The following are copied from emails that many of you have already received.
I plan to add one per week from here on. Pictures coming SOON.
Day 4
I'm now through the afternoon of day four in Korea, and am liking it more
each day. My jet-lag cleared up yesterday, and I'm finally feeling like
myself again. Christine and I found eachother Sunday morning, and we are
living about 5 miles apart (30min by bus...10 by taxi). She lives 2min from
the last subway stop on the south side of Seoul, so made the hour commute
and spent Sunday afternoon in the country's capital. It is by far the
largest city that I have ever seen (in both population and sheer physical
size). We spent a good 6hrs walking around, and barely made a dent. We took
a gondala to the top of the small mountain at the city's center, and were
blown away by the view from the top. As soon as I am able to upload
pictures, I'll send them your way. We also ran into a few other westerners
where were provided a lot of useful information regarding everything from
teaching techniques to cell phones. Yesterday we met and hiked a few miles
to the west end of Siheung to a small mountain that sits at the edge of the
harbor. It gave us a great perspective as to the area in which we are
living...basically, it's crowded. Today we decided to tackle the bus system
between our apartments. After an hour and a half of broken English and a
lot of walking around, we finally got on the right one....and then learned
that there was a transfer. It all worked out well enough. Shortly
thereafter we decided to investigate a 5th floor gym we saw from the street
near Christine's. Aparently it was on the 4th floor, because when the
elevator doors opened, we were greeted by a bubbly Korean woman who
enthusiastically ushered us into an auditorium where a group of dancers
were warming up on stage. Not knowing how to explain the mistake, we
decided to go along with it in order to keep from offending her by leaving.
Two minutes later a slew of at least 75 elderly Koreans entered, locking us
into our seats. We were not just the only two white people in the room, we
were the only two under the age of 60. Somehow, by the grace of God, a
younger (60ish) woman sat down next to me, and began speaking to us in
understandable English. She is a nurse, and lives in New Jersey most of the
year. Aparently we were at the community center, and had entered the Korean
equivilent of Grandma's senior's event. The dancers were performing a
traditional Korean folk song/dance about weddings. It was a damn good show,
and we even got a translation free of charge. We attempted to get out
quickly after it ended 45m later, but were practically pulled from the
elevators by our unintended hosts. They insisted that we sit and eat a
Korean lunch with them. It was mostly doughy, cookie-like, rice cakes, but
Christine ate sliced pigs feet and nose...unkowningly. I had already taken
a few bites, and figured out what it was. So much for her going vegitarian.
I'm not quite sure what will happen with the rest of our day. I think we'll
probably try out the chicken and beer restaraunt nearby her apartment. Who
knows. Days like today are why we love to travel, and we're hoping for many
more. Take care. We'll talk to you soon.
-Ben and Christy
-----
Day 7
I still don't have internet at my apartment, and can't access blogspot at
work, so email will have to do for now. I'm forwarding on an email I sent
to my family on Monday; my first day at work. Since then, things have not
changed too much. I am a school celebrity, and am learning to live with it.
The nice part about it all, is that, at least for now, I have their full
attention during class. Each class sits for my lectures once a week, so
things are already getting a bit repetitive. This week is question and
answer week, where they get to ask questions about me. Most are very shy
when it comes to speaking, and are averse to the idea of doing so alone.
They are, however, very willing to speak as a group, and are much more open
to written discourse.
Today is our first day at work, and mine has gone quite well. I was almost
immediately ushered into an impromptu school television broadcast, in which
I addressed the whole of students and faculty. Apparently I did well. I was
then invited to have tea with the principle and assistance principle. I
gave them each their gifts, and was heartily thanked. I was told later by
my co-teacher that I made an excellent impression...big time brownie
points.
I will only have 3-4 classes each day, and today I only have 2. My first
was a boys class, and it seemed fairly typical of a U.S. classroom. Today
was "Question Day", and I let them ask any question they could. There were
a few students that were eager to talk, and did so quite well. Most sat
silent, but paid attention. A few others clearly did not. It's hard for me
to get a good handle on their capabilities, as the class is all speaking. I
believe that most can read at a basic to average level.
I ate lunch with a number of the faculty (before the students arrived), and
it was quite good...but REALLY spicy. As we were leaving, the students
arrived and I was made fully aware of my celebrity status. It's funny, just
yesterday I was talking to Christine about how it would be a guys dream to
have cat calls made at him wherever he walked (like she had in Ecuador).
That "dream" came true to today, but was more awkward than I had imagined.
I kid you not, I felt like Paul McCartney. The girls were literally
sticking there hands out, screaming, and wanting me to say hi. Even the
boys jog from the opposite side of the building to say "he-roe". My
co-teacher even told me that number of students coming into the office for
"injuries, sickness, etc." is about 2x the number they get on a normal
day...apparently the disparity can be attributed to my presence. I think
this may take some getting used to.
I will plan to be on Skype tonight at 7pm my time, 5am your time. I really
hope Christine's internet works, otherwise this might fall through. I will
be going with her and her co-teacher on Wednesday to apply for an alien
identification card. It will take a week for it to reach me by mail, and
another day or two to get internet at my house. I'm sorry it has taken so
long. I'd really like to be able to talk with you guys via webcam. Speaking
with Christine's parents last week was really nice. I'm glad to hear that
everything is going well there. Tell Wes that I have witnessed "Star Craft"
being played by hordes at PC-cafes, and have indeed seen it on TV as well.
Even my co-teacher is excited about the sequel that is coming in
October...he'll understand. Tell grandma I love her. I'll hopefully speak
with you tonight.
Take care,
Ben...aka Bin-ja-min
I plan to add one per week from here on. Pictures coming SOON.
Day 4
I'm now through the afternoon of day four in Korea, and am liking it more
each day. My jet-lag cleared up yesterday, and I'm finally feeling like
myself again. Christine and I found eachother Sunday morning, and we are
living about 5 miles apart (30min by bus...10 by taxi). She lives 2min from
the last subway stop on the south side of Seoul, so made the hour commute
and spent Sunday afternoon in the country's capital. It is by far the
largest city that I have ever seen (in both population and sheer physical
size). We spent a good 6hrs walking around, and barely made a dent. We took
a gondala to the top of the small mountain at the city's center, and were
blown away by the view from the top. As soon as I am able to upload
pictures, I'll send them your way. We also ran into a few other westerners
where were provided a lot of useful information regarding everything from
teaching techniques to cell phones. Yesterday we met and hiked a few miles
to the west end of Siheung to a small mountain that sits at the edge of the
harbor. It gave us a great perspective as to the area in which we are
living...basically, it's crowded. Today we decided to tackle the bus system
between our apartments. After an hour and a half of broken English and a
lot of walking around, we finally got on the right one....and then learned
that there was a transfer. It all worked out well enough. Shortly
thereafter we decided to investigate a 5th floor gym we saw from the street
near Christine's. Aparently it was on the 4th floor, because when the
elevator doors opened, we were greeted by a bubbly Korean woman who
enthusiastically ushered us into an auditorium where a group of dancers
were warming up on stage. Not knowing how to explain the mistake, we
decided to go along with it in order to keep from offending her by leaving.
Two minutes later a slew of at least 75 elderly Koreans entered, locking us
into our seats. We were not just the only two white people in the room, we
were the only two under the age of 60. Somehow, by the grace of God, a
younger (60ish) woman sat down next to me, and began speaking to us in
understandable English. She is a nurse, and lives in New Jersey most of the
year. Aparently we were at the community center, and had entered the Korean
equivilent of Grandma's senior's event. The dancers were performing a
traditional Korean folk song/dance about weddings. It was a damn good show,
and we even got a translation free of charge. We attempted to get out
quickly after it ended 45m later, but were practically pulled from the
elevators by our unintended hosts. They insisted that we sit and eat a
Korean lunch with them. It was mostly doughy, cookie-like, rice cakes, but
Christine ate sliced pigs feet and nose...unkowningly. I had already taken
a few bites, and figured out what it was. So much for her going vegitarian.
I'm not quite sure what will happen with the rest of our day. I think we'll
probably try out the chicken and beer restaraunt nearby her apartment. Who
knows. Days like today are why we love to travel, and we're hoping for many
more. Take care. We'll talk to you soon.
-Ben and Christy
-----
Day 7
I still don't have internet at my apartment, and can't access blogspot at
work, so email will have to do for now. I'm forwarding on an email I sent
to my family on Monday; my first day at work. Since then, things have not
changed too much. I am a school celebrity, and am learning to live with it.
The nice part about it all, is that, at least for now, I have their full
attention during class. Each class sits for my lectures once a week, so
things are already getting a bit repetitive. This week is question and
answer week, where they get to ask questions about me. Most are very shy
when it comes to speaking, and are averse to the idea of doing so alone.
They are, however, very willing to speak as a group, and are much more open
to written discourse.
Today is our first day at work, and mine has gone quite well. I was almost
immediately ushered into an impromptu school television broadcast, in which
I addressed the whole of students and faculty. Apparently I did well. I was
then invited to have tea with the principle and assistance principle. I
gave them each their gifts, and was heartily thanked. I was told later by
my co-teacher that I made an excellent impression...big time brownie
points.
I will only have 3-4 classes each day, and today I only have 2. My first
was a boys class, and it seemed fairly typical of a U.S. classroom. Today
was "Question Day", and I let them ask any question they could. There were
a few students that were eager to talk, and did so quite well. Most sat
silent, but paid attention. A few others clearly did not. It's hard for me
to get a good handle on their capabilities, as the class is all speaking. I
believe that most can read at a basic to average level.
I ate lunch with a number of the faculty (before the students arrived), and
it was quite good...but REALLY spicy. As we were leaving, the students
arrived and I was made fully aware of my celebrity status. It's funny, just
yesterday I was talking to Christine about how it would be a guys dream to
have cat calls made at him wherever he walked (like she had in Ecuador).
That "dream" came true to today, but was more awkward than I had imagined.
I kid you not, I felt like Paul McCartney. The girls were literally
sticking there hands out, screaming, and wanting me to say hi. Even the
boys jog from the opposite side of the building to say "he-roe". My
co-teacher even told me that number of students coming into the office for
"injuries, sickness, etc." is about 2x the number they get on a normal
day...apparently the disparity can be attributed to my presence. I think
this may take some getting used to.
I will plan to be on Skype tonight at 7pm my time, 5am your time. I really
hope Christine's internet works, otherwise this might fall through. I will
be going with her and her co-teacher on Wednesday to apply for an alien
identification card. It will take a week for it to reach me by mail, and
another day or two to get internet at my house. I'm sorry it has taken so
long. I'd really like to be able to talk with you guys via webcam. Speaking
with Christine's parents last week was really nice. I'm glad to hear that
everything is going well there. Tell Wes that I have witnessed "Star Craft"
being played by hordes at PC-cafes, and have indeed seen it on TV as well.
Even my co-teacher is excited about the sequel that is coming in
October...he'll understand. Tell grandma I love her. I'll hopefully speak
with you tonight.
Take care,
Ben...aka Bin-ja-min
No comments:
Post a Comment