Awesome Opening Ceremony of SEA Games 2011

SEA Games (South East Asian Games) 2011 has now been officially opened in Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia.
I was awed by the spectacular opening ceremony on November 11, 2011 (11-11-11).

Thanks to YouTube, I can watch it online. I never thought that the city of Palembang did their best to outperform the previous opening ceremonies of SEA games. I think this is by far the best opening ceremony ever. The use of technology to boost the rendition of cultural highlights of Indonesia did steal the show. And..yes...the spectacular fireworks on display prior and after the opening ceremony was also something that not to be missed.

I mean...actually..I did not expect it to be like that in the first place...I thought that it would be just another passing and easy-to-forget opening ceremony like in the previous events...but...it was all beyond my expectation....for a city like Palembang, this is the biggest achievement indeed.
I am sure that all of my fellow Indonesians and I think other friends from other South East Asian countries may share the same opinion. Well, at least this is my humble opinion.

The computer generated images and simulation portrayed and projected onto the field as well as the gilded and sparkle-dazzle lights on all imaginable corners of the stadium were also the eye-catching renderings of what it had to offer.
All in all...it was all worth-it.
The hard works of the whole committee was like a paid-off work.
It was simply splendid.
I just hoped that the closing ceremony would top it off, too.^^

---actually..there is one thing that cringed me....i.e. the light up event of the torch..it was a odd...that the flame did go off even before Susi managed to throw the stick she was carrying. I assumed it was just a kind of act, then. I know that it must be hard to hit the target....so, why did not she just push the button or something....so this kind of 'cheesy' thing did not happen. ^^

- an another thing...: I hope that the opening ceremony that I am sure used lots of money....did not hamper any other things that should be done to make it into a successful event in SEA history. Well, I am sure that the committee have done their best and they are now.
Ok, let's hope for the best and the success of this SEA Games 2011.

Idul Adha (Eid Mubarak) 2011

Got up at around 6 and took a shower.

even the consulate office was turned into a prayer venue...since lots of people did come to celebrate the occasion

So cold.

It was raining.

6 degrees Celcius. 

That was what I learned.

It was Idul Adha, Hari Raya Haji, Eid Mubarak...

Instead of going to the Mosque at Itaewon, Wawan, Jobirson, and I went to Indonesian Embassy at Youido. 

aning and me

Pak Yuda, Jobirson, me and Sidum
Pak yuda: on a recharging program at SNU
Jobirson, our friend from Uzbekistan
Sidum, Embassy officer --my old time friend back home in Indonesia

It was 7.20 or so in the wee morning of cold and chilling Autumn. Not many people were seen on the street...and it was the first time ever..that ...we could sit on the Metro to our heart's content..since not many people were present. hahaha.

It took us about 45 minutes from HUFs to Daebang station where we're supposed to stop.

But, I did not know what got into me that all of a sudden I got this crazy idea of transferring at the newly established station (line number 9). I thought that the new line would stop at Saetgang station which lies only 200 meters away from the Embassy. But, instead of stopping there, it went straight to Yoiudo station which was of course way far off than the Embassy.

taking a rest after the commotion ^^

Since we did not want to be late....we took a taxi and rushed ourselves into the embassy..only to find that lots of people had already filled in the room. Even, all floors were packed with people.

Had we arrived later, we would not have gotten a better place to pray.

Thank God that we made it in time for the prayer time.

As the number of jamaah exceeded the expected number, the Idul Adha prayer was carried out in two shifs to accommodate those who came late or those who could not get enough space to pray.

It was a good decision.

Then....even after the prayer was over, ...it was time for the to take another challenge..: taking a queue at the men's room

Then, that was not all..since I got to wait for another 1 hour or so to take my breakfast...^^

I thought that there would be something that I could eat, e.g. tempe or something: O dream on, Suray....

but....what I got were spicy eggs, cucumber and meat(?) that of course I could not enjoy since I am vegetarian.

Ok. then...it was time to settle down and relax.

Jobir and me in front of the Embassy

Oh, lets see what happened, too..today. I met my student, Aning, who's about to leave for Indonesia in two days' time. She said that she was happy since her treatment goes successfully.. She is now fully recovered from blood-related disease that had been perturbing her life so far. 

She must be so pleased and thankful for having received such a warm life here.

Then, off we went home..

we were standing all the way from Daebang to HUFS stations....it's OK.

then...it was not OK.. actually simply because we needed another meal. So, we went to a restaurant to have dolseot bibimbap--my fave dish right here in Seoul.

Seoul Lantern Festival (part 3)

November 5, 2011.
Saturday night for everyone.
As I put myself into jeopardy of fun and splashed myself into the realm of lights and sounds, I found it hard to let it flow. But, I got no other choices but to follow the crowds.
Taking picture...was harder than I thought it would be.
I got snugged by people who just might be so ignorant that others were present. But, hey...this was what was supposed to be happening on Saturday night..especially when the chilling breeze of Autumn night set in.
So, I might as well make myself look good in the pics...or else...it might get a little while.

no other place to go and take picture. 

Eddo and Wawan

me and Eddo

Eddo and Wawan

I got a glimpse of what it was....^^before continuing my walks of another one hour to be down there.^^

Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2011

The first time I saw it live in a closer look like this.
Before...I watched fireworks mostly on TVs....
but....today I experienced one of the best moments in living in Seoul.....which truly boasts itself as a city of festivals.
This week alone....if I did not refrain myself from not going...I'd end up having festivals after festivals......each week.

So, today..I was in Youido park at the Hangang river bank just the opposite one of the famous landmarks of Seoul, i.e. 63 building--home of Hanhwa..that I learned was the main sponsor of this fireworks festival.
I could not describe the 3D feelings that I felt...because I was dumbfoundedly speechless as I gazed and stared with awe.....at the fireworks on display.
Marvelously wonderful....:)

got to go there again next year..

or better yet...I'd better go to other fireworks festival in Korea throughout the year:)