Yongduam (Dragron’s Head Rock) and Yongyeon Pond, Jeju, South Korea

August 23, 2008 by Dawn Parks · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Things to See

According to some, the 10m high and 30m long volcanic rock formation perched along the ocean side is said to resemble a dragon’s head – a fact which has garnered the formation’s fanciful name of Yongduam; literally, Dragon’s Head Rock. Some say it no longer looks like a dragon, as a portion of the rock fell off during a heavy storm long ago. Others say it no longer looks like it’s perched for flight, as a backdrop of hotels is now interfering with the former site of glittering basaltic rock that extended into a seemingly eternal sky.

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Daeyoo Land, shooting, rifles, pistols, Jeju, South Korea

June 20, 2008 by Dawn Parks · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Things to Do

Like any true child of the 80s, I know how to shoot - courtesy of the formerly modern technology known as Nintendo and my father, a card-carrying member of the NRA. No daughter of his was ever going to be allowed to stand in front of the TV, rifle cocked. Instead, it was mandated that both my sister and I stand as far away as possible, cord stretched to its limits, with our gun arms fully extended, the target in line with the scope. Other families with elementary-aged children had rules – don’t play with matches, don’t stick fingers in a socket, don’t circumvent the safety precautions of childproof scissors. Our family had only one rule – shoot properly at Duck Hunt. Our family had the only pint-sized electronic sharp shooters in the school system… and the only recorded tongue injury made with childproof scissors.

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Hapkido, Jeju, South Korea

May 25, 2008 by Dawn Parks · 1 Comment
Filed under: Things to Do

No matter when one listens from the outside of the door, the same sounds can be heard – groans, mock cries of pain mixed in with the occasion real ones, laughter, and cheers of accomplishment. If one glances into the room, though, the scene before them can vary depending on the day or even the minute. At one minute, limber students can be seen performing a succession of handsprings down the mat, trailed by less experienced students falling flat on their backsides. Several minutes later, various 2-person groups can be spotted sparring. No attention is paid to levels as white belts kick at brown belts and yellow belts duck from blue belts. Yet still later, a glance may yield one with views of sword handling or fighting routines, in which the students engage in a series of prescribed punches and kicks according to their level.

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Baduk, Jeju, South Korea

January 25, 2008 by Dawn Parks · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Jeju & Korean Culture, Things to Do

Mr. Hong is concentration personified, with his puckered brow and pursued lips. A “hmmm” escapes as he scans the seemingly endless field of black and white chips. Mere seconds pass before he firmly places his white chip down. To the untrained eye, the spot he picked appears just as good as any of the other vacant spots on the 19×19 board grid. Mr. Hong knows better. The spot he chose has a distinct tactical advantage – one which his opponent may not understand for several turns. Such is the way of Baduk.