Sheila Bocchine, Photographer

Pinhole photograph, Surfer Jesus, on Brother One Feather’s Van in Santa Barbara, California.
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…continuing my Korean class field trip.

After The Smiling Buddha, we went to a fortress… I think they all look the same and I don’t need to go to another fortress for as long as I’m in South Korea.

Our next stop was the Chollipo Arboretum and Mallipo Beach (on the Yellow Sea). Delicious Korean food and the lingering perfume of autumn blossoms made our picnic in the arboretum an afternoon delight! I’m a little sad I didn’t spend more time in the arboretum, I’m sure I could have taken some lovely pinhole photographs, but the only thoughts on my mind were of the Yellow sea just through the gate and down the steps…

THE BEACH! It was fantastic.  It had been far too long since my toes dug deep into wet sand.  We jumped, participated in beach dodgeball (I was the first one out in the first game and the last one standing in the second game), played hide-n-seek with tiny crabs, saved starfish that washed ashore and enjoyed a captivating persimmon colored sunset.  I collected seashells and inhaled salty air until it was time to bid adieu to this peaceful corner of the world.

Little did I know the best part of the trip was about to begin… our bus turned into a disco, norebong on wheels.  (norebong, or norebus, is basically karaoke). We sang for the next 3-4 hours.  It was way groovy! Candy colored neon lights flashed and the microphone was passed around and around and around!  The last hour or so, we picked songs everyone knew and our bus choir brought us home to Suwon.

To view all the photographs from this trip, click here.

Aliens and Angels on Brother One Feather’s Van, Santa Barbara, California.

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On Saturday my Korean class went on a field trip.  I couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous day for an autumn day trip.  We left Suwon heading west towards the Yellow Sea. After crossing Korea’s largest bridge we stopped at the biggest rest-stop I’ve ever been too.  The walk towards the women’s bathroom took us by street performers, boutiques, restaurants and ‘photo opportunity’ lookout points. The bathroom was unbelievable.  There were over 100 stalls on the women’s side alone.

The beautiful bathroom was complete with fancy Korean details such as plantlife and rockscapes. I did have to wait and open quite a few bathroom doors before I found one that wasn’t a squatter.  I promise I will not use a squatter for as long as I’m here.  I think they are so gross and can’t for the life of me figure out how to use one.  I mean, if I’m wearing a skirt with no panties, it seems like a no brainer, but I was wearing pants…  the stalls aren’t big enough to undress and where would I put my pants while I was trying to balance.  Squatters seem so primitive and outdoorsy, two characteristics that could never describe me!

Our next stop was high in the moutains where autumn colors dazzled crimson, pumpkin and gold.  We climibed steps that led to the Samjonbul image carved on rock surface in Seosan… The Smiling Buddha.  This 1400 year old statue was incredible. 3 Buddha’s: past, present and future.  Staring into the smiling eyes of Buddha was quite peaceful, the surrounding commotion and the foreign words of the tour guide became oblivious as I shared a moment with The Smiling Buddha. I couldn’t believe how well preserved this statue was, it didn’t even seem weathered.  It was definitely a highlight of my trip.

I’ll continue my journey tomorrow, until then, if you’re interested in seeing the other photos, click here.

Miracles, Brother One Feather’s Van in Santa Barbara, California.

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A little late in posting, since it happened 3 weeks ago… I went to the Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul. 66,000 square meters, with over 700 shops selling fresh and dried seafood from 15 fishing ports around Korea. It also includes numerous restaurants and an auction floor.

My friends and I arrived at 3:30am after spending a few hours at a midnight fashion market in Dongdaemun.  We wanted to witness the auction that starts at 3am.  Many of the shops were still being set up when we arrived.

You’ll have to view the photos I took to really get a feel for this place, I can’t even describe it. I had never seen such a variety of fish, squid, octopus, crabs, shark, sea cucumbers, shells…  The giant octopus were so pretty just sitting in their boxes waiting to be made into delicious dishes.  Everyone was so busy working, they didn’t even mind us taking pictures and ooo’ing and aahh’ing with every new find.  One shop owner even called to me, styled the fish and encouraged me to take photographs!

The best part of this experience was trying sannakji, live baby octopus. We went to one of the shops, bought some baby octopus and had one of the restaurants prepare it for us.  Along with fresh steamed crab and soju, we had a delightful early morning feast!  The sannakji was super tasty, dipped in sesame oil and a little salt, it really took on the flavor of the oil, but kept the chewy texture I love about octopus.  AND it’s true what they say about live octopus, the tentacles climb up your chopsticks and the suction cups stick to your mouth!!!  Truly a wonderful Korean experience!

To view all the photos from the Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul click here.

Trolls on Brother One Feathers Van in Santa Barbara, California.

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In one of the many tour guides I pick up around Seoul, I found information about the Ice Bar. A bar made completely from ice including the chairs and walls and kept at a freezing temperature of -5degrees Celcius (23 F).   The photo of the bar looked incredible so I looked up the website and was determined to have a few icy drinks one evening.

My first attempt at finding it was unsuccessful.  My friends and I started off at a Canadian Bar in Itaewon, but eventually made it to Hongdae around 3am.  As with most Sheila ideas, I hadn’t a clue as to where this place was located.  I just knew it was in Hongdae.  I figured we’d just ask people when we got there to point us in the right direction.  We asked every cute Korean guy we found and none of them even knew what we were talking about.  Thank goodness for finding Zoochur and his friend, they knew, but said it was lame and that we didn’t want to go there.  BUT, we did want to go there, so they escorted us.  Much to our dismay, it was already closed.  I swear, it had to be only bar in all of Seoul closed.  We sulked but they took us to a cute little restaurant and the night was saved.

The following weekend, I met up with an old high school band friend and some of her friends and after dinner in a castle we went to the Ice Bar.  The entrance was covered in fur pellets, and off to the side of the check-in counter were parkas with fur lined hoods and knitted boots.  We put on our gear and entered the igloo. I was expecting something much different, the website photos obviously weren’t taken at the Seoul location.

It was freezing cold.  Ice sculptures were scattered around and the lights were dim.  The best ice sculpture was the torso and man goods of a sexy ice god.  Turns out you suck shots of vodka from his penis. From the faces I made in my photos, I’m thinking straight vodka doesn’t taste good no matter which way it’s served.

I will admit, the glasses we drank out of were very innovative.  A hole was carved into square blocks of ice to keep your fruity cocktail chill.

To see all the photos (including the Secret Garden and Palace we went to beforehand, click here)