I must start this post by correcting a mistake in my last post. They do have sidewalks; however, a car or motor scooter will drive on any sidewalk at anytime. Thus, semantically, it does not constitute a sidewalk.

Upon arriving in Korea, I was met at Seoul/Incheon International by a travel liason that put me on a bus to Daejeon. This trip would be another two and a half hours added to an already weary 13 hour transpacific flight, a 5 hour layover, and a 5 hour cross-country flight. My first impressions on arriving? Cold as shit! I don't mean to curse, but if you felt it you would understand.

I was greeted in Daejeon by the man who would be my boss, Mr. Gu (goo). He is a short, good-humored man. He was unbelievably gracious to me. He took me out to eat at a restaurant that served Dokas(?) or pork cutlet that you cook in the middle of your table on a hot plate. It was unbelievable to me how big the portions are at meals in Korea and somehow these people stay so small (I have seen a few chubbier Koreans but not many.)

Mr. Gu then took me to my apartment and showed me everything and how it worked and was turned on. Then it got awkward. First of all, by this time it was nearly midnight and he is a married man with kids, so I felt as thought i was beginning to inconvenience him (more on Korean bedtimes to come). Second, Mr. Gu, upon thoroughly displaying my apartment to me, sat down on my bed, asked me to sit next to him, and then proceeded to have a long discussion with me about all things America and all things Will Reedy for close to an hour. Where I am from two men don't sit in one's bedroom until the wee hours of the morning chit-chatting. But I find conversation is valued much more in Korean culture than in America.

I arrived on a friday night and spent most all of the first weekend walking around and exploring. That next monday, I showed up to work at 1:30; awesome! I was under the impression that my first three days would be training. Not the case. Since I speak English as my native tongue, my boss is under the impression that the curriculum would be no obstacle for me. So, as soon as I showed up I was in a classroom with four Korean students who were looking for some teaching. The first day was hectic, and I ran around from class to class, as my curriculum was spread out all-throughout the entire school. After getting things organized the rest of the week went quite smoothly. I go off work Monday, like everyday at 9;25 at night and went on home.

Koreans go to bed at 1 oe 2 in the morning and get up at 9 or 10. This is very odd to me. Many places don't even look open for business until 2 or so in the afternoon. This was an uneasy change for me because as those who will know me will tell you, I wake up around 7 on a typical day. While I like to get early starts, the Koreans don't, and I don't see them changing for me.

Well enough narrative for now. My future posts can hopefully be more interesting commentaries on life in Korea. I love and miss you all unless I don't know you and you are reading this.

Until next time, Anyonghasayo. Not sure on the spelling, but that's how it sounds; it means bye bye!