I Hate South Korea

No, no. Those words would never leave my lips. In fact they would never enter my mind. Those words sit uncomfortable and awkward side by side in that title, like the way my students stand when forcing English out of them in front of their classmates.

I recently heard this statement. And I've heard it time to time. It's not the fact that somebody doesn't favor a flavor or a certain value or way of life. I detest ginger; I won't go anywhere near that hideous brown root. I'm not a fan of taboos such as women smoking in public. But to hate an entire country and everything they stand for? I wanted some details on this horrific idea. "Why?" I asked the most recent South Korea Debbie Downer. "Because everything about it is weird," he responded after not a hint of thought. And that was all. I even offered a second chance at explaining his allegation. Nothing.
I've heard this from some foreigners from the months I've been here. Some have no choice but to stay for work (ie: military). But, at least keep a positive view of the world around. HATING South Korea truly boggles my mind. Sure, there are some odd things that happen, and sure some things about Korea aren't oh-so-beautiful. Yeah, sometimes life here can get ugly and contradictory and, well...WEIRD. But what country is perfect? There are a multiple rants I can make on the negatives of America. Its values can sometimes be appalling. But I still love my country.

 I've realized that my adoration for SK was not merely a honeymoon period because I've surpassed those few beginner's love months and still have an absolute growing heart for it. As long as I am here, I tend to embrace South Korea and take home the positives. If I live abroad, I will try my utmost to respect and to understand as much as I could before making such a statement. If the only reason I give in hating a country is because it's weird, I don't deserve to be in their country. Give a valid reason, well, then that's different story. 

BTW, this sudden diarrhea of feelings is not written for the one mere person I spoke about. This goes for all those who come here with a closed mind, because the negativity that people bring shows in vivid colors and reflects on others, especially on those who are native to the country. Keep an open heart. And watch something pretty beautiful appear. Seriously. 

 <3, ReneeInSk

Hantan River, Monsoon Weather, & A Taxi Driver

How slightly awkward I felt, yet mysteriously content, as I left my apartment building and jumped into a taxi cab with a bunch of taxi drivers. OF whom their names were? I hadn't a clue. To where? That was a good question not even I had the answer to. The only memo I received was to bring a bathing suit. I precariously hopped in and let the driver drive. He obviously knew where he was going. He WAS a taxi driver, after all.

An hour drive and a grocery pit stop later I was at the Hantan River. Eight Koreans who knew not a single word of English and an American girl who knew not a single word of Korean.  Awkward? Most definitely. But fun nonetheless.

The monsoon.

After growing up in Texas, and traveling to the tropics of countries during rainy season, I've grown accustomed to summer showers. The kind where you walk through knee high rain mixed with street filth. Yum! Luckily, Monsoon hasn't been that insane, although I did witness a healthy hurricane. Monsoon season has been long. A little too long. It's turned from the guest of honor to that guy who just doesn't leave your house after the party is over. You know, the one that doesn't get the hint that you want to go to bed?? Well, his name is Monsoon. And the guy just won't leave! 

Anyways, when storm hit, I went from wearing sunglasses to running for shelter. My group's indecisiveness of where to park their picnic gear was quick on deciding. Rather than sitting at a tent, as most of the others did, we rented a "room" with a shiny floor and your typical South Korean sliding doors on all four sides. I wanted to run and dance about in the room screaming, "my room! my room!" like a kid. I felt a comfort in that small, bare room with the warm monsoon wind blowing through and food and drinks soon to be served. I felt a sort of comfort and relaxation that rarely surges through me.

 As soon as we parked ourselves, we began the bbq preparation. It was as if we each knew our parts to play in the preparation without a single word of planning. Some cleaned the lettuce and chopped the garlic. Some started the fire, some cooked the pork (10 kilos of sam gyup sal, that is!), and I helped set up the floor (or as we'd say it back in the States, the "table"). So, I finally looked out and noticed, once again, Korean beauty. The deep green mountains were misty with hovering clouds, the pouring rain dropped heavily, the kids ran around, screaming, smiling, laughing...Even mothers took in on this fun action, bringing out the youth in their faces as they ran back and forth to their tents. What a vivacious world this is...

Another point to make about this weather is...as soon as it begins, it ends. By the time the sun came out again, we were full with pork and kimchi, and red faced with beer, soju, and makkoli. 

The River
The shallow stream was filled with families. Clear and COLD water. But oh so refreshing. Being the only foreigner in the entire river, I wanted to blend in as much as I could. Meaning, I swam with my beach dress on, my poor bikini suffocating underneath. Because here in SK, aside from Seoul, bikinis are not in fashion. Not a single Korean had their shirt off or dared to wear a two piece bathing suit. It's a bit conservative, but at the same time comfortable. People didn't come to the river to show off their curves or sexy six packs. They came to swim! And tube. And splash at each other (even grown men took pleasure in this). And skip rocks. And just...have fun.

Taxi Driver
Although I never heard from the taxi drivers again, it was definitely a memorable experience. I'd love to go back, but I'd probably have to hire a car. Or a taxi driver.

ROK in H2O

A day at the swimming pool is quite different when it comes to Korean terms. If you think you're going to swim laps in the quiet, still waters of a deep blue swimming pool...well, I hate to burst your happy water balloon, because this is quite the opposite. You must remember that you aren't the only one ready to dive into cool water on a nice, hot and humid summer day. Pretty much all of South Korea wants to chilly down as well. 

There are six public swimming pools that rest along the Han River in Seoul. The one I visited was Mangwon, a short bus ride from the Hapjeong subway station. This outdoor tri-pool swimming facility is quite the experience. Not only is this location set below a bridge that stands still with traffic for hours upon hours, but it also rests beside the wide Han river. Water-splashing fun between a busy world and a slow stream, where bikers bike and joggers jog and walkers walk, all crammed together beside a heaping skyline! Another fascinating example of the diverse worlds of the Republic of Korea.  

The smell of chlorine and fried foods left me in indecision on which to begin with: fried chicken with hot sauce and mustard, or diving head-first into the pool? After scoping out the place, I decided on the latter first, and deliciousness after. Each pool had a top layer of bobbing heads, displaying a rainbow of swimming caps - in order to hop into the pool, headgear is a must. 

After a quick dip, I laid down to, once again, zoom into the minds (and feet) of the life in this crazy yet beautiful world. Every child is smiling. Every adult is resting. When Koreans want to enjoy their day, they don't mess around. Seriously. They just sit back, eat, nap, laugh...and pretty much enjoy. 

Also, as I lay there watching the world around me, I noticed a sense of beauty and cleanliness that the Koreans tend to maximize to a surprising extent. Bodies in perfect shape (for the most part), every woman show off their pedicures with intricate nail detail, many women wear high-heels (at a swimming pool?!), and they shower (with shampoo and all) at the end of the day. Yes, this sense of perfection exceeds beyond the spotless tents and shiny floaties and toothpicks served with fried finger foods. Is it that every Korean has a case of OCD? Or must they live up to the the Jones's? Or am I just used to a world where the five second rule extends a little longer? All in all, my world around me seemed perfect enough to take a nap under the scattered clouds and among the hundreds and hundreds of happy feet scuttling about, only inches from my face.