might aswell add to the variety by posting what my home looks like. From what I gather I think this is generally what most of the 2010 teachers got, with an extra free bar of soap here (Citygirl) or a 40inch HD plasma screen there (Dan), being the only difference. I'll post more about my actual area soon but this will give you a rough idea of the place where the decision that effect the world are made.... drum roll..... trumpets.... Citygirls triangle..... I give you my "Studio".

My English Room~Kyochon Elementary

So today a whole bunch of teachers & other VIP's are coming to have a little squizz at my English Classroom. I have become used to random important looking people strolling in during my lessons, snapping away with their camera's and my Principle grinning like a cheshire cat. Aparantly we have one of the best English rooms in Daejeon, im not so sure about that...but it's a nice thought :)

I thought I would post a few pics of it so everyone could get a chance to see what all the hype is about (i see no reason for getting too excited) but I must admit is is awesome! The reason I feel I am able to boast about this particular classroom is becasue on a monday & tuesday, I teach at another school, a country school (Hakha Elementary). Now Hakha, being a country, or rural school, is very basic. Whereas here at Kyochon all the kids come to me for their English classes (all +300 of them), ay Hakha I go to them, (all 20 of them). So you can see what Im getting at. Here I have all the perks, like my own little "Native Teachers Room" which doubles as the 3D interactive portal, I can customize the class and move the desks & chairs around however I (we~me and my co-teacher) feel like.

At Hakha, at the beginnning of every class, I am stepping into their territory...so this obviously has its disadvantages for me. The kids are a lot harder to control and of course as LOT harder to motivate, and because its their space, they go a little crazy!

But here at Kyochon I almost have the other extreme, my older classes (6th grade) are very reserved, and the atmosphere can feel a bit sterile. To combat this I have tried putting things up around the classroom to make it look a bit more inviting, but alas, my principle instructed my co-teacher & I to remove them because she thought they "didnt match the rest of the room"~ but thats exactly the point! Anyways,  I have to rely on my skills as a super Native teacher to get the kids iexcited about their English learning :)