Muskies Swim Together

As the cold weather rushes into Jeonju for my first Korean autumn it brings with it a familiar face in a not so familiar place.  My college roommate Josh has finally arrived.  It was Josh and his high school buddy Dan who planted the idea of this trip in my head initially so I have them to thank for most of what happens while I’m here.  It’s great to have some semblance of home in a place that is still so foreign to me and it’s shown me a lot about myself…I’ve actually learned something since landing in September!

It’s fun rolling around town taking Josh to some of my favorite places and discovering new ones.  It’s always nice to have two ears to the ground as well that way nothing gets by.  He hears about things I had idea were going on and I can key him into the events I catch wind of.  We’ve gotten to walk around a bit together which is fun and just hanging out is a good way to pass time although the work from school seems to be mounting with a few classes finishing books and report cards due next week.

 

It’s been well over a week since my last post so I feel like there should be a lot to talk about but really there isn’t.  I’ve gotten more used to the culture, figured out how to hail a taxi and make it home, teaching has become more routine and I received my first package from home.  My girlfriend Caitlin sent me some really great stuff to remind me of home (mostly my favorite candy) as well as some stickers for class.  The kids LOVE them.  This weekend there are a couple of fun events going on in Jeonju and I hope to have a few more interesting things to write about then.  Hope the pictures make up for the severe lack of contest in this post.

View from the top

 

One of my favorite things to do growing up was hiking around in the woods.  I loved the freedom, the adventure and never knowing what you’d find.  For the most part those expeditions were limited to Gantz Park, a sparsely wooded 14 acre plot of land by my childhood home.  At age 16 when an Ohio driver’s license opened new doors for my adolescence, it closed just as many.  Hiking became a casualty of young adulthood and I never gave it a second thought.  This trip has allowed the roles to reverse.

 

I miss the freedom and comforts of driving; the windows rolled down, the sunroof open and the music up loud.  However, seeing the driving habits of the people in this country make me glad I won’t be behind a wheel during my stay.  It’s insane.  So I’ve traded in the car keys to fit back into my hiking boots.  Korea is littered with mountains and most of them have fun hiking trails for beginners all the way up to (let’s say) the NOT faint at heart.  For some reason I thought tackling the tallest mountain in the province would be a good starting point.

 

The other English teacher from my school and another friend decided that we would master the beast.  A 3.5 kilometer hike gets you to the top of Moak-San.  At every check point the road gets narrower and more treacherous.  Not an easy task but the thought of accomplishment kept us going and the reward was well worth it.  The stops along the way were interesting and colorful but the incentive for a successful accent was breath taking.  The view goes on for miles and the mountains never seemed to stop and the rain provided a mist that blanketed the countryside.

I’ve felt a lot of things since I’ve been here, I would describe this one as “humble.”

Wake me up, when September ends

After about a month in Korea I’ve started to get accustomed to the culture, food and general way of life.  I’ve eaten things I would never have imagined, seen 1,000 red lights ignored and even began to learn Hangul (Korean’s written alphabet).  Though the list of things and people I miss in America is lengthy I’ve learned to adapt to my surroundings and start to have fun with things I might not have before.  Initially the red light district was an uncomfortable idea and place, but now I take many comfortable strolls through the area.  It’s amazing how less intimidating hookers, pimps and sleazy motels are with an ice cream cone and renewed attitude.

The most interesting and challenging thing so far (no surprise) is teaching.  I’ve never been entrusted with well being of children (mostly because I’m still a child myself) and it has been a tough task everyday.  They need to be kept in line but they are still children so understanding and gentleness are required as well.  This balancing act can test my patience but it’s hopefully making me a better person and, someday down the road, father.  My parents used to say “I hope you get a child just like you.” Well Mom and Dad rest easy, I’ve got about 65.

 

This place is still strange, but it’s certainly growing on me.  With every new discovery Jeonju feels less like a place and more like a city.  And though it’s far from home it’ll do for 11 more months.  I even found a new favorite lunch spot, they have amazing corn dogs.  And they put ketchup and mayo on it…might be the death of me.

My School, Minsoksagwan Language School