Bull Fighting Festival

Cheungdo's Bull Fighting Festival

In our efforts to create some crazy adventures, we went to Cheungdo's Annual Bull Fighting Festival this past weekend. We met up with Trevor's friend from home, Nick, Nick's girlfriend Sara, and their co-worker Brian. The five of us were all surprised at how much fun the festival turned out to be. (Definitely better then the Prawn festival, in the sense that I didn't have to listen to our food being cooked... any food we did eat was brought to us already dead and cooked!!!)

Not knowing what to expect, the day was exactly what it sounds like it would be... a day full of bull's fighting each other. I didn't really know if or what the rules are for a bull fight, but it looked as though which ever bull gave up, turned and ran away was the loser.


Sometimes the bulls would refuse to fight and just start running around the ring. We went down close to the fence at one point and a bull ran right up to where we were standing and started head butting the fence... Scary!!!! But they always caught the bull, after a few rounds around the ring.
This festival seems to be a big source of pride for Cheungdo, as there were sculptures of bulls all over the place. We saw this one, carved from wood, at the festival and the one below it was at a park in the city.

After watching a few fights, we got something to eat and came back just in time for what seemed to be the opening ceremony, as this was the first day of the 4 or5-day festival. There were a few speeches given, in Korean of course, as many people gathered in the ring with flags. Soon enough, one of the speakers yelled, only what I can assume was, something along the lines of "Let the games begin!!!" and balloons were released into the air, noise makers were set off, and coloured smoke filled the air from hang-glider-type contraptions.



The balloons being released.
Streamers were released behind us, from those balls hanging behind Trevor in the pic. After the balloons and noisemakers, a group of young kids put on an an amazing performance with about 6 different types of drums... but we could only see them on the big screen because there were so many people and we were at a bad angle.

I do have a video of one of the bull fights, but again, I'm working on it... Hopefully it will be up this weekend. I have the instructions on how to do it, I just haven't gotten the chance yet...

I would like to just say, that I looked for a little wooden bull souvenir for my sister, who's sign is Taurus the Bull, and is proud of it!!! but I couldn't find any!!! So Erin, I got you the next best thing... Pictures of myself and Trevor riding a bull... See below...

HAHAHAHA... I bet you thought I meant real bulls!!!!

But overall, A great experience!!!!

St. Patty's Day!!!!

Happy Belated St. Patty's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On our St. Patrick's day, it was also the anniversary of the bar we go to, Red Rock. So the owner asked Trevor and the guys that he plays guitar with, to play for the bar. On top of that, we had a pig roast/potluck dinner!!!

The pig was interesting. It came cooked, in a Styrofoam box and inside, although was filled with pig meat, it also contained actual hot dogs!! I didn't know pigs produced their own hot dogs?!?!?! And everyone says hot dog meat is mystery meat... nope!! They literally came right from the pig in Korea!!! hahaha...And although it looks gross, the meat was pretty good.

The best part of the night was hearing the guys play. It was Clint, Trevor and Geoff all playing guitar and Ben was the lead singer.

Lots of people showed up to watch and the guys sounded really good. They played some Johnny Cash, some Hip, about 8 different songs... all really good.

Hope everyone had a great St. Patty's Day!!! I definitely missed the Irish Drinking Team in St.Catharines... I meant to pass my jersey/homemade t-shirt onto Sari, but I forgot too... I saw that she had a new shirt though.. So I don't feel as bad!! hahaha

I draw the line if it's still moving...

On our director's birthday we all went out for dinner to a seafood restaurant that served raw fish. Now, since being here in Korea, I think I have eaten more seafood than I have in my entire life thus far. I have also tried foods without even knowing what they are, such as cow intestines, chicken feet, even bugs!!! But this night, I had to draw the line.

Our food was brought out and as usual, I asked, 'What's this?" to everything placed in front of us. I tried most things, and even ate caviar for the first time in my life. As we ate the dishes, they were removed from the table and more were brought out. One plate that was brought to the table contained white slimy looking things which turned out to be octopus. We eat octopus all the time since being here, it is very commonly eaten with many meals. The only difference was, this one was STILL MOVING!! It had been cut up into pieces but was still moving!! Apparently, even after cutting, it will keep moving for approx. 2 hours... talk about fresh food!!! Trev tried it and so did Catherine, but on her first bite, she proclaimed, "Ahh its fighting back!!" Right then I knew I wouldn't be trying it. I had to draw the line.

I took a video, so everyone could experience the pleasure of seeing dinner move along the plate...however I am still working on putting it up here... so be patient and hopefully I will get a chance to put it on this weekend!!!