Those of you who are interested in articulate, up-to-date posts of how Elisabeth and I are doing on our trip to visit Esther in Korea would do well to visit Liz's blog. If, on the other hand, you don't mind meandering a bit behind the times, you can hang out here for a bit too.
We left New Jersey at 4:30 am on Tuesday, June 23 and arrived at Esther's apartment on the Hanyang University campus in Seoul some 28 hours later. It sounds a good bit more miserable than it was, and even the 13 hour flight from New York to Tokyo wasn't so bad. Still, it was good to sleep, and we managed to wake adjusted to our new time zone. So, Liz and I set off on a run along a tributary of the Han River. Apparently, we could have turned left and been in downtown Seoul in a matter of hours, but we turned right, running with bikers and ajuma- little old ladies, often sporting huge visors. After a few minutes, we realized that in our shorts and tank tops we had far less on than anyone else. Perhaps a few glances, but no prolonged stares. Here, it feels more as though we simply don't exist than that we are so noticeable as foreigners. Strangers jostle past one another without an "Excuse me" or even eye contact, but there have been a few amusing exceptions.
We found our way back and discovered the low red enamel table had replaced our bed on the floor and was now set for a breakfast of muesli and a crisp melon that tasted a bit like a sweet cucumber. It is so good to sit and eat with dear friends, and I look forward to the developing and continuing conversations throughout our time here.
After breakfast, we walked up many stairs and took a cable car to Nansam. On this mountain stands N Seoul tower, and we looked down on this city of over 10 million people. Seoul is the second largest megacity in the world and the eighth largest city, beating New York by over two million. It overwhelms me to consider the people and the movement, and of course the signs and the marketing of a city. In subway stations, advertisements everywhere call out, inviting us to "Feel the delicacy of bread" or experience "falling in the gentle taste of coffee."
More on people, food, travels to a smaller, greener town, and a trip into a war zone later. Liz and I are making dinner for Esther, who is teaching English to Korean businesswomen this evening. The salad is ready, Liz will prepare the salmon, and I'll stir fry onions, red and yellow peppers, and king oyster mushrooms.
We left New Jersey at 4:30 am on Tuesday, June 23 and arrived at Esther's apartment on the Hanyang University campus in Seoul some 28 hours later. It sounds a good bit more miserable than it was, and even the 13 hour flight from New York to Tokyo wasn't so bad. Still, it was good to sleep, and we managed to wake adjusted to our new time zone. So, Liz and I set off on a run along a tributary of the Han River. Apparently, we could have turned left and been in downtown Seoul in a matter of hours, but we turned right, running with bikers and ajuma- little old ladies, often sporting huge visors. After a few minutes, we realized that in our shorts and tank tops we had far less on than anyone else. Perhaps a few glances, but no prolonged stares. Here, it feels more as though we simply don't exist than that we are so noticeable as foreigners. Strangers jostle past one another without an "Excuse me" or even eye contact, but there have been a few amusing exceptions.
We found our way back and discovered the low red enamel table had replaced our bed on the floor and was now set for a breakfast of muesli and a crisp melon that tasted a bit like a sweet cucumber. It is so good to sit and eat with dear friends, and I look forward to the developing and continuing conversations throughout our time here.
After breakfast, we walked up many stairs and took a cable car to Nansam. On this mountain stands N Seoul tower, and we looked down on this city of over 10 million people. Seoul is the second largest megacity in the world and the eighth largest city, beating New York by over two million. It overwhelms me to consider the people and the movement, and of course the signs and the marketing of a city. In subway stations, advertisements everywhere call out, inviting us to "Feel the delicacy of bread" or experience "falling in the gentle taste of coffee."
More on people, food, travels to a smaller, greener town, and a trip into a war zone later. Liz and I are making dinner for Esther, who is teaching English to Korean businesswomen this evening. The salad is ready, Liz will prepare the salmon, and I'll stir fry onions, red and yellow peppers, and king oyster mushrooms.
1 comment:
from flickr, looks like you're having a grand time! it's good to hear it in your own words, though, too.
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