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.