Whats my age again??

Yea I know that this shouldn't be a difficult question but in Korea it most definately is. The age system is completely unique and completely confusing. With the passing of Lunar New Year or Korean New Year (what we in Australia know best as "Cinease New Year"), ive gained a year of life and am officially 27 years old in Korean Age, despite the fact ive only been breathing for 25 years and 3 months. How is this possible? Well, let me try to explain as best as I can, but I barely understand it myself, let alone articulate it.

1. You are 1 year old at birth. In Western countries, we are essentially 0 years old when born, and celebrate our 1st birthday after 365 days. In Korea, you are 2 years old, after 365 days. This part is simple right?

2. With the passing of the Lunar new year, you gain a year. So every Lunar New Year you add a year regardless of birthday. This year Lunar New Year was Thursday 3rd of February and everyone gets the day before and after off as well. 5 Day weekend!!

Hmm. I guess it isnt as complicated as I first thought.

I guess confusion comes when trying to determine your age at any given moment, because it is 1-2- years olders than Western Age. With the passing of New Year, I am 2 years older in Korean age than Western. However, once my Birthday passes, ill gain a year in Korean age, making me only 1 year older than western age (Remember 1 year old at birth, so when im turn 26, im 27 in Korea). When New Year comes, you add a year regardless, so im still 26 in Western, but now 28 in Korean. Get it?? Sort of??

How about this way: You are 1 year older in Korean years from your birthday until Lunar New Year. You are 2 years older in Korea years from Lunar new year until your birthday.

Either way, im a jaded and longtoothed 27 over here, instead of a young and naive 25 back home.

My apologies to all females in Korea who are twice their age. I think most Australian woman would sympathise with you. However, I don't think the woman of Australia would stand for this in their own country. Im sure mass rallies, protests, looting and terrorist attacks would follow the introduction of the Korean age system to Australia. Or it would just lead to more girls bending (ie: lying) about their age.

However, there is a loophole I discovered with this age buisness. It is tradition for the age to be added after eating a meal called "ddeok-guk". Essentially, you "eat" yourself a new age. Ddeok-guk is a delicious soup (guk) with soft-rice cakes (ddeok) and various meats and veges chuked in. Ive eaten it before; very tasty and extremely filling. So when you finish your bowl, your a year older.

BUT.................. What if you don't eat the ddeok-guk?? Do you stay the same age??

Thats the theory i, and all the girls of Korea, are banking on.

Conversely, if you eat 3 bowls of deeok-guk, do you gain 3 years of age???????

Ddeok Guk - Korean girls' mortal enemy

This weekend I had the good fortune of going to the snow. Let me tell you, its was nice going snowboarding without;

1) Paying $110 for a lift pass!!!

2) Having to stay on the mountain overnight

3) Not travelling 10 hours to get there

These are the things that make snowboarding in Australia damn-near impossible; its too bloody expensive, and its too far away from anything. On Sunday, it was a leisurly 1.5 hr drive north from Jinju to Muju, through some beautiful country. Just have to look out for the drivers going 180 kms on the road. Then rental of board, boots, pants= $21. Half Day ticket=$40. Petrol=$10. So thats $70 for day. Full day tickets are $60 but you can offset that by goin via a tour company and getting everything for $70 anyway.

So: Ridiculously cheap. Quality mountain (not the hills in Oz) = Good Times

Here are some photos of the the slope.