Children's Day

Today is Children's Day in Korea. It's a public holiday, so I was really looking forward to some down-time. But yesterday afternoon, one of my middle school girls invited me to come watch her taekwondo presentation at the Children's Day Festival to be held here in Gunwi. How could I let her down? And so it was that I dragged myself out of bed this morning to go be the supportive teacher. Norman, the new Native English Teacher in Uiheung (another town in the same county) also had students performing in the festival, so we arranged to go together. And am I glad I went!

On the banks of the Wicheon River.

The setting was one of the best I've seen in Korea. And to think this was here in my town all along. There is a podium on the banks of the Wicheon River, with gazebos and actual lawn (well, it's a soccer field, actually). I'm so glad that I finally discovered this area. Bernice has saying for a long time, that she just wishes she could find a patch of lawn, to picnic on, or lie down with a book, like we can back in SA. Space is a limited commodity here in Korea. Do you remember me mentioning that 70% of this country is hilly/mountainous? Most of the flat land is used for accommodation, commerce and farming. Which leaves little space for recreational parks like we are used to in South Africa. Yes, they certainly have parks and such, but these are usually so packed with people, everyone vying for a spot that it's just far too crowded. Especially for a Capetonian who grew up with Kirstenbosch Gardens, suburban parks, vast stretches of empty fields and a big backyard.


Anyway, as soon as we arrived, people came to introduce themselves and gave us contact numbers to call them if ever we need to run an errand or just want to hang out. A mother asked me to please take a photo with her teeny tot of a daughter. Yup! Celebrity foreigner status at work again! LOL. I felt sorry for Norman, because she didn't ask him. You see, Norman was born in Hong Kong, and moved to the US when he was 10 years old. So, being Chinese-American, he looks Asian and Korean people automatically think he is also Korean. So he gets off scot-free!


There were many of my students present. High school and middle school students were on duty, cooking and serving food and generally being helpful to the patrons. Well, that was the general idea. Teenagers are the same the world over. They like to walk around, check out the scene, watch the entertainment..... The last thing they want to do is be stuck behind a braai grid, turning meat for hundreds of people. But they were all very sweet, and it was lovely to interact with them in this kind of environment.

Some of my shy and not-so-shy high school students.

Speaking of food, everything was free. No one had to pay for anything. Water was free, as were the pork cutlets, steak and samgyeopsal (strips of pork belly,or uncured bacon). Hundreds of cucumbers were being served as refreshing snacks. It was pretty strange to see cucumbers being munched as though they were hotdogs. Super healthy option.

Cucumber snacks!

Middle school students peeling cucumbers for Asia! (far left)

The festivities began with the usual National Anthem, and opening speech by the Head of Education for the Gunwi County. There was a mini 'big' opening fanfare with streamers being shot from the stage, fireworks, and pyrotechnics. The mayor handed out awards to various students. Then was all the fun stuff. They gave away bicycles and soccer balls. And finally, was the taekwondo presentation. I was really impressed. Afterwards, I went to meet the instructor. Get this: he is Indian, he learned taekwondo in India, and is now here in Gunwi, teaching Korea's national martial arts form to Koreans! How bizarre, but wonderful that he has this opportunity. And there are definitely some elements of Bollywood in his routines!

Opening Ceremony

The mayor awarding students.

Bicycle Lucky Draw (there must have been 20 bikes to be given away).

My beautiful students.

Many planks were broken this day!

The intercultural exchange continued when a dance company took to the stage. It was so dramatic and entertaining. Right up my alley. Belly-dancing, break-dancing, tango, hip-hop all performing in the same item. I absolutely loved it. And then there was also some Spanish dancing, with a modern twist.

Spanish Dancing

I also met up with my Philippino friend, Racquel, who introduced me to some more Philippinos, Cambodians and Chinese. With Norman and me also there, it was truly an international gathering there on the banks of the Wicheon River in my little rural town of Gunwi.

Racquel (from the Philippines) and Mrs So (one of my Korean evening class students)

Mrs So and Norman Lo

At lunchtime, I went home to rest. The festivities continued without me. But I was happy and sated with my morning dose of culture. It was truly heart-warming to see just how much Korea values her children.


I wonder, what else do you have in store for me, Korea?