Rain, rain, go away...

Weaver Adventure Blog for Week of August 22, 2012

So the past few weeks have been very hectic.  A lame excuse for blog-slacking, but nevertheless, I will throw it out there.

CMK Office Building

Hectic at work and at home.

Two weeks ago we had a two-day CMK business summit where we focused our energy on how we are going to take full advantage of our opportunities in Korea.  The management team here is quite keen to work together and make our business here thrive.

Cook World HQ

Then this week we had a three day marketing and brand management wing-ding complete with late night calls with some folks in Bloomington.  Late night for them!  Thanks to Christa and Neal for all the help.  It is very energizing to get that kind of support.

In the middle of that school started for the kids so there was a flurry of back-to-school activity. 

To top it all off, it won’t stop raining.

 It seems like it has been raining for weeks.  The sidewalks are a sea of umbrellas; the Han River is covering up the trees on the islands that dot it; and each day seems to start off dark and get darker as clouds gather to deliver the next deluge.

But I am sure this will pass.  I am told this is very uncommon weather, and that the late Summer and Fall are usually very pleasant with cooler temps and colorful foliage, so I will look forward to that as I dodge puddles on the sidewalk and splashes from cars passing in the street. 

Anyone else having weird weather in their part of the world?

Until next time.

Weaver

Korean Independence Day

Weaver Adventure Blog for Week of August 15, 2012

Gwangbokjeol ("Restoration of Light Day") or Independence Day in South Korea

So August 15^th is The Republic of Korea’s Independence day – an important holiday in any country that has gotten away from another (and often more powerful) country to determine its own destiny.  It is certainly one of the biggest holidays in my home country of the USA and South Korea is no different, even if the celebrations are a bit quieter. 

However, while I am pretty familiar with the USA’s story of independence, I confess I didn’t really know much about Korea’s story.  So I did a little Wiki-research and thought I would share it with you.

The Korean culture is ancient with the earliest artifacts dating back to 8000 B.C.  The earliest complex social constructs here date back to 1500 B.C.  So a long, rich history.  However, the events that lead to independence are much, much more recent.  Fast-forward 3500 years or so.

Japan, a nearby neighbor to Korea, annexed Korea in 1910 and worked pretty hard to wipe out the Korean culture for the next 35 years or so.  There was ongoing Korean resistance to the Japanese throughout this period and into WWII.   This resistance came in the form of armed resistance by former military personnel; religious resistance by Korean Confucianists and imported Christian missionaries; and political resistance from expatriates abroad.

Hopefully, most of you recall some of the basics of WWII from high school history, but if not, the Japanese called for an armistice on August 14^th USA time (August 15^th Korean time).  Korea, as part of the surrender, was split in two with the USA controlling the area south of the 38^th parallel, and the Soviet Union controlling the area north of the 38^th parallel.  This was supposed to be a temporary set up until the specifics of reunification could be worked out.  But, the best laid plans…

The Cold War heated up and the hopes for a reunified Korea evaporated and two separate (and very different) countries were established on the Korean peninsula.  On December 12, 1948, the UN recognized The Republic of Korea (South Korea) as a sovereign nation. 

As you can imagine, there was much debate about when to celebrate their independence from Japan, but the 15^th of August was settled on, so tomorrow most businesses are closed and people will spend time with their families and enjoy the freedom and independence the day represents. 

Until next time.

Weaver

Coffee Coffee Coffee

Weaver Adventure Blog for Week of July 25, 2012

Seoul’s Coffee Culture

So a few posts ago I mentioned a 1:1 coffee shop to citizen ratio in Seoul.  Now, I wouldn’t use hyperbole in a million years, nor would I use generalizations as they are all bad, so let’s just say there are lots of coffee shops in Seoul.  Lots and lots and lots.  Some are huge global brands, and some are big Korean chains - like Caffee Bene.  

Some are just little trucks that sell shots and lattes to passers-by.  But irrespective of how it gets sold, an ocean of coffee is getting poured into the Korean metro population.

I am not a huge coffee person.  I drink it, but don’t need it to get the day started/live.  I know people like this (you know who you are), so I am aware of the power of the bean, but it has no hold on me.  I probably drink 10 coffees a month.   

I thought I would talk to some locals to get some insights on coffee.   Check out the video below.

 Thank you Kelly and Hae-Yeob for your thoughts.

Coffee drinks here are quite expensive, but I suppose it’s no worse than in Bloomington, Indiana.  A large latte is around 4800 Won (4.25 USD).  Add a flavor or an extra shot and you can break 6000 Won.  







My favorite place has very low overhead and minimal seating – just one seat.  It is really just a walk up counter.   There, a latte with two shots (my “usual”) is only 2700 Won.   Virtually free, and the barista remembered me and my “usual” after only one visit!  But I don’t plan to visit often; I’m jittery enough as it is.

Until next time.

Weaver