My Korean experience began on the 14 hour plane ride from Chicago. The flight attendants were in bright blue or white shirts and/or pants that are reminiscent of 1950s American attendants. The plane itself was not necessarily better or worse than an American plane but the service was far beyond what you would see on a long plane to Europe. Two good, hot meals with 3 options each, wine with the meal and many serving of drinks throughout the flight. The time difference was so confusing that I never know what meal I was eating. What time is is? Is this breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Miscommunications with the girl I was supposed to meet at the airport led to me getting the last bus ticket out of Incheon Int. Airport to Gwangju, a larger city about an hour outside of Mokpo where I am living.
I arrived in Mokpo at 2:30 am Korean time. Let me see figure this out for you all:
Left Indianapolis at 9:30 am Tuesday morning EST. I arrived in Korea on Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 pm, which would be Wednesday morning at 2 am EST. I got to Mokpo at 2:30 am Korean time which is then noon on Wednesday EST. I WAS UP FOR TOO LONG! I got 4 hours of sleep that first night and then went to work at 10 am to complete my medical test in order to get my alien registration card.
Let's talk about this medical test and the observations from my first days in Korea.
My supervisor, the other new girl and I went to the hospital to complete the examination. We had a urine test, a blood test, chest X ray, dental screening, eye exam, hearing exam, blood pressure taken and weight/height. Koreans appear to be paranoid about disease, although there are some interesting observations in comparing them to American practices. Outside the hospital was a man in hospital pajamas standing next to his IV drip and smoking a cigarette. This was a frequent sight. Hey, at least they're not smoking inside.
The X ray test asked me to stand behind a curtain, take off my bra and shirt put on the one shirt that was available for everyone receiving an Xray (pants were also included, although thank goodness I did not need to use these!) The urine was taken in cups with no lids and placed in a basket with other people's. (In case you wondering, I am healthy enough to pass their strict medical testing. I am officially staying in Korea. )
Another observation: Koreans are crazy drivers! They drive fast, park anywhere they can fit and stop last minute at stop lights (which makes me wonder if they would just as easily plow right through if there are no other cars). there appear to be virtually no sidewalks, but Koreans are accustomed to slowing down quickly if you, as a pedestrian, are in the way. I asked one of the teachers if there are a lot of accidents here and she said no. "Everyone is a bad driver, so it just kind of works". The way Koreans drive also reflects in behaviors in the stores and on the street. People crowd into elevators and streets and have no problem getting very close to you. "excuse me" is therefore not said with
every bump of an arm. I'm okay with this. Its refreshing to not say excuse me for every little thing.
They have also told me that this is an incredibly safe country with virtually no crime. Koreans will return objects back to you if you loose them. I have heard a couple stories of forgetting cell phones in a taxi and actually getting them back. The girls say that you can walk at night without issue. What a concept. I would never walk alone at night in America.
I'm sure I have a million and one more things to talk about. For now I need to catch up on jet lag.
good night, and enjoy the pictures.
Airplane food with directions on how to make Bibimbap
tomato pasta
cloudy day flying into Incheon airport
My school EG Child- notice it says "EG Child English School. Genius School "
View of my apartment. the school is the building on the left. It is a 10 second walk to work...
The art classroom
This is pork with sausage, mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Nearly every Korea meal appears to come with at least 4 sides. This assortment includes a salad, soup, Korean pancake and three types of Kimchi.
All this can be wrapped in a lettuce leaf. Directions: roll into a ball and stuff in mouth.
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