Lost in Translation and Other Situations

A White Christmas

After my first few days in Korea I slowly but surely started to realise that this place is a real upside down world. I thought that I’ve experienced wonderland before, but this place is more different than anything I’ve ever experienced, it is completely mad to give up everything that is familiar to come to the unknown world where your language is completely foreign, and their language really confusing! You have to love it! This is what it’s all about people, being thrown in the deep and surviving the storm of the raging sea, I have nearly reached the ‘one month in Korea’ mark and I am super happy and proud of my resilience, strength and ability to adapt. We as human beings are much more flexible than we can ever imagine.

My White Christmas!

Korea is really a place of wonder and one can find amazing things here if you are willing to look for them. The best treasure I found this month is the little things I teach. They are truly beautiful and amazing kids. I love each and every one of them, and they make my day. Of course as children can always be, they can be unruly and often naughty, but most of the time they’re sweethearts, they do exhaust me though, as expected. We’ll get to the kids later, now I want to talk about my Christmas here.

Some of my kids

I was a bit scared as Christmas approached; I had no idea what I was going to do, and dreaded the fact that I might spend it alone... Then I received a facebook message from Eu Ju Lee, a woman who helped to get me this job. She asked me to come to the one and only English church in Gwangju for Christmas, everyone will be exchanging gifts and there will be a Christmas lunch after. I was so happy to hear that! It also started snowing a lot, so I was certainly going to have a white Christmas, something I have never experienced before in my life.

The 23^rd was a Friday and we had a Christmas Party at the school, the kids made Christmas cards and their own cake! They absolutely loved it, it was fun for me too, I joined them with the cake making, it made me laugh when I saw some of the end results, and it was also funny to see the kids eat their cakes with chop sticks! It was hilarious! Sunny and I later that night also made our own cake after all the kids left, we were very creative, it was the most delicious cake I’ve had in a long time. It’s strange to see that Koreans do not use icing on cakes, they just use cream, it’s bizarre, but it was a good taste, I liked it.

On Christmas Eve I was alone though...this was not fun. I went to the Lotte Mart and bought some things I needed, and some candy and chocolate and a dvd player, my gift to myself. It was okay then but when I returned home it got to me. I was depressed and completely heartbroken. I couldn’t believe that I was alone! This was horrible! Not even the snow and candy or chocolate cheered me up, I started crying and messaging my mother and other people to ask how they’re doing and what they’re doing, just to get some conversation. To make it even worse I plugged my dvd player into the TV and then it didn’t work...it was hopeless, I was hopeless, the whole situation was just...hopeless!

I quickly fell asleep that night and woke up the next morning not feeling so merry or jolly, but I forced a smile when I stood in front of the mirror, as this sometimes works, if you start smiling even if there’s no reason you start feeling better, it’s true. So I lightened up made effort with getting ready, I was saving my red outfit for Christmas, so I made effort with my hair, make-up and I felt good. When I left my apartment and saw he snow and the light I instantly started glowing again and found a taxi to take me to the church.

The church isn’t that big but it’s big enough and small enough, I liked it, and I sat right in front to get a good view...and also because I’m near sighted hahahaha. After praise and worship the pastor asked if there was any new comers, I stood up and introduced myself, when I turned around the church was full! I didn’t expect that! After the service three girls came up to me and spoke Afrikaans! I was so excited to hear my native tongue I wanted to cry! They introduced themselves, Soekie, Loureeze and Amori, three South African girls teaching English here in Gwangju, and two of them live in my neighbourhood! What are the chances? I was so happy, they told me that it was by chance that they came to church, they wouldn’t have come, but the previous evening discussed that maybe they should. God heard my prayers and we had a fabulous Christmas Day!

I didn’t stay for the church lunch but went with the girls instead, we had a beautiful lunch together and afterwards we went ice skating, which was absolutely amazing! We also went for coffee and cake later that day. They showed me around and taught me a few things, they’ve been here much longer than I have so it was good for me to spend some time with them and hear everything there is to know for an Afrikaans girl in Korea. They made my day so special and beautiful, I’ll always be thankful for that!

Ice skating with the girls on Christmas!

When I got home I put on my skype and messaged my brother, so we planned to surprise my parents. When they walked into Anton’s room they saw my face on the computer! It was magical! We spoke for a long time and I felt like I was on top of the world, nothing can go wrong anymore, I survived Christmas! :-D Those were my thoughts as I went to bed and slept with happiness in my heart.

Taekwondo

That Monday the 26^th, as the rest of the Western world had a day off, Goodwill Day in South Africa and Boxing Day everywhere else, I had to go to work...sigh...but first I had my taekwondo class! This was a great class, I absolutely loved it! It’s hard work and you have to be tough to be able to do this for an hour, there is a lot of stretching involved, almost like yoga, then there is a series of kicks and boxing moves to learn, we also practice fighting on each other, I LOVE it!! I received my suite this past week and I wear it with pride, my goal is to reach red belt at least before I go home. The teacher before me who also took these classes reached black belt before she went back to Ireland.

My Taekwondo suit

Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art, and is now a national sport. “’tae’ means ‘to strike or break with foot’; kwon means ‘to strike or break with fist’; and ‘do’ means ‘way’, ‘method’, or ‘path’. Thus, taekwondo may be translated as ‘the way of the hand and the foot.’” About Taekwondo (Wikipedia):

“It combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, and in some cases meditation and philosophy. In 1989, Taekwondo was the world's most popular martial art in terms of number of practitioners. Gyeorugi, a type of sparring, has been an Olympic event since 2000.”

Taekwondo

I look forward to my journey in this sport and I will update my progress on this blog.

Culture differences

The cultures of South Africa is very diverse, I think we are an amazing country! We have 11 official languages, and many more unofficial languages, which mean we have at least 11 different types of cultures. South Africans have natural multi-cultural communication skills because we deal with different cultures every day. We don’t realise it but it is a very important skill to have, we learn to tolerate, to accept, to understand and to learn from others at a very early age, we understand differences. We are not always good at integrating, we have a painful past that sometimes limits us to do this, but I urge you to start working on that if you haven’t already, our country can be looked upon with admiration if we can let the past go, people like the Koreans and many cultures in t Middle-East can learn a lot from us.

South Africa is so diverse 

In South Korea there is only one race, and one official language, they are Koreans who speak Korean, to them it is strange that I have people in my own country that are completely different form me. They do not learn to experience other cultures and to accept other types of people. Of course it’s taught, but they rarely get the chance to practice this skill. When I asked many of my older students and my adult class weather they’ve been to other countries they look at me strangely and say no. Japan is just below them yet only one student in the entire school has ever been there, and that was just once. Two other students have been to Vietnam, but they only went to visit relatives, they have no interest to go anywhere else. Luckily the three girls in my adult class is now starting to get an adventurous mind set, they’re going to Hong Kong for a few days in February and they say that when they graduate university they want to travel everywhere else! I'm very proud of them!

Only one race and language in Korea, and they all love fish!

There are many things Koreans do that disturbs the Western visitor, including me. Since this is not my country and I have no say in what is proper and what is not, I have to bear with these strange habits Koreans have. The first thing you notice when you are here is that Koreans are always in a hurry and you are always in their way. So bumping and pushing and having no regard for other’s personal space is a normal behaviour here. I know in South Africa some white people have a larger area around them that is considered personal space, and then many black cultures in South Africa have a very small area considered personal space, so when cuing many white people find it quite disrespectful when someone stands so close to them that they can feel them breath down their neck, especially when that person is clearly sick with the flu. To some black cultures in South Africa this is quite normal and it is considered odd to them when white people are standing so far apart. It is funny to see the dynamics of a South African cue! Unfortunately sometimes this is interpreted as racism when a white person moves further away from a black person who is just standing in the cue at a distance he or she thinks normal, but it is actually just a cultural difference and has nothing to do with skin colour. As I said, it is funny to see! Well Koreans sense of personal space is two times smaller than that of our black cultures in South Africa, it is enough to drive one insane sometimes. In the buses they sit and stand so close to each other, I was pushed against a window once and against a railing. And another time there were these three ladies, shorter than me, standing so close to the front of me and then they touched my hair and pushed their faces into mine to see me eyes and then talked about me in Korean, in such a way as if I’m a display in some museum, and of course there was no space for me to move away from them, I had to endure... Also the endless bumping and squeezing through is also something I had to learn to take. No one here moves in or out a door orderly and kindly, everyone wants to get through the door first and everyone wants to push through a narrow space together, it’s something I’ll never understand, but it made me ruthless, no I have no problem to push myself out first, I don’t care who I bump in the process, I’m not the short, tiny one anymore so I push my way through all the little people, hahahaha, I’m no longer last in line (not that a line exist)! So strange knowing that Japan that is not so far away is a really respectful people who proved themselves after the catastrophic Tsunami that hit that beautiful country, orderly lines and helping each other, I’m worried that nothing like that will happen in Korea, they will all jump and trample all over each other for a grain of rice, it’s actually shocking. Even my children at school push each other away for piece of candy. But as mentioned before not something I can change or do anything about, one must adapt. I do however teach the children that no one is getting any candy if they do not line up, and everyone will get one if they do it in an orderly fashion, don’t know if that will sink in though, hahahahaha.

Another awful habit the Koreans have that is very normal to them is spitting. I’m not talking about just normal spit, what they do is they clear their throat and their nose, they’re not subtle about it either, they make these horrifying sounds when they do it, and then when everything is gathered in the mouth they spit it all out, right there on the ground where people have to walk. I suppose to them it seems healthy, one must get rid of the slime, it makes sense, it’s just really awful to see. It’s a land of contradiction, for instance it is a first world country with some of the most advanced technology you can find, leading in television creations, the inventors of Samsung and LG, but nowhere on in this country will you find Prestick or Blu-Tack... They figure that spitting and reversing everything in your nose is respectful, but blowing your nose is out of the question! On their television images of cigarettes are blurred out, and sometimes nudity, but their movies are some of the most violent and most sexual movies I’ve seen. You can wear the shortest skirt or the shortest shorts you can find, show as much as you want at the bottom, but it is so disrespectful to show any cleavage whatsoever, or too much arm. How bizarre? I love these things, they make me laugh, I do however despise how women are portrait in their ads and movies, it is worse than Hollywood or South African content, it is disgusting and wrong, and it should not be allowed in any country or culture! For that I will not stand I’m sorry, but everything else I accept.

On the nose blowing thing, before I knew how they felt about it I kept blowing my nose in front of everybody, discreetly and respectfully of course. I always got these strange reactions when I did it, I couldn’t help it, firstly it’s winter so one’s nose is often runny, and the food here is extremely spicy and spicy food opens your respiratory system which means your nose is runny. It was quite a big shock when I found out that I was offending everyone, hahaha. I don’t do it anymore; I excuse myself and blow my nose in the privacy of the toilette.

A very interesting article to read on the rudeness of Koreans: http://www.rjkoehler.com/2008/01/05/no-personal-space-in-korea/

On the topic of their food, I became really sick about a week ago because the food was really foreign and not something my body is use to, I had cramps and pains for days! I couldn’t eat properly and I had to start looking for things my body knows. I stopped eating at school and told them that I will bring my own food. So now I make food every Sunday and freeze it in portions and take it to work, non spicy, not too much Korean, and healthy. My stomach is much better now.

Another culture difference I had happened as recently as this past week. Since its winter vacation for my students our schedule at the school changed, the children can now start earlier with the classes. So I have my last class at 18:30 which means I’m done 19:00. The Korean teacher, Sunny, told me one day that because I don’t have any classes I can go home. I was very happy to get home early for a change; I got into bed earlier and had more time for myself. However one Thursday evening as I was leaving at 19:00 I saw the director in her office busy, so I did not want to disturb her and I said goodbye to Sunny and Clinton and left. Apparently the school director was not happy about that, Sunny and Clinton had a meeting with me on Friday and said that the director was very angry that I left because I’m paid to stay there till 22:00, and she was very upset that I did not say good bye, apparently this is a no-no in Korean culture. Well you learn these things as you go along, I’ll see the director Monday and apologise for my mistake just to reassure her that I meant no disrespect. I was a bit upset, I do not want her to be unhappy with me, I enjoy my job and I like her a lot, and Sunny and Clinton are like family to me already. I’ll explain myself to her and help her understand that it was just a misunderstanding and it will not happen again. I think what didn’t help that evening was the fact that the director’s mother was in the kitchen that night and called me over to eat some of the food she was preparing, she is really lovely. The food however contained meat, I had to decline, it was difficult to explain because she doesn’t understand even one word of English, and in Korea it is considered most inappropriate to decline food when offered some. Perhaps I should explain that to the director as well. My first mistake, let’s hope I avoid those in the future. It caught me at a bad time though, did not have such an amazing week. It’s hard though concerning the food because when I tell people that I’m vegetarian they give me fish, I don’t think they regard fish as animals, hahaha, rather a vegetable.

Koreans love fish! This is a common sight on the streets.

Another interesting cultural experience I had was when Clinton took me to his friend’s shop downtown. His friend, whom he has known since school days, makes traditional Korean clothes called Hanbok. It is really beautiful and colourful, reminds me of old English gowns except it is more colourful. His friend took me through the whole shop and showed me everything and explained its meanings. Most things mean good luck, health and wealth and other things are there to protect one from bad spirits. I loved the entire lecture he gave on Korean beliefs, which is mostly based on Confucianism. After we had a beautiful Korean citrus tea he gave me a handmade Korean mirror, a traditional hand mirror used by women. It is beautiful and I treasure it, the most precious gift I have received here.

Traditional Hanbok clothing

Overall I think I’ve now come in to contact with most of the cultural differences, in other words the worst shocks are behind me. hahaha

Entering 2012

For 2012 I had a good plan for the kids, I wanted to teach them about New Year’s Resolutions. It was hard to explain to them what a Resolution is but after some interpretation from Clinton they got it in the end and we had a fun time doing it. Clinton asked me to write down mine as well so he can put it up with the children’s’ on the wall.

My New Year's Resolutions Example

Little Daniel's Resolutions

Little Sandy's Resolutions, she's a smart girl!

I had plans to spend New Years with the South African girls, but since I still don’t have a South Korean phone I couldn’t finalise the plans with them and had to spend New Year’s alone. This was okay though, I enjoyed it at home, bought myself Champaign and chocolates, and it was marvellous, except I spilled half the Champaign on the floor! Hahahaha I opened my windows and heard celebrations around me as the clock stroke 12, and I received many messages from South Africa. I put up my new calendar and opened my new 2012 journal. It felt good, and I felt ready to spend this year in Korea and knowing before the end of it I will have learnt at least on an elementary level a new language, a new alphabet (Hangeul), a new way of life, I would have gained so much experience both in life and professionally, I would have travelled to new places, and I’ll be back home in time for Christmas, this time spending it with my family!

On New Year’s Day I spent time with a new friend, Erin, who I met on my way to my first Taekwondo class, Erin is American, we had a good time, and we watched Mission Impossible Four at the cinemas. She also fixed my dvd player, so in the end I have a working dvd player!! Thank you Erin! But I heard really bad news when I got home, our precious dog, Pokkel, has passed away back in South Africa. This is the first time she has been left alone at home during New Year’s Eve, my mother and father was away on a fishing trip and my brother, Anton, went on a LAN sleepover. We assume that she got was frightened by all the fireworks and ran over her little fence and straight into the pool, she’s an English bulldog so unlike other dogs she cannot swim, and so instantly drowned. This was absolutely terrible news, it influenced my whole week, I went on as normal but in my mind I could feel that something was bothering me the whole time, she was always on my mind. Seeing pictures of dogs or seeing them on television makes me feel extremely sad, I cried a lot this week, and having that meeting on Friday hearing that the director was unhappy with me made it worse, it was an awful week. Yesterday I spent time with Erin again, and vented about everything, I even cried, she gave me good advice and we went out, it made me feel better being with people.

Pokkel and I

I miss you!

Adorable little dog!

Today I wanted to go to church but decided against it when I woke up, I wanted to clean my place in feel in order and in control again, this is the one thing that makes me feel better, and my mother taught me this, and she told me to do this when I feel down. So everything was unpacked from cupboards and closets and repacked, my floor is scrubbed along with many other things. All my washing is done, like I do every Sunday and I cleaned out my fridge of things that’s off and rearranged stuff. I felt so much better after, and then I wanted to get OUT! So I took a walk and remembered the park Clinton spoke about and I ventured to find it, and I did!! What a beautiful little piece of heaven close to my flat, and just the day before I was complaining to Erin about being sick of always just looking at buildings, not being able to see the sun or animals, not even birds! And here it was a piece of nature, undisturbed and beautiful! I even saw and heard some birds, it made me happy! I took some time to sit and reflect while I relaxed, everything started to come together and I felt at peace. I went into the year happy, but even though it didn’t all go the way I planned or wanted, I will not allow myself to be miserable, I picked myself up then and there and decided that I will try again, I will look forward and not back.

The beautiful Park!

So here I am, not sure what will be waiting for me next, and it’s exciting, scary, and amazing all at once. It’s an adventure, and I am taking it by the horns.