My first full day in Korea was a whirlwind. I ate lunch at the school cafeteria and had my first experience with Korean food. I did not know what everything was but I did recognize pickles, pork, and rice. All in all, it was different but still pretty good. After school I went to get a medical check which proved to be very thorough, opened a Korean bank account and went shopping at an e-mart (something like a Korean Super Wal-Mart).
The real highlight of the day was being invited to a Welcome dinner with my school's Vice Principal - Mr. Lee. He took five other teachers and myself to a traditional Korean meal. As soon as I arrived the table was covered with dozens of small dishes which everyone shared, and meat was brought out and put on the grills to cook. As we began eating, shot glasses were placed in front of everyone and the Vice Principal opened a small glass bottle and poured everyone a drink. He then made a toast and we all drank. The clear liquid tasted a little like vodka and I soon found out that it was Soju. As soon as our glasses were empty one of the teahcers began filling them again. In Korea, drinking is an important part of the culture and is treated somewhat like a ritual. As the other teachers explained to me, drinks are almost always poured according to age with the oldest being served first. This meant that it was a point of great honor that the vice principal had my glass filled before his.
As we drank more and more, some of the teachers began asking me if I drank a lot (not an easy question to answer). They found it very interesting that my face and ears turned red as I drank. It even caused a few of them to warn me that Soju was a strong drink.
Altogether, the food was very good and the meal was very enjoyable. After we finished eating (and drinking many bottles of Soju) we left the restaurant and went to a bar for beers. At Cheers (yes, the bar we went to was called Cheers) the pouring ritual continued with several large pitchers of beer. Although Mr. Lee speaks almost no English, and I speak almost no Korean, we seemed to get along very well. The other teachers translated for us throughout the evening and we agreed that I would learn Korean so that I can have a conversation with him without a translator in six months.
Needless to say, I could not have asked for a better welcome.
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8 comments:
Definitely it was a great welcome party I think. From your note, I could feel the everyone at the welcome party including the vice president respect you a lot.
The Soju is the most popular alchole in Korea. Its alchole content is about 19~21% which is made from mainly sweet potato and other grains. It's a little bit sweet and easy to drink.(so sometimes dangerous). Enjoy the Soju during your stay.
suqare, if they thought your face and ears turning red was interesting, what will they think of you falling alseep upright in a chair?
I think learning Korea is a good idea. That way your booming voice need not be translated, either.
I want badminton pictures.
awesome to hear you've made it! it'll be great when you actually can lecture/instruct/ramble in korean so that everyone really can get to know you.
i'm hoping to come to se asia in the spring (thailand?) but i'm so jealous that you're spending so much time in korea. are there any other english teachers there? have you figured out the hot water yet? do you have any roommmates?
can't wait to hear more details of the adventure?
Roy, in a traditional Korean meal you sit cross-legged on mats set around a low table. While I may be able to fall asleep sitting up, cross-legged is a whole other matter. I suppose only time will tell.
Tyler, thanks for the comment. I have figured out the hot water and I do not have any roomates. I have a small apartment with a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room. I will post pictures once I get internet access in my apartment. There is one other English teacher here - a Canadian from Montreal who has been here since September. I am hoping that she helps me meet some other native English speakers. Thanks for commenting and keep reading!
So when do you and the Canadian hit the town together and get hitched?
Rossco, who comes all the way to Korea to marry a Canadian?
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