November 15^th, I think I finally get it!

Travel for Business:  My brother travels a lot; every time he returns from a trip, I ask, “Did you have fun?”  At first I always expected a review of the fun things he did, but generally he would just get frustrated with me and tell me he worked the whole time.  I never really got it, so it became a game with me because I knew it bugged him so much (yes, even as adults it is fun to bug your siblings).  My sister also travels a great deal and never counts those business trips as “travel”. I was (and still am) envious at all the frequent flier miles they collect- but now know they come with a price- exhaustion!  Now, after my trip to Korea, I finally get it. Although the MUN kids and adults did manage to throw in some fun, it was a business trip. For the most part, we stayed in the Gangnum district.  This area had some local flare, but also all the things one would find in a bustling metropolis. Day one entailed shopping.  These kids can certainly shop!  Our hotel was in a mall and there was also one right down the road.  Most of the shops were designer shops; thank goodness the currency exchange was easy to figure out or I would have ended up with a $990.00 down comforter.  I managed to step into one of the malls and drop $100.00 on things I really did not need (Starbucks coffee beans, Aveda hair products and soaps from the Lush store), but for the most part all I wanted to do was stay in my luxurious hotel room and soak in the comfort of not batting down mosquitos and watching the current season of The Good Wife I downloaded in record time.  Getting up each day at 6:00am, counting kids, handing out band aides, listening with pride to our kids’ resolutions and comments in season and being the club photographer was what most of the five days included.  Don’t get me wrong; it was fun, but also exhausting. OK Paul/Chris, I get it. I have taken famous speaker off of my list of things I want to be when I grow up. The flights would do me in!

Seoul, South Korea is an extremely interesting place. The mix of old culture and new culture juxtapose themselves all over the city.  I look out of the convention center window to see one of the oldest temples in South East Asia. I sneak out to visit and am in awe. The intricate design of the buildings, the patterns painted in such detail, the lush green landscape and the aura that exudes are breathtaking.  I watch the local and visiting Buddhists honor their religion and at that moment, miss mine. On the other hand, Seoul is the motherland of plastic surgery.  The advertising in the subway is everywhere. For a people who are so naturally beautiful, it saddens me that the goal of looking more European is so prevalent. It is also a fashion hub.  People do not go out unless they are dress for it. It is cool and everyone is on fur, scarves and great boots.  I just want to reach out and touch all the textiles.  I am walking around in my light wrap and short sleeves, exhilarated by the cool breeze and zero humidity. I am in heaven… and having a great hair day (it’s always about the hair).  

At night we do group dinners and also let the kids go together in groups on their own. I hear of one group eating live octopus and am glad I missed out on that adventure.  I stick to The Outback for a $30.00 appetizer (I share), Korean noodles, sushi, Indian food, Korean BBQ- which is AMAZING!, and salad.  Eating out is expensive in Korea.  

On the last day we do an on off tour, but because of time constraints really do not see much of the city. On the subway to the bus tour, I am put in an awkward situation. A 70 year-old man comes over to one of my students and begins to talk about me with him. Through his nonverbal gestures I can tell he is talking about my weight but then gestures to my face.  Basically, he is saying how beautiful I am even though I am big (my student’s words).  I am like a “fiery flower on a mountainside.”  I can feel and see my student’s discomfort being used as a go between, but have no words to protect him. I resort to comedy and tell him to say if he is rich, I will marry him.  I do not think my student interpreted my words. This five-minute exchange will forever be in my memory! When in America it is easy to melt into the background (although my friends would probably say I rarely go unnoticed because I am quite loud); however, when one is a minority people tend to stare- especially kids. I have learned a smile is universal.

Back to reality:  It takes me a few days to recover from the trip. I missed the great flood while I am gone; once again, we came within ¼ inch of water flooding our house and did get some on when cars come through the streets making a wake in their departure. Oh how I miss the full service hotel -- (I am not even a bath taker and indulged by buying a bath ball at Lush and soaked for a good 45 minutes!). A flattened rat greets me on my way to work- I guess he is a casualty of the flood) and I so want to tell someone to scoop him up- but who’s job is that? Now that this trip is over, I get to plan for Christmas.

Oh, the dilemma. I cannot make up my mind.  I have permission (which means no one will make me feel guilty) for not coming home for Christmas but the prospect of not being with family at Christmas has me somewhat depressed. On one hand seeing a couple more countries while I am here is intriguing.  Avoiding a 23- hour flight makes me smile with relief. The reality of the situation is my house is full, I have no car at home, both the boys are working and Christmas time is a busy time for everyone so I do not even know how many people I would get to see. Since I have decided to come home at the end of the school year for at least a year, I am counting all the places I still want to see verses the time (and money) I have to see them. Bali, Borneo, Luang Prabang (Laos), Chiang Mai (Thailand), India, Phuket (Thailand) are all on the list. I will hit Vietnam for our Week Without Walls trip and hopefully will go to Australia for April break. The boys’ new plan is to come at the end of the year (which might actually work out better because they can help me bring back “stuff’)- so I am left in limbo and in a time crunch. First world problems -- I know. I will figure it out but I also know that whatever I decide I will be second- guessing myself. That’s all for now. Enjoy the pictures (which I will post later because they are in my other computer and my camera is with my student who saw Obama)

Reflections so far:

1.    Obama’s in the house!  The president is in town and it is an exciting time for this nation. To be pulled to the forefront of the world with this visit, brings hope for the impoverished. All politics aside, America has an awesome responsibility and those people who think we should just worry about our own nation have a very myopic view of the world. It is like Myanmar is starting from scratch; they need a model and guidance and the democratic nations of the world are stepping up to help. They have their issues about racism towards Muslims (look up articles on the plight of the Rohingya), but hopefully through political pressure, those people can be helped. Frankly, I am proud of the USA for taking a role in this nation’s desire to become democratic. (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/07/world/asia/rohingya-myanmar-rakhine-state-thailand-malaysia.html?_r=0)

2.    Speaking of Obama- One of my students was going to get a ticket to hear him speak.  I generally do not ask of things from my students, but did ask if he could get an extra one. Big fail.  So I gave him my camera and told him to try to get a picture of them together for the yearbook. I told our editor and he chuckled and said he had been at a meeting with Obama the day prior and then offered- “I guess I should have brought you; I did not know you would have wanted to be there” What??  Missed moments- I imagine there are many in our world.  I think it is necessary to put it out there in the universe your own desires. I always taught my kids, “It never hurts to ask.” I need to practice my own advice.

3.    Reminders- I love getting dressed in the morning because it makes me think of my friends, travels and family.  Each accessory (scarf, ring, earring, necklace) I put on is either a gift or a souvenir from a place I visited.  These brief remembrances make me smile and are a way of thinking of happy times and special people. Thanks all who have added to my obsession.

4.    Subtle differences- I am beginning to discover the facial differences in the different ethnicities in Asia.  My new game on an airplane is now to try to guess where people are from. Fun times.