Sweetness in Korea

Sharing some brief treasured moments... so far!

1.  (Chuseok weekend) It was only slightly misting outside and I had just tucked my umbrella under my arm.  I was on my way to pick up Angie from the bus station and waiting for the green man to tell me when to cross the street.  This lovely little Korean woman came and stood right next to me and shared her umbrella with me.  I smiled and told her thank you (in Korean) and she smiled back at me.  Once the green man lit up I began walking first at her pace to stay under the umbrella but it was just too slow and I was sort of slouched down while I walked.  I turned to the woman told her thank you again with a little bow and said good-bye.  She smiled one of the warmest smiles I have ever received from a stranger and bid me on my way.  So sweet!

2.  (Sept 20) There is a man that works at my school who is in charge of the school vehicle entrance gate. I do not know his name but every morning we bow to each other and say hello in Korean.  This week he started to greet me with, "good morning."  The smile he gets when he says it to me just lights him up; he is so proud to speak some English to me.  I return his English greeting.  I find that once again, the more I show my willingness to learn Korea's language and customs the more welcoming and at home they try to make me feel.

3.  (Sept 23) This morning on my walk to school, a old Korean man caught up to me and with excitement in his voice greeted me with such enthusiasm I was taken aback a bit.  He was so sweet and excited as he started talking to me in Korean.  I was only able to pick up a few key phrases and confirm to him that I was indeed a waygook, foreigner, that I was from the US, and I was a primary school English teacher.  He was SO happy about this.  He continued to walk with me chatting away in Korean, while I smile and nodded and listened for any words that I might understand, until I got to my school where we parted ways.  At that point he said, "Good-bye!"  This was the perfect start to probably my best day of teaching in Korea so far!

As Korea continues to surprise and delight me, I am sure to share many more of these small and treasured moments.