Our
fight to Seoul was a complete blur. We have been on so many planes this
year, that they're all starting to blend into one memory. We arrived on
a beautiful day. As apprehensive as we were, we kept our smiles on, and
tried to think good thoughts, as our bus from the airport drove into a
grey Lego city, where each cookie cutter building had a giant number
stamped on it. I imagine it is the only way anyone would be able to
find their home.
Miriam, my director met us when we arrived by
bus from the airport. As we approached our area, the scenery greatly
improved. The buildings melted away, to reveal big, beautiful mountains
surrounding us. I tried to look for street names, but like parking
spaces, they don't really exist. "Parking" here means stopping your car
anywhere, and just leaving it there, whether it be completely on the
road, halfway around a turn at an intersection, or directly across our
front door, which has been the case.
Finally, we arrived at our
new apartment/closet, whichever way you look at it. It was everything
they had said it would be. A fully furnished apartment. What they
forgot to mention was that we could stand in the middle of the room and
ALMOST touch all four walls. After south east Asia, the fact that we
had our own bathroom (which is nearly half of our apartment), running
hot water, and an actual washing machine was enough to make us barely
notice the things that were lacking. ie. space. In fact, we were
pleased to discover that we didn't even have to get out of bed to reach
anything we needed from inside the fridge. However, I might say I was a
bit surprised when in the bathroom I turned on the tap to brush my
teeth, and had the shower head above the sink erupt to life and attack
me with freezing water. You're probably wondering who in their right
mind would install a shower head above a bathroom sink. We are still
asking that question. Another surprise was our computer table which is
really just a tray that slides out from under the television on the
T.V. stand. So while I work on the computer, Ian can watch the top two
inches of the T.V. screen. It's perfect. We spent the weekend unpacking
and trying to rearrange furniture to create a bit more space. We ended
up rotating it around the room until everything ended up exactly where
it started. We'll get used to it right?
We also explored our
area and I soon decided Bundang is one of the most beautiful places I
have lived. It has a very European feel, with tree lined streets and
tall thin apartments. Also, We're in a valley surrounded by beautiful
mountains and forest. We can't really ask for much more.
Monday
morning we were woken by what sounded like an announcement echoing
through the streets. We understood nothing except for a man's urgent
voice booming from a loud speaker. Omigosh, we were being attacked by
North Korea! What else could it be? Bleary-eyed, we stumbled to the
window to find out what the emergency was. A man in a truck full of
tomatoes was cruising down the street, obviously DESPERATE to sell
them. Yeesh! So if North Korea actually does attack, what will THAT
announcement be like? It didn't take us long to realize Koreans LOVE
megaphones. Our first shopping experience was...an experience. As we
walked through the isles of dried squid and pickled pigs feet we were
serenaded by a man with a megaphone, who seemed to be following us.
Maybe it's that phenomenon where he knew we didn't understand, and
thought it would help to speak louder. Not sure. Either way he took it
too far. Anyway, the longer we stayed, the louder it seemed to get,
until, with bags in hand, we were running for the door. Yes, shopping,
as it turns out is an excruciating experience, especially for the
eardrums. I've decided the next time I go to the grocery store I'm
bringing my own megaphone so I can march right up to that man, and at
full volume, ask for his help.
My first day of school
went...well..for me anyway. I don't know about my kids. I was nervous
as anything since I've never stood in front of a classroom before. I
have eight different classes teaching listening, speaking and writing
to children ages 5-16. In general the kids are good. My school is
called a Hagwon which is actually an after-school English school.
Education is taken very seriously here, so by the time the kids come to
our school in the afternoon, they've already been in school all day.
When some of them finish up at 9pm at night, the majority go on to yet,
ANOTHER school for something else. It actually seems cruel, but I guess
that's one of the many cultural things we'll have to get used to.
During
our first week, we discovered the forest across the street has about 50
different hiking trails, so we've been going on hikes every other day.
What we discovered on the second day blew our minds. About a half hour
down one of the trails we came across a clearing, and in it was a bunch
of outdoor gym equipment! Free outdoor gym equipment under a canopy of
trees, and it is very secluded. Imagine doing sit-ups, while birds fly
around you. Its even better when I can get a squirrel to spot me.
I think we're gonna like it here. : )
