Welcome To South Korea

Welcome to South Korea!!



"Persona 4 OST- The Almighty"



I just arrived Wednesday March 4, 2009 after a 22 hr flight, which included a three hour lay over from my home in the United States of America. Atlanta, Georgia to be exact. The flight was very long, but rather uncomfortable for the most part because I am 6'4 1/2 and I was seated by the window where my legs were tearing up the person in front of me. Bless his and her souls!. I hope they aren't upset and rolling around in their beds with a back pains.

Well, I touched down in South Korea around 7am and had to go through the Foreign Passport section and then run into the currency exchange service to turn my dollars into won. I went from having $200 to 300,000 won lol.I never had that much money in my life. Life is so GREAT sometimes. I was picked up by a driver that spoke very little English. He had a sign with my name on it and I automatically felt like VIP.. "Aww for me"?.

It took about 2 hrs. to arrive at my luxurious studio apartment in Seongnam from the Icheon Airport. I arrived safely after a few slow points during the trip because Korea has traffic just like everyone else. I did take notice that majority of the cars were black,red, silver, blue,and white. I think I am the only person that recognizes stuff like that.

After arriving at the hotel, my employer called and told me that I'd be able to have a break and the start work the next day. I was grateful for that because my body had become confused with the time difference and lack of food in it's system. The school left a care package with a few items such as cooking utensils, bathroom commodities, and moon pies!!!. Moon Pies are great when your terribly hungry.

After the driver left and I got off the phone with my employer, I scavenged through everything and started to unpack my belongings to feel at home. I am not the type to sleep after atrip to a foreign country. I like to explore!!

Soon after I unpacked most of my belongings and my stomach began to growl. I looked out my windows and notice all the sings were in Korean!. I yelled "NOOOOOO!" in my mind. I thought to myself, "What am I going to eat?" Fortunately with my creative powers and exploratory mentality, I jumped outside and just began walking around trying to see if I had some traces of being Korean in a past like, but their were no success until I saw the "Golden Arches". YES!. I jumped in there and ordered a Big Mac meal. The cashier spoke only Korean and all I had to do was say "number 5" and point. She rang up the order and I pulled out my new "Korean Won" and bought a meal to last me at least until another day. Before I left the states I banned myself from fast food ,push comes to shove , that food saved my life.


I jumped out the resturant and began walking around somemore. I did get a few stares, but they weren't life threatening. They were unique because I was the only 6'4 1/2 African American male walking around. Oh yea, I ended up in one of the wealthiest part of Seoul. :P. Even if I had a business suit, I wouldn't be able to blend end anyway.

Later on that night I decided to take a nap for a few hours. After a wonderful nap a co-worker knocked on the door stating her business. She wanted to say hi and she figured I'd be sleeping, she mentioned that she wanted to just introduce herself, and wither her British accent she mentioned was the only person from work living in my apartment. She saw my red eyes, and asked if i was to tired to go out to eat. I replied "EAT you say", I am never to tired for that, and besides I don't want to starve because I do not know how to order. And living off MC Donald's would only kill me. Well we ended up going out with her mom and ordered a few items. The only one I remember was a dish called Kim-bop or something. It's like a huge sushi roll that is very inexpensive.





The next day I went through a local mall, shops, and resturants just to take record of my surroundings just so that I won't be totally lost. I even got a tour of the subway system. I began work and got to observe a few classes. I will be teaching today but I am very nervous. I just hope the kids don't try to bite me. One already started touching my hair as if I were some kind of Alien. I didn't mind though, because I notice they are a touching community. The co-workers are very nice and helpful and treated me to a few meals that I can not remember the names of. I know one thing. If I am going to survive I have to learn as many phrases in Korean as possible or I am doomed! lol.

I like a challenge and it's going to be at least a year for me to figure out. I've spent my life surrounding myself with all flavors of the earth. It's about time I come into a land of unfamiliarity so that I can feel how it is for immigrants to come into my home country. Those are real warriors to do that. But I noticed that most Americans only take interest people learning about them instead of learning about others. :P Especially the language. Oh well, I know I may deal with a bit of racism, craziness, but I usually keep low key and I smile in difficult situations to keep things mellow. Over-all I enjoy my own company, if I don't know something I am determined to figure it out. I have blood of a traveler and an adventurer.

I got to see a few other foreigners, but they were a little reserved and not as outgoing as I had in my mind, but everyone is unique. The South everyone says hello or gives you a head bob. It's as if they are scared to look at me in the eyes or they just didn't give a damn lol. I don't know what that is about. I do plan on keeping myself entertained, I was raised playing soccer since the age of five years old and that is a very popular sport here. I have my PlayStation 2, laptop,legs and feet, and free Internet (don't mention this to anyone!). I am likely to get a phone sometime soon just in case I am called up to go on a date with a gorgeous woman not to far from these parts lol. I plan on enjoying the culture and learning a few other phrases so that I will be able to eat a variety of foods and not just McDonald's lol. I will definitely have to use my smile to get free food here lol.




I feel bad for the person next to me, because I will be blasting my music. !! :D

This is the beginning of my journey. Wish me lots of luck!. I figure coming here as often as possible will help me channel some of my inner thoughts about my experiences in this country. Well see what this baby has to offer.

New Friends, Experiences, Money,Life, and other things are on the horizon!!

Again. Welcome to South Korea in Jamaal's eyes.

:D