After waiting 3 hours on the tarmac for take-off in Chicago and a thirteen hour, 10,574 mile, flight I finally reached the "Land of the Morning Calm."
I breezed through customs even though I should have known my address and did not. I stopped to exchange some currency (thanks Mom, Dad, Nanny and Mel), and finally headed out the door to find Dave, essentially my caretaker.
My first thought when stepping out into the horridly humid Korean night air was "Holy Crap I made it!" We jumped into a cab and started our journey to my new home: Room 401 in a rather decrepit looking building.
The entire flat is smaller than my room at home (albeit that room is abnormally large) but comfortable, except for the cockroach infestation--they are really small so I have no qualms with killing the bastards. The bathroom is really weird for someone used to a bathtub. First of all, the shower is just a hand held nozzle that you spray on yourself (along with the rest of the bathroom) in the middle of the room. Also, do I have hot water? Dream on! Actually I do, but not very much of it. I might just be compelled to go to a bathhouse. The kitchen is tiny but useable and the utility room is right next to my bed. The washing machine is larger than I thought it would be (SCORE!). My bedroom/living room is spartanly decorated but comfortable. The closet is almost the perfect size. All in all I think I can make this work.
After inspecting my living space last night I fell asleep very quickly. Dave called and woke me up an hour later and told me I should turn of the air conditioner. I complied, but was not happy. Today he explained that people get very sick with cool air in a room when they sleep-- lucky me I fully intend to not listen to that bit of folk healthcare advise.
After unpacking, much easier than packing I must say, I waited for Dave to take me to the supermarket at Lotte World (the big department store in Korea). I thankfully found pasta, milk, and cheese, peanut butter, and potatoes. I now know that I can survive in Korea. Hooray!
I am just experiencing a little bit of homesickness and don't want to break out into tears all the time. I am feeling somewhat lonely at the moment. Which is a nice reason to have a blog. It feels like I am talking to someone. A good thing considering that Dave has warned me against making friends or meeting people. A very strange warning. He told me to just say hello to people and then not answer anymore. This he even recommended in dealing with my co-workers. I don't know if I like that plan. I want to make friends and talking is the only way I can think of so I will slyly start building relationships on the down low.
Tomorrow I go to the hospital to get some blood drawn so that they can determine if I am healthy enough to get the Korean version of a green card and, although I intend this next comment to drip with sarcasm, I am glad to get the process going. I can't wait.
I am now going to go over the books from which I will be teaching. Thank you all for taking the time to read about my culture shock filled day.
dude, I don't get why they tell you to stay quiet. I say, screw Dave, make some friends, and actually have life in Korea. I forget where you are right now, but once you make friends, they can take you around and hang out in downtowns and stuff. Good luck adjusting and teaching!!! :)
ReplyDelete-josh
Haha, sounds like fun! You know that the bathhouses in Korea are public, though, right? After a lifetime of very well enforced privacy in the U.S., I'm not sure I could deal with that, lol.
ReplyDeleteyay for peanut butter, milk, and cheese! i must admit, that was one of my top concerns for you.
ReplyDeletesounds like your living situation will definitely be a life experience. So, does Dave own the building you live in, or how exactly is he your "caretaker"?
also, i agree with the making friends part. how else are you supposed to be happy? but yeah...keep it on the "DL". You could go around and ask people "hey, will you be my FODL?" (friend on the Down low). It will be AWESOME.
Did you get the packages your parents sent?
Do you miss college like I do?
Yeah Allan. That is why I say "almost." I don't like the thought of being naked anywhere. So I don't actually see this trip happening.
ReplyDeleteJosh, I completely agree. Hell even the US Embassy agrees. That's right I pulled out the big guns just prove that DD is horribly incorrect in his advise.
Shawna you know me so well. My shrink and I talked about that a lot. :P You should go into psychiatry. No really you actually should. You would be good at it in my humble opinion.
I really like the idea of saying "hey, will you be my FODL?" it kind of reminds me of some smarmy guy coming up to someone in a NYC subway station say psst.. "Hey kid, wanna buy a watch?" Only so much more legit.
I have not gotten the package yet. It will be arriving soon. Apparently it is a random amalgamation of things I need or might need.
Girl, you have no idea. I really do miss college. But, I like being able to read whatever I want. Make this your mantra until you go back to school "I want to be an overly intellectual individual who strives to overachieve." It will get you back there I promise!