One year ago today...

One year ago I today, I was tired, confused, hot and sticky. I was in a new country, far, FAR away from anything I knew. I was with a group of people I didn't know, learning how to teach to people I didn't know. It was overwhelming.

I remembering arriving in the airport and it was eerie. I have never been in an airport that was so silent. It was like all the people had been muted. I remember standing there, feeling gross and tired, waiting for my luggage, listening to the hushed talking. Words I didn't understand. I remember being overly excited about the free luggage carts they offered. Then we went out of the baggage area, and saw a sign welcoming us to our new home. "SDA" it was like a guiding light, piercing through the tiredness. =P

And then meeting everyone, trying to be polite when all I really wanted was a shower, and a bed. And to be left alone. Something that wouldn't happen for a long time. We rode the bus for what seemed like hours, days even. At first the outside world could have been any state in America, but as we came into the city things were not the same. The first thing I noticed were the girls. Walking around in their short shorts and the highest heels ever. And I'll admit it, my first thought was, why are there so many hookers walking around in public. But of course I didn't realize that girls in Korea are NOT hookers, and that it is very common to wear heels with everything. And that was just the beginning of the wonders this country had in store for me.

And now it has been a year. The weather is almost identical. Hot, rainy and SO humid. At that time, I didn't know what kind of evil was possessing my hair. And now I have learned to embrace the curliness that I apparently have. The apartment is the same. New room... but that's about it. The sounds are the same, the smells are the same. Most things seem the same. But the difference is, I am used to it now. It's not making me feel out of place. It just feels like yet another apartment, in yet another city. Not that I have lived in many cities, but I sure have lived in a lot of apartments. The sounds don't scare me. Even being honked at on the road doesn't send me into a full body spasm anymore, thank goodness.

I ride my bike places. I ignore people who are staring. I ignore people who are yelling. I ignore the stench wafting out of the drain that I walk over every single day. I duck as I go under that one sign that is really too low for humans, maybe ok for Hobbits... I check the mirror as I come up to the dangerous side street. I jump out of the way for scooters and then keep going. I walk everywhere and like it. I have learned which doors don't open and which ones do. I understand that bathrooms can have toilet paper in the stall, or not. But either way you shouldn't flush it. I never, ever, for any reason drink tap water. I put my shoes in a bag when I travel, to keep them from contaminating my other stuff. These are normal to me now.

This is not a big surprise, this is what happens when you live somewhere long enough. And this isn't really supposed to shock and amaze you. This is more for my own personal reflection.

One year ago today, I embarked on a journey across the world, to a place many thought was dangerous. And I survived, so far anyway. I stuck it out, even though I didn't want to sometimes. I braved the elements and never want to live through winter in Korea again. I taught I learned, I met people. It was fun. And I am glad I did it. AND you should do it too.

the end