pee pressure

I would like to take a moment to discuss bathroom situations in Korea! One might think that a blog dedicated to something so personal as bathroom habits might be a little crass. However, I think the title of the popular children's book, "Everyone Poops" (and pees, for that matter) puts things into perspective! The picture below is a typical toilet in Korea, aka: the squatter. Please note that this picture is an abnormally clean squatter stall. I have seen much worse! Since being here in Korea, I have become quite good at squatting. I know that I should pull up my pants legs while pulling my pants down in order not to get the bottoms dirty (you never can be too sure of the aim of the person before you). I also know that you should face the doorway when you squat. Toilet paper, if there is any provided for you, goes in the bucket or trash an next to you. I have learned my lesson and now always carry tissue with me! Usually you step on some sort of button or lever to flush. Also, please note that there are many Western style toilets as well.

Also, a few other bathroom oddities I've noticed here in Korea. If you don't want anyone to hear you using the restroom, many stalls have a "courtesy button" you can press while you go. When you press the button you will hear the sound of running water or a flushing noise instead of whatever noises one usually makes as they go. I think it's funny because if you press the button everyone obviously knows what you are doing anyway!
There are also many unisex bathrooms here in Korea. I've been so surprised to walk into a restroom and find a stall for a man and a stall for a woman both in the same bathroom. Sometimes there is just a stall and a urinal against the wall. The other day my friend Morgan and I both had to use the restroom and we ended up in a unisex bathroom together. I definitely experienced some "pee pressure" knowing I was using the restroom with a guy in the next stall, especially a friend of mine. I would have to say the experience was more humorous than anything.

This weekend I also went to a DVD bong. I can't write it using Korean figures on this computer, but the Korean word for "room" is pronounced "bong" in English. There are many types of "bongs" in Korea. The most popular would have to be "norebongs," which are karaoke rooms where you sing karaoke with all your friends, "PC bongs," which are rooms filled with computers, music, snacks, and tons of people usually playing video games and I use them when I want to get work done and can't focus at home on my own computer. There are also "board game bongs" where people play board games, and then the "DVD bong." I think the reason that all these different rooms are so popular is because they are all used for social purposes. Most apartments here are small studios that aren't necessarily good for entertainment. Also, most Koreans live with their parents until they get married, so it is a good way to get out of the house.
When you walk into the DVD bong it looks like you are walking into a small video store. You pick out your dvd and pay for the rental. The attendant takes you to your room and you are all set up. There are cheap rooms, small rooms, big rooms, and really nice rooms, depending on the group size or how "romantic" you want your movie experience to be. Morgan and I opted for the cheapest room. It had a little reclining couch big enough for two, nice sound system, and a screen that took up the whole wall. It was like our own personal theater!
At school we just had our pajama party! The kids all came to school at night in their pajamas. Their mothers brought dinner for everyone and the fathers came into the classes with the kids for crafts, games, etc. My kids all went a little crazy because of all the commotion and the excitement of spending time with their fathers.

This weekend I also got the opportunity to go to a fireworks competitions. I had no idea that there were fireworks competitions, but apparently there was a competition in Seoul. Japan, USA, China, and Korea all had a 10 minute display of fireworks. I have never seen so many people turn out for a fireworks show before. They were all lined up along the river. We took a cab and ended up getting out on the bridge because the traffic was so bad and so many people were standing on the bridges anyway. That is where we watched the show. I have no idea how judging works or who won, but below is a video of one of the teams grand finale. I think it was the USA team, but I can't be sure. I didn't get China's show on tape, but I liked it the best. It was very unique, using color coordination and movements to create their show.


Ok, hope everyone is doing well. I hope you have a day that makes you go, "Oooh and aaah!"