Down the memory lane: Korean experience

Shepherd's Pie ala jannah hehehe :p

Made Shepherd's Pie late afternoon. And it's my first time too, hehe. I noticed that I've been posting more on food lately. That's how unexciting my life is lately. Oh well..

My mom was telling me just now that applications for joining in "Kapal Belia" is now open. With the lack of excitement in my life right now, I am actually considering of maayybbeee applying. Seems interesting. It could be fun. And the experience would be good. I had a previous experience of something similar to this.

In 2001, I was selected to join in a youth exchange programme in South Korea, with 9 other Bruneians, where we got the chance to meet other youth representatives from ASEAN countries as well as the host, Korea. I was in Form 4 back then. I remembered that we had to make several preparations before flying sometime in August. We had to practice our traditional dance performance months in advance, prepare presentations, survey and buy traditional food and other equipments required, make new dress and jackets and so on. It was my first time going abroad on my own without my family. We had to transit in S'pore before boarding on the Korean Airline plane, heading to Incheon airport. We were greeted warmly by the Korean participants at the airport and were then transported to our first hotel in Seoul. Korea is a beautiful and modern country.

I did some digging of my old photo album and scanned a few photos that I would like to share with you guys hehe.

The Brunei representatives at Brunei airport, 2001 :)

A younger, chubbier me haha, in front of Olympia Hotel in Seoul :)

The first day, ice breaking session at the hotel ball room. I believe this was the Brunei group with some Indonesian participants :)

This was during the introductory session where we have to wear each countries' national costumes.

After the opening ceremony of the Korea-ASEAN youth exchange project 2001

If I can remember correctly, this was in Daejon, South Korea. We stayed for a few days in Seoul before travelling to Daejon next. This was at the Science Park, where each country had to set up their own booths for the exhibition. We displayed Brunei traditional dry food, some souvenirs, books, booklets, posters and so on, for the public to see. I remember that we managed to sell Bruneian food and then the money that we earned, we donated to the charity box that was available there.

Getting ready for our traditional dance performance in the Science Park. It was so much fun! and a bit nerve wrecking too since we were performing in front of the Korean public as well as our ASEAN friends, hehe. The dance went smoothly without a hitch and we received warm applause from the public. What a great feeling! :D In this photo: Monica, Ann, Fau and Nahidah.

Another day. Planting trees ceremony :) In this photo: me with Ramli and Mahfuz also from Brunei

Using tiles to make each countries' flags. And this is the finished product! :)

Participating in Korean tea ceremony

In Kimchi making class, hehe. This was where I tasted my first Kimchi, which is one of Korea's traditional dishes. It was rather spicy and I had to gulp down a few cups of tea to reduce the hotness haha.

The vase that I made with my own hands during korean pottery class! :D Even decorated it hehe. It was a bit sloppy at first, but the instructor helped to make it look much better, heeehee. It was later 'cooked' and then given to us as a souvenir before heading back home.

Midnight food craving. There was a convenience store next to our hotel, so Eun-Joo brought us there to sample my first ever ramen; vegetable ramen that is hehe. There was hot water available, so we ate on the counter provided, hehe.

In Anmyun Island. From Daejon, we travelled to Anmyun Island, where we stayed at a beach resort with gorgeous views of the sea. We had several activities there, including a Bonfire at night. Back L-R: Monica, Fau, Ann, Nahidah and me. Front L-R: Mahfuz, Arrifin, Amir, Shardy and a korean guy, whose name I don't remember, hehe

Preparing and cooking for the ASEAN food festival in the hotel.

With Hoai Dung from Vietnam, one of my room mates in the hotel at the island. I remember sharing a large apartment-like hotel room with 4 others there. We had to change 3 or 4 hotels during the trip, and I think I didn't really bother unpacking much since we have to move a lot, hehe

On the train with friends from S'pore, Thailand and Korea hehe

Back in Seoul, we had a day off, in which we spent the time shopping. Monica and I went out with our three Korean friends. The fun thing was that, we taught our korean friends on how to say expensive and cheap in Malay. So if we were interested in buying something, they would say it's 'mahal' (expensive) or 'murah' (cheap), haha. We didnt really have much time to shop, so we used whatever time we could to do so. There was also another time where we had the chance to shop at a multi-storeyed superstore that we were told to open past midnight into early hours of the morning.

Lunch at a fast food restaurant after shopping. I remember that I ordered fish burger and fries. The good thing was that they knew that we can't eat beef or chicken or any non-halal food stuff there. Since it's difficult to find halal restaurants, so I have to resort to seafood. In this photo: Monica with Mi-ran. Me with Himmie and Kuei-Bang. :)

Hanging out in one of the hotel rooms. I think this was our last night in Korea. During the last night, we had an official closing ceremony, where we were presented with certificates. We also exchanged gifts or souvenirs with the friends that we have made.

With Mulan, another friend from Korea.

Last day at the hotel, before going to the airport.

It was certainly a memorable experience of my young life. There were a lot of bittersweet memories. Lots of activities, talks and lectures and meeting new friends. I still have lots more photos of the activities that we did, but it would take a while to scan. Well, back then, digital cameras were not popular yet, hehe. It would have been much easier. :D So there you go, a little look into my experience in korea in 2001. :)