Posted by: Elmi Du Toit in Vocational, Korea, Hosts, 2008 on
Apr 28, 2008
Hi
I have an hour or so of free time as my hosts have gone out to collect their daughter from her extra English classes, which allows me the luxury of Internet access. I am staying with my host family in Gangham on the 6th floor of an apartment block with a lovely view over the city (as most apartments around here) and the green colours of Spring leaves on the trees in the park. Mr Kim is his fiancee is actually getting married on the 13th May and Mr Kim's daughter is 11 years old. She left for school this morning at 7h30 and it is now 19h30 and she is still taking lessons. The Korean people encourage their children to dedicate themselves to studying from a very young age. Ji Won (or "Emily" as she introduced herself to me) loves to play football at school and enjoys maths and English. Her favourite pass time is playing computer games! No surprise there, as I'm sure most 11 year olds in England will say the same.
Can you believe how much can be packed into just one week? The team have had experience after experience. They've been hosted and toasted, dined but not wined - well except of course for the 'heavy' drinker Callum!! It was great to hear him being refered to as a heavy drinker after just one bottle of beer - he did say they should meet his friends back home...
This week Paula has witnessed the world of private healthcare. It was an interesting combination of Obstetrics and Gynaecology coupled with anti-aging and obesity management... guess that gives a message in itself! She was shown around the clinic, met patients and new born babies before being given an autographed book by the prominent surgeon Dr Hong. His complementary health and beauty clinic was delightful, but I for one wouldn't have wanted to get anywhere near that 'birthing' table!!
Hi Everyone,
Well, the team and I have just returned from a cracking two day trip to a place called Gojo Island which is on the Southern coast of Korea, about a five hour coach ride from Seoul. Had a wonderful time there as the scenery was amazing and the weather was fantastic. One of the highlights was a trip to an uninhabited small island which a very rich Korean couple had made into their personal lovers paradise. They had beautifully tendered gardens, roman statues and were growing all sorts of wild flowers. Me, Elmi and Paula sat on the top of 'Mount Pleasant' feeling quite happy with life drinking Ginseng Tea with a perfect view of the beach and then the Sea of Japan...
We travelled there with a South Korean rotary club from Seoul and they were again unbelievably hospitable. They are forever plying us with food, drink and gifts. However, I am still slightly struggling with the food as we have eaten lots of raw fish, I have tried octupus and something called a 'sea squirt' for the first time but drew the line at eating something that was apparently worm 'lava'. We were ridiculously grateful this lunchtime when the club president took us to an American style restaurant which had chairs, tables, knives, forks and hamburgers!
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