Pusan

The weekend in Pusan was very busy, but the interviews I did on Sunday were as wonderful as those in Seoul. Thank you to the teachers for their candor, humor and willingness to share their personal stories!

I stayed with a Korean friend of a Korean friend. My hostess was Mrs. Ann, and she was truly gracious and lovely, as were her daughter, sister and mother. She showed me her office at the printing company she runs as president (print shops look and smell the same the world over, apparently), and she took me for sashimi (talk about fresh!) on Saturday. Sunday morning, before my interviews, she and her sis and mom and I all went to the sauna (hot mineral bath and sauna rooms) in her building. She lives in what we'd call a condo, on the 18th floor of a posh building overlooking Haeundae Beach. From her livingroom windows, one can see the beach, the sea, and the APEC (?) house - the place where the president of Korea meets with foreign dignitaries.

The bus ride to Pusan was fun, as I was on my own and I find that when I'm on my own here I enjoy myself the most. The feeling of independence and satisfaction at negotiating things like buying a ticket and getting on the right bus, and getting off at the right stop, sound pretty tame, I realize, but in a foreign land and a foriegn tongue, it can be quite the accomplishment!

During my last interview, or rather just as the 2nd one was ending and the 3rd interviewee was arriving, a vast storm front moved through. If you've watched CNN you know that 5 mountain climbers were hit by lightning around Seoul. This storm was massive, a cold front hitting what had been an intense heat that was scorching us for a week or so. The lightning was magnificent and terrifying to see/hear/feel as the front moved out to sea. Thankfully, though, the cooler air has stuck around and it's a truly refreshing change from the blast funace of the last week. However, I'm wondering how much of the thunder is caught on tape - certainly the lightning flashes are there. I joked with the teacher that the storm would give him a "mad scientist" sort of feel. Or at least, a "mad English teacher" he remarked.

Coming back to Ulsan, I stayed another night with my friend Suzie, then today we hit a cuople more shops (for specific items - the Buddhist store for incense, and a Mashimaro something or other for my husband). Finally we said a tearful goodbye and I realize again that what made Korea such a special expeience in the first place was the friendships I've made for a lifetime. I also said goodbye to my former boss, the director of Prolang's.

This evening I spent on my own, walking around the area and peeking into shops, buying some dinner for myself to nosh on in the hotel room, and generally wearing myself out. It's been a good day and I'm curious as to what tomorrow brings.

There is a chance I may be coming home early -- my friend Chang has a bit of an emergency situation with his students in China, so our travel plans are nixed. I am trying to catch an early flight home but this is Korea's busy travel season, as luck would have it, so my options are slim. Who knows, my next posting may be from home! We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed.