My visit back home was wonderful. I can't stop looking at all the photos! Memories to be treasured for a lifetime! And yet, it feels good to be back in Asia. Weird, yes, I know.... but as I have had much time to reflect on the oddity of this reaction, it has finally become clear to me. I have made a home for myself in my apartment in Daegon Village, Gunwi-eup, Gunwi-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. (My mouthful-of-an-address!). This is where 'I lay me down to sleep' at night. It also struck me, during my many hours of travelling reflection, that I am far more familiar with Incheon Airport than either Cape Town or Johannesburg! What can this mean? Hmmmmm ....
Speaking of Incheon Airport, many returning Koreans were sent to have their bags checked at Customs. (Or perhaps they were Chinese! The Koreans certainly mistrust the Chinese!). As for me, I have been very fortunate. I always get waved through. And yet I always have food in my suitcase! One time, I actually had to TELL them that I had beef jerky from Macau which I had forgotten to eat! Only then did they send me to have my bag checked! And even then, the Customs guy was too polite to scratch further, cos I controlled the situation very nicely, stopping any further examination by closing my suitcase myself, thank you very much!
My first few days back at school have been very easy, allowing me to drop off at my desk now and again, thanks to jet-lag and crazy socializing in Cape Town! I only taught 2 classes yesterday (Thursday) and even that was no big deal. So YAY for me! I'm also enjoying Korean food again, after a month of Western eating out, which was lovely, but took its toll on my body, I have to admit. I actually feel cleaner inside, since I'm back, if you can swallow that! (Pardon the pun!)
I experienced this odd sense of being rather pleased with the world and took utter joy in the moment, when I set foot on Hong Kong soil. Firstly, it was the end of a long journey (13 hours of flight from Jhb to HK). Secondly, was the fact that I had returned to Asian soil. I never thought this would happen to me.... that I would be happy to be the odd one out! There I was, surrounded by Asians, and I was happy to stand out from the crowd....literally! Thirdly, it having just re-occurred to me, is the fact that I totally LOVE Hong Kong! Although you might be foreign, and look and sound different, they don't actually give you a second glance. Thus, it is easy to start believing that you look like everyone else there! Whereas, in Korea, there is still that element of staring at foreigners.
I have also been very blessed by my Korean friends here. I came back to letters, emails and phone calls from teachers who had moved to other schools in my absence. I have one ex-coteacher phoning me almost daily to tell me how much he misses me! He even did this in front of his new foreign co-teacher! Ouch!
Weather-wise, my body loves being back here. I still get a laugh out of this.... when we landed in Korea, the temperature was 3 deg Celsius. And yet it felt nice and warm compared to when I had left a month ago. I must have brought the sunshine and heat from South Africa, cos I was the only one walking around in a t-shirt at the airport and feeling quite comfy! Nonetheless, things have definitely warmed up a bit here, with it raining daily. That means it's too warm for snow. This marks the beginning of Spring. And along with Spring, come fun and games :)
I have finally registered for a Korean language course, starting 20 March, at the YMCA. I also have to do an online course regarding teaching in Korea, starting 15 March. So the study bee that has been buzzing round in my bonnet will finally be satisfied for a while. And I have also been invited to a Korean wedding!
It would appear that things are about to get busy again, as they usually do here. Within 2 days of arriving back in Korea, I've received 7 invitations, 4 of which are for this Saturday alone! And that's beside the emails and text messages I received in Cape Town, asking whether I was still in South Africa and when I was coming back, and that they miss me! So while at first, some Koreans may appear aloof (remember, it's just the fear of foreigners), once they befriend you, they are amazing!
Yesterday, I went to pay some bills, etc, and as I was walking downtown, it felt so good as students were calling greetings from all directions. I almost got whiplash from all the times I had to look behind me, or across the street to see who was calling me! ("Andrea! Long time, no see!") And yet again, even a stranger whom I'd never met before, came to talk to me and intro himself.
And then later, I met Bernice at the doctor's before she came over to my place for dinner. And there were 2 young Korean guys, dressed very smartly in their suits and ties, paying what they called a 'business trip' to the doctor. These 2 gentlemen were very pleased to see me and Bernice, and we were rather involved in a very engaging conversation. They have traveled around the world a bit themselves, and so we could share quite a bit. I've never had such a good time in a hospital waiting room! Even the nurses, and another old granny, were killing themselves laughing. One of the doctors kept telling us that these guys are single, and he kept encouraging them to make more conversation with us! Hilarious!
Anyway, guys, as usual, I shall be keeping you posted. Stay tuned!
Love and hugs!
Andrea
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