I would have never believed that in August 2010 I'd be living in Seoul--alone. I'd also realllly never have guessed that I'd be teaching myself Korean.
Learning a new language is such a 알름다운 (beautiful) experience. I'm eager to try to read every sign that I see- it's like a whole new world is opening up to me. What once looked like beautiful art is now becoming words. Yes, it is a 어려운 (difficult) task, but it's worth every bit of effort. For having spent such a short period of time here and having no Korean teacher I am quite 만족스러운 (pleased) with my progress.
It's amazing what a 긍정적인 (positive) mindset can do for a person!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
사랑
My students are obsessed with asking me if I have a boyfriend. Daily I have to go through the questioning and explaining.
"No teacher does NOT have a boyfriend"
"Yes, I think you have"
"No I do not have"
"Why you no have??? You are very pretty"
So finally today I took it upon myself to learn the phrase to answer their questions: 우리 헤허졌어 "Uri heeojyeosseo" -- 'We split up'. Funny enough my favorite student replied "Yes I know, he lives in England" LOL. I asked him how he knew that and he said that he asked me on the first day and I told him that. Made me giggle that he remembered... this is why he's my favorite!
Of course the questions then came as to why I don't have a new boyfriend to which I replied 복삽해요-- complicated. How do you explain the perils of relationships to 11 year olds?? You don't. All of these kids still have parents that are married, and it seems that they all think their families are perfect. They always write papers about how nice their dads are and how they play with them and what great cooks their stay-at-home moms are. It really is so sweet. Who am I to tell them that the real world is a little more complex than that and that some people remain single for a very long time?! Instead I explained that I'm very happy to not have a boyfriend as it allows me time to myself to do the things I want, like coming to Korea :)
Have to admit though, one of the first words I wanted to learn was love (사랑). Beneath the layers of reinforced walls and armor, I'm a hopeless romantic at heart :)
"No teacher does NOT have a boyfriend"
"Yes, I think you have"
"No I do not have"
"Why you no have??? You are very pretty"
So finally today I took it upon myself to learn the phrase to answer their questions: 우리 헤허졌어 "Uri heeojyeosseo" -- 'We split up'. Funny enough my favorite student replied "Yes I know, he lives in England" LOL. I asked him how he knew that and he said that he asked me on the first day and I told him that. Made me giggle that he remembered... this is why he's my favorite!
Of course the questions then came as to why I don't have a new boyfriend to which I replied 복삽해요-- complicated. How do you explain the perils of relationships to 11 year olds?? You don't. All of these kids still have parents that are married, and it seems that they all think their families are perfect. They always write papers about how nice their dads are and how they play with them and what great cooks their stay-at-home moms are. It really is so sweet. Who am I to tell them that the real world is a little more complex than that and that some people remain single for a very long time?! Instead I explained that I'm very happy to not have a boyfriend as it allows me time to myself to do the things I want, like coming to Korea :)
Have to admit though, one of the first words I wanted to learn was love (사랑). Beneath the layers of reinforced walls and armor, I'm a hopeless romantic at heart :)
Monday, August 9, 2010
난 슬퍼요 (I am sad)
I can't believe the halfway mark has come and gone. There were times when a month in a foreign country seemed daunting, and now I'm wishing I had far more than two weeks remaining. Spent yesterday in bed feeling absolutely exhausted and ill. I was so upset as I only have one more Sunday left. The following week I fly out on Sunday so will not have that day to enjoy the city :(
One of my students gave me this in class wishing me a speedy recovery. I thought it was the sweetest thing!
One of my students gave me this in class wishing me a speedy recovery. I thought it was the sweetest thing!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
If You Wanna Learn Somethin Bring Your Mother
Last night I decided to treat myself to a couple sojutinis and hang out with the boys for a bit. I was back home by 7 and as I came in I saw Amber and some of the Korean guys from our building in the main kitchen. I went over to join them for a quick chat... which turned into more sojutinis (the Korean guys laugh hysterically at this word as apparently no one here says it) and an impromtu Korean session. It was really quite fun. I wrote my name in Korean for them and they were shocked that I knew how to do so. Then I asked them their names and proceeded to write both of them as well-- they gasped and laughed and said it was very good which obviously made me smile too :) I then proceeded to write any other words that they said-- asking for help on certain letters. It was a fun exercise and made me feel like my night of studying the alphabet had been worth it. Definitely also wrote "love sojutinis forever" in Korean just for fun, haha.
Today I wrote a couple of Korean words on the board and my students loved it as well. I wish that I could take these kids home to tutor me at night! They're so sweet when teaching me new words. It's a nice exercise to do during break as it allows them to be the teacher and me to be the student.
It's funny, in life the line is blurred as to where the learning ends and teaching begins. I like to think we are all forever learning and forever evolving, and if we're lucky enough forever teaching.
Today I wrote a couple of Korean words on the board and my students loved it as well. I wish that I could take these kids home to tutor me at night! They're so sweet when teaching me new words. It's a nice exercise to do during break as it allows them to be the teacher and me to be the student.
It's funny, in life the line is blurred as to where the learning ends and teaching begins. I like to think we are all forever learning and forever evolving, and if we're lucky enough forever teaching.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Sojutini Anyone?!
Two hours of grocery shopping, 20 minutes of carrying the world's heaviest box, and a potentially disastrous cab ride later I mixed up quite possibly the tastiest drink I've had while in South Korea... the mango sojutini. Will definitely be drinking some more of these stateside :)
Also I have to say that a sojutini is the perfect companion while studying the Korean alphabet. Made me feel slightly less dorky for being locked up studying while the others were out playing.
Will definitely be joining the others for the Wednesday night festivities. This girl needs a little break from dorkin it up. Teaching during the day and learning at night can be quite taxing. Especially when all my learning is self taught!
The teacher, I like to think, is more important than what she teaches.
Also I have to say that a sojutini is the perfect companion while studying the Korean alphabet. Made me feel slightly less dorky for being locked up studying while the others were out playing.
Will definitely be joining the others for the Wednesday night festivities. This girl needs a little break from dorkin it up. Teaching during the day and learning at night can be quite taxing. Especially when all my learning is self taught!
The teacher, I like to think, is more important than what she teaches.
A Day In The Life of an English Teacher
All the girls in my science class were absent and I had so much fun with the boys. I taught them to say 'yo', 'worrrrrrrd', and 'what it do' :) They are soooooooo cute! I taught them to lean their head back when they say yo, and seriously everytime one of them does it to me in the hall I just die. Cutest kids alive, seriously!!! When I wrote "what it do" on the board, one of my students asked "do you mean 'what does IT do?" LOL I had to explain that even though it makes no sense to say it, people will understand what it means.
In other news, several students in my class find the work to be too difficult, yet none of them seem to move down a level. Apparently this is because no parents want to admit that their child needs to be 'demoted'. You know the whole 'the customer is always right' thing, well here the Korean parents are the customers. What they say goes, even if it is detrimental to their child academically.
Today I had my first parent-teacher conference... think it went surprisingly well. The manager of the school is quite pleased as I convinced the father to allow his son to return to the program-- he was concerned that it was too difficult (finally a parent who is concerned in the right direction!). Yaaay for talking to the dad rather than the mom, men typically seem easier to deal with.
In other news, several students in my class find the work to be too difficult, yet none of them seem to move down a level. Apparently this is because no parents want to admit that their child needs to be 'demoted'. You know the whole 'the customer is always right' thing, well here the Korean parents are the customers. What they say goes, even if it is detrimental to their child academically.
Today I had my first parent-teacher conference... think it went surprisingly well. The manager of the school is quite pleased as I convinced the father to allow his son to return to the program-- he was concerned that it was too difficult (finally a parent who is concerned in the right direction!). Yaaay for talking to the dad rather than the mom, men typically seem easier to deal with.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
ABC It's Easy As 1-2-3
While the others were out to dinner & drinks last night I decided to hit up the internet cafe to work on my Korean. For whatever reason I decided that I wanted to look at the alphabet so that I could decipher letters. Honestly, I'm so glad that I did! I spent the whole evening writing my name and other western words. I came to school today with a notebook full of scribbles which the Korean teachers thought was so cute. They told me that I have really good Korean writing which I was sooooo happy to hear! One of my main concerns was that my Korean writing would be crap and make me look like an idiot. I'm blessed to have good penmanship in Romanized writing, soooooo I'm a bit accustomed to being able to write nicely and would have been heartbroken to have poor Korean writing. Dorky, I know.
Anyway, I was having this problem with deciphering why a certain Korean letter is sometimes placed in odd areas and is occasionally silent-- think I successfully deciphered why this is. A small win, but for some reason it makes me quite pleased. The unfortunate bit is that even though I'm learning the alphabet and am starting to be able to decipher words-- I don't speak Korean so I don't know what the words mean! Atleast I feel productive :) For now I'm content with writing as many western words as possible with my newly formed Korean writing skills.
Bogosipda & saranghamnida all!
Anyway, I was having this problem with deciphering why a certain Korean letter is sometimes placed in odd areas and is occasionally silent-- think I successfully deciphered why this is. A small win, but for some reason it makes me quite pleased. The unfortunate bit is that even though I'm learning the alphabet and am starting to be able to decipher words-- I don't speak Korean so I don't know what the words mean! Atleast I feel productive :) For now I'm content with writing as many western words as possible with my newly formed Korean writing skills.
Bogosipda & saranghamnida all!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Korean Music
Ever since arriving I've found myself completely enamored with Korean pop music-- even though I can't understand a word they're saying I constantly find myself in shops just loving what I'm hearing. I always ask the shop attendant to write down the song for me (I usually do this by pointing to the speaker and using my hands to do a writing motion since we can't communicate verbally), he/she typically writes it in Korean and then I take it to my TA or another Korean speaker to translate into English and then I search it online. Quite the process, but totally worth it. My latest love is Supreme Team 'Dang Dang Dang' --Korean hiphop.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Night Out in Seoul
On Saturday night the boys and I decided to go out in Seoul for a night on the town... we didn't get out until about 11:30 and thus it was quite a late night-- 6am home arrival, anyone? We went in without a plan which typically turns out to be brilliant or a complete disaster. Fortunately, it leaned more towards the former, though at times I was starting to feel it was the latter. I was mostly concerned with people watching, etc so I enjoyed hopping from spot to spot. The boys got a bit tired of this though and started to get ansy. But seriously, what is the point of staying in one place all night?
At the end of the night we actually went to a bar that had a sign posted saying NO US MILITARY ALLOWED. I almost didn't go in based on the sign alone, but the boys powered right through so I had no option but to follow. Upon entering I noticed that several guys were obviously in the military-- the haircut always gives it away. This place had the strongest US presence of all the ones we went to that night, and of course it is where we found trouble. I guess the sign is to discourage the Army guys, but once inside obviously they aren't going to be turned away. And of course, it was an Army guy who was giving us the issues. My friend had told me a bit earlier that he saw the guy calling him gay (he isn't), and to be fair he does dress in a way that would make people question him... but still it's no reason to say anything. Also due to the aforementioned fact that we are all Americans, it was just absolutely uncalled for and childish. A bit later he still had not stopped and was being so loud that everyone in the bar could hear him-- we weren't even NEAR him and I could hear him. I just wanted to say to him "we are ALL Americans here in a bar in Seoul and you seriously want to start a fight?? With your fellow country men who you are in the service to fight FOR and protect?! Reallllllllllllllllllllllllly?" Unfortunately, I fear that logic is lost on such individuals so I kept it short and direct "You're a douchebag, stop being a douchebag, you're seriously pissing me off because you are SUCH a douchebag, I'm ready to go"
I wanted to tell the dbag that there have been several studies conducted that have concluded that people with the most homophobic actions are the ones with the most homosexual tendencies... something to marinate on, soldier. Made me realize why so many people here have negative impressions of the US military men.
Anyway, the night was a success otherwise. Though I often think the boys are more dramatic than girls. They started whining about the walking, about the fact that we couldn't just stay in one place, etc. Grh. The girls though don't drink. Soooooo, I'm stuck with the boys I fear.
At the end of the night we actually went to a bar that had a sign posted saying NO US MILITARY ALLOWED. I almost didn't go in based on the sign alone, but the boys powered right through so I had no option but to follow. Upon entering I noticed that several guys were obviously in the military-- the haircut always gives it away. This place had the strongest US presence of all the ones we went to that night, and of course it is where we found trouble. I guess the sign is to discourage the Army guys, but once inside obviously they aren't going to be turned away. And of course, it was an Army guy who was giving us the issues. My friend had told me a bit earlier that he saw the guy calling him gay (he isn't), and to be fair he does dress in a way that would make people question him... but still it's no reason to say anything. Also due to the aforementioned fact that we are all Americans, it was just absolutely uncalled for and childish. A bit later he still had not stopped and was being so loud that everyone in the bar could hear him-- we weren't even NEAR him and I could hear him. I just wanted to say to him "we are ALL Americans here in a bar in Seoul and you seriously want to start a fight?? With your fellow country men who you are in the service to fight FOR and protect?! Reallllllllllllllllllllllllly?" Unfortunately, I fear that logic is lost on such individuals so I kept it short and direct "You're a douchebag, stop being a douchebag, you're seriously pissing me off because you are SUCH a douchebag, I'm ready to go"
I wanted to tell the dbag that there have been several studies conducted that have concluded that people with the most homophobic actions are the ones with the most homosexual tendencies... something to marinate on, soldier. Made me realize why so many people here have negative impressions of the US military men.
Anyway, the night was a success otherwise. Though I often think the boys are more dramatic than girls. They started whining about the walking, about the fact that we couldn't just stay in one place, etc. Grh. The girls though don't drink. Soooooo, I'm stuck with the boys I fear.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Korean Bathroom
I'm in an internet cafe doing some email catch up and studying some Korean-- for whatever reason I decided to search for Korean bathrooms on YouTube to see if mine is totally bizarre or if this is just the standard. I literally started crying in the internet cafe because this video is so funny-- it is soooo spot on. I don't know if it will be that funny to others because you aren't experiencing the same thing, but please do watch this and you'll get an idea of what I'm dealing with! LOL Have to admit though mine is nicer than this guys!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djlzFNMACvk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djlzFNMACvk
Kids Say the Darndest Things
My classes are absolutely adorable. Maybe I'm a bit partial, but I honestly believe that I've got the best classes on campus! They are just sooooooooo precious!! The other teachers make jokes that they're sure I'm going to try to smuggle out one of my kids or adopt a Korean child while I'm here. I really do adore them :) I've had so many funny comments and stories from them thus far and I'm sure there are more to come. Here are a couple that made me laugh:
On the first day of my MWF class we are sitting in a circle at the end of the day getting to know another. One of my students asks if I have a pet- I tell them about Lily and say that she weighs 1kg. They are all like "awwww" then my favorite student raises his hand and says "teacher, I have question? Is this dog delicious?" I about died... my TA reprimanded him and told him how rude it was and then she asked me if I knew they eat dog here. Of course I knew that, but was floored that he'd ask me that!! About 15 mins later I showed them a photo of Lily and he goes "oooohhh!!!! Dog!!! I thought 'quack quack' DUCK!!" Made more sense as to why he asked me if my pet was delicious, LOL. He's still my favorite in the MWF class :)
While describing a Korean theme park to me one of my students told me that when he was on a ride he was telling himself "please god save me!!" I am constantly shocked at their knowledge of english phrases!
"Teacher, teacher. What is your name?""Danielle"(laughter) "Isn't that a boys name?! This is my brother's English name!!"Seriously went through the same thing in all four of my classes. I'm hoping they're finally grasping the whole Danielle vs Daniel vs Danny thing :)
Me: What is a synonym for specific
Student: ...you mean like Pacific Ocean?
Me: I need to pick a Korean name, do you have any suggestions?
Student: Hmmm... what is your last name??
Thought it was so cute that he wanted to take my last name into consideration when choosing my Korean name :) Apparently it doesn't matter here, but he wanted to make sure it sounded nice together.
Me: I looooooove chocolate
Students: (puzzled faces) Then why is your teeth so good?
Yes, why is your teeth so pretty and white if you eat chocolate?
Student: Teacher, do you have boyfriend?
Me: No
Student: Yes, I think you have!
Me: Nope
Student: Oh!! it is a husband then!!
Me: No, not that either
Student: Yes, I think you have!!!
Me: Why do you think I have one?
Student: You have such pretty hair and are so nice and beautiful
LOLLLLLLLLL apparently having good hair is a big deal
"Can you see me?!?! Can you see me?!?!"
One of my most personable and precious kids (total crush on this one!) says this while waving his hands in front of his face and faking a really believable American accent. Apparently wrestling is aired alot over here and he saw it on there, LOL.
On the first day of my MWF class we are sitting in a circle at the end of the day getting to know another. One of my students asks if I have a pet- I tell them about Lily and say that she weighs 1kg. They are all like "awwww" then my favorite student raises his hand and says "teacher, I have question? Is this dog delicious?" I about died... my TA reprimanded him and told him how rude it was and then she asked me if I knew they eat dog here. Of course I knew that, but was floored that he'd ask me that!! About 15 mins later I showed them a photo of Lily and he goes "oooohhh!!!! Dog!!! I thought 'quack quack' DUCK!!" Made more sense as to why he asked me if my pet was delicious, LOL. He's still my favorite in the MWF class :)
While describing a Korean theme park to me one of my students told me that when he was on a ride he was telling himself "please god save me!!" I am constantly shocked at their knowledge of english phrases!
"Teacher, teacher. What is your name?""Danielle"(laughter) "Isn't that a boys name?! This is my brother's English name!!"Seriously went through the same thing in all four of my classes. I'm hoping they're finally grasping the whole Danielle vs Daniel vs Danny thing :)
Me: What is a synonym for specific
Student: ...you mean like Pacific Ocean?
Me: I need to pick a Korean name, do you have any suggestions?
Student: Hmmm... what is your last name??
Thought it was so cute that he wanted to take my last name into consideration when choosing my Korean name :) Apparently it doesn't matter here, but he wanted to make sure it sounded nice together.
Me: I looooooove chocolate
Students: (puzzled faces) Then why is your teeth so good?
Yes, why is your teeth so pretty and white if you eat chocolate?
Student: Teacher, do you have boyfriend?
Me: No
Student: Yes, I think you have!
Me: Nope
Student: Oh!! it is a husband then!!
Me: No, not that either
Student: Yes, I think you have!!!
Me: Why do you think I have one?
Student: You have such pretty hair and are so nice and beautiful
LOLLLLLLLLL apparently having good hair is a big deal
"Can you see me?!?! Can you see me?!?!"
One of my most personable and precious kids (total crush on this one!) says this while waving his hands in front of his face and faking a really believable American accent. Apparently wrestling is aired alot over here and he saw it on there, LOL.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Ridin Seoul-o
I came into Seoul with a guy from the program this morning and around 3 he was ready to head back. I, of course, wanted to stay and explore-- why head back so early when I'd only end up bored?! Confident that I knew the area well enough to get around (uncanny sense of direction and all, haha) I told him to head back without me. Equipped with my bus number and a general idea of where I got off the bus I figured how difficult could it be to find my way back to the apartment? The afternoon went brilliantly I walked alllll around at my own pace doing my own thing. Then came time to catch the bus. As I'm looking puzzled for the stop-- it wasn't across from where we got off originally (standard London procedure)-- a man approaches me and asks if I need help. He tells me he used to live in DC and that he will help me find the bus stop since apparently there are no bus maps. Brilliant, I've got a Korean speaking dude who's going to help me to the bus. Of course it couldn't have been that simple. He insists on stopping in a store to buy ice cream-- he buys me one that is in the shape of a shark. Why? I'm not sure. I didn't want icecream. Mistakenly I had already told him what bus stop I needed to go to... Anyway takes us ages to find the stop and the entire time he is being WAY too complimentary. I tell him to please just leave and let me do it alone. Anyway my bus took like 20 mins to arrive-- I couldn't leave as I wanted to get on the bus ASAP. Eventually the bus came and the guy went on his way. He didn't mean to be a creep, just a cultural difference I guess. The older men here are overly excited it seems, but the younger men are very very polite. As well, when I see American men they honestly look like starved beasts who would just inhale me right there on the spot. Very very creepy feeling.
I had a great day wandering around the city though, and even had some delicious street meat :) Got some money exchanged, tried a delicious yogurt drink, and started figuring out some funny things that they do here. For example they will give you gifts to try to get you to enter a store. yesterday I got three packets of cotton, a face mask, and a soda all for free. Very random, but it's cute. At first I was so confused, but the Koreans really are such sweet sweet people.
I had a great day wandering around the city though, and even had some delicious street meat :) Got some money exchanged, tried a delicious yogurt drink, and started figuring out some funny things that they do here. For example they will give you gifts to try to get you to enter a store. yesterday I got three packets of cotton, a face mask, and a soda all for free. Very random, but it's cute. At first I was so confused, but the Koreans really are such sweet sweet people.
Soju, Saki, & a Little Late Night Spa Action -- One of the Oddest Nights of My Life
I'm not even sure where to begin this... but here it goes.
After our orientation the boys decided to go to dinner and the girls decided to join for drinks. While we were out Brendan decided to order bai giu which is a traditional Chinese drink-- definitely burns going down. Plus we were chasing the bai gui with soju which wasn't exactly a brilliant plan. The girls all decided to go home (they weren't drinking) and I thought it would be most interesting to tag along with the boys :) At some point I meantion a jjimjilbang (Korean bath house) in the area and one of the guys (Brendan) was super ansy to get to one. I should add at this point that he had already been to a bath house, and I had not. Somehow we decide that we should leave the restaurant and hit up the spa as it's open 24 hours. A couple of other guys were game and so some soju, bai gui, and Cass later we leave. Downstairs all of the boys except Brenden decide that they don't want to go to the bath house right then (probably a smart move) and that they're going to head to another bar. Me and Brenden jump in a cab and here is where the madness begins. I was prepared to get my kit off, but I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into...
We arrive at the bath house and he goes one way and I go the other as it's separated by gender. As I entered the women's area I saw nude Korean women everywhere and not a single foreigner in sight. My worries of sanitation of the 'baths' were quickly relegated to the back of my mind as I realized how different I was going to look naked. Not a single one of these women even trimmed their pubic hair. Being from the land of laser hair removal and bikini waxing I didn't ummmm 'fit in'. As if it weren't enough that I'm blonde, have darker skin than anyone there, and permanently look like I'm wearing a bikini (wretched tanlines!), I was also sans hair. The lady at the desk gave me a rubberized
The first five minutes I had to fight off the giggles because the situation was sooooo awkward. Every single eye in the place was on me, and no I'm not exaggerating. I even had a small boy run up to me and point and giggle! Honestly, I probably would have just left, but I had planned to meet Brenden back out front in one hour. So, I gave myself those five minutes to feel awkward, do my giggling to myself and pull it together. Of course everyone stil stared as I moved from bath to bath, but eventually I got used to it. I should point out for those of you who haven't attended a Korean bath house that it is just one huge room with several baths all of which have different temperatures. There are also steam rooms, etc. So you are never out of the sight of others. Ever.
I was stunned by how comfortable these women were just sitting there nude in the open while vigorously and meticulously scrubbing every part of their bodies. (I didn't bring a scrubber and thus didn't do this, however Koreans are apparently obsessed wtih scrubbing themselves-- I think this helps to get rid of any tanned/dead skin and keep them pale as possible) I noticed quickly that none of them had the stereotypical 'perfect' body by American standards, and furthermore none of them seemed to care. Not a single woman had implants, and in this moment I was never more grateful to not have them myself. Can you even imagine if I had all the aforementioned differences AND implants? I think they'd have ran to their lockers to grab their phones and take pictures of the circus freak!
At some point I became so comfortable in being different and novel that I actually no longer minded the staring. Here these women were baring it all and not thinking twice about their cellulite, excess fat, small breasts, hairy armpits, etc. So, who was I to be the one to ruin this beautiful display of womanly confidence? I simply wouldn't allow myself to do such a thing. As you shower off at the end you do so infront of a mirror-- it seemed very strange for the first 2.5 seconds, but then I recognized the person staring back at me as a friend, confidant, and ally. In that moment I had to question how could I ever even for a moment think of doing anything less than loving myself?
After our orientation the boys decided to go to dinner and the girls decided to join for drinks. While we were out Brendan decided to order bai giu which is a traditional Chinese drink-- definitely burns going down. Plus we were chasing the bai gui with soju which wasn't exactly a brilliant plan. The girls all decided to go home (they weren't drinking) and I thought it would be most interesting to tag along with the boys :) At some point I meantion a jjimjilbang (Korean bath house) in the area and one of the guys (Brendan) was super ansy to get to one. I should add at this point that he had already been to a bath house, and I had not. Somehow we decide that we should leave the restaurant and hit up the spa as it's open 24 hours. A couple of other guys were game and so some soju, bai gui, and Cass later we leave. Downstairs all of the boys except Brenden decide that they don't want to go to the bath house right then (probably a smart move) and that they're going to head to another bar. Me and Brenden jump in a cab and here is where the madness begins. I was prepared to get my kit off, but I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into...
We arrive at the bath house and he goes one way and I go the other as it's separated by gender. As I entered the women's area I saw nude Korean women everywhere and not a single foreigner in sight. My worries of sanitation of the 'baths' were quickly relegated to the back of my mind as I realized how different I was going to look naked. Not a single one of these women even trimmed their pubic hair. Being from the land of laser hair removal and bikini waxing I didn't ummmm 'fit in'. As if it weren't enough that I'm blonde, have darker skin than anyone there, and permanently look like I'm wearing a bikini (wretched tanlines!), I was also sans hair. The lady at the desk gave me a rubberized
The first five minutes I had to fight off the giggles because the situation was sooooo awkward. Every single eye in the place was on me, and no I'm not exaggerating. I even had a small boy run up to me and point and giggle! Honestly, I probably would have just left, but I had planned to meet Brenden back out front in one hour. So, I gave myself those five minutes to feel awkward, do my giggling to myself and pull it together. Of course everyone stil stared as I moved from bath to bath, but eventually I got used to it. I should point out for those of you who haven't attended a Korean bath house that it is just one huge room with several baths all of which have different temperatures. There are also steam rooms, etc. So you are never out of the sight of others. Ever.
I was stunned by how comfortable these women were just sitting there nude in the open while vigorously and meticulously scrubbing every part of their bodies. (I didn't bring a scrubber and thus didn't do this, however Koreans are apparently obsessed wtih scrubbing themselves-- I think this helps to get rid of any tanned/dead skin and keep them pale as possible) I noticed quickly that none of them had the stereotypical 'perfect' body by American standards, and furthermore none of them seemed to care. Not a single woman had implants, and in this moment I was never more grateful to not have them myself. Can you even imagine if I had all the aforementioned differences AND implants? I think they'd have ran to their lockers to grab their phones and take pictures of the circus freak!
At some point I became so comfortable in being different and novel that I actually no longer minded the staring. Here these women were baring it all and not thinking twice about their cellulite, excess fat, small breasts, hairy armpits, etc. So, who was I to be the one to ruin this beautiful display of womanly confidence? I simply wouldn't allow myself to do such a thing. As you shower off at the end you do so infront of a mirror-- it seemed very strange for the first 2.5 seconds, but then I recognized the person staring back at me as a friend, confidant, and ally. In that moment I had to question how could I ever even for a moment think of doing anything less than loving myself?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Day One
Trip is off to a brilliant start :)
Slept from 9pm to 2am- found myself awake in bed, minus my shirt (was very hot and apparently unknowingly took it off in my sleep) and my door was mysteriously open. I definitely thought I shut it. Lovely. Nothing says 'hello' to your new neighbors like a nude display on the first night! I sat in my room bored to tears and sooooo thirsty from 2-6 and then decided to go outside and walk around. Yes, alone-- I wasn't trying to leave my block, just seriously needed a drink! I think this might be one of the safest places on earth, seriously. Went into a shop and started collecting loads of drinks to buy and all of a sudden I see a familiar face :) Another girl was also unable to sleep and there she was. How funny that we'd both end up there at 6am, right? So I suggest we jog around the area while everyone sleeps since nothing opens until 9 anyway. We were seriously like 1.5 miles away when a torrential downpour occured! Not a cab in sight (apparently everyone in Seoul sleeps in), we wait 20 mins and then I'm like "we're already soaked let's just jog back and enjoy the rain", so we did-- laughing the whole way :) Think I'm going to the spa later to experience the whole 'bath house' thing and going to set up an accupuncture session. Terrified of needles, but hey when in Seoul... xx
Slept from 9pm to 2am- found myself awake in bed, minus my shirt (was very hot and apparently unknowingly took it off in my sleep) and my door was mysteriously open. I definitely thought I shut it. Lovely. Nothing says 'hello' to your new neighbors like a nude display on the first night! I sat in my room bored to tears and sooooo thirsty from 2-6 and then decided to go outside and walk around. Yes, alone-- I wasn't trying to leave my block, just seriously needed a drink! I think this might be one of the safest places on earth, seriously. Went into a shop and started collecting loads of drinks to buy and all of a sudden I see a familiar face :) Another girl was also unable to sleep and there she was. How funny that we'd both end up there at 6am, right? So I suggest we jog around the area while everyone sleeps since nothing opens until 9 anyway. We were seriously like 1.5 miles away when a torrential downpour occured! Not a cab in sight (apparently everyone in Seoul sleeps in), we wait 20 mins and then I'm like "we're already soaked let's just jog back and enjoy the rain", so we did-- laughing the whole way :) Think I'm going to the spa later to experience the whole 'bath house' thing and going to set up an accupuncture session. Terrified of needles, but hey when in Seoul... xx
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Hey dolls, thought I'd set up this page so that you can keep up with my Korean experience :) Not sure how frequently I'll have access to the internet, but will try to update as often as possible. Immunizations are done, visa is in hand... now for the 18 hours of flights. Yikes! See you in September :) xx
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