Rock, Paper, Scissors

     When I first headed off to Korea, I was full of excitement. It’s been over a year since I’ve been abroad, and that inner travel nut was going mad with withdrawal. When I reached O’Hare airport in Chicago, I had the most ridiculous smile on my face as I listened to airlines calling for people to board their flights in thick, heavy accents, or would catch snatches of Russian as a Russian family whizzed past me. There’s just something about airports that make me feel so excited and at ease, like I’m going home after a long stay away.

     When I reached the international terminal, I was most amused by a grand hallway of various flags of the world, their colors seeming to greet my arrival. I was even more amused when I spotted the Korean flag right next to Russia’s, hopefully the next country I will study in. When I found Korean Air to pick up my ticket, I was greeted by four young, well dressed guys, all of them working the graveyard shift for this final midnight flight to Korea. I asked, “Which one of you would like to help me with my ticket?” And how did they respond? By the traditional game from their youth, rock, paper, scissors of course! Asia just loves that game. After catering to my every need, I began to wonder if Korea might just one up Japan in my head as the best place for customer service. When I got on board the plane, it was no longer a wonder but a fact. Cute flight attendants constantly checking to see how you’re doing. Warm, succulent meals always proceeded by warm towelettes. And slippers. Yes, I flipped out over getting comfy slippers for my 14 hour flight. I was very entertaining to the flight attendants, let me tell you.

     An overnight flight later and I found myself in Seoul, South Korea, or rather a tiny island just off from it where Incheon International Airport lies. Our flight had arrived early, but even at 3 am in the morning you still saw people going to and fro, businessmen catching early flights, janitors tidying up the airport, and a handful of fellow internationals also teaching whether it be in Korea or neighboring China. Having beaten the TaLK people I plopped down next to a big TV and felt nothing but nostalgia as Detective Conan, an extremely popular Japanese anime, played in Korean. I was so close to Japan, I could almost taste the melon soda and hear the merchant’s cry of “irrashaimase!!!” But this is Korea, and it actually wouldn’t be wise of me to just spout off in Japanese. Unfortunately the two countries haven’t had the happiest of histories as whenever Japan starts getting those urges to become a military power, Korea is usually the first place it invades. And Korea being the knowledge loving, farm driven, peaceful nation was always turned into sashimi. Just think Athens and Sparta, but more Asian and less naked men. However, they are trying to make amends, and seeing a Japanese anime playing in Korea is just one small sign of that.

      Several hours and a couple of thoughts of, “Am I the ONLY TaLK scholar here?” later, a mob of TaLK scholars appeared along with Koreans who were in charge of getting us to our orientation location at Korea University. I don’t know if this is a Korean thing or a Korea University thing, but these buses are some of the most tricked out buses I’ve seen. Not only did we have a flat screen TV and a water dispenser, but all the seats and roof of the bus were decked out in fancy silk fabric and tassels. Then, when the bus took off, the ceiling lit up with several tiny, multicolored lights dancing about. I have officially dubbed these the magical nightclub buses, and keep waiting for a disco ball to appear one day.
     Jazzed up buses aside, other things I instantly noticed about Korea was the smell. In China it smelled like thick petroleum. In Japan it smelled normal. In Korea, be still my heart, but it smelled like food, the scent of red chilies and marinating meats wafting in the air. Korea is a foodie country if their ever was one, something I could get used to real quick. Korea also drives on the right side of the road, something that actually threw me off. My mind was already prepped for Korea to be like Japan and basically every country not the US where they drive on the opposite side of the road. Guess I won’t have any of those moments where I’ll be watching a car drive by and wonder why in the world that 5 year old kid is driving. And laughing his head off. And not watching where he’s going. However, I have noticed unlike here traffic seems to not pay attention to stop lights, the rules of the road being dictated by the immediate four cars around you as it is in China. They didn’t even bother with putting stop signs in.

And so, already a few hours in, Korea is becoming this strange place that at times feels like Japan, then at other times China. However, I have the feeling that as I immerse myself into it more, those almost comforting familiarities will fade away, being replaced with this so far alien country. Korea. Land of the Morning Calm. And magical nightclub buses.