Yes, in Korea.

A new trip, therefore new tales to be told in a new blog site.

This first posting is one that explains the sudden and rash decision to my arrival here in Korea. But first a bit of background.

I returned to Vancouver from Colombia sometime towards the end of June. My contract was finished and therefore my visa would expire. Since I had my paid returned ticket, I figured I should use it, spend some time getting back on my feet and then figure out what was next for me.

I had spent a week just adjusting back to Vancouver time and without anything really productive to do with except read, surf the net, hangout at the beach or walk my dog, soI considered looking for a job to supplement the meagre amount of pesos in my bank account. I took a walk to the former place of employment, and voila, a job was offered to teach ESL. So there I was, making 20 bucks an hour, chilling with some great students (and a hell of a lot more "polite" and respectful than some of my Colombian students) and then on Wednesday morning was approached a few minutes before class started. "Amanda, would you like to go to Korea?"
I think the rest of the conversation went something like this;
"Uhhh, to do what?"
"To teach a TESOL program. Flight and accommodation is paid for on top of your salary."
"For how long?"
"The program is 6 weeks long, but perhaps a bit longer, time to adjust and prepare and then same thing when you come back, so possibly about 7 weeks or so"
"Sure, when would I leave?"
"This weekend."

The funny thing is, about a year ago I would have flipped or panicked, or just about lost it with some drabble about last minute plans, but with the experience of Colombia under my belt, a few days seemed liked eons to prepare. Besides, most of my clothing and things were already packed, passport was ready, and I really didn't have anything to hold me down in Vancouver, not even an address.

My flight left on Sunday afternoon. I was packed by Sunday morning, gathering the last minute things, although I was sure I had forgotten something, I have still yet to discover it. I endured the 10 hours of flight and landed in Seoul shortly after 3pm Korean time.

Immigration was as simple as handing over my passport and collecting a stamp. I think food stamp lines take longer, while customs was even easier as I just handed over my declaration card and continued to walk through. I waited for my bags and was already feeling parts of the culture. Few people could drive their airport buggies with ease. I was bumped several times, but all, fortunately, missed the achilles. People budged their way to the conveyor belt to get their baggage, which all seemed to look the same--various shades of gray or black. I was thankful that my multi-coloured non-matching bags would stand out just as much as the owner driving them recklessly through crowds in an unmanagable buggy.

I walked out the gates to find Paulina, the coordinator for Korea Times Media Education Department to meet me. A sweet woman who drove us back to the city. Her car was hooked up to some electronic Korean woman who constantly chimmed in some garbled high-pitched tone something about the speed limit, warnings about radar, and warnings to slow down. It was obvious that other Korean drivers either didn't have the same voice or chose to ignore her along with the speed limit, as they flew past us on both sides.

We arrived in Seoul, where the Han river was high and had caused serious floods in various parts of the city. The highways were clean, easy to navigate and not so full of traffic. I was surprised by the order of things. I didn't really have any sort of expectations, but figured Seoul would be a bit more chaotic. But then again, yesterday was the national day of rest. I suppose everyone was doing their obligatory 'rest' out of national pride and staying off the freeways.

The rest of the evening was spent having dinner, being chauffered around some suburb and then dropped off at my hotel where I watched Discovery Channel, and then ventured out to some corner store to buy some water and snacks. The short little woman giggled and laughed and knew it was hopeless to communicate after a long rant and no response from me. When the calculator came out a sigh of relief went through me--at least I could see numbers. I managed some sort of thank-you and got more giggles, and another psuedo rant with lots of smiles and arm grabs. I think we are friends now, but who knows!

So here I am. Digital camera in hand, and stories are sure to be had. I will be in Seoul for another couple of days then off to Daegu where I will begin teaching.

Until then....