Now I live in Korea. The plane ride was a long one but not necessarily nighmarish. I got to watch that movie "Everybody's Fine" on the plane and there wasn't even 1 Sandra Bullock picture shown over the entire course of the 18 total airborn hours. I arrived in Seoul and was met by my fantastic fixer pam with whom I got to enjoy a couple beers and conversation for an hour. Aparently, when you buy beer in Korean convenient stores, they give you a free bag of "Corn Chips" which are kinda infectiously addictive and sort of taste like salty Cap'n Crunch.
I took a 4 + hour bus to Daegu, not really knowing what or who to expect. Along the way I observed the thick of the Korean countryside. I guess, in a lot of ways, it reminds me of ... well ... Pennsylvania. But the other thing I notice is non-stop cranes and Scaffolding. It's aparent to me that Koreans are not much into building something so they can marvel at it for centuries. This is a country of constant growth and shows it's colors well.
As I kinda figured, I was met by nothing but an empty bus station at night. Luckily I had my predecessor, Ryan's Korean cell phone number on hand so I was able to call him from a payphone, a process which involves shoving 100-won coins into the kiosk at a rapid pace to subdue the inevitable cut-off. And, he sportingly agreed to come out and retrieve me by cab. For, I am actually working in the neighboring (but no less urban) city of Chilgok and not, in fact, in Daegu. News to me.
Ryan took me to my new apartment which has been his until now. I really can't believe I have my own place. It's kinda great. The bathroom IS the shower and that's awesome. I only brought one bag and a guitar so unpacking was a sinch and I got right to bed (after 3 days of being a zombie).
Ryan didn't even HAVE to give up the apartment for his last week here but he did me a favor and stayed with another teacher so that I would be more comfortable. I consider myself extremely lucky to be replacing such a capable and obliging fellow. To be honest this week would have been an exhausting nightmare if it weren't for the guy. He stocked my apartment and wrote my next month's lesson plans. And, I assure you, there are A LOT of classes. In addition, he's been available to answer my every question about teaching in general and, particularly, at this school.
ALLOW ME TO CLARIFY ...
I AM a Certified English Teacher. And, truth be told, that helps me NOTHING. I am working around mostly Korean and some American teachers who, for the most part, have been either most-adequately trained and / or experienced in teaching. I, on the other hand, am a young, clumsy death metal guitarist who spends very little time with children and has barely ever used a marker or office chair. Suddenly, I find myself teaching 15 + different categories of classes per week, all with their own individual books and protocols and many with different bodies of students.
Between trying to remember names and techniques, learning how to be engaging, making up lesson plans, teaching and watching Ryan teach MUCH MUCH BETTER and thee ensuing jet lag that causes me to break down into severe bodily pain as a result of untreatable mid-day exhaustion, I haven't really had much of a chance to observe and participate in much Korean spectacle and / or everyday life thus far.
BUT ...
I got to go to the Jimjilbang (spa) which was great for relieving some of my nervousness about teaching for the first time. And I've also been making a point to slowly start creeping upon some of Korea's culinary delicacies like Gimbap (like sushi for soccer moms), old brown eggs (hard to describe ... fiberous?) And "Milkis" (a dairy- based soda. I'm not kidding). Also, many of the Koreans I've encountered so far are kind of delighted, shocked and impressed than I can actually speak and read the tiny morsel of Korean that I can. I hope that this will help me to have a stronger relationship with my co-workers as time rolls on. In any case, it can't hurt.
I have to plan for 10 classes tomorrow!!! Of which I've only had the experience of teaching 2 previously this week and I'm a little bit overwhelmed and terrified to be doing it without Ryan's help. But his wings must spread as mine shall as well and I'm sure it'll be bumpy but fine. This weekend, I hope to tour this city a bit and find out a little more as to what makes Koreans tick. So far, it's wearing black and yelling out "HELLO!!!"
