First weeks in Korea

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Hi friends and family,

We arrived safely on a lovely flight through LA to Korea on Asiana airlines (a Korean airline). Boys watched a couple movies and played games on their personal screens located on the seat in front of them. We were picked up and whisked away to Paju English Village which you can google and see on the internet.

The English Village is a place where Korean school kids can come for 1-day, 1-week or 1-month (during the summer) programs to practice English. The teachers come from Canada, America, South Africa, Great Britain and Zimbabwe. Chris and Nick played touch Rugby last Monday and did pretty good! The village is western architecture and nothing like Korea itself.

There is an art village across the street with restaurants, coffee shops, and galleries. A bit expensive.

The first weekend we met some church friends who live in Paju about 5 minutes away. They took us to the public DMZ zone. It was sad for me thinking about the split up families. We also went E-mart--the Wal-mart of Korea. That was fun--ordering food--and shopping without being able to read much on the labels. The fridge is a lot smaller too and feeding everyone has been a bit of a challenge. Groceries are expensive--especially fruit. A watermelon is about 13 dollars. But going out to eat is cheap. You can have the equivalent of California rolls for about $2. For my birthday we went to a "meat" restaurant and had Kalbi (marinated beef) for $40 for the whole family. They cook it at the table over real hot coals and it is served with a variety of side dishes. It was so much fun. We bought a cake and they provide a large plastic cake knife, candles and small packet of matches with the cake.

I have been observing classes and writing observations. The kids are rambuncious. I am working on the "research and development" team. We will be giving trainings and implementing new programs. Last week I completed a week long training of a program I had used at my kids' school 5 years ago called "Spalding". It now has a new name, but it is the same program. I will also be learning about the program "Teaching for Understanding." It looks valuable for teachers.

I am enjoying my time so far and so have the kids. They will start their school program on Sept. 3rd. We have gone to church twice in Seoul. It takes about 55 min. to go to Seoul on the bus. It is tiring because there are so many people in the city. In EV (English Village) it is quiet and beautiful country with tons of green and mountains. Sometimes it is too quiet. It is like living on a movie set.

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Photos

LA Airport
Loved the palm trees.

EV Concert Hall
We saw a play there. They put on a new one 4 times a year.

Seoul train station
Next to the airport

Crhis in our apt.
The Welcome committee left us some goodies and the sunglasses were part of them.

Ribbons
Sentiments left on ribbons near the DMZ.

PICT0643
Korean figures outside of bridge leading to NK.

Grubs
Two different types of insects for your dining delight. Street food we didn't try.

Comments

[Mimi]

Can't wait to follow your blog
Hi Kasia, What fun to see your photos and hear of your adventure. I can't wait to follow your blog. Keep up the good work.

[chris czar]

Don't eat anything!
Seriously, have people start sending food. The food is why I would never go to Korea, I'd starve in a couple of weeks. What's the barbed wire fence for? Love you guys, Chrirs

[Kasia Stevens]

Food in Korea
Dear Chris, Don't worry, the food is quite good--I'll have to take some pictures of it. The grubs pictured were the extreme--for your viewing pleasure. But you can send me food anytime! How about some butter--it costs about $2 for a stick of butter. The barbed wire is the barrier between North and South Korea. The two countries have technically been at war for over 40 years since the Korean war. They have an existing truce with each other, but they both guard the border heavily.