Back into the swing of things at work. The dizzy spells seem to have stopped now. I know that things are tough back home, economically for some and emotionally for others. The price of things in Korea has noticeably gone up. Taxi fares, samgyeopsal, bread, cereal, soju, maeshilmeul (plum wine), webcams. Jungchul is cutting back on wasted paper and use of OHPs. The credit crunch is hitting. The exchange rate was 2,300 won when I went to my local bank to do an international transfer.

The weekend was quite special, with the first proper Changwon Festival. A colorful parade of internationally flavoured dance troups, floats and entertainers. The city centre closed off to traffic and street fun for all. Garry popped over from Busan for the (Saturday) night. Although the 'splendid' fireworks were more of a damp squib, the organizers had lined up a well-known selection of pop acts - Brown Eyed Girls, Jewelry (most famous here for their hit, 'Baby... One More Time' - In-Grid, not Britney!) , rappers Buga Kingz, Park Joo Hee and punk/rap outfit Crying Nut. There were also a couple of granny saisfying crooners. Hot in places.

Inbetween the outdoor entertainment and a party at O'Briens Irish Bar, I took part in a strange 'singles' party. It was a pay-to-get-in, bring a bottle private function. Billed as a 'wine party' it was essential an opportunity for Koreans to meet other Koreans. But it was dreadfully dour and sober. They were purple party balloons which never left the floor. The nibbles were curiously untouched for ages. Out of desperation, 'Pill' (because that was my what my name-tag said) begun singing on the mic at one end of the room - still completely sober. At least I broke the ice by humming along to a famous korean song, A Leopard of Kilimanjaro, before launching into my Noraebang stand-by, An Englishman In New York (Changwon). Garry's better use of Korean helped him break into a few conversations... I struggled with my limited abilities. We left, still single.

Next day, in Joongang Street, we witnessed a marvellous traditional, talchum-style Drama. Talchum is a Korean dance performed while wearing a mask and singing. It is not just a dance performed by masked dancers but also a drama with masked characters portraying persons, animals or supernatural beings. These folk dramas reflect the antipathy and resentment felt by the common people towards the nobility, due to the latter's harsh and severe treatment of the commoners. There are thirteen different types of Talchum, I think ours was the Bongsan Talchum- only because this is the one advertised on the festival webstite. Prior to the performance, the same touring company, performed a lengthy and joyous drum show. Their smiles were infectious, and during the drama myself and Garry were picked out with a couple of English asides. Little did they know we weren't tourists.

Anyway, see photos and video for more.

Phil.