Final Countdown

Well, it's been a busy summer so I haven't updated in quite some time. The Expo was my last real 'trip', although I've been getting in to Seoul and seeing my friends whenever I can.

As you probably know, I'm packing up and leaving Korea soon, back to the land of Driving and Supersized Meals and English Speakers. I'm looking forward to going, but devastated to leave.

Today is Sunday, August 26 2012. I'll be catching a flight at 10 on Monday September 3 and leaving the Land of Morning Calm forever...well, let's hope not. But for quite some time, anyway. I can't even begin to describe how much Korea has come to mean to me. I'm not even going to try.

Anyway here's a story.

Yesterday I arranged to meet one of my students from Tomato in Gimpo. I haven't actually taught her since probably February of 2011. But we've said hello from time to time via KaTalk and when she discovered I was planning to leave soon, she said she wanted to meet. But not only that, she talked to her parents who also wanted to meet me so between us we arranged a time and finally got together.

She and her mom picked me up near my house in Incheon and we went out for a big lunch of Bulgogi in Bucheon, at a place named 'Our Owner is Crazy'. Then, we went for coffee and bought tickets for a cruise on the new 'river', the Ara Waterway.

I can't remember if I've mentioned the Ara Waterway before. It's an extremely controversial undertaking by President Lee Myung Bak. Basically it is a built-from-scratch river/waterway connecting the sea in Incheon to the Han River, which will allow both cargo and cruise ships access to Seoul. It's an interesting idea, but controversial not only for the effects of taking a lot of much-needed land formerly used for rice fields, but also the huge ecological impact. Still, I've been fascinated by the project ever since I first saw it in 2010 and have watched the process of digging it and filling it, and now finally I was to ride on it.

So we went on an hour-long cruise on the 'river' and it was lovely. I saw birds, even an actual flock of them! And I saw that actually already the land on either side of the waterway has been developed into parks, much like Han River park albeit on a smaller scale. There were pagodas and waterfalls and bike trails all along. People on shore waved to us as we passed and the passengers waved back. After we docked we had a short wait for the shuttle bus to return us to Gimpo. And on the way back was one of the most splendid sunsets I've seen in a long time. After getting back to our car, my students mom drove us to Janggi dong, my old stomping ground, and dropped us off so we could have dinner together before taking me home. Janggi has come a long way. There are lots of new buildings and restaurants, and an incredible amount of apartments. Far more apartment high rises than there seems to be shopping centers, but I'm sure all that will follow soon.

We went to a nice steak and pasta place, just the two of us. My student is one of the tiniest people I've ever known and she ordered the 28,000 Won Surf and Turf. And ate it all. It put me and my cream pasta to shame. But luckily by this time she had overcome most of her shyness and we had some good jokes and conversations.

After dinner her parents picked us up and I met her dad. He doesn't speak English (unlike her mom who does, although not very well). But he also was very kind. They drove me home and I directed them to my front door.

I forgot to mention that back when my student and I were first talking about getting together, she told me her mom offered to drive me to the airport. And as they dropped me off last night, it was confirmed. She and her dad will come to my house at 7am next Monday and drive me to Incheon airport. Her mom was going to do it but they decided since my bags are heavy, it's best if her dad comes. Her mom had been worried that it would make me uncomfortable for them to give me a ride because I don't know them well.

But really, it's very very touching. And yet another example of the kindness I've experienced from the Korean people. This was my first time meeting them and my first time seeing my student in over a year, but they wanted to help me and she said she considered me like her own daughter. And if I ever come to Korea with my family and friends, we can stay at their house for free as long as we like. And she meant it, too.

Between this family, Hannah's family, and the Mountain Climbing Club I met on New Year's, not to mention the multitude of others I've had brief encounters with over the last 2 years, I can confidently say that overall Korean people are very kind and welcoming and I'm beyond moved by their kindness.

Well, just a few hours over 7 days to go and I'll be gone...but until then, I plan to appreciate every remaining moment.