Being based overseas is a wonderful part of life. You get to experience new sights & sounds, different foods, culture, endless memories. I always considered travelling an essential part of life. You not only learn about the places you visit but also you discover yourself. Your likes/dislikes, the limits you will endure, memories that will shape your present life and also your future. During the COVID pandemic the gift of travel and new experiences have been almost eliminated. New generations will likely live in a world where they have no knowledge of the freedom of travel many of us experienced. However, all we can do is reflect on the great memories and hope for some form of normalcy.
A number of key decisions brought me to South Korea in 2000. At the time South Korea was a very different place. Almost unrecognizable today.
These days South Korea is well known for its various food choices, movies, and of course K-pop. However, beyond that South Korea is still a kind of mystery. I arrived in South Korea over 20 years ago and it definitely was an experience. The sounds, smells, the bright lights.
All I knew of South Korea were
the pro democracy riots of the 80’s
The Korean war
The first thing I learned on my arrival was the food. There is a wide variety of food in South Korea. These days, internationally it seems to be more popular and in demand. However, upon my arrival it was not so well known.
From 2012 - 2013 I wrote a 10 part series of articles for a newspaper about my views on South Korea.
For the next ten newsletter editions I will be releasing extracts of my articles and giving a viewpoint from my younger days and life in South Korea at the time.
Here were some of my thoughts at the time.
On the back of the international success of Gangnam Style, Korean music is expanding. Korean cuisine seems to be the last area to develop internationally but now dishes like Jiggae (Soup), bibimbap (mixed rice and vegetables), and Bulgogi (Marinated BBQ meat) and of course Kimchi (Fermented cabbage) among others are more common.
Bibimbap (mixed rice and vegetables)
Koreans are sometimes similar to Pacific islanders especially of the older generation who have a particular penchant for spicy food. Like many people of island decent I remember as a kid my father filling old glass bottles or plastic coke bottles of Coconut cream then finishing them off with those small red peppers for an extra kick. I suspect that islanders would greatly get stuck into a plate of spicy Korean food. In fact, a few islanders that I have met here raved about the food and in some ways by looking and trying the food you can see the possible origins of what we love and eat our whole lives. An example of this can be seen in the dish we love at home Chop suey. Islanders grow up and live on this dish however, there is a dish here called Chop Chae (noodles) which resembles Chop suey in texture but is slightly lighter in colour. This might retail for a few dollars a plate.
Korean Chapchae
Island Chop suey
There is the Korean dish called Kamjatang (Potato stew) which is the spitting replica for the boil up in New Zealand with the big bones and mouth watering potatoes and veggies. The dish usually ranges in price from $10 for a small pot to $25 for a large pot which suits 3-4 people.
Kamjatang (Potato stew)
There is my personal favorite Jim Dak (Chicken in spicy sauce with potatoes, onions, noodles and carrots). This dish is priced according to whether you want half a chicken, a whole chicken or two chickens. Any where from $12-$25. It is very similar to some casserole/stew I have eaten at Pacific island functions. I would definitely recommend this dish if you get the chance. Finally, when walking down the street there is Taro everywhere but for some reason I have never seen anyone eat it.
Jim Dak
(Chicken in spicy sauce with potatoes, onions, noodles and carrots).
Today Korea is known as a technological powerhouse in semi conductors, televisions, cell phones and almost any electronic appliance, however, Korea has its origins as an agrarian society. This country was founded on the back of its farming communities and its cuisine is reflected in fresh produce, livestock and poultry. Koreans pride themselves on the making and consumption of spicy food. Prior to the arrival of the red pepper in the 16th century it is hard to imagine the cuisine that existed previously. Red pepper and its red pepper paste form are everywhere.
Since I have been here I have witnessed periods where different forms of spicy food are popular and supersede others. There was the hot spicy chicken fad. The spicy pigs feet fad, and also the spicy chicken fry up or Dalkalbi which is always popular. It seems that Koreans can’t get through the day without some form of spice in their diet.
Comparing the spiciness of Korean food with other cultures is a little difficult. It doesn’t make one sweat like Indian spicy food or light up the face like Mexican. It seems to start from the back of the throat and work its way to the front of the mouth where even water doesn’t seem to affect it. In fact, it seems to make you drink more beer which might be part of the plan.
Those were my views over 10 years ago and I can say that the variety of foods has only increased to the benefit of all.
If you get a chance definitely try any of the above dishes I discussed above don’t hesitate, you won’t regret it.
Stay tuned as I delve into other topics related to Korea in the future.
MOVING ON
During my time in South Korea many faces have come and gone. Some left happy some left not so much. What determines when its time to go home? I always believed that oneday you just wake up and think its time to go. Recently, I’ve had that feeling.
Now I feel I have a better grasp of South Korea and its time to open the next chapter of life.
From the top of my head I think initially I need to look at the following
1) How to offload and cleanout my apartment less than 1 year from now.
2) How to set up businesses ready to roll upon landing.
3) How to set up online businesses that will allow me to survive while the ground based businesses get a footing.
4) How to navigate an air ticket one year out but also timing it so my arrival coincides with the required quarantine requirements that New Zealand currently has.
5) How to design and build a fully self sufficient home off the grid and in the middle of the Pacific ocean.
These are a small sample of numerous questions and challenges that need to be addressed as I close down one chapter and open another.
I will update my progress in future editions and some tips and pitfalls to avoid.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
Albert Einstein
As an avid reader of history and in particular military history the above quote always strikes me as crucial. It can be applied to numerous instances in history and also is relevant to modern life. Creativity and imagination are essential to succeed. Einstein was right but hey, who was going to challenge him.
Recently, I completed a series on Netflix that I would recommend to history or military buffs. It looked at a period and battle that I was unfamiliar with.
The siege of Constantinople 1453
The siege centered on the clash between the Byzantines who claimed to be the last remnants of the Roman Empire and the Ottomans led by Mehmed II who at the time was 21 years old and attempted to succeed where many had failed. If my numbers are right it was sieged thirty four times. Some were successful some failed. During the siege of 1453 there were many aspects that occurred during the 53 day siege. What caught my eye was the creativity and imagination applied by Mehmed in order to solve the problems encountered.
1) The walls of Constantinople were massive and looked impenetrable. Some estimates put them at 6km long and 12 meters high. The walls contained at one point 27 towers that could aid in the raining down of projectiles to those trying to get in. What solution did Mehmed come up with? Among a number of solutions, one included the ordering of the construction of 50 to 200 canons in various sizes. One of them “Basilica” measured 27 feet long (8.2m) and could send a 600lb (270kg) ball over a mile. The workers operating this behemoth had their work cut out. Taking 3 hours to reload it.
2) The other area where Mehmed showed his creativity involved the idea of simply going around an obstacle.
Looking at the picture above the Ottomans had the city absolutely surrounded. Literally cut off from the outside the siege was brutal. One area that severely restricted the Ottomans was the massive “great chain” across the bay. This chain constructed of heavy iron links measured about 750 meters in length. It cut off the Ottomans ability to access the Golden Horn thus ability to attack the city from the water. Mehmed pondered this problem and decided on a brilliant solution. If you see above there is an area “Galata”. This area was an enclave directly across from Constantinople run by Genoese and Venetians. This enclave was located directly across the bay and the holders had interests in whoever was victorious.
In order to access the bay Sultan Mehmed ordered his army to construct materials and move an estimated 70 ships overland on giant logs early in 1453 thereby going around the chain. Behind Galata and the entrance to the harbor. There must of been total panic and exasperation coming from the Byzantines in the morning when seeing this fleet in front of their walls. This move allowed the city to be attacked on all sides and its downfall imminent. If your a fan of the television show Vikings you would have seen this tactic also used in an episode of the show.
What is the lesson from this event?
In order for Sultan Mehmed to succeed imagination and thinking outside the box were required. As important as they were then we can still use them now. We all have challenges and problems otherwise we wouldn’t be human. Sometimes it just takes a different way of thinking or stepping back and looking at the hurdle from a different angle or viewpoint. There is always a way, no problem too big, always a solution no matter how difficult it may seem.
It could be a small issue or something major, give it a try. If it worked for Einstein and Mehmed it will likely work for you.
This weeks recommendations
1) Jim Dak (Chicken in spicy sauce with potatoes, onions, noodles and carrots).
2) Rise of Empires: Ottomans - Netflix.
Feel free to engage in the conversation below
1) Your experiences with Korean cuisine.
2) Examples of Military engagements that used imagination.
3) Something I may have missed or got wrong with the siege of Constantinople.
Great section on thinking outside the box. Imagination and creativity are the pillars of development, may they never shrink to the level of narrow-mindedness.
What's the title of the Netflix series?
Great section on thinking outside the box. Imagination and creativity are the pillars of development, may they never shrink to the level of narrow-mindedness.
Good on you mate