One of the few things I have come to really enjoy about my job is the monthly school trips. I thought as winter arrived they would stop because they always involved a picnic but instead they have just moved the picnic inside.

School trips are always a bit of an adventure for me because I usually don’t know where we are going until we arrive. And in the case of the first school trip, didn’t even really know what it was about until I got back (link to post here)! They also take me to places that I would never visit otherwise and as they are educational for the children they are often also educational for me.

Last week my third school trip was sprung on me. – Lack of communication at Hogwon’s is one of the things that can really get you down. Being the foreign teacher you are always the last to find out about something it can often feel as though they don’t hold you in high enough regard to give you notice.  – In this case I was informed of Thursday’s trip as I put my shoes on to leave on Wednesday night! If the trips were inside normal working hours the late notice wouldn’t be a problem. But the trips are only for the kindergarten kids and it means I have to start work half an hour earlier and finish for lunch an hour later, meaning I only get half an hour for lunch, and no extra money.

Not getting paid overtime for trips doesn’t bother me too much. The trips are fun and I see parts of Korea that I otherwise wouldn’t and it is great to spend time with the kids when you are not in a classroom shouting at them to “sit down” or “be quiet.” Plus I am never asked to do anything on these trips. I spend most of my time wondering around and taking photos and occasionally making sure the kids haven’t run off.

Thursdays school trip took me back to Deokpojin the same place we had gone on the previous trip, which I still haven’t blogged, so I going to combine the two trips into one post.

The first trip involved the kids digging some sweet potatoes. The kids loved it and after being shown what to do were soon getting down and dirty with the potatoes.

After the potato digging it was time to head off for lunch. We ate sat on a raised platform in the middle of a grassy area. You often find platforms like this in Korea, you have to take your shoes off before you can get on them – a good idea cause it means they are always clean.

Kimpo trip
The kids enjoy their dinner.

After dinner we headed off up a big hill which opened out into Deokpojin fortress.

The sign at the entrance to the fortress read:

This is a military encampment in the Joseon Period built in 1679, a strategic point where one could secure the sea load that headed to Hanseong (Seoul). Here Joseon soldiers fought against the French fleet in 1866 and against the American fleet in 1871.

A website about tourist sights in Korea provided more information. The website can be found here.

The fortress on the Seondolhang Port was a strategic military base since it is located in the way between Ganghwa Island and Seoul. During the Byeonginyangyo (the battle with foreign invaders in the Byeongin year, 1871), there was a fierce battle between Joseon and foreign soldiers.

The fortress was found in 1980 and later restored to its original state. During the excavation, a depot and a place where a fire was kept for artillery were found. Also discovered were small-and medium-sized cannons, artillery shells, and Sangpyeongtongbo (a coin). Five cannons are now displayed at the National Museum and one at the Deokpojin Pavilion. Now there are various facilities set up including a camping spot and a training center for students.

The fortress was really pretty with fantastic views over the water to Ganghwa. The kids loved running around to grassy expanse. However it seemed slightly disrespectful to be letting the kids run riot in a battle location where it is likely many Korean soldiers died.

After looking around the fortress it was time to round up the kids and head home.

The second time we visited Deokpojin was much more subdued as the kids visited the educational museum.

The museum was about old fashioned Korean schooling and the kids sat mesmerised at they learnt about they way things were when their grandparents went to school.

The museum was good but some of the exhibits had seen better days. The inside of the museum was freezing and smelt musty and damp! I was amazed when they lit a fire in the middle of the classroom to keep the kids warm.

There is not really much more to say about the museum. It was a museum full of old stuff and all explained in Korean! But hey, instead of being at school shouting at the kids I was there having fun with them.

I’ll post again soon. Bye for now.

* Posted by j150vsc on 27/11/2006.
* 1 comment