The following questions and answers may be helpful in informing interested parties about our Stronghold. If there are any questions and/or answers that are not addressed here but should be, please contact Arslan Chagatai at Deganawidah@gmail.com-NoSpam (and backspace over the "-NoSpam" part of the email address). 1. Where are practices/meetings/events normally held? 2. What type of fighting is available? 3. What equipment would be useful and/or useless to bring to Korea? 4. Are there places to purchase equipment in Korea? 5. Are there any guilds available? 6. Is there anyone in my area I can contact? 7. May military personnel participate? Question 1: Where are practices/meetings/events normally held? Fighter practice is normally coordinated throough the Yahoo email group. Recently they have been at the Yongsan Army Base, behind the Popeye's. The group is currently looking at alternatives for that and a better location. Business meetings and art classes are also coordinated through the Yahoo email group. If you wish to host something, please contact the A&S Officer. Events may be held in either city depending on who is autocrating. Songtan is about an hour south of Seoul. Locations, dates and times of practices/meetings/events are subject to change due to duty requirements. Please contact the Seneschal to confirm time and place. Practices, meetings or events may be held at other locations if anyone is interested in hosting. If interested please contact the Seneschal. Question 2: What type of fighting is available? Both heavy and light weapons are practiced here. However, due to Korean import restrictions, archery and live weapons are not allowed. Many of our members also take lessons in traditional Korean martial arts, such as Taekwondo or Kumdo (similar to Japanese Kendo), from local instructors. Question 3: What equipment would be useful and/or useless to bring to Korea? Garb, feast gear, armour, arts and sciences, etc. would all be useful. Library resources are limited here, so you might want to bring your favorite reference books. Edged weapons, including swords and daggers, and archery equipment are strictly prohibited by Korean import laws; so don't bother bringing those along. Fencing gear may be brought over, but label it as sports equipment. (This trick is also helpful for describing heavy weapons gear.) West Kingdom is schlager only for light weapons, so you might want to leave behind any epees or foils. Question 4: Are there places to purchase equipment? There is a huge fabric market in Tondaemun shopping area. There are also local suppliers for fencing, brewing and leather work. If nothing else, the Internet is a wonderful thing. Shipping from America to an APO address on base is the same as standard continental US postage rates, so you won't be charged for international shipping. ^_^ Question 5: Are there any guilds available? Not at this time. However, the West Kingdom Guilds web page lists many guilds that you might join. Question 6: Is there anyone in my area I can contact? Our Stronghold covers all of South Korea, and we have members in many different areas. Please see the Officers and/or Members pages for contact information. Question 7: May military personnel participate? Of course! About two thirds of our group are military. We have members from the Army and Air Force. (Navy and Marines are welcome too!) The rest of our Stronghold are English teachers from all over the world - America, Canada, even South Africa. We also have had several native Koreans join us. All in all, we're a varied group These pages only represent our local group and do not speak for the SCA, Inc. as a whole. Any problems or questions concerning this website please contact the Web Minister, Arslan Chagatai (John Grisafi) at Deganawidah@gmail.com-NoSpam (and backspace over the "-NoSpam" part of the email address). Last updated this 31st Day of May, AS XLIII, being 2008 Gregorian. Graphics by Graphica Medii Aevi and Clipart Castle.