Rape Flowers

Japanese Black Pine

Dan Nabben took us for a ride to my favorite tree on Jeju, a 400 year old Japanese Black Pine in Susan-ri (수산리)

Jeju Life

It's awesome to be back in Jeju!

I've been back for a couple weeks now and things have been a bit hectic and busy. It's been really great to see all my friends. Scott and Lara had a nice barbecue and Troy brought a nice bottle of whiskey. Mark and Shannon put me up in their place for a few days while I searched for a new home. They even let me borrow their phone (crucial!) for the last two weeks. My co-worker Christine has been running me around everywhere, finding a house, getting immigration papers sorted out, and furnishing the house. The department secretary, Yuri, has been making phone calls and helping to find these essentials also. When you first move to a foreign country, even one you've been to already, you really feel vulnerable. It really makes you appreciate the value of your friends and helping out.

Road Trip!

I'm trying to get to Jeju as fast as possible. My contract started 3 days ago, so I ought to get there soon, right? Well, I had to send my passport to Chicago to get the visa, so instead of trusting FedEx to deliver quickly, I drove up myself to drop it off. They told me that they couldn't make an exception for my exceptional circumstances and my visa has to go through the normal 2-3 day processing time, so I had to drive BACK to pick it up! I am the proud new owner of an E-2 visa and ready to leave on Friday!

The Windy City


He's in the Band! Jeju Buskers!



Dad wanted some polish sausages



My Destination....
Yes, the Korean Embassy shares a building with Oprah

Limbo

Have you found anything yet Troy?

I'm in limbo.

Actually, I've been in limbo for over a month. I'm supposed to be in Jeju by now, but getting my visa has been delayed thanks to the wonderful world of government bureaucracy. In a way it is a blessing in disguise. Although I missed the storm of the year in Utah (30 inches in 24 hours), I'm able to hang out at home with my family, relax, practice guitar, and get my Korean back into shape. Occasionally I get to see old local friends, although many have moved on. Today I get to see an old friend from middle school, met the old fashioned way (not on facebook). My mom ran into his dad at the grocery store. Hah! Can't wait to see ya Kevin!

Coffee and Guitar

I'm pretty excited about getting back to Jeju. In particular for some coffee and guitar with Scott.

National Geographic Jeju Video

I was searching for a topo map of Jeju Island (anyone know how to get one?) and I found this video on the Haenyo. I think the tour guide "Sunni" was my tour guide when I did the Jeju Traditional Culture Tour way back when. Check it out.

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/kids/people-places-kids/korea-divers-kids.html

Back to Jeju

I'm going back to Jeju in March. I wasn't planning on going back, but I got an offer I couldn't refuse. I'm pretty excited. I'm gonna try experimenting with new things with the blog this year, so hopefully it will work out. I talked to quite a few of my friends that followed it consistently. I'm so stoked that people read it regularly and enjoy it. Thanks!

So just to update on the last 6 months, here's what happened. After I got back from Nepal, I chilled at home and spent the holidays with the family and friends in Indy.

Me and Grandma Kojetin at Thanksgiving

In January, I left to work on the Ski Patrol at Powder Mountain, Utah. It was a fantastic experience and a dream come true. I've worked at other ski areas before I came to Korea. I was a Ski Instructor at Loveland, Colorado and I worked the lifts at Alta, Utah. Working at Powder Mountain though was completely different and a super special place. I spent the month skiing with my dad, working and training with the patrol, learning about avalanches, and guiding powder cat-skiing tours.

Skiing in the Enchanted Forest, possibly the coolest place I've ever skied.



Skiing with Dad

Digging Snowpits in the Avalanche I Class.



Digging Snowpits on our own.



Skiing Powder



Relaxing



Dad Skiing more Powder.



We stayed in Condos at the base of the mountain.



Snow Ghosts



Occasionally, we were Cat Skiing Guides.



Dad loves his fat skis. Maybe I should send this picture to Black Diamond???



Everything is Beautiful on a Powder Day.



Sunny Powder Days are the best!!!



Life is Good :) (Faceshots are too!)

Blurb Book

Beautiful Jeju

Life on Korea's Sub...

By Daniel J. Kojetin

Book Preview

I've spent the last couple couple weeks putting my photos into this book. Check it out!

Back Home Again in Indiana

Well, I'm back home again in Indiana (imagine your best Jim Nabors voice singing in the background as you read this). I had a wonderful two months in Nepal. I did two treks for a total of about 50 days walking. Both treks were fantastic. First was Annapurna Circuit I hired a guide through an Agency and walked for 24 days around Annapurna, over the Thorong La Pass (5412m), and into the Annapurna Sanctuary. It was beautiful and green. The lodges were nice and uncrowded. Next I did the Expedition walk from Jiri to Everest Base Camp. The walk from Jiri was difficult, hot, but thoroughly rewarding. It was uncrowded, and had wonderful people along the way. Namche to Everest was crowded, but the mountains were out of this world.

Here's a link to some more pics (you don't need to be a member of facebook to see them):

Annapurna Circuit:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70890&l=579e4&id=538098973
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70898&l=264d5&id=538098973

Everest Base Camp:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70913&l=63412&id=538098973
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=70919&l=a07b0&id=538098973

I had a wonderful time but I'm pretty happy to be back home. Right now my plans are to relax at home, study first aid, and get my life in order. Then in January, I'll go with my dad to join the Ski Patrol at Powder Mountain Ski Area near Ogden, Utah . I'll be skiing and having a great time making minimum wage for the rest of the winter. I miss everyone in Korea and wish everyone good luck!

Last Days of Jeju

My last days in Jeju were some of the best days of my life! I've made some really amazing friends here and I got to see the best of everyone as I was leaving. Troy and I put together a concert at La Vie where I got to not only play with Troy, but also everyone else that I've played music with this year. I'll bet that more than 100 people showed up to the show, they were overflowing far into the streets and on the roof. This is at a bar that feels crowded with 15 people! It was really really fun! On Sunday, Mark put together a fantastic barbecue. Monday was hectic and stressful with my delayed packing and cleaning up. My words of advice....get EVERYTHING finished a day or two early. Leave NOTHING for the last day. My last day, well...sucked. Fortunately, my friend Sasha miraculously came from nowhere and helped me at the post office. If he didn't come, I wouldn't have made the plane! Thanks Sasha!

I'm now in Kathmandu, Nepal preparing for my trek! I'll be doing the Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary. I'll let you know how it went when I finish in 24 days!

Hui

Christian has been having couch surfers, we spent the afternoon at the beach with the girl on the left, Hui, who came to Jeju for a Tea Meeting

One Million!!!

Ever wonder what $1,000,000 feels like? We'll have to settle with Won...

Gam Ja Tang

Joel, Amy, Mark, and Shannon took me out to eat some Gam Ja Tang....MMMmmmmm!!!

Kim Young Gap Gallery

Lisa and I went to the Kim Young Gap Gallery

Beautiful Sunset

Storm

Its only a tropical depression...but it's raining a lot right now (10-30mm/hr)!

Hugh and Herbie

Jungmun Beach Volleyball

Troy, Dan Nabben, and So Hee

There's no net at Jungmun, so we just made a circle. I think our best was just over 100 hits!

Temple near Hagwi (하귀)

I went hiking up a very small oreum, but didn't see the temple at first!

Summer Flowers

Lotus Flower at Haga-ri (하가리)

Rainbow

Christian at Gwakji

Lunch with the Haenyo

These nice ladies wouldn't let me refuse to share some lunch (Kimchi Stew) with them. They are the local Haenyo (Jeju women free divers) at Gwakji Beach. These ladies told me they dive 5-7m in the water without airtanks! They were really kind and nice to talk to, and especially forgiving of my Korean abilities.

Students

I've been trying to take photos of my students, but they won't let me

One More Surfing at Jungmun

More Jungmun Surfing

Sand Castle

Chillin at Hamdeok