한국서바스

Journal of Rany in Korea

엄재량 2004-05-12 (수) 15:40 추천:0 조회:2927

제가 호스트 했던 Rany가 메일을 보내왔군요. 짧은 기간 많은 것을 기록하고 담아 갔군요. 우리에게 도움이 될 것 같아 올려 봤습니다.

Journal -- Seoul -- May 3-6, 2004

It was a little bit anxious as my plane began its descent to Incheon, coming to this new place and not knowing what people would be like.

Incheon International Airport located on reclaimed land. It connected to S. Korea's mainland by the Yeongjong Bridge. .

Coco, my friend, greeted me at the airport. I rented a mobile phone at the airport and called Mrs Ji, the co-ordinator in S. Korea, who I contacted few days before. Mrs Ji introduced me to Mr Kang who would be my host.

Coco and I went together to Mr. Kang's home by airport limousine. The limousine at Incheon is a comfortable bus that has fixed stops to certain areas.

We arrived at Mr. Kang's home in the evening on May 3, 2004. Mr. Kang and his younger son, Sae Min, picked me up at the limousine station near where they live. Sae Min handed me a red rose when we met. A sweet boy....

After about 3 minutes walk, we arrived at a 3-story house. Each floor had a separate entrance. My room was on the top floor along with Mr. Kang's mother's room.

Mr. Kang told me one reason he joined the Servas Host was to give his teenage sons a chance connect to International people.

Next morning, still school holiday, after breakfast, Hyeon Il, the elder son in grade 5 and Sae Min showed me around the area where they live. We also went to the library. I really appreciate 12 year old Hyeon Il trying to talk to me in English sometimes with interesting gestures when he couldn't find the right word -- so cute! At his age, I would say Hyeon Il was already a very professional guide!

Mr. Kang came home around lunch time, we all went to a nearby restaurant. On the wall, there were photos of local movie stars and politicians taken at the restaurant. Mr. Kang suggested that I try "bibimbup", a traditional Korea dish with raw fish, vegetables, and rice. Usually it mixed with spicy sauce. It was a new yummy thing to me.

Mr. Kang respectfully asked me what I was interested in seeing and doing during my stay in S. Korea. Then he quickly listed out a brief schedule of the day.

After about 40 minutes train ride, 4 of us arrived Yongsan Electronic Center. It is huge area with all kinds of hi-tech products. Samsung is doing amazingly well worldwide, I enjoyed to see all the new gadgets that I may not have a chance to see in other countries. With Mr Kang's translation, I understood what I was looking at better.

In the evening, I invited Kang's family for BBQ dinner and spicy tofu. We sat on floor using short leg table which seems to be the traditional way of sitting for meals.

The second morning, Mr. Kang and I went for a 2-hour hike in the nearby national park. It was a great view to see town of Uijongbu from the mountain. The layers of mountains made a wonderful picture.

After a delicious breakfast -- steam egg, fish, tempura, salad, rice, soup, lotus root and other small dishes; we had a group photo in front of the house. Then we all went in the car to downtown, beside Mrs. Kang went to her mother-in-law's shop for help.

Mrs. Kang is a hard-working lady, keeping the house spotlessly clean. She is also a very good cook. I was lucky to enjoy the big breakfast every morning from her. She is also very caring, worrying that would not be warm enough if I worn a thin jacket.

We joined my friend Coco in down town. She showed us her favorite monastery, which had a very peaceful atmosphere. Then we walked through the Kyongbokkung Palace where the former Emperor lived and the many rooms for all his concubines. That made me think of the Chinese Emperor's Forbidden City in Beijing. Because we were there on a public holiday called Children's Day, The Palace was very lively. There was a lot of entertainment and activities for families. Coco took a photo of me wearing a colorful Korean costume. We also took some group photos with the beautiful Palace background.

Coco treated us to a very tasty noodle soup with cheese on top. It came from a noodle shop in a traditional old house in Sa Kyuk Dong. The noodle shop is a family business during the day and home at night. Coco also introduced me to the lady cook. "She is the cooker for the noodle" Coco said. We have a laugh. We, Asians easily made this kind of English mistake. We learned "any" verb add "er" will become a "person". Since I don't speak a word of Korean, I can only put my big thumb up to show my appreciation to the cook.

Mr. Kang and the boys helped me moved my luggage from the car to the Motel at In Sa Dong. We had a quick look at the stuff for sale at the antique venders along the lane. Kang's family said goodbye to us.

I took the 6:00AM Airport bus next morning. I think the home stay experience is a very good way to learn more about the local things and people. I really appreciate the kindness and thoughtfulness of Mr Kang and his family

엄재량: 강승호 씨에게, 멋진 Host 하신것이 자랑 스럽군요, 앞으로도 잘부탁합니다, - Servas 만세-

이진희/jin hee, lee: 재미 있으셨겠네요. 저두 호스트 해 보고싶습니다. ^^ -[05/13-10:58]-