Korean Indie Music Scene: Better than K-Pop

Why is there so much continental rage about K-pop and its flashy arcade sounds? Even here in America… children, students, and adults lust after the K-pop sounds, fashions, and even ‘lifestyle’.  I can’t help but relate K-pop and its major recording artists to those here working under major recording labels in the United States… to me this all spells: mainstream music. Mainstream isn't all that bad, but finding really great music outside of the brainwashing music systems, is like finding gold in a world of cheap dollar stores. This is what listening to indie music is like. And to experience the indie music scene is even better; it’s like tasting the gold.

This all bring me back to my first semester at the University; I had given a presentation on Clear Channel radio and its sub part, iHeartRadio, in front of my first Media and Communications class. I presented on the particular company, their marketing strategies, the positioning of popular artists and bands, the amount of airplay given, and mentioned a few other major record companies. I made it a point to discuss the very many personal issues I had at that time: that it is much more difficult for independent artists to make it into the mainstream music world; that independent artists were much more artistic, brave, and hardworking than those that sang on our everyday radios; that major record labels, and even Clear Channel radio, were trying to regurgitate what independent artists were creating, and then would use and sell it as new major productions for auto-tuned-using artists. Plus, it was so obvious that major recording artists did not have as much creative freedom as the courageous indie artists! Indie music generates future genres and therefore plays a key role in our world’s musical history! I remember feeling so passionate for the independent artists and engineers who didn’t stand much of a chance for the radio or success; for the indie band scene and all the bands that my friends played in. I also remember feeling extremely annoyed and frustrated that the class didn't seem to understand just why and how Clear Channel and other major record label companies were ‘ruining’ the music world.

Well, after four years, I've come to terms that without one, there cannot be the other. Without mainstream music, there would not be room for the independent artists and a fun escape for experimental music lovers. And ultimately, there would not be Korean indie music without K-pop.

I've learned that although independent record labels and artists do not always see as much popularity and radio time as their counterpart, they can sometimes expect more financial success, [but this doesn't mean they are always financially lucrative]. This is because major recording artists spend a lot of money on their royalties. This includes: album artwork and album packaging, tour support, and video production. Because independent artists produce, record, and advertise their music themselves, they have fewer royalties and costs of production. And to me, it makes indie music, from any area around the world, so much more special.

For this article, I was to brush up on Korean indie music and its scene. After a quick but through introduction and a few listening-dates with Korean indie music, I became a hooked K-indie fan. I've spread the word like wildfire about the fun, sometimes sad, but always experimental music. However, even still with today’s technology and social media, not enough people know about Korean indie music or indie music in general for that matter. This has a lot to again with the promotion, positioning, marketing, financial status, and advertising of the artist or band. It is difficult for Americans and other people living in other countries to lend an ear to all of Korea’s booming indie artists as not all of their music is made available to other foreign public. Although there is  a lot of Korean indie music online today, a ton of independent Korean artists do not have their music on worldwide music outlets such as iTunes or YouTube. This makes the Korean indie scene so much more special and fresh… there is still some secret and innocence of it all.

The Korean indie music scene is built of a community of localized indie-music-loving bands and artists. The style of music varies from experimental hip-hop, r&b, soul, electronic, some folk and vintage. The sounds you’ll hear are typically guitars, monophonic synthesizers, minimal bass lines, loose drumming, obscured vocals, distortion or layering of multiple tracks, unconventional sounds, and sometimes brassy wavelengths.

What I found so cool and refreshing about Korean indie music was that I had absolutely no idea what they were saying, but yet completely understood the meaning of the song and could even relate to some. I also really loved that there were so many female artists! Some artists that I really enjoyed were Nell, Taru, Clazziquai Project, Lucite Tokki, and Savina + Drones. Even more, I absolutely loved a lot of the music videos for the songs being played.

Here are some examples:

Clazziquai Project – Can’t Go Own My Own

Nell – Slip Away

Savina + Drones – Stay

Taru - Daydream

Indie Music is Everywhere! Although Korean indie music may be my new favorite, don’t hold yourself back from hearing sounds from independent artists and bands from around the world!

The United States is a hot spot for old and new independent recording artists! From Seattle, Washington to the various cities of New York… Omaha, Nebraska to Austin, Texas… Provo, Utah and Baltimore, Maryland… just to name a small few popular cities that are well-known for their indie music artists and bands.

Japan also has a ton of indie music and recording artists. The area has a very active ‘punk’ indie scene.

Europe is also covered with amazing indie artists and bands. The United Kingdom was in fact the first place to really term what “indie” meant in 1986. And then there is Sweden, Belgium, various indie rock festivals in France and Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and so, so, so much more.

Australia’s Melbourne takes the win of being the biggest hot spot for indie rock music as it provides the largest music scene than any other city in the world! But you should still check out Australia’s Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth!

 

A few other places to look for Korean indie music (and other various independent artists), is through:

www.koreanindie.com, www.8tracks.com, www.pandora.com, www.youtube.com

Boryeong Mud Festival: Here's mud in your eye

There really isn’t much to say for this event that you can’t already imagine: Just a bunch of people getting down and dirty, writhing around in a whole lot of mud. Why? Because it’s FUN, dammit. When you were a kid, did you ever see a bunch of mud after a rain storm and get a sudden urge to take a running slide into it, head first? But that ol’ kill-joy Mom wouldn’t allow it? Just think of what it would do to your school pants! Well, chances are, Mom isn’t in Boryeong and you have long outgrown your school pants, so get in there and wallow!



The Boryeong Mud Festival is a week-long event that takes place every July in the little town of Boryeong, South Korea, about 140 km (87 mi.) south of Seoul. Boryeong is commonly called Daecheon because that is where beautiful Daecheon Beach is located on the Western (or Yellow) Sea. You can get there from Seoul by bus or by train on the Gyeongbu Line. Which bus? Here is a helpful tip for any foreigner in Korea, if you don’t know it already: Just dial 1330 on your cell phone and ask! And that goes for anything – buses, subways, restaurant locations, movie times…

What was I talking about? Ah, yes – the Mud Festival! It’s a lot of fun. What’s that? Rolling around in big pools of mud with a bunch of strangers aggravates your OCD? Well, consider this: The mud of Boryeong is famous for having wonderfully therapeutic properties. Cosmetics have been produced that use the mud due to its high mineral content. It also contains bentonite, an absorbent aluminum phyllosilicate, and Germanium, a grayish-white metalloid. What does that mean? I have no idea, but it sure is fun to slide around in. The mud is moved from the Boryeong Flats by truck and dumped on Daecheon Beach every year just for this event. There are slides, pools, and various wallows, along with body-painting (using multi-colored mud), volley ball, mud-skiing… well, pretty much anything you can imagine you could do in a big pile of mud. And when you have had your fill of the muddy goodness, just take a stroll into the cleansing surf to wash away every trace of it.



The mud itself is recognizable due to its unique grayish color (must be that Germanium) and when it dries all over your body, well, you just look freaky and it makes for a great Facebook profile picture. Put on a pair of wrap-around shades and you could abduct people in your spaceship – if you are one of the fortunate ones to have a spaceship. Keep in mind, pretty much anything goes at Boryeong, but probing is a no-no, so keep those muddy hands to yourself, or you’ll be put in the mud prison (yes, they have one, but it is purely for amusement purposes). All the while, you can enjoy live music from the stage, which hosts a line-up of bands from Seoul and other places.

The Boryeong Mud Festival – the name says it all. And in case you are more of a visual learner, check out the video from the IDC Crew down below. Mud, mud, mud, mud, mud. What more can I say? Enjoy it. It’s a good time that is good for your skin. And Mom never has to find out.

 

Focus: Boryeong Mud Festival (Korea on the Edge)

[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_qTSuLpl8g[/embed]

A popular attraction in the summer months following the rainy season, the Boryeong Mud Festival has been a yearly tradition since 1998. If you want to attend this incredibly filthy-fun event, don't let the name fool you. The mud is taken from the Boryeong Mud Flats and transported to Daecheon beach, where celebrants roll, dance, slide, sling, and frolic in the therapeutic beauty-enhancing mineral-rich muds. The reputation for the mud's therapeutic effects started in 1996 when cosmetics made from the mud were marketed as being full of minerals that occur naturally in the mud at Boryeong. And then someone got the great idea, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could just roll around in this stuff?" And a legend was born. Now the festival includes all sorts of fun mud-based activities, from mud fights to colored-mud body painting to mudslides and mud- Well, you get the idea: Mud, mud, mud. And when you've had enough, you can just jump into the nearby surf for a quick wash and you're ready to head back to your normal life as a non-mud creature. The festival usually occurs over a two-week period, but the climactic finale is usually held on the second weekend of July and it is a huge draw for the Korean expat population. There are usually several groups of people heading into the Daecheon region at this time, so hitching a ride should be no problem. Or you can just catch a bus at Seoul Express Bus Terminal, or take a direct bus from Incheon to Daecheon Beach. If you want to see more check out the official website. mud's therapeutic effects started in 1996 when cosmetics made from the mud were marketed as being full of minerals that occur naturally in the mud at Boryeong. And then someone got the great idea, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could just roll around in this stuff?" And a legend was born. Now the festival includes all sorts of fun mud-based activities, from mud fights to colored-mud body painting to mudslides and mud ? well, you get the idea: Mud, mud, mud. And when you've had enough, you can just jump into the nearby surf for a quick wash and you're ready to head back to your normal life as a non-mud creature. The festival usually occurs over a two-week period, but the climactic finale is usually held on the second weekend of July and it is a huge draw for the Korean expat population. There are usually several groups of people heading into the Daecheon region at this time, so hitching a ride should be no problem. Or you can just catch a bus at Seoul Express Bus Terminal, or take a direct bus from Incheon to Daecheon Beach.

There will be mud! The Pop-culture quizz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVnkDkYP9jE

Join Kris as he walks around and asks foreigners living in Korea what they know about Korean culture. If they get the question right, they get a fresh cold beer but if they get it wrong...

THE RAW AND THE LIVING: Become a Connoisseur while Eating Live and Uncooked Foods

It doesn’t matter what kind of consumer you are, as long as you find it important to recognize that all diets are different, from all around the world. For some folk, it can seem intimidating, unhealthy, or even just strange to think about eating uncooked and raw meals; to others, eating raw is a preferred diet, and is not just for vegetarians or vegans. Before building assumptions on raw foods and diets, let’s do some investigating.

Have you ever thought to detox, or give your body a “spring cleaning”? Choosing a raw food diet has been proven to help the body in a some ways. This is because raw foods contain natural enzymes, water, oxygen, hormones, and a lot of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Choosing a raw diet also helps you to lose weight because it is usually very high in fiber and does not contain all of those extra calories, fats, and sodium levels found in a non-raw diet.

In Fact, Trying a Raw Diet…

• Boosts your immunity to allergies, headaches, diabetes, arthritis, and other aches and pains


• Leaves you feeling rejuvenated, and, sometimes, 10 years younger


• Naturally gives your skin a new glow, your hair more shine, and a happier mental state


• Rebuilds and strengthens your memory


• And, it helps you to lose weight.

When most people think of eating raw or uncooked food, typically the visuals of raw fish, raw meat, raw eggs, fresh greens and sprouts feed their imaginations. This is all true, but what most people don’t realize is that there are raw prepared dishes, such as the Danish delicacy known as “Noma Salad”, which exist. Meals similar to this lemongrass-flavored ant-covered salad are literally crawling, wiggling, and sometimes even gasping to get your attention.

Time to explore some new and interesting ways to really LIVEN up any raw diet:

KOREA: “Sannakji”

• Ah yes, good old Sannakji, a wonderful option for those who want a more exotic raw dish. For those of you who don’t already know what Sannakji is, another word for it is: Live Octopus! Eating live octopus is traditionally a Korean cuisine, topped with sesame seeds and sesame oils, but is also popular in Japanese, Polynesian, and even Mediterranean cuisines. The octopus is often served by itself, in sushi, soups, pastas, and can even be enjoyed grilled, fried, or boiled. When served by itself, the octopus is arranged as an entire specimen, or as chopped tentacles. Either way, your mouth will love the sensation of the tentacles grasping and sucking on your lips and tongue. You’ll also love what eating octopus can do for your body. It’s high in protein, calcium, a multitude of vitamins, and is a great source of iron. Octopus also has the organic acid taurine, which acts as an antioxidant that can also reduce chances of heart disease and even help improve your blood sugar levels. Be it well advised to make sure you are chewing your entire live octopus before swallowing, as there is real danger. Although these cute wiggling creatures are tasty and high in protein, they are very much able to choke you, if they decide to climb back up your throat 1.

 

ITALY: Sea Urchin

• Although the Sea Urchin may not seem edible, it very much is. In fact, it’s quite easy to eat despite all the spiky spines on its exterior surface 1. You can either cut the reproductive organ in half, or your use scissors to get in through the bottom.  Inside of the Sea Urchin is a powerful source of protein, zinc, and taste. You can also eat it in various ways: cooked, raw, with a spoon, with a chop stick, in pasta, in a soup, and beyond. This is also a really great raw specimen to eat because helps lower your cholesterol and lower your blood pressure. Sea Urchin dishes are also served around the world, anywhere from Korea to San Francisco, California.

 

UNITED STATES: Oysters

• One of the most healthy and more popular choices in raw foods is the Oyster 1. In fact, most people don’t even realize that the oyster is a raw food. Although the shelled seafood has a lot of calories and has high sodium levels, it also has protein, potassium, and carbohydrates. The oyster is a great choice for vegetarians and vegans as they also very high in iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.

 

HAWAII: “Opihi”

• Similar to Oysters, “Opihi” is a small snail-like gastropod which thrives on the coasts of Pacific Ocean. In Hawaii, the small dish is usually served raw and uncooked. It has high levels of cholesterol and is even more calories, but don’t worry, there is a bit of protein in them too. The matter is abley plucked from the shell with almost any utensil. There are varieties of this dish also found in Korea and Japan.

 

JAPAN: “Ikizukuri”

• This is alternative example of how to consume your raw and literally ‘live’ meal. The Japanese specialize in a dish called “Ikizukuri”, or Live Fish. The fish is usually chosen by the consumer, and then the chef will skin the fish without actually killing it 1. When delivered to your plate, the fish’s body is still intact, but without the skin. It looks up at you while you notice its heart exposed and still beating and its gills are still gasping for air. Your chef also adds to your plate a rather morbid portrait of the fish’s skin arrayed in unique patterns. On a good note, the fish is high in protein, vitamins, and is low in sodium.

 

CHINA: “Yin Yang Fish”

• Somewhat similar to the Japanese’s cuisine of eating live fish, the Chinese has perfected a way to fry a fish’s skin without really cooking or killing it. That’s right, fried fish served live. They are able to do this by skinning the fish, covering it in oil, and placing it on the frying pan. What’s crazy is that the fish is still able to move after its adventure in the frying pan.

 

CHINA: “Drunken Shrimp”

• Liquored up, large, and very much alive shrimp will excite you and you taste buds if you choose to embark on the delicious dish in China, known as Drunken Shrimp 1. The adult shrimp are thrown into a large bowl, marinated in a tasty and strong brandy; this enables the shrimp to get quite drunk. This is helpful when you are trying to consume the live sea creatures, as they won’t crawl as fast when trying to escape your cavernous mouth.

 

CHINA: “Fresh Donkey”

• Without getting too descriptive, I’ll just note that there is such a thing as raw donkey meat 2. Served in restaurants in China, donkey meat is also used in various salami meats sold in Italy. Although I’ve read that "Fresh Donkey" meat tastes like pork and chicken, I would imagine the dish to taste much grassier. Moving on.

 

CHINA: “Frog Sashimi”

• If you haven’t tried live-beating fish hearts before, do so, and let me know how you like it! Frog Sashimi is a dish composed of a skinned,  dead frog and it's still beating heart. The raw part of this meal is the still beating heart; it is consumed before the rest of the frog 1.

 

VIETNAM: Snake Hearts

• Similar to their live-frog-heart eating friends up north, the Vietnamese enjoy eating the live-and-still-beating-snake-hearts on a plate. Something about watching your dinner squirm and pulse before you actually taste its natural salty flavor of blood is rather exciting for some.

 

DENMARK: “Noma Salad”

• For a whopping $300 a plate, you can enjoy one of Denmark’s finest salads found in Copenhagen. The Noma Salad includes green leaves topped with raw yoghurt and lemongrass-flavored ants. Yes, ants. Surprisingly, ants are a great solution for weight loss as they are high in protein and low in saturated fat. The ants are pre-chilled which helps slower their crawl-speed on your plate. When eaten, flavors of the lemon-grass infused insects, whose natural citrusy-acid and surprisingly hint of smoky bacon flavor combine with the raw yoghurt, begin excite and surprise your taste buds.

 

AUSTRALIA: Insects Galore!

• Like in many other parts of the world, there are a handful of ethnic groups that can indulge on some insects and grubs.  Most insects are very high in protein, and even have a satisfying earthy flavor.

 

ITALY: “Casu Marzu”  ....Best for Last?

• Soooo…. There is this thing called Casu Marzu 1. It is also known as “formaggio marcio”, which of course translates to “Rotten Cheese”.  Although it is possibly the most unappealing dish on my exotic raw foods list, it seemed to have struck some gold in Sardinia, Italy. Back in the day, farmers would make cheese with sheep’s milk and a strange fermenting process that included maggots. The farmers would set the cheese outside, pulling only part of the rind off, which left room for any cheese fly to lay their odd number of 500 or more eggs at a time. From the eggs, came larvae. As larvae would then eat their way through the cheese, the acidity in their digestive systems would break down the fats in the cheese, making it much softer in texture. The cheese, thought of as an aphrodisiac, was then served with some flatbread, dark red wine, and still the cheese eating maggots. Although the maggots were only about 8mm in size, they could jump 6 inches out of the cheese bowl is they ever felt disturbed. But, when maggots were dead, the cheese was no longer safe to eat. The cheese eventually became outlawed, sold on the black market, and is now in question by the European Union of food hygiene and health regulations.

 

It’s important to note that while some raw foods are extremely   beneficial to you and your body, sometimes you just have to keep an extra eye out as they can also become easily contaminated. If raw food just isn’t for you, keep in mind that there are benefits of cooking food. This includes the breaking down of fibers and cellular walls so that nutrients can pass through the body. Cooking carrots enhances the beta-carotene your body craves while cooking tomatoes brings out the lycopene your body needs. Another benefit of cooking is that it can  cut certain chemicals or a variety of bacteria which inhibit the absorption of important minerals such as iron, calcium, and protein. Instead of cooking and char-broiling your meals, try steaming or lightly stir-frying your vegetables and meats. That way, they are not entirely raw, but not cooked to the death of enzymes and essential nutrients.

 

Whether it is sprouting from your garden, wiggling out of the ocean, or resting dead flat on your plate, it seems that the best way to eat your meal is by combining both raw and cooked foods into your diet. Also, be adventurous!

 

Raw food just isn’t for you? Here are some amped up and extremely exotic cooked meals to try:

 

FRANCE: “Ortolan Bird”

• After it's captured, fed millet, grapes, and figs, the Ortolan Bird of France is then drowned in a delicious tasting brandy and roasted for 6-8 minutes. It's suggested that the consumer should eat the bird while covering the mouth with a napkin, which helps to catch the decapitated head of the specimen. Nothing like mouthing some little bird bones and brandy 2.

 

JAPAN: “Dojo Tofu”

• The Japanese have another cuisine which is both creative and somewhat torturous. Also known as “Tofu Hell”, “Hell Boil”, or “Baby Eel Tofu”, Dojo Tofu is a dish made of tofu and baby eels, or loaches. Preperation: start with boiling water, drop in a cold chunk of tofu at the bottom of the pot, and then dump live baby eels on the matter. What happens: The baby eels squirm into the chilled tofu to find solace from the boiling water, but then cooked alive in the tasty trap. In other news, tofu is a great source of protein, calcium, and iron for all those who are vegetarian or vegan 2.

 

VENEZUELA: Chicken Heart

• Loved by many Venezuelans and other surrounding cultures, this hearty meal is served typically on skewers, either grilled or baked. It is very, very high in protein.

 

So, which dish are you going to explore first?!

Lotus Lantern Festival: What a Long, Strange Parade It Is

When I was a young upstart back in my college days, I was a Deadhead (for the record, I am STILL a Deadhead). What is a Deadhead, you ask? In the correct terminology, a Deadhead is one who is a fan of the music of the band known as the Grateful Dead. I attended eleven Dead Shows back in my youth, and each show was spectacular (some more so than others). What was the draw of the Deadhead community for me? That word itself: Community. Nowhere had I ever experienced a huge group of thousands of strangers all getting along like family. Peace, love, and music were the order of the day. The beliefs of many Deadheads are similar to those of Buddhist traditions, and so I was also attracted to Buddhism. The scene around any stadium headlining the Grateful Dead was surrounded and filled with drums, music, and colorful, kind people.

That sense of community is alive and well in the Heart of Seoul at the Lotus Lantern Festival, which is held every spring to commemorate the birth of Buddha. There really is no better time to be in Seoul as the air is fresh, the temperature is perfect, and the festival is preceded each year by the hanging of colorful lanterns all around the city. Walking around Gwangwhamun, Insadong, and the Cheonggyecheon stream (all centrally located) during the springtime just makes a person happy – at least, it always made me happy. The colorful lanterns strung along the roadways, and the larger lanterns floating in the stream, along with Gyeongbokgung Palace, the statues of Yi Sun Shin and King Sejong, and Jogyesa Temple, one of the most significant Korean Buddhist temples… there is a lot to see in this part of Seoul. And the Lotus Lantern Festival ties it all together just beautifully.

The festival officially begins on April 8^th of the Lunar Calendar, and commences with the traditional lighting of the Jangeumdang at Seoul Plaza. This large lantern symbolizes Buddhism and the enlightenment of the Buddha. The festival features weeks of programs in which anyone can participate on any given day, including cultural performances, traditional dances, foods, and booths for making Buddhist art and your own lotus lantern. And, of course, there is the main event – the large Lotus Lantern Parade that runs from Heunginjimun Gate in Dongdaemun to Jogyesa Temple. This is easily one of the largest parades I have ever seen. It gives the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City a run for its money. It is preceded by Eoulim Madang (Buddhist Cheer Rally) and culminates with the post-parade celebration in front of Jogyesa Temple (near Bosingak, AKA "the Big Bell", for those of you familiar with Seoul). The festive atmosphere of this celebration draws people from all over the world, and quite a few Korean celebrities make appearances on the big stage as well. Based on my six years of attending this parade, I would say the best place to view it would be on Jongno, near Jonggak subway station on Line 1.

The atmosphere of this parade is peaceful, joyous and vibrant. The music, the drums, the brilliant and colorful lanterns and people, many in traditional dress… it is something to experience. There is just something about wave upon wave of Buddhist monks strolling past you, holding lanterns and smiling, some beating on gourds or drums or bells, mixed with dancers and giant lanterns of stunning colors, as drums and cymbals and other accoutrements ring in the night air, that seems to drive away any and all bad luck or ill vibrations you may have collected over the past year. You can't help but smile and wave at the parade participants as they smile and wave at you.

[caption id="attachment_1413" align="aligncenter" width="994"] Photo courtesy of www.peninsularity.com[/caption]

The lanterns are made of hanji, or hand-made Korean paper, of the most striking colors, and the warm glow of the lights within create a visual marvel with each passing sight. Each elaborate lantern float tells a story, depicting royalty, elephants, tigers, a few fire-breathing dragons and weird peacock-like birds flapping their wings and spreading their resplendent tail feathers to the delight of the crowds of onlookers. Children run down the street, trying to keep up with their favorites, and parents rush to get their cameras ready. As with most parades, the children also get to collect some candy, and the luckier children may even get a lantern or two of their own to take home.

The radiant lantern floats and the myriads of hand-held lanterns in between turn the entire road of Jongno into a seemingly endless river of colored light. You can watch from street level or go up into the buildings for an aerial view from one of the many restaurants and pubs that can be found along the parade route. The parade is long enough that you can explore and enjoy many different vantage points. As you walk down the street – the lights, music and the overall peace of Buddhism all around you – smiles abound. And if you miss a picture of a float going past, don’t worry. They are on display in front of the temple or at the end of the parade route at Jonggak, and you can get some great up-close-and-personal shots.

The magic of the event is palpable. Even as Korea moves closer to its rainy season at this time of the year, for some reason it never rains on this parade. Deadheads would liken this to what we called "Karma Pooling" – the idea that if enough people at a concert wanted to hear a particular song, they just had to sing it in their heads and the Grateful Dead would inevitably play it. Here, at the Lotus Lantern Festival, the collective will of the people combined with the good Karma of the scene keeps the rain at bay.

This will be the first time in six years that I will miss this event, and I have to admit, just thinking about missing it is making me sad. It is just such a beautiful thing to see, and a beautiful time to be in Seoul, and I don’t like feeling far away. So I will wrap up this article with a hope that, if you haven't already, you will get to experience this amazing event at some point.  I will leave you with one final piece of a song by the Grateful Dead:

 

Watch: Video of Lotus Lantern Festival from IDC Crew

 

 

Adventures in Oman: An Interview with A Local Expat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG1j214bHVo&feature=share&list=UUz1NiEbOmSlf8YIN-MFBxxA

Recently, some of you may have seen an excellent article posted in the ‘Society’ section of this site that discussed issues with the hagwon system in Korea (Illegal Tutoring, Millionaire Instructors, and Bad Reputations: The Real Cost of Korean Hagwons, Jan. 4, 2014). Many of my friends back in Korea have been dealing with an increasing number of problems with the hagwon system, and they largely blame it on the steady rise in the sheer numbers of expat teachers these businesses have to choose from: a wider selection of available teachers means fewer benefits from the schools. More and more westerners in Korea (and elsewhere) have been asking, “What else is available to me as an expatriated English teacher?” Well, have you considered Oman?

Yes, hot, lovely, friendly, warm in the winter, Death-Valley hot in the summer, Muslim, hot, on-the-grow Oman! More and more people are hearing of this second-world oven-roasting paradise for the expat EFL teacher. And remember: Second-world just means “transitioning to first-world”! Indeed, Oman has made tremendous strides in just the last few years alone. And so many of my friends have been asking me of late: “Hey – what’s the deal with Oman?” Well, let me give you a brief overview, and hopefully dispel a few myths.

Oman is a Muslim country, but not all Muslim countries are the same. Most people ask me “How can you live somewhere where you can’t drink?!” The answer is simple: I can’t. Well, I could, but I don’t want to. Alcohol is legal in Oman, and drinking it is also legal. The tourism business here is booming, and the seaside resorts all cater to people from around the world, mostly Germany and France. You can head out to any one of the resorts in the capital city of Muscat (Qurum Beach is beautiful and lousy with such resorts), or, if you are like me and stuck in a more… rustic environment, you can head out to the more remote resorts, like the Millennium Hotel, located about forty minutes away by car from al-Rustaq, which is a good hour-and-a-half outside of Muscat. Whichever resort you choose, you will be offered a wide selection of wines, beers, and cocktails, along with some first-rate cuisine and some amazing scenery. If you want to enjoy more that these resorts have to offer (swimming pools, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, boat trips, jet skis, etc.) you can acquire a day pass. Prices range from 10 to 30 rial ($25-$75) a day, depending on which activities you care to enjoy.

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="aligncenter" width="922"] Qurum Beach[/caption]

If that seems expensive, remember: The rial is a hard-hitting currency, and one rial is equal to about USD$2.60 these days. If you transfer money back home, it looks a lot better in your bank account than some currencies I could mention. And to ice the cake, Oman is tax-free! They pay what they say, and they pay on time.

In Muscat, these resorts often have nightclubs. The most popular are located in Qurum beach: Rock Bottom is one popular place, styled after their vision of an American “biker” bar (they have pictures of Harley Davidsons all over and a wooden Native American (PC) by the entrance. One side of the bar has tables and a pool room, the other side is the dance floor. Another pub is located in the lobby of the beautiful Intercontinental Hotel, and right next door to that is Trader Vic’s (I hear that is mostly salsa dancing, if that’s what you’re into). Want something a little seedier? Then Club Safari by the Hyatt is the place for you. Loaded with more co-ed mingling than any other place I have been to in Oman. But watch out, fellas: The hookers abound!

Enough said about that. While drinking is legal in Oman (many of the Omanis will hoist a pint or six with you), it is important to remember that it IS a Muslim country and public drunkenness is not well-tolerated. You can be drunk, of course, but you can’t run around like a maniac. Disruptive behavior whilst in a drunken state will land you in jail for 48 hours, and it could result in your immediate dismissal from your job. Driving drunk is even more frowned upon, so drink – but be responsible in public. Never forget where you are. That’s just good advice wherever you are. Generally, people like to drink at home. The night clubs and hotels are a special occasion, once-a-month kind of thing. However, to buy your own hooch, you will need a liquor license. These can be obtained with paperwork from your employer after your first three months. You get a little booklet in which the purveyor of fine liquors will mark the amount and date of your alcohol purchases. You are limited to anywhere from 60 to 100 rial a month, depending on the type of license you wish to purchase. During your first three months, other people will usually volunteer to pick up your alcohol for you… or, if you feel daring, you can sometimes find a black market connection. Several people outside of Muscat do this, and they even deliver! Just keep it on the DL. And remember: You do not need a license to drink in the clubs and resorts.

[caption id="attachment_1404" align="aligncenter" width="922"] Qurum Beach[/caption]

Driving: You can do it! If you have a license to do so from any country at all. And yes, even the ladies are welcome behind the wheel. This isn’t Saudi Arabia. Shia Law is observed in Oman, but only in terms of marriage laws, and even they are gradually being left behind. Be VERY careful when driving here. Be aggressive and do not hesitate, as Omanis do everything very slowly – except drive. When they are behind the wheel, they fly. Car accidents are the leading cause of death in Oman. With that in mind, you can rent a small car for as little as 160 rial a month, or you can save up for a few months and buy yourself a slightly used Jeep for as little as 1600 rial. Keep in mind, the sturdy 4x4 Jeep-like vehicles are GREAT for wadi-bashing! (More on that later)

First, I mentioned the ladies. Many women worry about coming to a Muslim country. Will they have to wear the hijab? Will they have to defer to men? Is it safe to leave the house alone? You will be happy to know that Oman is very Western in its views of women. You can dress how you like (I recently learned that the hijab is a fashion CHOICE of the Omani women), you do not have to defer to the men-folk, and you can go anywhere you like unattended (except into the men’s restrooms and the men’s mosque). In hospitals and clinics, women and men sit in separate waiting rooms, so there is some division. In the classrooms, male and female students sit on different sides and are they cute to watch! So shy and awkward around each other. Still, err on the side of caution. If you are a female and you are out alone, you may get hit on relentlessly. It may be cute at first, but situations have been known to turn ugly. Just be smart and you’ll be OK. On the whole, the Omani people are some of the kindest and friendliest I have ever met. They stop to help strangers who have car trouble on the road, and will offer rides to people who need one. They won’t cut in front of you in line, and they will always smile and ask how you are doing. One guy at the bank even wished me a Merry Christmas this year.

[caption id="attachment_1405" align="aligncenter" width="922"] Jebel Shams[/caption]

Which brings us to religion. Ah, religion. Religion, religion, religion… Well, I’ve said enough. I will add that the Sultan himself (a great guy by the name of Qaboos) has done a lot for this country during his reign. He has built hundreds of schools and colleges, greatly improved the roads and highway system, built a beautiful opera house where you can go see some amazing operas – he even brought Tom Jones here to sing for everybody. And he donated his own personal lands for the construction of churches and synagogues. If you have a favorite deity, feel free to sport the accoutrements of your faith. In Saudi Arabia, you’ll get slapped around for wearing a cross on the outside of your clothing. Here, someone may buy you a beer. Or not. Either way, they don’t care what religion you are. If you are Muslim, they really like that, but if not, that’s OK, too.

Let’s see… I’ve covered booze, cars, and women, and even dabbled in religion. I feel I have covered the important stuff. What else is there? Oh yes! The JOBS. The jobs vary, as they do everywhere. There isn’t much of a private “hagwon” school scene here. Most of the jobs are through TATI-Oman (Technical & Administrative Training Institute) or the Ministry of Higher Education. There are private recruiters (I am with a company called Hawthorn-Muscat and they have been good to me). You can even work for the military, teaching young recruits how to communicate with their English-speaking counterparts. Depending on how much work you want to do versus how much you are willing to take in your paycheck, you can find a good fit if you look around a bit. I was referred to my current school by a friend who came here from Korea back in 2010. He has since gone home and I have taken his place. From people I have spoken to, the military jobs in Muscat pay the best – at least 1300 rial a month – but the work is taxing and the hours are long. If you have a Master’s degree or a reputable TESL/TEFL certification, you can make around 1000 rial a month in one of the Colleges of Applied Science. The work load is light, but you might have to adjust to life in the outlands, like where I am. Whether in Ibri or Nizwa or Rustaq or Suhr or whatever, odds are you will be a good two hours outside of Muscat. There is no real public transportation here, but if you can haggle (and you don’t mind sharing a cab with some Indian fellows) you can get a pretty good deal on a ride into the big city every once in a while. Treat it like a vacation! Check into a hotel and stay the weekend. You can get rooms on Qurum Beach starting at around 40 rial a night. Split the cost with some friends and have some fun. It is kind of nice to be able to hit a gorgeous beach and have a few cocktails by the pool every few weeks. The weekends here are Friday and Saturday, and you work from Sunday to Thursday (but there are a LOT of holidays in the fall, a mid-semester break, and everyone gets July and August off with pay… most likely due to the heat).

[caption id="attachment_1406" align="aligncenter" width="922"] Jebel Shams[/caption]

As for other details, some jobs provide housing and utilities (like mine) and others – mostly Ministry jobs – give you a stipend to get a place you like. Everyone has air conditioning. You would die without it. The employers are largely reliable and honest (I have heard of complaints about incompetency, but never about treatment), and the students are respectable and nice… although some are pretty rough around the edges and are very low-level.

Some final details: Shopping is great. Visit the Souks (markets) for all your touristy and traditional Omani needs. You can visit the malls at Seeb City Center or the Grand Mall near Qurum if you want to get back to western consumerism a bit. Muscat has movie theaters where you can see the latest Western films and Bollywood fare (if you’re into that) but some scenes may be edited for content. Most foreigners here rely on the internet for entertainment – and yes, the internet is good. They have made huge improvements in just the last year. It is fast, reliable, and Wi-Fi-ready, all for around 20 rial a month.

In closing, before I paint an all-rosy picture of life in Oman, I would be amiss if I did not say that it is an adjustment. Despite all the exploring there is to do, life here can be pretty boring. And it is hot… the heat alone made me want to get right back on the plane and go home when I first got here. That was in August. The winter here (November to February) is lovely. Now March is creeping in and with it, the heat. The unholy HEAT. Imagine setting your oven to BROIL, climbing inside and shutting the door behind you. Bring sun block and loose-fitting, light clothing. I am told it takes a year for your body to adjust to the heat. I am from Pittsburgh. I don’t like heat. Most of the water here comes from tanks up on the roofs of the buildings, and in the summer you can get two temperatures: Warm and scalding-hot.

[caption id="attachment_1407" align="aligncenter" width="922"] Driving out to a wadi[/caption]

There is relief, however – the wadis (I told you I’d have more on these later). The wadis are deep valleys between the majestic mountains of Oman, and they are sometimes filled with natural pools up in the hills. It may take a rugged vehicle to get to the best of them (if you don’t have one you will make friends who do), but when you do… beauty. There’s no other way to describe it. Most have more fun swimming in the wadis, sitting ‘round campfires and sleeping under the stars than they do at the resorts. And in the mountains and deserts, there are lots of natural and Omani-made wonders to see: Forts and castles over a thousand years old; the Beehive Tombs; a massive canyon out by Jebel-Shams that gives the Grand Canyon a run for its money. And down by the sea, there is even more, including traditional wooden-ship building yards that look like a scene out of the Bible. And everywhere, friendly people: Omanis and other foreigners like yourself. And lots of camels and goats. In short, there is a lot to discover on this little edge of the Arabian Peninsula… IF you can survive the heat.

[caption id="attachment_1408" align="aligncenter" width="922"] The Beehive Tombs (AKA The Honeycomb Hide-out)[/caption]

Oh GOD, the heat.

[NOTE: I also do not want to paint too rosy a picture because…well, it may meet the same fate as Korea and become over-run with expats, which will bring the job quality and pay scale down]

Five Techniques that Make Learning A Foreign Language Significantly Less Impressive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up6VuAbykos

“What did you eat for breakfast as a child?” asked a wide-eyed woman from across the conference table.

My friend had just introduced me to her clinical research group as “Kelley from Korea who speaks Chinese, Korean, and French” because she loves nothing more than to engineer awkward moments with strangers just to watch me sweat. The scientists, whom I had expected to react to the unnecessary boast with polite but detached smiles and nods, instead seemed to be more impressed by my various language experiences than by the admission that a white girl named Kelley was a friend “from Korea.”

While this anecdote admittedly tiptoes into dangerous humblebrag territory, it also illustrates what I think is a sorrowfully inaccurate popular perspective that learning a language is a harrowing undertaking reserved for people with oddly wired brains fortified with supervitamins. I certainly won’t knock the necessity of nutrition for proper cognitive function, but I will stress that this cognitive function is something that the grand majority of us possess. Developing proficiency in a foreign tongue, even at a relatively mature age, should not be intimidating for either the learner or those who might praise her: Critical periods of pronunciation development aside, we are “wired” from the start to learn language—which is, after all, a creation entirely of the human brain, and one that most of us have mastered in at least one form already.

While I have been immersed for over a decade and a half in developing and maintaining proficiency in three foreign languages that I began learning relatively late in life—French at eleven, Chinese at seventeen, and Korean at twenty-four—I am not a teacher and thus have no authority to claim any well developed theories on what language-learning strategies might work for most or even many people. I can only look back with limited retrospection and report on what I think has been effective for me, in the hope that my advice might enable or embolden some others to succeed at their own linguistic pursuits.

 

• Fabricate need: Like any pursuit, learning a language is a lot easier given the proper motivation. Unfortuately, unless you have an immediate need to develop spoken and written proficiency in another tongue, it’s difficult to justify putting in not just the time but also the consistent energy and attention it requires. Spend some time in a country where that language is spoken, even if just a semester or a short vacation. Set a deadline to take—and pass—a proficency test. Join a weekend discussion group or set up regular meetings with a language partner for some stimulating social pressure. In short, find out what motivates you and establish a study system that takes advantage of those tendencies.

 

• Prepare to feel stupid: Learning a language requires assimilating a lot of new information—countless vocabulary words composed of phonemes you may never have heard before, various arbitrary rules about how they can and cannot be combined, cultural context behind the potentially strange new concepts they might be used to express. And it’s often difficult to appreciate the subtleties of foreign diction and logic of syntax until you’ve blindly learned, botched, corrected, and re-learned multiple instances of it. So if you’re doing your learning job right and processing your rich inputs with a sizeable number of corresponding outputs, you’re going to make mistakes.And if you spend any part of your language-learning experiences interacting with native speakers (as you should!), your powers of understanding and expression will also inevitably be both over-and underestimated at awkward turns. Be prepared to swallow your pride, both to ask questions when you don’t understand something that your interlocutor assumed you did, as well as to avoid distracting frustration when they repeat or water down a concept that you grasped sufficiently from the start.

 

• Have fun: Have fun, that is, while feeling stupid (see our previous article on drinking in Korea for some ways to practice this art). Deciding to devote the resources needed to master a new language requires passion, and passion is not distilled from punishing goals and strict schedules. Developing passion for a subject means not taking yourself too seriously and not feeling guilty about turning studying into a game. It means spending hours playing classic game ROMs in your target language and staying up later than you should binging on dubbed Pixar movies and foreign dramas. It means reading cheap fiction and comics that you might not normally allow yourself to waste an afternoon on were they in your mother tongue. Because the point is maximizing exposure, and isn’t being able to effortlessly integrate your desired language into the activities you love one of the ultimate goals of learning it in the first place?

 

• Be patient: According to one widely cited but unfortunately apocryphal statistic, “research shows” that mastery of foreign pronunciation alone---one tiny and sometimes even slightly disposable aspect of the multifaceted undertaking of language learning---depends in part on the purely physical development of tiny orofacial muscles that can take months of daily practice to reshape themselves. Even in the event that this particular factoid is just an Internet rumor, it stands to reason that going from mute to conversational, conversational to proficient, proficient to eloquent, and unlettered to literate doesn’t happen overnight. Indeed, the more you begin to parse and understand, the more poignantly you become aware of how far you have to go, making the uphill climb toward a satisfactory skill level a painfully Sisyphean process. Be patient.

 

• But also… don’t wait: Don’t wait to “learn” the language before you start forcing yourself to “use” it; the best way to learn is to use, and developing proficiency only promotes rather than deprecates the learning process.

It’s a little-applied fact that one does not need a large vocabulary to speak a new language with confidence; you just have to learn to creatively apply what you have. Focusing from the start on the most commonly used words is also important for developing efficiency, and one of the best ways to determine what words you need the most is to force yourself to speak and listen to only your target language for an extended period. It wasn’t until I moved to Beijing after two years of college-level Mandarin study that I realized how absurd it was that I could expound with some confidence on the advantages brought by China’s socialist history for the status of women in society but didn’t know the word for “hairbrush.”

You should dive into listening with the same confidence, as you’ll find that the human brain can understand quite a bit even with weak knowledge of verbal components and structure. In the words of social psychologist and Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy, “Fake it until you make it”—don’t write off a conversation as incomprehensible simply because it’s in a language you just started to learn or even haven’t learned at all; throw yourself into it with full attention and take note of every scrap of recognizable data—tone, expression, hand signals, loan words—that might be useful to you. At the very least, you’ll find yourself passively absorbing information on intonation and accent that could be useful for later adventures in proper expression.

I decided to take a short vacation in Tokyo following college graduation and use the opportunity to practice Japanese. This was a slightly problematic decision because I did not know Japanese, and even after a few halfhearted glances through survival language books between final exams, I had a paltry vocabulary of fewer than twenty words. I assumed (naturally) that I was just setting myself up for failure.

And yet, feeling the full brunt of Point 2 above, I pressed on anyway, finding to my pleasant surprise that when I challenged myself to use my scant knowledge to ask passerby for directions or order from a menu, I could generally pick up on the interlocutors’ responses: By focusing on gestures and the very few words that I knew (mostly verb particles and place or food names), I could fake a conversation in Japanese—without knowing Japanese.

 

So manipulate yourself into desperation, have fun feeling stupid, and be patient about the inevitably unsatisfactory results of precipitously challenging yourself to use the language you wish to learn. It might sound like a tall order, but just remember that what you’re seeking to master is something that’s already known by countless others, something that the brain is primed to acquire–indeed, something that has been suggested to be important, if not necessary, for some forms of thought itself. So eat whatever you want for breakfast. What's the big deal?

The Hangover: Remedies from Around the World

http://youtu.be/xBdtuBUaT-o

We all know that the best way to prevent a hangover is, of course, not to drink. But what if you’ve already started drinking? Don’t panic! We’re here to help a friend slow his or her roll before downing the rest of that seemingly blinding pleasure of confidence. And also help provide the reader with a fun list of unique ways to treat a hangover.

First of all, remember that not everyone experiences hangovers, and if you think you’re a person who already has and may again experience the pain and awfulness of a weary head and loss of memory from the drink, here are some things to consider.

Is this your ‘first night out on the town’ in a while?
Is your vision cloudy, or are you falling over?
Have you experienced a hangover before?
Are you forgetting to drink water?
Are you sure you want to take another shot?

If you’ve said yes to any of these, chances are that you could experience a hangover the next day. It is important to understand that a hangover is caused by several factors all relating to dehydration in the body. Dehydration and other hangover symptoms can be a result of consuming too much alcohol, the body’s ability to break down the alcohol, mixing alcohols, and not having enough rest. A person who is hung-over will experience headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, weakness and fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, persons with a hangover may experience feelings of shame and regret, and also moodiness 1. For those who enjoy drinking but would like to escape the horrors of a hangover, here are some key things to look out for when partying in any area of the world.

• Be mindful of whom you’re drinking with, who is buying your drinks, and if any one is willing to be your designated driver.


•  Drink lots and lots of water! Keep your body hydrated and well fed before and even during your drinking adventures. Remember that consuming a lot of alcohol will lead to a lot of trips to the restroom. Urination and even defecation depletes the body of hydration, which leads to further dehydration.  Drinking alcohol can also lower your blood sugar levels, which will in turn cause shakiness, tiredness, and weakness, so make sure you’re eating something 1. Having a healthy or even greasy meal at night before going out is okay too; the greasy food will help act as a lining for your liver and intestines. However, the myth that greasy food is good for your morning hangover instead, is false. The grease will actually irritate your liver, and may cause you to want to throw up.


• Figure out what you’re drinking, and stick to that. It’s advised to not switch back and forth between beer and liquor, or even liquor to different liquor. Your liver cannot handle that. Your liver also has a difficult time breaking down some types of alcohol over others, like those that contain congeners. Congeners contain esters and aldehydes, which give drinks distinctive colors and flavors.  Congeners that give drinks a dark color, such as red wines or whiskey and bourbons, may exaggerate the effects of a hangover. Another type of drink that can lead to a devastating headache and weary head is the cheap one. Cheap liquor has its price for a reason: the impurities are not as well distilled as its top-shelf cousins. Overall, all alcohols contain ethanol which causes headaches, a dry mouth, and tiredness.


• Know what you’re doing the next day. Do you have to be at work early? Are you meeting your boyfriend’s mother for the first time? Do you have to drive your Grandma across the state? Will you have the day off to sleep in? Knowing if you have a lot to do the next day may help you sway your mind from having another drink which would help you avoid an awful experience which includes bloodshot eyes and muscle aches.


• Get as much rest as you can! Your body works best to fight off impurities and is able to best heal itself back to normal when you are at rest and lying down.

If you still have a hangover the next day… don’t worry. All you need to do is:

• Drink more water, fluids, and even fruit juice to rehydrate and replenish your body. Beverages such as Gatorade help add electrolytes and salts (which contain more water) to your body.


• Raise your blood sugar levels by eating bread and crackers to metabolize the alcohol in your stomach. Your liver will be working hard to break down the ethanol contained in alcohol and is not then able to produce the proper amount of glucose your body needs. This is where bread can save the day.


• Eat eggs, because they contain cysteine, an amino acid that helps to break down acetaldehyde and other toxins in your body that come from consuming alcohol.


• Eat fresh vegetables, such as asparagus and green beans.

If you still have a hangover… reconsider:

• Taking aspirin in the morning if you are experiencing a hangover, not before bed. The aspirin’s effects will wear off before the morning, and you will still have a hangover. Plus, you should never, ever mix medicine with alcohol, as when mixed together, as they play a very dangerous role in inflaming and damaging your liver and stomach. Also, aspirins and ibuprofens such as Advil and Motrin work better for your hangover versus acetaminophens such as Tylenol or Excedrin.


• Having another drink. Some people of European countries and even American college students will swear that “The Hair of the Dog that Nipped them” or another drink, will help their hangover. In reality, you’d only be softening or mellowing that initial nausea feeling, but adding on extra work to your body. It takes any where from 8 to 24 hours to get over a hangover.


• Indulging in too much black coffee. The caffeine may temporarily reduce your headache, but the natural diuretic will leave you dehydrated.

So, there you have some new insight for if you wake up with a hangover and would like to be rid of it faster. If you happen to be traveling in another country and need a hangover remedy or are simply willing to try something very unique and different, here are some exciting, outside-of-the-box remedies:

Eastern Europeans, people from Turkey, Mexico, and even downtown Manhattan all call for tripe soup. Tripe soup is a combination of the digestive linings of pigs, cows, and even goats, peppers, spices, salt, and broth. This special soup contains the fatty acids and proteins needed to replenish the hung-over person, also adds heat to help raise the blood pressure levels, and get the blood to start working again 2.

Both Koreans and the Japanese pull towards more natural foods, fermented soups and broths to help heal the hung-over. Some of these include potato soup, vegetable soup, and seafood soup. All of the soups and broths contain a lot of salts, which help replenish the body with water. Umeboshi is a Japanese fruit, which compares to both an apricot and a plum. The fruit is pickled and then dried. It tastes very sour and salty, but it is believed to help the body heal and also promotes “slow aging” 2.

Germans, Russian, and Mongolians also love to indulge in pickled meals the day after a long night of drinking. Many residents of Germany enjoy pickled vegetables wrapped in raw herring, called rollmops. Russians enjoys salty broths, pickled vegetables, and even sugary lemons with ground coffee on top. Mongolia takes the win with tomato juice and pickled sheep eyes. Because the majority of individuals living in Mongolia are lactose intolerant, they also partake in drinking fermented milk when hung-over. Another milk cure is preferred in Scotland. They drink hot buttermilk with salt and pepper and corn flour, as they believe that lactose helps raise blood sugar levels 2.

Back in the old days, things were a little more interesting… it is said that Ancient Grecians and Romans would fry a small bird and consume the entire thing. Their neighbors in Sicily would consume dried bull penises for the proteins, which were later used in the culture to make canes for the walking impaired 2.

Here in the United States, people tend to go anything they can get their hands on, even greasy foods and ‘the Hair of the Dog’. One dish that is quite radical is known as the Prairie Oyster. It contains raw eggs, oysters, Tabasco and Worchester sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper and the spirit is optional. If you can down it fast enough, the eggs will provide your body with the essential amino acid cysteine to break down any acetaldehyde and toxins 2.

Overall, no matter what culture or place in the world you come from, it seems that the world’s best cures include preparation, water, salt, and rest. All in all, we can conclude that the overall best hangover cure is time itself.

 

 

How I (Almost) Became a Korean Pottery Fiend---and Why You Should, Too

This is supposed to be an article about Korean pottery. To be honest, my closest association with traditional Korean pottery was posing for pictures next to the infamous kimchi pots at the entranceway to Haebangcheon, known simply as HBC to the widely diverse expat community that lives there.



In recent times, and largely due to the foreign influence of that tiny area beneath the shadow of Seoul Tower, this neighborhood has become known as the HBC Arts Village to the Korean tourism bureau. Although I frequently encountered these familiar stacks of pots, which have become a landmark to expats in Seoul, I was fortunate enough to visit several of Korea’s museums to see the more elaborate representations of this impressive creative process.

Of all of Korea’s wonderfully innovative artistic endeavors, there is none with a richer history than pottery. It really is exceptional, and if you watch the video, you will see that it is not so easy to create. It’s not like two guys sat down at a pottery wheel and just threw some clay together. Look at that shape; the contours; the edges; the balance. Look at the design and the emotion that… well, OK, maybe not in this video. But the tradition of Korean pottery goes back for centuries, and it is a skill that has been handed down in many forms, and these forms are loosely classified into the styles of the three Korean kingdoms: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla.

As far back as 57 BC, the people of Korea were forming various types of ceramics in numerous kilns. Mostly they consisted of common-use houseware items, but they also included artistic pieces featuring royal figures, horses, and Haetae.

During the Silla period, pottery was simple in its design, but over the years the potters developed new styles along with new types of glazes. They also developed better types of clay to be used on their potter’s wheels and in their hand-sculpted pieces. Celadon glazes gave a greenish hue to some of the pottery that was greatly prized in many Asian cultures, largely because of the demand by Buddhist traditions. This style of ware is created by adding a bit of iron to the pottery before glazing. During the firing process, the iron interacts with the glaze, giving the finished products a wide range of green-tinted finishes. This color made this type of ceramic one of value because it not only resembled jade, but traditional beliefs held that the ceramic would change color if poison foods touched it, so there was a safety feature involved.

Over the years, different artistic styles developed, new shapes evolved such as the popular gourd-shape, and elaborate motifs featuring animals such as birds, deer, horses, or fish often adorned the pottery. Celadon versions of this style are called cheongja, while pottery made from high-grade white clays, glazed with feldspar, are called Baekja. The popularity of Baekja peaked just before the rise of the Joseon Dynasty.



Goryeo porcelain was usually used for smaller, more stylized ceramic items, such as incense burners or tea cups, and ran the gamut of colors that included shades of brown to almost black. Celadon glazes were used to highlight various changes in the shading of these items, which were often modeled after birds, insects, flowers, and geometric shapes. The influence of Confucianism, however, lent a more simplistic style to Korean ceramics, including a rise in the amount of white porcelain produced.

The Joseon Dynasty produced some of the more spectacular works of pottery and ceramics, and the styles became much more elaborate and colorful, not only in the design but also in the decoration. These were considered the height of the culture, and many art historians today refer to this period as the “Golden Age” of Korean pottery. This is thought to be due to the use of chambered climbing kilns, a few of which can still be seen throughout Korea in traditional folk villages. As a result of new styles, glazes, clays, and kilns, Korean pottery became famous and highly sought-after, particularly in the Busan region. Many quality ceramics found their way to Japan, either through trade or outright theft. Korean pottery was so valued, in fact, that the Japanese were known to actually abduct entire families of potters in order to get their hands on these wares. Who would have guessed the Japanese were such pot-fiends?



Several beautiful examples of the original, traditional Korean-style ceramics are on public display in Korea’s many museums. If you happen to be in town, we highly recommend taking a day or two to visit some of these places to see the many products of this amazing hand-craft for yourself. If your travels will miss the Land of the Morning Calm, you may yet have a chance to view some of these stunning works as the museums often arrange international tours of many of Korea’s cultural artifacts. But take my advice – see them in Korea. It is a place not to be missed.

Sore Throat and Sniffles? No Problem! Try These Korean Cold Remedies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM-QLZciJzI

After a year of research and instruction on integrative modern and Korean medicine, two years of mealtime conversations with some very health-conscious Korean friends and acquaintances, and six years of ginseng jelly care packages, if I were asked to summarize my take on the Korean folk remedy approach to colds, my answer would probably be: “Don’t get one.”

No, I’m not confessing a lack of faith in Korean traditional medical perspectives on rhinitis (though that wouldn’t be quite so chauvinistic given that modern medicine is similarly deficient in this department) nor my own ignorance of the subject (which I nonetheless readily admit). Instead, I am attempting to emphasize that indigenous Korean medicine holds dear the traditional Chinese notion that “上医医未病之病, 中医医欲病之病,下医医已病之病,” or “top-rate doctors treat illness as it has yet to occur, middling doctors treat illness as it is about to occur, and low-quality doctors treat illness after it occurs.”

As I described in a previous post on the medical mystique of Korean bathhouses, the various Korean traditional medical theories that have been syncretized from domestic and Chinese sources and passed down through several works of national literature (including the Yibang Yuchui 의방유취/醫方類聚  [1443-1445], one of the most comprehensive syntheses of otherwise unrecorded Chinese medical theory to date; Dongyui Bogam, 동의보감/東醫寶鑑 [1596-1610], a collection of disease symptoms arranged by affected organ system, and 동의수세보원/東醫壽世保元 [1901], the underpinning of Korea’s own four constitution medical theory, which develops a more systematic approach to patient-centered treatment than most lines of TCM) describe the human anatomy as multi-layered fields of energy—not only the well known qi or ki (기/氣) but also essence jeong (정/精), spirit shin (신/紳), and blood (혈/血)—in constant flux among various organs and the external environment. And while not even the most hard-line of Korean medical traditionalists would argue that a cold is induced by energy field imbalance in the absence of a little something called germs, Korean medical tradition does seem to contain some lines of thought that one’s daily habits have a large hand in whether external insults like rhinovirus—which fall within the traditional concept of bad qi (사기/邪氣)—will be handled properly by the body’s natural defenses—also called proper qi (정기/正氣)—or allowed to bloom into nasal waterfalls and scorching throats. For example, it is thought that weakened defenses might be precipitated by a sudden drop in temperature, either due to change to a colder season or even rapid jump in indoor air conditioning use from spring to summer; the chronic stress of an academic lifestyle; or being a small child whose immune system is yet to be fully developed [1].

Okay, right. So in an ideal world the Korean traditional medical establishment (and the continuously changing streams of loosely related folk remedies that serve as both source and outlet) successfully collaborates with 100% compliant patients to develop personalized strategies for halting all manner of infectious disease in its tracks faster than you can say “H1N1.” But no amount of pontification over a meridian map will console the poor sniveling sap who doesn’t finish her dinnertime kimchi and insists on galloping around polar vortex Gangnam in a miniskirt. What, then, to those less-than-vigilant patients for whom a conscious diet, frequent spa visits, daily morning qigong, and a commitment to a stable inner life is already too late?

• Stewed pear (배찜): A favorite dish in both northern China and Korea for cold prevention as summer turns to autumn, this simple stew is made by boiling a clean Nashi pear (also known as “Asian pear” or just “pear,” depending on who you ask) with some honey and red dates until the solid ingredients are soft and the water reduces into a thick nectar. The honey provides some relief for a sore throat, and the pear, considered in traditional medicine to be of slightly wet constitution, is thought to supplement fluids lost to illness.


• Honey water (꿀물): A remedy similar to one with which many non-Koreans may also be familiar if they’ve ever coated a painful throat with a spoonful of honey. This is also a nice snack found in the hot beverage counter at many convenience stores.


• Spicy bean sprout soup (매운 콩나물국): Perhaps not the first choice of those suffering from a sensitive larynx, the red pepper powder in this soup is nonetheless great for providing temporary relief from congested sinuses.


• Ginger tea (생강차): This sweet and slightly spicy tea is a much more appealing way than straight water to maintain much-needed fluid intake to loosen annoying mucus deposits, and the ginger provides a nice kick to the nasal passages.


• Toxin release by sweating: Dip your feet into some warm water, take a long shower, engage in light exercise, and support your immune system by stimulating circulation and sweating out the poison. Just don’t be rude and take your viruses to a public jjimjilbang.


• Appetite stimulation: In some cases, a cold is accompanied by a loss of appetite, under which condition it is thought that replenishing the body’s heat with foods of “warm” constitution—ginseng (인삼/人蔘), huanggi (황기/黃芪), and changchul (창출/창출) root—will enhance digestive function. [1]

Armed with a taste of some folk Korean medical knowledge, dear readers, you are now equipped to tackle the final frigid days of winter, endless examinations of spring semester, and sudden onslaught of summer air conditioning with some time-tested weapons of battle with rhinitis. Feel free to add to the armamentarium by posting your own personal remedies in the comments below!