Korea Visit

At rather short notice I came to teach in Korea. Not much notice as I replaced someone else who was supposed to come, but fell ill. I had a very short time to try and get my head around everyhting and be ready for this adventure.

I flew into Incheon International Airport via Korean Airlines from Australia on April 1st, and was pretty wrecked after the 10 hour journey and getting a cold en route. Actually I had had a cold some time earlier, but thought I'd shaken it, but the flight freshened it.

I was to be met by someone at the airport but they were a few minutes late. Can you imagine arriving at a place where you have never been, do not know the language, and have little information about your destination?

I was alone for just 5 minutes though, and my welcoming party arrived. Two guys and a lovely lady. They were wonderful - so polite and helpful. We got into the car, and sped south.

It was on dusk so there was not a lot to see - tall buildings - high rise accomodation seemed to cover the landscape, The traffic was surprisingly orderly - I guess my days in China had lulled me into a sense that all Asian drivers were a little crazy - but there was orderly driving, albeit at times fast - though it was cars passing us. Our driver was great.

When we got into the car one of the guys asked if I was hungry. I said "no' because I honestly wasn't. They were starving, and it wasn't long before they were asking if we could stop. They had already driven for over four hours and were in need of a break and some food, so we stopped at a roadside complex that sold a lot of fast food.

I enjoyed the meal - my first Korean meal that the folks had chosen for me, and they laughed afterwards as my first Korean meal was actually a Japanese dish.

After that break we continued on - on and on - as it was a long drive from Incheon to Jeon Ju, and the apartment that was to be my home for the next 3 months or so.

It was very late at night when we arrived in Jeon Ju - I had been up very early for my flight which was a 10 hour flight, and the 3 hours or so from Incheon I was very tired.

I fell into bed and slept well.

The next day two of the fellows came to pick me up and took me for lunch, and to see a little of the city. It is a clean city for the most part, and rather dull looking but it is at the end of winter, early spring and there has been littie warm weather, so as yet the blossoms are just starting to come out, and the green buds, tiny buds, are appearing on the branches of the trees.

One day soon it will be spectacular I am sure.