Observations

My family and I have not done much in the last few days other than play on the playground (during intermittent dry spells) and swim at the pool because of all the rain here in Korea. While I was talking to my mother this morning I told her that I was at a loss for something interesting to say on my blog. She pointed out that she was interested in my interactions with the Korean people, and thought that others would be interested too. Though we have only been here a week, I have come to believe that the Korean people are the most polite, good natured people on the planet. Everyone smiles and seems to genuinely care that you are having a nice day. The women are fascinated with Marley and her hair. They want to touch her and I hate that she gives them all the stink-eye.

I have noticed that the Korean people dress differently than Americans. In Korea it is common practice for people to dress up for everything, including a hike in the parks. The majority of the women wear high heals and men wear slacks and a tie. When we were at the Korean Folk Museum there were women in cocktail dresses and heals taking in the sights. If I could have found a way to take their picture without offending them I would have.

While we were shopping in Itaewon the other day we were stopped by a Korean woman and a group of children. Each of the children were carrying paper and pencils and seemed to be on a type of scavenger hunt. The lady asked me if the children could as me a few questions and I said yes. The littlest of the girls looks at me and asks me where I am from, what Korean food I like to eat, and do I speak any Korean. I answered her and her teacher told her what I said. As they walked off Jason and I both looked at each other and commented on what a great way for those kids to practice their English.

Last night the kids and I were outside the hotel and a Korean man and his family past us on their way to their car. He stopped and came back to talk to me. I could tell as he started to talk that he knew very little English, but his question was important enough to him to try to ask anyway. The man pointed to the flag and said, "why down?" He wanted to know why the American flag was at half mast. In as basic English as I could I told him that soldiers had died in Afghanistan. He thanked me and went to explain to his family what I had told him. I was so moved to know that they are as interested in learning about us as we are about them.