Transportation
Public transportation in Korea is affordable, punctual, and convenient. Since Korea is s small country (a trip from Seoul to Busan takes around 4 hours), it is expected to utilize the amazing public transportation. The other week I took a 3 hour bus ride to get to the southern part of South Korea and I only paid $14 dollars. This is for a pretty nice charter bus that was very comfortable. The thing about the buses that I really am surprised about is the punctuality of the drivers. If the bus schedule says the bus is going to leave at 8:30, the bus will leave exactly at 8:30. Buses arrive on time and leave on time. This is kind of shocking to me since I am used to buses coming to bus stations at unpredictable times and being on time is far from the norm. Cheers to the Korean bus system.
Air quality
Living in my city, I have heard numerous stories of people’s skin problems becoming cured here because of the amazing air quality. Here in the mountains, trees are more common than people, and cars are so few that you actually turn to look when you hear a car coming. I’m a little sad that I will soon return to the air quality of Los Angeles after having been exposed to the fresh and crisp air of Gangwon-do.
Service
The customer service that I have been exposed to in Korea has been incredible. When I order 짜장면, the delivery person comes to my room, sets the food on the table, and 2 hours later, comes back to my room and takes the dishes and trash. In restaurants, waitresses and waiters receive no tip from customers; regardless, they still attentively attend to all the customers’ needs. My friend told me that Koreans are very quick to complain and cause a lot of ruckus if things go wrong or they are treated badly, so that’s why the service is so good. I’m just going to pretend that it’s because of the good intentions of the people.
Public transportation in Korea is affordable, punctual, and convenient. Since Korea is s small country (a trip from Seoul to Busan takes around 4 hours), it is expected to utilize the amazing public transportation. The other week I took a 3 hour bus ride to get to the southern part of South Korea and I only paid $14 dollars. This is for a pretty nice charter bus that was very comfortable. The thing about the buses that I really am surprised about is the punctuality of the drivers. If the bus schedule says the bus is going to leave at 8:30, the bus will leave exactly at 8:30. Buses arrive on time and leave on time. This is kind of shocking to me since I am used to buses coming to bus stations at unpredictable times and being on time is far from the norm. Cheers to the Korean bus system.
Air quality
Living in my city, I have heard numerous stories of people’s skin problems becoming cured here because of the amazing air quality. Here in the mountains, trees are more common than people, and cars are so few that you actually turn to look when you hear a car coming. I’m a little sad that I will soon return to the air quality of Los Angeles after having been exposed to the fresh and crisp air of Gangwon-do.
Service
The customer service that I have been exposed to in Korea has been incredible. When I order 짜장면, the delivery person comes to my room, sets the food on the table, and 2 hours later, comes back to my room and takes the dishes and trash. In restaurants, waitresses and waiters receive no tip from customers; regardless, they still attentively attend to all the customers’ needs. My friend told me that Koreans are very quick to complain and cause a lot of ruckus if things go wrong or they are treated badly, so that’s why the service is so good. I’m just going to pretend that it’s because of the good intentions of the people.
오대산
On Saturday took a trip to Odaesan with my friend Jae. It’s a close 30 minutes away and is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea. With temples and pathways galore, I enjoyed eating fried potato pancakes, drinking from the mountain spring water well, and trekking through the mountain. Afterwards, we went back to Jae’s apartment and he taught me how to play a popular Korean card game called 하트. For dinner, we ordered up some 짜장면 and watched 1 박 2 일.
On Saturday took a trip to Odaesan with my friend Jae. It’s a close 30 minutes away and is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea. With temples and pathways galore, I enjoyed eating fried potato pancakes, drinking from the mountain spring water well, and trekking through the mountain. Afterwards, we went back to Jae’s apartment and he taught me how to play a popular Korean card game called 하트. For dinner, we ordered up some 짜장면 and watched 1 박 2 일.
Church
On Sunday morning I went to the church of one of my students down the path from the mountain. It was very interesting because some of the songs were Karaoke style with the song coming onto the projector screen and everyone singing along (there were no people who could play instruments…the church was very small). Even with my limited Korean knowledge I was able to understand the sermon which was about being a light to the community and encouraging all the church members to be examples and witnesses in their businesses (which I know very well because Jangpyeong is pretty small) and lives. After service, we had lunch and I found out a lot of my students went to the church. The pastor (a grandfather figure who told me that he had studied at Emory University a long time ago) had me sit next to him at lunch and basically told me to teach Sunday School for the church in English so that I could help the youth group members learn how to pronounce English words. At first I was a bit shocked because of his frankness and his immediate trust in me to know doctrine and teach the children despite this being the first time meeting me. I told him I would need to check my schedule and would get back to him, while also informing him that I would be attending the Kindergarten teacher’s church the following Sunday. He told me to go to the church but to make sure I come back after visiting the other church because I was an answer to one of his prayers and to serve out of love. Wow, talk about being forward. I replied that I would consider what he said. After our discussion there was another service and the pastor would talk to me directly during the sermon (I was sitting in the back) intermittently. One of the high school girls and one of the high school boys then talked to me for a while after service, and then we all left the church for the afternoon. I’m still processing everything that happened, so I’ll post what happens another day.
Dinner Sunday Night
Went to dinner with my neighbor and the owner of the property I am residing in while in Korea. The owner of the house has lived in Jangpyeong for his entire life (60 years) and actually donated a lot of land for the elementary school. My neighbor is a cheerful and respectful man who does construction work in the county. Sharing a dinner of bulgogi, lots of side dishes, and two bottles of soju, I learned about the history of Jangpyeong, the popular alcohol choices in Korea (Makoli is getting popular, wine is more popular among women), places to visit, the extremely diligent work ethic of Koreans, and offers of help whenever I need to receive assistance (medical or whatever). They are considerate of all our differences and accepting of me as a person. I am so thankful for everyone around me.
I know this is a little early to say, but I have a feeling that I am going to be coming back to Gangwon-do in the future. There is a lot of need here for education, economic development, and the gospel. Being right below North Korea, Gangwon-do is also an ideal entry point for serving North Korea and being in the middle of a possible reunification of Korea. Lord, let your will be done.
On Sunday morning I went to the church of one of my students down the path from the mountain. It was very interesting because some of the songs were Karaoke style with the song coming onto the projector screen and everyone singing along (there were no people who could play instruments…the church was very small). Even with my limited Korean knowledge I was able to understand the sermon which was about being a light to the community and encouraging all the church members to be examples and witnesses in their businesses (which I know very well because Jangpyeong is pretty small) and lives. After service, we had lunch and I found out a lot of my students went to the church. The pastor (a grandfather figure who told me that he had studied at Emory University a long time ago) had me sit next to him at lunch and basically told me to teach Sunday School for the church in English so that I could help the youth group members learn how to pronounce English words. At first I was a bit shocked because of his frankness and his immediate trust in me to know doctrine and teach the children despite this being the first time meeting me. I told him I would need to check my schedule and would get back to him, while also informing him that I would be attending the Kindergarten teacher’s church the following Sunday. He told me to go to the church but to make sure I come back after visiting the other church because I was an answer to one of his prayers and to serve out of love. Wow, talk about being forward. I replied that I would consider what he said. After our discussion there was another service and the pastor would talk to me directly during the sermon (I was sitting in the back) intermittently. One of the high school girls and one of the high school boys then talked to me for a while after service, and then we all left the church for the afternoon. I’m still processing everything that happened, so I’ll post what happens another day.
Dinner Sunday Night
Went to dinner with my neighbor and the owner of the property I am residing in while in Korea. The owner of the house has lived in Jangpyeong for his entire life (60 years) and actually donated a lot of land for the elementary school. My neighbor is a cheerful and respectful man who does construction work in the county. Sharing a dinner of bulgogi, lots of side dishes, and two bottles of soju, I learned about the history of Jangpyeong, the popular alcohol choices in Korea (Makoli is getting popular, wine is more popular among women), places to visit, the extremely diligent work ethic of Koreans, and offers of help whenever I need to receive assistance (medical or whatever). They are considerate of all our differences and accepting of me as a person. I am so thankful for everyone around me.
I know this is a little early to say, but I have a feeling that I am going to be coming back to Gangwon-do in the future. There is a lot of need here for education, economic development, and the gospel. Being right below North Korea, Gangwon-do is also an ideal entry point for serving North Korea and being in the middle of a possible reunification of Korea. Lord, let your will be done.
2 comments:
Count me in your quest.
오대산?! you live 30 minutes awya?!!when yo ugo back take me with you!!!!!!
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