Thank you Korea...

Thank you Korea for boosting my running confidence. I ran a 10k down at the beach, near my house. I ended up "winning." I say "winning" because technically I wasn't entered in the race. I tried to, but the website is in Korean, and they tend to close the entry about a month before, and I don't find out about things here until the last minute.

I did get treated like the runner in first place when I was running. Even though I had on a green shirt and everyone else was in a red shirt, and I had no number. I got a motorcycle escort to break through the slower runners in the 5k. But when we reached the finish line I chose to run off the course, instead of breaking the tape. The Korean policeman were hollering at me to run straight, but that would be a little too dishonorable, especially since it cost 30 dollars to sign up. Next time I'll get all signed up, collect the trophy, not have to stash my bag in the bushes, break the tape, sign the autographs. etc.

One thing that did bother me was the photographers. Along the course, there were newspaper guys, or guys with really nice gear. It was obvious that I was in first place, as I had a motorcycle escort. But never once did any of these guys take my photo, and they love taking photos of everything here. I had tricked everyone else into thinking I was in first place. Either these guys knew I wasn't officially in the race, or they just don't take photo's of foreigners winning a Korean race. Here a couple other scenes from the event.

This kid was chowing down on his pre-race corndog. Notice the matching visors.

At the finish line you can dump buckets of water on your head. It's a good way to cool off. I'd never seen this before. It wasn't that hot though, about 75 degrees.

Here I am celebrating my "victory" with a post race beer.

Friday was teacher's day in Korea. Supposedly you get gifts from the students, but I didn't get anything. Though I was allowed to leave school 2 hours early on a beautiful, sunny Friday. So I took my bike out for a spin, down to the fishing docks and local areas of industry around my home.

There are hundreds of rusty ships of various sizes down near the fish market. These baskets in the foreground are used to catch some sort of aquatic life, though I'm not sure what. They are all strung by hand down on the docks.

I think they pull the hooks out of the white rim of the tire, then let them float in the sea, waiting for fishies to swim buy and grab on. Then pull them back into the boat.

This is one of the guys that was string the baskets. Most of the people are older, and don't make much money I'm sure. I felt bad taking their photos. But I asked this guy if it was ok, and he didn't have a problem.

It seems like smelly, dirty, boring tedious work for not much pay. But alot of jobs in this industry are like that.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. That's what I'm trying to do with my photos. I don't have much natural beauty near my house. It's more like power plants, fishing ships, fisherman, shipbuilding and industry. So I'll do my best to share with you where I live.

Cranes

There is a steel yard, YK steel. They dominate the harbor near my school and I have a fantastic view of their compound from my classroom. When I went down there to take some photos, I was told that was against the rules. I also asked if i could take a tour of the factory but they said that wasn't offered. But from the gates I was able to take a photo of a hulking, rusty ship.