July 27, 2012

Screen Golf


In the world of concrete jungles and jutting mountains, there is little space for a full on golf course. Sure, there are some famous and beautiful courses in Korea, but those are not perfectly located right between your neighborhood market and subway. Screen golf is a whole different story though! They are buildings with large rooms, a giant screen/projector combo, and a sensor to read the movement of clubs and balls. It is pretty cheap - under ten a person in my experience. Each of the rooms has a couch or two, and they also sell snack foods and drinks, so you can make a party of it. 

Mike, Mara, and I decided to go one night and check it out. While I wouldn't say any of us could become pro golfers (some of us may get too frustrated by hole 6 to play again, hah), it is a "Korea" experience I recommend anyone try once!


There is a five or ten minute practice session. You can practice swing and then watch the screen, it will record a video and play it back.  


I spent a lot of time doing this. Moving the ball over trying to line it up. When the ball is in the right place, the logo will light up on the sensor - the black rectangle to the right. Of course for driving you can use the tee, where the ball is automatically placed. 



Look at my pro golfing outfit. Its important to look good when you play. 



There was also a lot of this. Golf is hard.I suggest asking the attendant to set it to beginner, because it lets you cheat a bit, by avoiding some sand traps or giving your drive extra distance. 


Not very much of this, though Mara and Mike did better than I!


 The price list is pictured above. You can play 9 or 18 holes. To find it, look for a building with a golfer featured, they are all over Daegu. Golfzon is a popular chain. The one I went to was by Daegu Bank Station. Go out exit 3, walk to the major street. Turn right, and you will see a 7-11 and Tours Le Jours. Walk down about 5 or 10 minutes and you will see it on your right. 

July 24, 2012

ChildU in the Summertime

I've been neglecting my blog lately. Since I have been writing for the Daegu city government blog and Daegu Compass (the English magazine), I really have not done a good job of updating. 

To see the articles for the Daegu government blog, look here: http://globaldaegu.blogspot.kr/
I've posted about Manbulsa, Seomun's fabric market, Gatbawi, and Herb Hillz. I'll be posting at least three more articles for them before I go. If you haven't, check it out, the layout is really well done, and the blog has tons of other information for anyone traveling in or around Daegu!  

To see the articles I have written for Daegu Compass, look here: http://www.daegucompass.com/
I've recently published about my shark dive (in the July 2012 issue), and my trip to Japan (in the August 2012 issue). Expect a blog post or three on the Japan trip soon! 


My school has a gym teacher come in once a week and do physical fitness with the kids. He's always got new and interesting games for them to play, and they look forward to it every week. Sometimes, the games are a little intense - like tug-of-war on pavers! I was a little worried, but they all survived. 



Kindergarteners are not great at hiding their emotions. 


We did face painting for Children's Day a while back. I really have gotten better at it the longer I've been working with children. 




My director on the left, and manager on the right. 




We took a field trip to a park with a butterfly exhibit. 


These are the oldest students, Korean age 7. They are getting better and better at English, and can read very well now. 


Ann, my co worker is pointing out types of plants. 



Estel, another co worker, is ensuring the kids don't kill the butterflies. 





They are a cute bunch of kids!