Korea, Me and these Idiosyncracies...

So.

I try to be positive and look at the humanity in all of these experiences but I figured it couldn't hurt to share some of these things with you. I hope you laugh.

1. Being of African decent.
At school, its cool. It looks like the kids have had enough exposure and for the most part, it doesn't feel like I am that different. My being Black, is about as measurable as my being Canadian or my being foreign to the Korean cultural context. From time to time, I get a stare that last longer than any other average acknowledgment. Old people weather me intriguing, they don't mind staring at me in my face and taking in my hair, shoe size, leg length. Its intrusive but completely understandable. I try to smile and let them know I am aware of their gaze. Sometimes they respond nicely and nod back. Sometimes they pretend it didn't happen and continue looking at something else until I have looked away so they can get back to taking me in.

2. Being tall.
It seems like I am taller and bigger than most Korean women. Even if I am not, you would never know this because most of the clothing stores I walk into greet me and the sales associates proceed to clearly state in English "no big size". Granted, I have longer legs and arms than most people. Even in Toronto do I often see the high water side of wearing pants and long sleeves. So I get it. But for some reason, its a lot more endearing here where it seems that both shoes and clothing are illusive in a North American size 4/6.

3. Space issues.
Why? Why do I get bumped around and pushed out of the way? Everything else would seem bearable except for being pushed and jammed at least 2 to 3 times a day. Now issues of space are real in Korea. The country is about the size of Portugal with 50 Million living, breathing, beings all here abiding in ,for the most part, harmony. But its seems like the whole 3 ft of personal space rule is thrown out. Concepts of space are so different here. When it comes to physical and architectural divisions of space and function, they seem less thought through than anywhere else in the world. Take for instance, sitting/standing on the train. I don't understand why people breath on each other and cough on each other. And don't get in there after 9pm because it just smells like alcohol. I call it the Soju train. I also don't understand why people don't move out of the way when you are getting on or getting off the train. Yesterday two grown ass men bulldozed me back into the train when I was trying to get off. I promptly pushed my way through but was thoroughly annoyed and expressed my frustration in English which meant nothing to them. But it was very rude. Another story was my first Seoul apartment that had no ventilation in the bathroom except for one tiny window that was about the size of my hand. And a fire escape door in my bathroom that was adjacent to my front door. I didn't get it.

4. Food.
This one is really easy. I like it. I don't love it, because exotic spices are not as explored here. But Koreans have their own spices and they rank pretty good. I make my own breakfasts and have lunch at school and we have a great dietitian who seems to keep things tasty and healthy. The only downfall with Korean food, is all this pork. These people eat so much pork. Its in almost everything. So, its been a solitary road sometimes avoiding the pork. I murder the fish though. Between the sashimi, the grilled and the fried fish, I am normally just fine. This culture also loves chicken. They mostly fry it, or soup it. There is this particular soup called 삼계탕 (samgyeatang). Its a small chicken in a nice chicken broth with onions and garlic. The chicken is broiled while stuffed with sweet prunes in the middle. You just take apart that chicken until you get to the prune stuffing. Its really good.

5. Being cordial and pleasantries.
I try. Most Koreans try. I keep making friends when I get lost in a train station or on a side street.

6. Fashionistas and Fashionistos
These people dress to impress everyday, all day. In the gym, at the movies, at the doctors office, at the grocery store, at school. Men are highly metro-sexual and women are high maintenance. There are so many hair and nail salons all around. It makes me feel like I have to have my A-game on all the time, but I like to be a bum and look scruffy from time to time. Its reality. Woman's fashion is kinda weird. They all have model body frames but I am not clear on whether or not I can't appreciate it because everything is so done. And done again and again. Like its done to the max. Men too. But men's fashion is slightly more classic so there is less to appreciate thus less to find annoying or over bearing. I will say, though, that they have taken tight jeans to a new level. Korean men look sexy in tight pants. I dig it.

7.Education
Everyone studies far more than they do in the Americas. These kids go to school for about 10 hrs a day. With extra lessons in Math, Science and English. Some kids are in Art school and sports activities too. Their lives are so busy. Teaching is fun and the kids enjoy it for the most part. The curriculum is visually outdated but I heard a rumor that they will be changing that next year. The kids are well mannered and very good-natured. My co-teachers are awesome. They are very helpful and really kind individuals. They get nervous and some serious anxiety kicks in when they have to speak to me for more than 3 mins at a time. Its funny but they are really great and I try not to stress them out too much with my English speaking conversations. My Korean language studies are non existent. I need a teacher because my vocabulary is very small and it poses as problematic when I am alone in the Korean world and want to say things that are important. Like "Don't push" and "No pork please" but these are easy phrases.

8. The army folks.
Just like in all other walks of life, there is a spectrum of personalities that pervade each community. The U.S. Military has won me over if not only for its conveniences. I don't believe in war. I don't believe in pervading/perpetual military threats or presence in seemingly peaceful societies. I don't believe in robbing mothers of their sons to serve invisible wars. And I certainly do not prescribe to know the backdating of a pretend infallible society of law-makers who trump up the frustrations of men and women who a faced with the fact that they cannot afford school or the chance to provide for their families. This is the reality that we live in and it sucks. So I tolerate and not entirely berate the experience. Especially for young black people who want to make something of themselves in this life. But let me not say anymore before Babylon reports me and I can never go back on the peoples' army base.

9. Me time.
I'm singing, writing, playing guitar, twisting my dreads, reading, raising a "Thug-Lyfe" puppy and practicing magic. All of which feel amazing and are cleansing for my tormented soul. This life is hard on a sensitive girl like me. My outer shell cracked last year and I am scrambling to repair it. Therapy? Maybe.

Everything is everything and everything is good.
Keep letting the God in you shine forth on to humanity so we can be who we are supposed to be. Sometimes that's the best you can do.

Kisses