And some nights you just have to get away from it all and watch some basketball with friends and family. And you rejoice because they are a talented team and look promising. You mourn because on the night you show up, their winning streak walks out the door. Again you mourn a few days later when team members are exposed for their recent shenanigans and bar fighting. And you cheer, regardless, because what else would you do as a resident of Laramie, Wyoming.
On Sunday, April 22nd, the Harrington's loaded up the car and headed north toward Cheongju, the current home of Daejeon's Hanwha Eagles while the home stadium is under construction. And while the Harrington's love a good game of baseball on a Sunday afternoon as much as any Apple-pie fed Americans, their main purpose in attending this specific game was due in large part to the CouchSurfer they picked up at the bus terminal before heading to Cheongju.
Waka is relatively new to CouchSurfing, but not to the sport of baseball. On the contrary, Waka is
Following traditional markets and ice-bars, the Harrington's made their way to the Hanbat Stadium to cheer on Daejeon's most impressive sports team, the Samsung Blue Fangs. With all-star beast of a Canadian Gavin on the team Samsung Blue Fangs consistently put on an amazing show of athleticism and competition. Mike and Melissa were excited to show off their 'home-town pride' and introduce the rest of the family to an experience which is unique to the world of Korean sporting events.
Arriving about half an hour early the Harrington's watched the girls team finish out their game before being instructed in a wide variety of cheers which would soon be used to bring the Samsung Blue Fangs to a victory. Elaborate cheers and accompanying actions were a constant as the Harrington's watched volley after volley, spike after spike and serve after serve. The best break from these routines came from the Blue Fangs mascots who pulled off a stunning combination of K-pop style dance routine, gymnastics and break-dancing. All in a night's work for the Samsung Blue Fangs team and supportive mascots.
Getting There: Hanbat Stadium is nearest to Subway station Jugan-no. Exit 3 perhaps (which ever takes you opposite of the Flying Pan and past Angels-in-Us Coffee/The Mill). From here it's about a 10-15 minute walk, or numerous buses head in that general direction or for base taxi fare you can request Hanbat Stadium (stadium = 경기장 = gyeong-gi-jang)
Having denied the Harrington's snacking privleges the day before, it was now time to encourage full-out snacking and taste-testing behavior at Daejeon's traditional market and the street food vendors of old downtown. Making their way through the market the crew (which consisted of all but Mike Harrington) enjoyed mini-red bean paste cakes, dumplings, fried shrimp, fresh and deliciously sweet strawberries, 16,000 strings honey candy, and much more. Between snacks, the Harrington's were amazed by the variety of creatures which not only live in the sea, but that are consumed in relatively high amounts judging by their populous in the market alone. Assaulted by the smells of fermenting veggies, sea creatures and fresh produce the Harrington's were soon underground enjoying a bit of shopping and a bit more snacking (this time on fresh fruit juice and a caramel/cream waffle). With snacks and shopping out of the way and Mike joining up with the crew it was on to a quirky little 'ice' bar.
Since Mike had unfortunately been denied the opportunity to snack for the afternon, the ice bar afforded not only the option to drink some of Korea's finest brews, but to also chow down on a few snails, pretzels and hot Mexican chicken nachos. Enjoying the chilly atmosphere of this old downtown bar, the Harrington's shared a large pitcher and lot of laughs as snails flew into shirts and phallac ice sculptures were discovered. However, all the good times of the day shopping and snacking and throwing back a few brews could not compare to what was to come...
