Departure day, or as the OCT fondly refers to it, D-Day. 8/17/2013. This is what the six weeks has been leading up to. From this point on, we are scattered across Korea. Luckily, some of us will still be quite close together. Here is my crew for the next year. The blonde (Meghan) and the short Korean (Mary) are the two that are closest to me. The rest are within the hour. As we lined up my province, the last time we'd all be together for a while, I turned to Cait and whispered, "Is this the real life or is this just fantasy?" And soon, we were off. As our names and schools were called, our co-workers rushed forward to greet us. Mine gave me flowers and then took a picture with me in the line. Some of the pressure was off; I had met my future co-workers. Most of the pressure just began to pile on. For the rest of the day, I'd be eating with my vice principle (who knows no English) and my Fulbright co-teacher. Then, we spent 2 hours in a car...where I slept. In a strange turn of events, my Fulbright co-teacher is also my host mother.
My host mother told me to call her Sarah. Her husband is Jason and their son is Charlie. Sarah and Jason are both English teachers. Their English is great. Charlie tries very hard and we have some great conversations. Upon arrival at my home, I get to see my own room. Its really big and nicely laid out. I spent the night unpacking after giving a customary gift to my host family. They let me know that I don't have any rules. My host family also tells me about their religion. Their some kind of Christianity, but ever since 1988, they've followed the teachings of a minister whose English name is Joshua John. Joshua John was a poor man who stopped his education after elementary school. After that, he met Jesus and was grown entirely by Jesus. Under Jesus' instruction, he built a natural temple/worship ground. All day Saturday, we visited this worship ground. Although my host family is religious, it does not seem that they will try to pressure me to be religious in any way. During the "message" part of the ceremony, Sarah and I trekked around the outside of the natural temple. We basically did a 4 hour hike and got to know each other a little better. It was very beautiful there and actually really nice.
The entrance to the natural temple.
The temple is centered on collection of rocks. Every rock has a special meaning and purpose. When Joshua John finds one, he brings it to this place. Now, there are hundreds of rocks.
This pavilion sits at the center of a man made lake where kids swim when it is hot.
My host mom's favorite rock
It is the face rock. People pray in front of it.
My host brother Charlie sitting on another face rock.
See the face?
I had to take a picture of the kid with the Jesus T-shirt.
Me and the Gazebo thing.
My host mom's other favorite Rock.
Who's to say kids can't have fun at a Church Retreat?
Jason and Charlie
Who doesn't love a 400 year old tree?
The Ethics Hall
"Love hot, hate hot" What a motto!
Traditional Korean instruments
Some old Hanji paper. There is Chinese and Korean lettering.
My bedroom. Let's hope I can keep it clean!!
The living room. This is where my host brother and I build "Cheong" or closeness over American music and Korean reality TV shows. I watched about a half hour of what seems to be Korean survivor. So much spicy food.
Our kitchen/dining area
And there are stacks upon stacks of Korean children's books that I hope to practice with. I read out loud to Charlie and Jason last night...or at least tried to!
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