NEWS FLASH: Precious reporting from South Korea...

I’ve been on the road for just over 2 weeks now and I’m finally getting into a routine and over the jet-lag.

We boarded out first flight from Newcastle, bound for Dubai. It was a long flight but the time passed quickly watching movies and eating lots of delicious food. I had a window seat which was pretty cool. The sights over the Lakes were fantastic and I’m sure I saw some familiar faces down there! We had a quick lay-over at Dubai and the next stop was Seoul, South Korea. The flight from Dubai to Seoul was just under
8 hours. The plane was huge; an Airbus A380, and the flight was full, surprisingly I was the only Sheep on Board. I was in my element watching movies and watching the world go by from my seat. We flew over the Himalayas which was memorable and the views arriving into South Korea were incredible, all the small islands that make up South Korea are spectacular.

We arrived into Seoul to temperatures of -10 in the evening, which soon dropped to -18 at night. There was a lot of snow on the ground and the director of the school told me it had been the coldest winter for 90 years!! I’m so pleased we have under floor heating in the apartment. I have been out exploring the city we live in, Uijeonbu. We are about 40 minutes north of Seoul by train. This is me on the rooftop of the apartment block, in the distance we have the mountains but have everything we need on the doorstep. We have a happy mix of city and countryside. I’ve met some new faces over the last week. I’ve been out for a few meals and drinks so I’m settling in nicely to the Korean way of life. I am trying to learn some Korean but it is so difficult. I will try to study for 30 minutes each night. Wish me luck!

I am enjoying school life. I was shy at first but the Korean kids were very welcoming and seem to like me. I sit in on kindergarten classes in the morning and elementary in the afternoon. It is the Lunar New Year this week, the most important holiday of the year. The children all came to school in their traditional clothes, Hanbok. They were so cute! We played some traditional Korean games like Yutnori and Jegi Chagi, and then we went to the park to fly some kites. It was so much fun.

An interesting fact I heard was that on the route we take to school, we pass under several bridges that are apparently filled with dynamite. I’m told this is a security precaution by the South Korean government in case there is an invasion from North Korea. The road we travel everyday is the main transport link between South Korea and North Korea. So, if there was an invasion then the bridges would be blown up to block the North Korean army progressing any further. Despite the heavy media attention that the North/South divide has generated in the UK, things seem to be relatively relaxed. There is a military presence but that is historic. People are understandably a little more cautious but it seems, for the time being, that things are under control.

I'm getting used to having my own money and I actually feel like a millionaire…Well I am with the Korean currency. I’m finding it hard to spend my pocket money. Most things are pretty cheap.

I’m getting used to the Korean food and am trying lots of new things. I really like Kiimchi and Korean BBQ! I’m slowly getting used to eating with chopsticks.It’s pretty difficult with my cleets!!

In Korea they drink a lot of Soju, a traditional rice wine. I have tried it but it didn’t really taste of anything?!

But, I do like the local beer, Cass. Cheers!

In the next few weeks I am looking forward to some new adventures: Seoul sightseeing, a trip to the DMZ and staying in a temple for the weekend. I will write soon!