What's Happening     Don’t miss out on a chance to win a 40” LCD TV! To celebrate our first Facebook Contest we're giving away a 40" Samsung LCD TV to the person who tells us why they want to visit Korea and receives the most votes. Join the rush of over 2,000 VisitKorea.ca Facebook Fans and enter the, "Why do you want to Visit Korea?" Contest, with a chance to win a 40" LCD TV!.             Upcoming Festivals     Festivals in December 2009 December is the time to get into the festive spirit, and there are many great events to take part in. Be sure to take part in a sunrise festival at the end of the month, and bring in the new year while watching the first sunrise of 2010.	Sparkling News & Articles     <Toronto Sun> Korea is a land where tradition doesn't clash with modernism, but compliments it. It's a 5,000-year-old country that preserves its sacred villages and palaces, and respects rituals when it comes to dining, religion and culture. But its capital city, Seoul, is also a mover and shaker in technology and design.             Koreans are sometimes known as the Italians of Asia, for their willingness to give themselves over to high emotion. Nowhere is this more apparent than in stores. No one beats the shoppers of Seoul for sheer fervour, whether they're trolling for Ann Demeulemeester knock-off bags or military tunics from Korean brand Bean Pole Interna.     New Korea Tour Packages - Goway        Indus Travels : Classic Korea - 8 Days        Kumuka Worldwide : Hightlights of South Korea - 7 days South Korea Revealed - 12 days
Recipe of the month   Dining is a very important part of Korean culture. People tend to eat with their families or with work colleagues and rarely eat alone. Due to Korea’s Confucian heritage there are many traditional customs that are still observed when dining. Below is an introduction to table etiquette in Korea. Although it is always a good idea to observe another country’s customs, travelers in Korea should not feel unduly concerned about dining etiquette. These days most Koreans are just happy to see foreign visitors taking an interest in their culture, and will not take offense if visitors do not observe all the customs. Unlike other Asian countries, Korean chopsticks are made from stainless steel. They are shorter in length than Chinese chopsticks, but longer in length than Japanese chopsticks. Korean chopsticks are often ornately decorated around the grip. At most restaurants, diners will be given chopsticks and a spoon. If visitors are uncomfortable eating with chopsticks, they should ask for a knife and fork.
QUIZ   Win a Korean traditional fans and calendars courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization. What is the name of the winter festival in Korea that is held in January in the province of Gangwondo and involves icefishing on the Hwacheoncheon Stream? <HINT: Read ‘Upcoming Festivals’ tab in this newsletter.>. Email your answer to TORONTO@KNTO.CA
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