ASIAD STADIUM!

Korea played Switzerland today in what was Korea's third and final match of the 2006 World Cup. Korea managed to beat Togo, and tie France in previous games, but just weren't able to beat the Swiss to advance to the next round. I watched the game with a few friends on the jumbo screens at the Busan Asiad stadium. When we arrived at 12am, 4 hours before the game kicked off, the place was already filled with cheering fans. The intensity of the Korean team spirit is remarkable. The game didn't end until 6am, but that didn't keep anyone from being there.

As the sun came up, bewildered fans stumbled out of the stadium. The mood was somber after watching their team get beat, and many people were upset at a few questionable last calls.

Although the end was a bit disappointing I'd have to say that it was a great experience cheering for the Red Devils alongside a stadium full of fans. There is always the next World Cup guys! 4 more year.

Check out some more pictures

Here is a photo I found on a Google image search of the Asiad stadium.

SongJeong Beach

SongJeong beach is a quieter and smaller beach than most of the other ones in this town. I got to see a bit of windsurfing here, which really is starting to give me the itch to try it myself. Maybe next weekend!

Check out a few more pictures.

Yonggung Temple

Yonggung Temple probably the nicest if the temples I have visited in the city. It is a beautiful seaside temple that features a giant white Buddha statue as a centerpiece.
There are many small temple houses and statues to see.


Nearby is a large area filled with piles of wishing rocks. They say you can place a rock on one of the piles here and make a wish. I've seen many wishing rock piles on mountain grounds and near temples before, but never this many at one.

Here is a close up of the giant Buddha statue overlooking the sea.


Enjoy more pictures by clicking here!

World Cup - Korea beats Togo!

The entire country has a really intense case of World Cup fever. Four years back, Korea and Japan hosted the World Cup. The memory of those times is still fresh in people's minds. Everyone came dressed in the official "Red Devils" t-shirts, arm bands, and glowing horns. It was a sea of red. Projector screens were setup all over the city and thousands of people crowded the streets and centers to watch the big game. Korea got off to a slow start but made a comeback and won the game. After the game everyone went crazy. The streets were filled with people cheering, holding up traffic, jumping on busses. It was a mob of celebration. Some people were even jumping on a police car. Everyone wanted to get pictures of us since we are foreigners. We cheered them on and had a great time. Check out the slide show.



Here are some more pictures and videos on Drew's blog!
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Samgwang Temple

This interesting temple is located near the center of Busan. On my adventure there I had a chance to sneak into and observe a Budhist ceremony. I wish I could have recorded the music of drums being played at this ceremony which echoed through the entire grounds. It created a really a vibrant yet peaceful atmosphere.







Here is a slide show of some more pictures from the temple.
Enjoy!

Hanging out

Me in front of the APEC House building.

Nick and I at Dadaepo beach.

Korean Memorial Day

Tuesday was Memorial day here in Korea. I took a trip to the UN Memorial Cemetery to pay my respects for those who fought in the Korean war.


Many Canadian's fought and died in the Korean war and are buried here. There are a few monuments for Canadians as well as for other nations.


The Canadian section. Here is part of the list of Canadians burried here, including a Desjardins.