I said this before but, I think if there is anything I have learned from this trip its this:
A lot of problems that seemed to be a huge deal to me, turned out to not be that big of a deal. At all times there is a world revolving that is completely independent of your own. This realization has made me feel much better about things in general in recent months.
I've been back home [ in the states ] for about 3 days now. I was picked up at the airport by 3 of my closest friends, which was nice to see them all at once. It was a kind gesture. My mom was in Korea, she went 1 week before I left so there wasn't really anyone else to pick me up. Seeing their faces...all I could really think was how I would rather they had just come to Korea and we could spend time together until the school semester started up.
You see, it hadn't hit me until I saw all 3 of them. Landing on american ground, not seeing majority korean people, and eating western food, none of that seemed to make me realize that....I just plain missed being in Korea already. I don't think I was ready to leave yet. And to think, in entry one all I could think about was how boring this trip was going to be compared to my previous plans to go with my white friend who has a huge interest in everything korean.
Going through my camera, I guess I didn't take that many pictures. I'm the kind of person who puts importance in the people I hang out with, more than the places that we are at. So yeah, that kind of personality is apt at *not* taking pictures.
I never expected it...but I met two people whom I now consider dear life friends even if I spent less than 2 months with them.
Here's one:
Yes that's me on the right. That was the first time we met outside of school, you see she's the school nurse at the elementary school I worked at. She had a huge interest in English and wants to eventually move to the states. I guess the rest of the story is mostly personal memories but meeting this woman completely changed my dull daily schedule of just going to school to teach English.
This is in front of the bus before going on a tour of Hwaseong [ wiki it ] and this baby is the daughter of the special ed teacher at the elementary school I worked at. Apparently everyone thinks she looks like a boy but I guessed she was a girl and ever since that time her mother was always fond of me lol.
Here's some pictures that I think are pretty cool. The one with the bird was my wallpaper for a day or two. I didn't even expect it to come out like that.
This next set is of the MBC drama shooting locations. Lots of Korean historical dramas were shot here:
Some wax people:
This is a pulley machine that moved rocks up and down a mountain:
Me and some employee dude:
First time I ever shot a bow and arrow, was much harder than expected:
Me and another student around my age who happened to go on the tour that day. He was excited since I spoke korean and english so well -____-:
Me in front of a church:
Near same church:
Visited a huge lake:
This shit was orgasmic since I'm a huge shellfood lover:
God I wish they had that kind of restaurant where I live.
Basically you grill raw shellfish over the fire.
Here's a recent phenomenon called Dr.Fish. It was pretty strange. You put your feet in the water and these fish bite/suck at your skin and ' clean it ' Yeah...I only put in my hand for about 5 mins then it got too weird. Didn't really see any difference:
Me and some of the kids I taught on our last day. I bought some cake and other refreshments for them:
Me receiving a ' thank you ' commemorative plate [ I guess that's the best way to describe it lol ] for my work at the elementary school:
Me and my dear friend^^:
Ice skating later that day:
Buddhist temple on Suk-Mo-Do island:
If you push that three times slowly you will have good health apparently.
The obligatory cheers picture. Some kind of ginger drink, was the only thing that was similar in alcohol proof to what my friends and I usually drink in the states. So it was pretty welcome lol:
On the subway crossing the Han river:
Me giving an impromptu speech to a English class of adults. The teacher invited me to say a few words after he found out what I was doing in Korea:
Oh here's one with Susie, didn't come out too well for me... she's got the other ones <_<:
actually edited here getting a better one.
This one is with me her and a friend of mine who I've known through vent for 6 years but met up for the first time during this trip:
Anyway.... there's more pics but those are the ones that I thought were interesting. Also some are more or less personal memories I'd like to keep to myself hope you guys don't mind.
Here's to you, busy bustling Korea:
tbh this was rushed and not as thorough as I originally planned so I apologize to people who expected more.
I'm planning to go back next year. I can't wait!