Timing is Everything

During my Tuesday/Thursday night level 3a class, we were discussing the topic 'Us and Them'-- stereotypes, diversity, etc. I had the perfect opportunity to get a snapshot of a Korean's view of different groups and the outside world. They picked up on my enthusiasm and curiosity and had many lively debates and discussions, including one about common Korean views of their home country. As I was bringing the class to a close, a student asked me if I had heard any stereotypes about Koreans. One is that Korea is a country of drunks. I have to admit that my first night here, I jumped over a passed out man in a stairwell wearing a tie, getting poked by the cops while I was trying to get out of the Rob Roy. My second night here at least eleven stumbling people ran into me on the street. Last Thursday, my first 7 am start time, I struck out early to get some breakfast. Venturing out a little ways into residential neighborhood, I walked by a man in a suit passed out on the sidewalk. Without the examples I said that I had heard Koreans drank alot, but my friend told me it is a drinking culture. Friends go out together after work to blow off steam. We do the same thing, it's called Happy Hour. They laughed.

But he pressed on asking if I had heard anything else. Well, what I had heard from Americans mostly consisted of my former neighbor's wild stories. There was no way that I would share any of those with a class of rich kids, buisness professionals, and a federal prosecutor. They caught me, I blushed and the lawyer called me out. "Your body language suggests otherwise." Two minutes left... Another student piped in and asked if you could be arrested in America for drinking--what an angel. I briefly explained underage drinking and public intoxication. The prosecutor told the class, "We have the same laws in Korea, but they are enforced differently." And class was dismissed.

On the way home, I shared my experience with a weathered cynical co-worker who said, "I leave that lesson for the second to the last day of class, and I don't hold back. That way, our evaluations are already turned in, and we can all go out for coffee the next day."

The City I Live In

Koreans are obsessed with age and looking young. Older people get botox injections in their hands so they won't be as wrinkled. So, I decided to search out a gym. Short on cash my first few weeks here, I decided that it is the quality of the excercise that counts, not the facility. Pushups and sit ups are one way to stay fit, but I crave cardio. So I have been jumping rope in my apartment. I feel sorry for the poor sap who lives below me, lol. One of my co-workers, a Scot, told me there is equipment in the mountains, just sitting there for anyone to use--for free. So I decided to go hiking. I love the outdoors, and thought it would be a good way to see more of Busan. Lo and behold, there it was, complete with a few really massive Koreans.

People crowd the streets of Seomyeon, Busan’s business district, every afternoon around four o’clock. As you weave the gantlet, trying to get to work, passersby take no evasive measures whatsoever. They bump into you and each other like birds into a freshly cleaned patio door. As the local’s feet continue treading forward, an agile lateral motion restores the flow for another five steps until the next person walks into you. You don’t have to say sillye hamnida, or anything. Just keep pressing forward.

Last Saturday it rained. It was more of a light drizzle than rain. You could easily make it to where ever you were going on foot without getting completely soaked. I decided to go to the Rob Roy, my local bar (they have Hennessey), for nightcap. As I strolled along the brick side walk enjoying a change from the upper sixties sunny days that we have had since I arrived, and dodged all the designer umbrella wielding pedestrians, everyone Korean gave me a seriously grave concerned grimace. When I got to R.R.’s I asked Shin, the hottie bartender that speaks a little English, what’s the deal. She asked, “You don’t have an umbrella?” No, I replied. “The rain is toxic…unhealthy?” I suddenly realized that rain knocks the pollution out of the air; and believe me, you can taste industry in the air. I was told that every spring, huge sand storms blow in from China and coat everything in thick yellow dust. You have to wear a mask outside. Regardless of being on the coast, Busan has enough traffic to give the city the ‘LA Haze’. Shin went to the back, and after some digging, found a J&B promotional umbrella and gave it to me. She told me it was the owner’s, and laughed.

Shop till you Drop

Buying anything in Korea is quite the adventure. Just walking out the door you have to be ready to face life for the first time, over and over again. Eight different K-POP songs blast fron twelve different directions as people (I think) ask me what I am looking. By the blank and amazed look on my face they must know I am a Newbe. I am a deer looking into their headlights. I see the 'Oh there goes another expat who has no clue' look all the time. I went to the LOTTE department store to realize not only is shopping a huge and favorite past time in Korea, but everyone goes to the same places at the same times. With bodies pressing in on all sides. I put my wallet in my front pocket, only to have have a secuirty guard pass me two seconds later holding a sign with bells on it that says 'watch for pick pockets'. Trying to find the Homever (think Walmart), I had to walk on the street with insane drivers buzzing and honking at me. Just finding the store in the highrise took almost a half hour. The host gave me a deep bow, and I stopped to return the respect. A group of teenages behind me giggled and broke out into conversation. I have fund that it is always best to pay, or try to pay as little as possible. The subway is a busy underground mall. Following the advice of the guidebook I decided to buy an automatic paycard. The machine asked how much money I should pay. So I put 20,000 won in to the machine--thinking I was buying a card with 20k on it. The card popped out, then another, then another, then another etc. until I had ten cards. How was I supposed to know you had to buy the card, then put money on it. So I found the information desk and explained my situation. By the smiles, I could tall they had seen this before. The official kindly refunded the money for nine of the cards. I almost have the numbers down well enough to understand them when I hear them at the normal rate of speech. Next, directions.

Quick First Impressions

Busan is crowded and noisy. At night, everything is lit up brightly--fluorescent lights, strobes, the whole nine yards. People walk where ever they please, as in straight into you. Every once in a while a strong waft of stale water offends your nose. The culture is conservative, but the people are curious.

I Can Sleep on the Plane

It's the night before I leave for Pusan. I can't sleep. Let's see--I'm looking at 23 hours of travel. it's not that I'm not nervous...I just want to savor the moment. I have had a wonderful week and a half with my brother's family and my parents, Including two rips to Chicago. I called all the relatives tonight to say goodbye and packed. I am going to be the best instructor Pagoda Foreign Language Institute has ever hired. This is it. Don't get scared now.

Woo Hoo!

I'm Going on Thursday!

Friday, Tim and I went to the Korean Consulate and I had my first ever work-visa interview. Located on the 27th floor of the NBC building, downtown Chicago, the Consulate has an incredible view of Lake Michigan. The two ladies in front of me seemed nervous, and their interviews took a little over fifteen minutes apiece. Luckily I had read the guidebook twice, and had fellowship with a few Korean natives. Fully prepared, my interview took only five minutes.

Tim and my stomachs were growling so we decided to get a quick bite to eat before braving the road construction on I94. Tim said cheeseburgers sounded good. Ah, comfort food. We went to the Billy Goat Tavern (spoofed by SNL). FUn TimES! SO, Wednesday I have to pick up the Visa, what a pain.

I just received my flight tickets, and I am ecstatic! In less than a week I will be on the other side of the world. Then it is all about immersion. I am going to jump into it head first. Teaching to the best of my ability and learning as much as I can as fast as I can is the name of the game. WOO! Danny Woo my new manager will pick me up in Busan after my 22 hr trip. I can't wait!

Becoming Real

The move went smoothly. I fit almost all of my belongings into Carly's jetta station wagon.I brought the rest in a guy's, from my mom's church, truck.  Although the weekend brought a mix of snow and freezing rain, Josh, Carly and my mom made the journey from Minneapolis MN to Omro WI without a hitch. Sunday, it took forever to get on the road. The tarp covering my mattress continuously blew loose. The truck had to be returned before morning; so by the time we made it to Omro, unloaded everything, and dropped that weak machine off it was 2:30am. 

Monday was all about rest. 

Tuesday, Shi my nieces and I went to a nature center in Monona. While the kids learned about native dancing and the significance of wildlife, I went shopping. I found a nice MSR water filtration pump on sale--40% off! Anyways, no waterborne illness for this guy. I finally received my visa number, but the visa application website is so confusing and tedious. Two lists with overlapping items, none of which I will actually need are listed in different places. So, I called Wednesday morning to set up an appointment and interview. This will take place Friday in Chicago--what a huge pain in the ass. After riding On The Road in my father-in-law's 49 Hudson I became entirely too restless to hang around my brother's commune, so I road Shi's bike to the mall and bought some sweet professional attire (at highly discounted prices) for the new job. This is going to be great! PS. Please Feel Free To Post Comments, Questions, and Snide Remarks