A quick taste: Korea
It’s been difficult to find time to write. I’ve completely neglected the literary portion of this blog; but in my defense, I am outside during the day and only upon arriving exhausted back does the opportunity present itself to write. And it’s so much easier not to…
Nevertheless, I am 10 days into my Japan trip so recollecting about Korea might be a bit foggy. But, I remember most of it distinctly. Having researched the country extensively while planning an English teaching job there (that I never embarked on), I was introduced to the cultural identity. It’s got a mix of things going on; an obsession with appearance (designer clothes abound), various media delectables (k-pop or k-dramas), vegetable based cuisine that’s heck of a ton healthier than anything I’ve encountered before…
But it works. The citizens are happy, healthy, hiking. The college students are in their own world and consequences be damned; they are going to dress nice and have loud boisterous dinners together. Couples match clothing, and some of the guys have their arms around their girlfriends in affectionate choke-holds. Â
One of my questions entering this country was: did I make the correct decision in not coming here to teach English? The answer to that is: yes. The culture is not for white people to take part of, us Gajins, and so I would be shoved into the 2 year English Teacher Club if my apartment was close enough to where they are all located. Of course, I’d be making close to $25,000 a year, so that would change my perception slightly…
I hit the Couchsurfing jackpot as my host was two years older than me; completely altruistic, breaking the mold of men who only like hosting women. I wonder what the appeal is in hosting me for native speakers; well, I’m a good listener. and I brought a Sapa wallet holder thing and treated him out for lunch. SO, there,-- I’m a good guest.
I met a Korean guy in Thailand who I motorbiked around Pai with. We became Facebook friends, and met again to do a hike in Seoul. How cool is it to meet again. Always defer to locals when ideas circulate about having fun. It’s unrealistic to meet everybody a second time in life, but when it does happen, it’s absolutely cosmic.
Korea’s prices mirror USA, so that was a culture shock moment. Fruit is all twice as expensive as the states, but these Korean-sushi wraps sold in 7-11 make up for it at a $1.50 (when they would be at least $6.50 elsewhere.) I went back to being invisible after being the bees knees in Vietnam. Making eye contact dropped from a 95% to a 10% one. These are traits of the first world; don’t look at each other.
North Korea presents an awkward history; at the war museum, the word “enemy” is tossed around. I wonder how the war museum in Pyonyang reads. I enjoyed asking an older man volunteering at the ferry terminal what his feelings on reunification were. It’s gauranteed to stir up some emotion and it’s always a fun game predicting the future, like when McDonalds will arrive in Yangon.  Â
So I took my ferry (at the right time) to Japan, leaving Korea behind after being in it just 4 days. It was enough time; I saw most of everything I wanted, with the exception of the DMZ, and ate well. I’ll be back for a 12 hour night layover on my flight back from Japan, and I have a bit of cash saved to spend at those 7-11s. And Korea might have one of the best “thank yous” ever with its “kamsa-amidah”
