Just Passing Through

“Where are you from?” She asked in awe, pressing her baby blue and pink embroidered Hanbok silk dress close against her wisp-thin frame, careful not to touch me as she gracefully leaned across the glass display case to glance directly at me.

“California,” I said cautiously looking up into her curious face from viewing a collection of ancient Hangul writings. I was only in South Korea’s crowded yet efficiently organized Incheon International Airport for a few hours before my business flight continued on to Manila, but I was immediately captivated by the airport’s quaint and colorful cultural center. “Why do you ask?” I questioned, embarrassed by her blatantly investigatory gaze.

“The United States?” she inquired with an unwavering and attentive smile as a boisterous parade reenactment of a historic Korean Royal Court complete with King and Queen passed down the main thoroughfare in time to live period music and drums. Distracted by the spectacle, I noticed that the costumes worn in the procession bore a strong resemblance to the young woman’s who was currently frozen in awe waiting for me to continue. When I didn’t immediately react to her question, she held up a ledger I signed only moments ago to try Minhwa folk art. I nodded at my signature, words escaping me. “Do you have green eyes?” She continued excitedly as she ushered me over to the water color station.

“Um, yes I do.” I replied, stunned by her persistent stare. Hoping to disengage her gaze, I quickly began painting a woodblock of a traditional Dragon of the East in pastel shades of green and yellow flying through puffs of blue clouds. Absorbed by my task but aware of my surroundings, I noticed that although the girl eventually retreated from my side to guide visitors through the exhibit, she continued to watch my every move. After several minutes, the girl again approached and offered to help pack my souvenir. She hesitated for a moment, and as I was gathering my things to leave, blurted, “I have never seen green eyes before!”

“Seriously? You have never seen green eyes?” I said, amazed that this was the root of her curious gawking.

She blushed, “It’s not every common to see eyes other than brown here. Can I take your photo?”

“Oh,” I nodded considering, “Sure, okay.”

Looking into the lens of her digital camera, I realized the irony of my situation with a smile. While I was intrigued by the treasures on display at the cultural center, in the end I was the object on display.