In Seoul

Our halfway point was marked with a visit to Seoul, about 4 hours from Gwangju. What a beautiful city, with the mountains as the backdrop and tons of green space. It has the international feeling of other big cities around the world and we love walking through the streets discovering just a taste of what the city has to offer. Gwangju feels a world away, with all the Korean cultural flare that you would expect. We are stared at and treated like rock stars in Gwangju, in Seoul, you blend in much easier. Candace actually ate a steamed silkworm, and said it tasted like $*@! it smelled like it to, Mr Park ate the whole cup while the rest of us politely declined. The team had the opportunity to go out to clubs in an expat area and meet others from around the world who share their love of Korea. Today we are shopping in a market, then going to a temple to stay overnight, very excited about this.

Adjusting to Korea

After several home stays (I had 9 in the first 10 days) we are settled in Mokpo, our favorite city thus far. The Rotarians warmly met us and even had a welcome sign done during a night-time laser show in our honor. But I will back up a little, we had a tough time with one set of clubs when they chose to put the five of us together in an apartment with no family. It was the most disgusting place I have been in, the rotarians dropped us off quickly and left, no beds, towels, hot water and worse, it was filthy especially the bath, which I won't even go into. So we grabbed a cab and headed to a hotel, unfortunately, some convention filled all the hotels, so we were forced to go back and rough it for the night. When the AG came the next morning, I told him, I would be ashamed to put anyone there and we would not stay there another night. After much arugements between the AG and clubs we were told we would be with different families for the next two nights,....we are use to moving so no problem. The families we have stayed with have all been wonderful and word on the street must be that we like fried eggs and toast, because they are all offering that as an option. One family actually had French toast, I thought I was in heaven. While Nate is the adventurous eater and Chris will try just about everything, the balance of us are a little Squamish around foods that move and I have a problem with foods that are red, they tend to be super spicy. I have not had a diet coke since the plane ride over here and the team created a new drink which many seems to like a combination of soju and coke or soko as we call it. Candace is our model, with amazing poses at all the sites and Brandon is the superstar with his blonde hair and muscles the kids and women go crazy. We can sit crossed leg for long periods, don't complain about sleeping on the floor and are masters with chopsticks. But I will say we get excited when we see chairs in a restaurant or beds in a home stay. Sorry I still can't upload pics.

What a Difference a Week Makes

“There is no greater power than that of a laugh and happiness is a force which can save a person from the horrors of the world.”
― Hillary DePiano

Korean Hi-Five - The international sign of AWESOME.

Enjoying laughter in South Korea.

This quote is so true.  Here is some comic relief from South Korea.  The Top 10 List for the first week:

The group visiting a temple.

1. Red lights are optional in South Korea.
2. You can park anywhere you please and block other people in.  Everyone posts their phone number on the windshield of their car.  If you need the car moved, you call the person....or if they have left the keys, you get in and move it yourself.
3. Washing your hair here is a long process.  Blow-dryers operate on 120v.
4. Some jabanero peppers are way hotter than others...watch out!
5. Koreans love to eat!  They eat so many times per day and so many things at once.  They keep telling us to eat...I watch them and have no idea where they put it.
6. They love American 80's music.
7.  Husbands and wives argue over parking and driving here just like us.
8. Husbands and wives can prefer different political parties and joke about it just like us.
9. They believe that America is so wealthy that we give free healthcare to all of our citizens (haha).
10. "Oh-pa", the traditional greek toast, actually means "older brother" in Korean.  They think it is hilarious when you shout this during a toast.

Overall, Koreans are just like Americans (though perhaps more respectful in many ways).  They are such a warm and loving people who welcome outsiders with such great pride and joy.  It is a very trusting and communal culture here in Gwangju.  In a city of 1.5 million you see young children walking down the street alone, bikes that are not chained up, and women who leave their purses at the door.  For the first time in over 11 years (Sept 11th)  I have walked the streets without looking suspiciously at the person next to me and wondering if I was in danger.

 I had never given much thought to the country or its people before visiting here, but now, having visited and realizing how similar the American culture and humor are to our own, it breaks my heart to think of the possibility of North Korea following through on its threats against the people here.  I could not imagine living every day in fear of an enemy that is so close (though many South Koreans do not see the North as an enemy and wish for re-unification).

I'm looking forward to the rest of the journey, but what a difference a week can make.  The GSE program truly can make individuals ambassadors of peace through the friendships that are created through these experiences.  

We Have Arrived

Well we have finally arrived.  24 hours after departure we arrived in Gwangju.  We were met by Korean Rotary members with large boquets of red roses, flashing cameras, our interpreters...and an overall rockstar greeting.

The journey was long.  We had 14 hours in flight that was relatively smooth except for some rough turbulenece coming down from the North Pole over Russia.  It was enough to make all of us gasp and the 11 year old Korean girl next to me grab my hand.

I must say, I have been taken back by the beauty of the Korean women.  They are all flawless with glowing skin and perfectly placed hair.  Other surprises include the pace at which everyone here moves.

Despite the fact that we were seated at the front of the bus on the ride to Gwangju, we were the last ones off of the bus as all of the Koreans orderly filed off ahead of us.  When we arrived at the hotel, the elevator doors were another challenge.  The closed so quickly that Brandon and I had a comical adventure trying to get all of the luggage out of the doors while they kept shutting on us.

When I arrived at my hotel room, some friendly Koreans had to help me figure out how to get into it.  Apparently you have to pull the door open instead of pushing.  The beds were hard, but not in the floor.  The toilet was quite amusing with many buttons.  I tested it out by pressing all of them of course.  The shower had 5 heads on it and sprayed every which direction.  I even noticed a "courtesey bell" in a bathroom at the airport.  I'm guessing you hit this to hide any sounds that you may be making in your stall.

Not many people here speak english, and most writing is in Korean as well.  I'm quickly realizing just how challenging the next month is going to be in terms of communication and food.

We are off this afternoon to meet our first home stay families.  I'm eager to finally be immersed in the Korean culture and looking forward to the journey ahead.

Until next time - Candace (on behalf of the team).

District Conference

Both teams met up again during the District Conference at the Boar's Head Inn, Charlottesville. We would give a preview of our presentation.  The audience loved the trailer we made previewing our arrival and many compliments on our upbeat, high energy presentation. The team members arrived on Thursday evening, I did not arrive until Friday morning, so during their evening meal they voted to not preform the YMCA song in Korea.  I was okay with that, but pointed out the we did have to offer some from of entertainment at the end of the presentation.  After a couple of options they all agreed to "Take me out to the ballpark"  which is appropriate as baseball is America's favorite past-time and we all know the words.  Nate even went as far as to make a logo and ordered T-shirts for us, we will all bring our own baseball caps to wear.

Two teams at District conference
(Team member, Chris, was unavailable)

The Korean Team dressed in traditional Hanbok, which were all amazing; Mr Park's outfit was the same that he wore at his wedding, many years ago. Suk & Jihyun were breathtaking in their outfits and the men equally handsome.  And, while I have several saris from my travels to India the Hanbok are all individually made and quite costly, so not on my shopping list while there.

The team returned to Gwangju on the 5th and we are looking forward to seeing them again in 11 days!

The countdown starts,  I have purchase my host gifts, as well as those for the Rotary leaders in Gwangju and for children that I know we will meet. The business cards, thank you cards & brochures should all arrive by the weekend.  I did not get the brochures in Korean, my only regret.  I will put the presentation on at least one other team member's laptop as I will only have the flash drive.   My netbook is being used by Chad for school, after his laptop's screen died and he wants to wait to get the newest apple in a couple of months.  A friend has offered the loan of her IPad so I can still blog & email, thanks Linda!!!!

East Meets West

Both Teams with Maggie & Max

While it's been some time but here is an update.  Both the inbound and outbound GSE teams met at my home on March 18th, What a great opportunity to discuss each team's perspective. The Korean team is a fun group and even with a language barrier we were able t communicate.  I think we got he better end of the deal as they were half way through their journey and we had 1 month before ours is to begin.  We took group pictures and discussed what to take, what not to take, what it's like at a host family home.  The basics, mainly we know to pack small and light and a suitcase with 4 wheels is the best. The team knows to be open to all new experiences and is looking forward to our departure, just 16 days away.  Team member Jihyun help me with my translations on the presentation.  Google translate doesn't get it quite right.  So I am immensely grateful for her assistance.

Two Team Leaders

The outbound team w/ Maggie & Max (seated)

Three of the team members stayed at my home but often all 5 were present, as it made it easier for meals.  They especially liked that I had Korean food available.  Thank goodness for the Korean Grocer in Newport News who showed me what to buy.  The team especially liked the homemade Kimchi and spicy noodles.  I had some help cooking the octopus. 

7600 & 7610 GSE Dinner

First, I want to thank district 7600 for inviting our team to join them for a joint meeting and dinner at Kung Sung's in Williamsburg. It is unusual for neighboring districts to both be going to the same country on a GSE experience at the same time.  For both teams it is a great opportunity to learn from one another in the preparation process.  There is a long history between Districts 7600 & 7610, at one time they were a combined district.  We have partnered on many projects (especially Polio Plus) and have a fun rivalry with the 7600/7610 Paul Harris Cup, a trophy that goes to the district with highest Rotary Foundation per capita giving, the cup currently resides with 7610.
The teams met at the home of PDG Jim & Suki Pierce where we watched a video on Jim's & Suki's experience at District 3620's District Conference.  We were all in awe at the number of attendees, over 7500, as we normally have around 300 attend our conference.
Suki was born and raised in Korea and was most helpful in giving us tips on etiquette and cultural customs.  She also ordered all of the food, much of which I am finally recognizing. We learned there are many many different types of Kimchi and Koreans love the sour cabbage Kimchi that has been fermenting for a long duration.
I am trying to avoid the red paste or anything that glistens with red coloring. Jim showed us the proper way to pour a drink and that we never pour our own.  We chatted about everything from what to wear, how to correctly hand a business card to key phrases that we need to learn.  Of course the every needed "where is the bathroom? 화장실이 어디 있어요? (hwa-jang-shi-ree uh-dee-ee-ssuh-yo?)

The 7600 team  begins their journey on April 2, almost 3 weeks ahead of us, we are looking forward to reading their blog and hopefully getting more great tips.  Thank you Jim & Suki for a hosting great evening.