It’s all good
One of the best things so far about Korea is the cost of living. My apartment is rent free thanks to the school, all I have to pay for is the monthly heating bill which is around 50,000 won in the winter ($60) and 20,000 or less in summer! I also had the opportunity to meet Mr Song, the principal of my school. Despite the language barrier, I can tell he is pretty cool and am told he’s very popular amongst the Korean education system and people. He laughed at our first handshake saying that I was very strong for a NZer. Am looking forward to getting on the razz with him big time.
As I am yet to get medical insurance I had to repay 80,000 won to Mrs Song for my hospital treatments so am hoping the antibiotics work their magic! Plan to visit Hyun’s parents in Gwang-Ju which is in the Chonlado province during Korean New Year in mid-Feb. James, my agent, says he’s planned a ski/boarding trip for that time but he’s a big talker, probably due to his U.S. influence, so don’t know if it will happen.
Wednesday 27th was my first full day at school. Every class I introduce myself with my name, age and origins. Most kids know a little about New Zealand but some say “Is it in Europa?” and others “It is part of Australia right?”. Korea and Japan have a NZ/Oz rivalry based on the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945). For example Korea’s first Olympic gold medalist was Son Gijeong in Berlin, 1936. But his achievement was not recorded in Olympic history because of the Japanese occupation at that time. He was made to wear a Japanese uniform on the day of the medals ceremony, as seen in the photo below.
In response, the national Korean newspaper published the photo of him that day but erased the Japanese flag from his shirt, landing the staff in big trouble. Eight of the workers were imprisoned for their involvement and the paper was closed by the Japanese government for nine months! Bastards!… This makes the Football world cup this year in Sth Africa all the more interesting - it’s gonna be an absolute riot here. Can’t wait.
I also explain the difference between kiwifruit (which all kids know) and kiwi (the bird and the person) by drawing pictures on the board. When it is question time, the first thing always asked is “How tall are you?” (190.5cm) to which the kids are amazed. They are very fun and eager to learn (for the most part). Teachers give out coupons for good behaviour/answers with which they use to buy treats and things at school or to get out of a test or doing homework. There is a lot of rote learning so I try to make things as fun as possible, funny-faces, movement, games and using the little Korean language I know make a big difference.
Just a quick brown-shopped picture to give an idea of the height difference between me and the Korean men. Of course my stomach has changed since this pic was taken 3 or 4 years ago, it’s more like the Korean dudes now…
