Shopping in Korea

I went to this shopping area today, and saw a zippered sweatshirt that misspelled California-"Califoria" (non "n"). That was funny, I thought. Then I saw another sweatshirt that read "Iowa, We've got amazing corn" with a picture of a corn person. That's was good too, and of course I thought of you.

9/11 remembered, one perspective

Last year 9/11 went by when I was traveling in Eastern Europe-in the Czech Republic I recall. The day passed with almost no mention of its significance. This year, in Korea, I doubt I'll hear anything of its import. But I thought it would be nice to recount my 9/11 experience since it was wrought with irony.
9/11 is the date of my county's (Nevada county) anniversary. My AP government teacher asked us all the week before to come to school early that day, and pass out cookies and cake for the other students, and enlightening them about the significance of the date for our little county. So, here we were, our entire 50 person government class passing out desserts early in the morning, but no sight of our teacher. Slowly the news trickle in about the attacks and I remember feeling confusion and uncertainty. Should we continue sharing our cookies, and exactly how big is this event that's going on?
We spent the day in front of the tv, watching and listening about the unfolding events. Ironic, I guess, that we were passing out cookies on the morning of 9/11...

the travel club

I met a Danish man in the hostel in St. Augustine, Florida. He told me that he was in a travel club. The only requirement for the travel club is that you have to have visited more countries than how many years you are old. He must have been in his fifties, and very well traveled. I, on the other hand would not yet be allow in this elite club, but I am well on my way. I'm at 17 at 22 years old (USA, Canada, Israel, Korea, Spain, Italy, Holland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia). I got five more to go before I turn 23, or more likely 6 more before 24. But that's later, and I'm all for now.
I played tennis all weekend long, first on a nicely paved hardcourt. The next day (like day and night) a classic sandy clay Korean court. After we rechalked the lines, we were ready to play, but we had to watch the ball carefully since the bounce was nearly always unpredictable. But two doubles sets later and we were exhausted. Later I hiked up to the big Buddha statue with my friend Ryan, and hiked through the temple hills.
Tomorrow is back to school.

Korean conservatism at its finest

There are such places in this ultraconservative country where people bathe together naked. Let me explain. They're called jimjongbangs (loosely transliterated). And after a good tennis workout I call them magic! Up 5 floors in a ordinary building nakedness lurks. First, the men and women are separated. You enter a preliminary locker area where you take off you shoes. Then exchange that key for a bigger locker key-this is where you get naked. Leave your clothes behind, and join the Koreans in your birthday suit. Enter the water facility and watch the water flow. Once in, have a seat and shower sitting down-mirrors abound. Once rinsed off jump in the hot tub. Choose between the 39 C hot tub, 41 C hot tub, or the third...An everyday changing concoctions of green tea, peppermint, or today it was Suk (I have to find out what that is). Then hop over to the wet sauna, dry sauna, cold pool with jets. Here nakedness is commonplace, parents with children, children playing with other children, men young and old. It was a good experience. So in a very anti gay conservative country, bathing naked with the same sex, old and young, it completely acceptable. Interesting.

The foreign crowd in Cheonan

Week one went by like a breeze-a windy but gentle breeze. Along the way came some new friends, Korean and foreigners alike. Just tonight I played with the nice and drunken foreign crowd. It started out in the classic mistakefull Newbie in Korea fashion when Heather, my co-worker, and I took shared a cab to yongsundong, when in reality we wanted to go to yaensandong. Two different neighborhoods, one very similar sound, especially when uttered in that accent! Nothing another 5000 won couldn't handle. Finally at the WA-bar we were intermixed with a dozen other foreign teachers, and later another dozen more. The whole foreign community within arms reach. And the vibe? Pretty good I'd say. I met a handful of people I would definitely want to see again, and the everyone else was friendly for sure. And of course, Mr. Lee, the bar owner, treated us like kings-constantly looking after us, bringing us more chairs, snacks, and service. Thanks Mr. Lee!

a perfect metaphor

I've completed my first week in Korea, and my first 2 days of class! I'm really proud of myself. In this past week there have been so many ups and downs that I feel exhausted.
My dream last night posited a perfect metaphor for how I feel. First I am all by myself walking along an ocean. I notice the waves getting bigger and bigger and soon they are overtaking me. I have no choice but to succomb to the strength of this system greater than me. In the first few waves I am tossed every which way and I have no control. Feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness overcome me with each monster wave. But, then, one wave comes and I duck at just the right time, giving me enough air to breathe and a second to rest and prepare for the next wave. Along come some other people who are up ahead. I observe their path, follow it a little, go my way a little. Suddenly I make a quick decision and I'm on a huge rock with even immense wave nearing me. Instead of squashing me, it carries me almost all the way to shore. I'm still in the water, ducking at the exact right time, allowing myself to breathe, rest, and prepare for the next wave before it comes. I can sense the shore is near, but I have yet to learn how to get there.
Pretty right on, I'd say!

A trip to Asian Mexico

Now that I've navigated my way through the Korean tape, I'm ready for my post. Moving to another country, Korea for example, is like deciding to jump in the ocean and setting up shop. Communication is tough to impossible right now (that's expected to change), finding food is a daily struggle, and I'm wet once I leave my flat. Admittedly, this is all part of the fun.
Take my trip to Seoul today. Saying you're visiting Seoul is like saying you're going to check out an Asian Mexico. I mean, it is huge! With over 20 million people in the metropolitan area, it is the second largest city in the world. And I felt it. The energy there was overwhelming at times. Throughout my trip I had to constantly stay focused, whether I was transferring subway lines or walking down the street taking note of where I came from. My first stop was Itaewon, which is the supposed foreign area. Yeah, almost half of the people were foreigners speaking english. And unfortunately there is an Army base in Itaewon, so most of them looked like big Army dudes. There was tons of shopping and foreign foods, including a Mexican restaurant, but it was all dirty, and expensive. Wandering there for 45 minutes was enough. On the subway I met a nice Canadian girl who was happy to help me out. I was surprised to see so many foreigners since in Cheonan there are almost none!
Next I went to this huge electronics mall-literally 9 floors of electronics. I found my Korean wall converter there, but that's all I bought. That place was so crowded that I felt drained afterwards.
Then going home was a huge disaster. I thought the subway went all the way to Cheonan, so I boarded. But, no, it's last stop was well before Cheonan, so I had to board a $10 train. This is one of the new KTX trains that hauls (it goes up to 200km/hour), and it's smooth, too. Finally I was in Cheonan Asan. It was raining, and I had no idea where I was, so I had to take a cab. The cab cost another $8, and I wasn't sure if the taxi driver was screwing me or not. I kinda think all cab drivers are going to screw me. It cost about $20 to get home, but by that time I was so exhausted and hungry (I didn't eat all day except for a couple snacks I brought), I had to get home.
For a summary of Seoul-be prepared to spend money, even if you don't buy anything. Next time I go, I think I want to go with a purpose, or with someone who knows their way around. It's just too huge to try to wander the streets and explore.
Tomorrow is my first day teaching! I'm a little nervous but really excited. I think the kids will respect me and cooperate with me. I'll post about how that goes.