Chasing the Sunrise

The blog title comes from the fact that while I was flying to Korea, I stayed awake the entire time, glancing out the window, and I never saw the night. The darkest I saw was a partial sunset.

Yes, my trip to Korea began five days ago, and I haven't blogged yet. In my defense, however, I did travel into the future by one day, so I've reduced my procrastination inclination slightly since college. Those of you with paid subscriptions to this blog will receive a larger bag of rice as a souvenir when I return in six months, in lieu of a monetary refund.

At 12:00pm on February 3rd, I stepped onto a Boeing 777 run by Asiana Airlines. Hands down, best airline I've ever had the pleasure of riding on. It was a 14 hour flight, but the seats were comfortable, the food was good and the stewardesses didn't act like they wanted to jump from the plane. My language barrier problems began as soon as my row partner sat down (yes, before I'd even left the country). A middle-aged woman (I think - those Koreans age so well) tried to tell me in Korean that she was going to lay down and asked if that was ok. As I responded with a dumb look, she repeated what she had just said in English, and, as she lay down to sleep for the next seven hours, I rummaged in my bag for my fresh copy of "Korean for Dummies."

Five movies, three ginger ales, and one cup of bibimbap later, we landed in Seoul, at Incheon International Airport. I noticed a few college-age, caucasian girls get off the plane with me. I didn't want my first act in Korea to be one of bigotry, so I didn't approach them and ask if they were in the TaLK program. Turns out they were, since we'd meet up at the TaLK booth a few minutes later.

In case you're not subscribed to my in-flight movie critiquing blog, here's a sneak-peek:

• Cowboys and Aliens: No chemistry between characters, cheesy concept, poor delivery. D
• Stupid, Crazy Love: Good to see Ryan Gosling as a confident man instead of a broken one. B
• Puss in Boots: A make-money-with-familiar-characters-but-no-soul flop.C-
• Dolphin Tale: Best actor in the movie was the dolphin. A passionate porpoise peformance. D
• In Time: A good idea, but just because I had to see Olivia Wilde die in two different movies...F

After all of the TaLK scholars at the airport were assembled and we had gathered our luggage, we hopped on a bus that can only be described with one phrase: PARTY BUS.

Blinking lights, subwoofers, seat covers, Indian-style drapery and all the K-Pop your western ears can handle. We ride these everywhere we go while at the university. They drive fast, crazy and they love their K-Pop. You can hear some of the best K-Pop here.

You know when you're tired from a long day of exploring a new town or country and you look forward to that bus ride at the end where you can sleep for two hours? Yeah, not on these. And if you do, the K-Pop will invade your dreams. Trust me. Three things I've learned from K-Pop videos:

1. Do not cheat on a Korean woman. She will destroy you and your nice car. Apparently, Korean women can punch a man into space.
2. Koreans cannot dance alone. They need at least five backup dancers.
3. If you want to pick up guys, embrace the schoolgirl look. Works everytime. 



 When we arrived on campus, we were all really hungry, so we had our first group bonding experience by going down to the local convenience store and buying noodle cups (known by collegiates everywhere as Ramen). Ramen noodles are everywhere here, and are served as meals at many restaurants. My first meal in Korea? Ramen and beer on a picnic table outside a convenience store. Looks like someone knows how to make lasting memories.

I met my roomate, Joe from Los Angeles, and promptly passed out. The next day we went on a tour to a bathhouse, which is like a gym, except it is much larger, has more to do inside, and you get naked. What better way to expose yourself to a culture could there be than to expose yourself to the culture? So I did. Koreans take great pride in their health and appearance, as was evident by the existence of this place and of the preening that was going on at every mirror in the bathhouse.

After putting on our clothes and modesty, we went back to Jochiwon, where the university is that we are staying at, and had supper. For anyone thinking I am eating at McDonalds or KFC while I'm over here, the university has been making very authentic Korean food. Some people vocally rejoice when they see a food dish they recognize (only happens when they have the salad bar open).

After supper, about 40 of us walked into town and did something very Korean: karaoke (noraebang). We filled up three rooms, drank countless bottles of Soju, and showed the natives that even though we may not know the local language, we can belt out English with reckless abandon and infinite flats. Ashamedly, the only person that sang a song in Korean is an Australian (and there are many Koreans in the TaLK program). I opened up with a duet with Nathan, the aforementioned Australian, performing a classic song written by a Knight of England and a Grammy winner, Elton John. You may have heard of it: "The Circle of Life." Let's just say the room was filled with gasps, ahs, and a greater appreciation for Disney music.

I will finish catching up to the present time in my next blog, where you will find out what's going on in the following picture. Kamsahneeda.