Korea - not now...............

I was all set to go to Korea - had the itinerary and the Visa from the South Korean government, but things have changed and I am now not going. It is a long story. Maybe I will go in a few weeks. Maybe not. It is a bit disappointing as I was looking forward to it. But it was not to be.

There's still lots to do - and if I'm needed I can go. I will focus on going back to China next year. I hope that happens.

I have decided to do one more semester in China, and then focus on my writing. At least now I will have a chance to have my camera lesson, soemthing that I had hoped to do before I went to South Korea.

I have been enjoying the new Canon camera and have taken some good photos, but I will benefit from some lessons I am sure.

Wilson's Boathouse

There is a little "peninsula" at Manly, not far from home with a stunning restaurant, almost at the end of said peninsula, overlooking the entrance to Manly Harbour.

On a good day, it is a fabulous place to watch the boats coming and going.

And today, being Wednesday, there was a lot of action, because each Wednesday it is WAGS. "Wednesday Afternoon Gone Sailing" where those who have the afternoon off, set of from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron to do some sailing.

I haven't done it, but if anyone wants to try some sailing, can go to RQ and get a chance to crew on any of the yachts. They are always looking for crew!

But today, I was sitting in the restaurant watching the action on the water. Enjoying a wonderful meal!

Has the dust gone?

Small particles of dust are still in the air, but most folk have started to clean it out of their homes. I've dusted and dusted but still don't seem to be able to get it all. No doubt there is much hanging in the air.

Despite the drought we have a week to clean our homes inside and outside using water from our taps without getting fined by council officers who are pretty keen to catch us breaking the rules in the current drought situations.

We have been advised to wait until all the dust has gone, so the car probably won't get cleaned until later in the week.

I've got quite a few luncheon events with friends - trying to catch up before I go away.

Still plenty to do.

Still working on material

I'm still busy putting material together for teaching in Korea. So much work to do - and so little time. It is starting to stress me, but I continue.

The weather has been strange - lots of wind and dust continues and everything everywhere is covered in the fine red dust from central Australia. Much less than Wednesday, but still not worth cleaning up.

We had lunch on the back deck - but the fine red dust took a while to clean off the chairs and tables. Even my laptop is covered in fine dust.

I spoke with my parents today - still have not told them that I am going to Korea. Still it will be only 7 weeks I hope.

We have sent our documents to the Korean Embassy with the application for our Visa. Hopefully we will get them back in plenty of time before we are due to go on Wednesday week.

Red Dust over Australia

It seems like the red dust from central Australia has been spread over New South Wales and Queensland by high winds that have picked up the dust and spread it around.

This photo was taken from my back deck, which shows the red dust in the air.

The house (despite the windows being closed) has a fine layer of dust over everything, and it will be days before we get rid of it.

Sydney - Brisbane the airlines have had troubles as many flights have been delayed because of the dust.

It has been chaotic.

A visit to the Wheel of Brisbane

I've passed this massive structure at South Bank as I travelled to and from the city and as when I visited the Cultural Precinct for the Brisbane Writers Festival and yesterday had the chance to go on board. I was a little disappointed in that the weather wasn't perfect. I had thought of going the day before as the sky was clear blue and the air was cleaner - but as it turned out the air was a little smokey or dusty, and the sky was slightly overcast. Warm and wonderful - but I could almost see the dust in the air.

There was a lot of activity around the South Bank area - and being a warm day, the beach was pretty busy.

Up, Up and Away again

Notification came through today that we are booked to go back to South Korea. I have my itinerary. Now I have to organise myself. We are due to fly to Incheon Airport, South Korea on October 4th, and due back in Australia on November 24th.

The spelling of place names in South Korea is confusing - you can see the name Incheon, or Incheion - it is just a different spelling, and I've forgotten why now. Will have to look all that up again.

Koreans will spell a place one way, and when you can find it on a map you search for other spellings and lo and behold it pops up.

While I was in the doctor's surgery on Tuesday (getting the all-clear from the ENT man) I found a National Geographic with a graphic story about North Koreans escaping from their country via China, and then back to South Korea. Incredible story - and gives a bit more insight into the atrocious circumstances in North Korea.

One thing that puzzled me when I was in South Korea last time, was the apparent indifference to the conditions of North Koreans, and the indifference to the strange behaviour in the north - the food shortage, the lack of basic conditions experienced by all other communities (there is no mobile phone capabilities, and the locals cannot access the Internet),but it is the nuclear weaponry and testing that I found alarming and seemingly the locals had not concern about it.

In the National Geographic article it mentioned the apparent indifference to the situation in North Korea by the South Koreans. I don't know why that would be but it is quite interesting to see. On the one hand they seem to be a caring community - very Christian, and yet, they do not show any concern about the situation.

Interesting.