Hi, it's Mom

I can't believe it's almost time to leave.

I feel very fortunate to have experienced Korea, not as a tourist, but through an ex-pat teacher's lifestyle. It's brought back memories of when our family lived in Saudi Arabia - not the culture, of course, but the stong bonding of everybody here, who all happen to be in the same boat whether they come from Australia, New Zealand, England or the various provinces in Canada. When ex-pat teachers get together, their main topics of conversation seem to be 1) where the next party is, 2) foods that they miss from home, 3) where the next trip will be (Japan, China, Taiwan, Cambodia, India) or 4) "shop talk" - teaching methods and what they ate for lunch (tentacle surprise?).

When we visited Seoul and stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel, it was as luxurious as one would expect and the service-oriented Koreans couldn't do enough for us, always with a bow and a smile (p.s. no tipping expected). But, if I'd only stayed in Seoul, I would have been deprived of the "real Korea" of Suncheon. I feel sorry for tourists who only get to see Seoul and nothing else.

I think one can easily sum up a country's people and standards by the taxi drivers. All the taxis are kept spotless and immaculate, the drivers dress as if they are going to work in an office (minus the suitcoats) with crisply pressed shirts, and white gloves. I've seen several taxis with hand-crocheted white seat covers for both front and back seats.

The parking attendants are in uniform, bowing to each new arrival in the parking lot. There's no litter or graffiti, and elders are respected. In what other country would the high school students not be searched for drugs or weapons at the door? Instead, they are scolded for not changing into their plastic (indoor) shoes.

So many surprises.

What a country! I'm glad that I was able to see all aspects of life here.

Love,

Mom