The Culverhouse’s in Korea - Aug 2002
Hi all,
Would you believe that we’ve now been away for more than 6 months! And married for 7 months! Things move quickly!!
Living in Korea now feels like normality, meaning we don’t wake up any longer going ‘wow we live in Seoul’. It still keeps on surprising you though when you least expect it by leaving you in those impossible language situations or some cultural difference you just can’t see coming…if you want to know what they are, then come over and see!
Many of you would of seen us in May when we were back for a couple of weeks to celebrate Ly’s 30th, celebrate JT & Catherine’s wedding, oh, and for us to do some work!! The party was a great success we certainly know a great group of cowboys and girls!! Many thanks to all those that could come and make Ly’s night such a laugh (although next time we’ll get the caterer’s in!), and thanks for the presents!
Of course when we got back it was THE event….The World Cup hit Korea, I think it’s fair to say it exceeded all expectations, even Ly’s! You have never met a country more passionate about their team ever. I’m sure you saw all the footage of the millions who hit the streets on match days, but I don’t think I could really describe the atmosphere in the city. As an expat, people were even more enthusiastic when they saw us joining in with the chant “ Dae Han Min Guk” which means Republic of Korea. For all of Korea’s games we found ourselves dressed in our ‘Be The Reds!’ T-shirts, with faces painted waving Korean flags amongst the millions of Korean’s, the streets, the bar’s, even the office was a wash with Reds fever!
As for the games I was lucky enough to go to the opening ceremony with a few guys from work, fantastic night especially seeing as we got to see the French lose! Senegal were brilliant! Lyra and I went to the Spain v Ireland game in Suwon with a couple of friends, Kirsty and Christian. What a game that was, and we were behind the goal for the penalty shoot out, a game even girls appreciated!
With Korea getting through to the semi’s amd Lyra’s brother Chris making the trip out to us we had to go to the Semi final, it seemed an opportunity not to be missed! Now as you can imagine with the host nation getting through tickets were like gold dust (but the price of gold bars) but amazingly we have made the right contacts because we got tickets! It was a night to remember alright apart from those damned efficient Germans spoiling the party! Never the less the Koreans were just happy to be there so they sang they’re hearts out for about 3 hours solid! The noise is something I will never forget!
As I mentioned earlier we had our first guest over in June, Chris Peck (IFA) over came his fear of flying and made it to the sunny shores of Korea, although they were actually a bit rainy! Chris spent about 10 days in Korea, and enjoyed a feast of football, strange food, soju, expats, and surprisingly little culture. Still I think he had a great time, and I know both Ly and myself loved having him here so thanks for making the effort Chris, it was good to see you!
The least surprising event over the last few months is that Podge got himself in trouble again! A couple of days after Chris arrived, Podge turns up after being missing for a day or so with another gash in his back, so he’s been shaved again, stitched up again, and in and out of the vets again!! I wish they did loyalty points at the vets we’d be gold members by now!!
One milestone reached recently was having made enough friends for a dinner party! As many of you know Ly is a bit of a whiz in the kitchen and loves nothing more than inviting too many people round for dinner. Well obviously this has been a bit lacking what with not knowing anyone!! But finally we did it, we now have a circle of broad minded, beer swilling or wine supping mates that like nothing more than to pile round houses, drink all the booze, make a mess, and stay up all night playing games. Life feels more normal all the time!!
Of course you all got to en(joy)dure the Queens Jubilee in the UK, well not to be out done, we had the Queens Birthday Ball (or the QBB to the lushes!) this is basically the British Expats night of the year, and of course all those fellows from the commonwealth. What a night it was all dressed up in tuxedo’s and cocktail dresses (Ly looked amazing!), the photographers from ‘Korean Tatler’ snapping away, although Ly and I didn’t appear as I don’t think they took any bar shots!! As per normal these formal affairs eventually breakdown into a huge party with people ‘dancing like their Dad’s’ (me apparently) after ridiculous amounts of champers etc. It all ended about 4 in the morning and as you would expect we were the last to leave!
With all this excitement, me and Ly just had to get away from it all, so we headed off on hols to Bangkok for couple of days then hopped over to Koh Samui to lay in the sun and chill out. Other than the daily monsoon about 4pm every day it was a fantastic break spent mainly doing nothing although we did go Elephant trekking, Scuba diving (well done Ly never thought she would!) And had a night on the razz with a bunch of ladyboys!! For full story call (00822) 742 1605!!
Lyra has now started making me feel guilty with her daily, squash or aerobic sessions, so I guess it’s time to get off my a**e and make an effort too, but I must say that getting the time isn’t easy. What with all this fun and the most difficult job I have ever taken on in full swing!
Work as a whole is good, but hard. The project is moving at an incredible pace with the completion of the building only 5 months away, with a million other parts to it to get done! So don’t worry I am working hard and not just enjoying myself!
Well in a couple of days Lyra will be back in the UK again (from the 30/07) for a few weeks NVQing etc, most of you should of received an invite to Ly’s Mums / Brothers birthday bash on 10th August at Northants Cricket Club. If you didn’t, sorry, but if you want to come, I’m sure you know where it is by now! Call Ly on 07710 977558 if you don’t remember.
We have put some piccies on to Yahoo if you want to take a look then click on the link below
http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/bc/sungbuklyra/ The album is called Our Latest.
Cheers for now, write back and lets us know what old blighty is up too!!
Love
Dan & Ly….