There are so many things that I'm going to miss. Some things I may not miss at the moment, but I know that soon enough I'll be wishing I was back amongst the chaos that makes Korea so fabulous.
Just a few things...
^^Walking to and from school through Olympic Park.
^^Hitting up one of five million cafes to read a good book or indulge in baked goods with friends.
^^Listening to the man who plays saxophone under the bridge on my morning walk to school.
^^Being the only foreigner on the bus or train and being stared at by curious Koreans.
^^Feeling helped, loved, cared for, pushed, mad, frustrated, bullied & confused by Ajummas.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Watching businessmen vomit on innocent bystanders on the train and then finding random places to pass out like a curb or bush, shoes off and pants undone.
^^Judging Korean women who date foreigner men who live in Itaewon.
^^Hating, yet loving Itaewon and all its filthiness.
^^Hangin' with friend at the famous LP bar in Hyehwa, groovin' to records.
^^Laughing at people who constantly stare at themselves using the train windows as mirrors.
^^Knitting parties!!
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Having my students call me ugly, fat, skinny, thin, beautiful, pretty, and disgusting.
^^Shopping!!
^^Watching people backing up their cars...what a disaster!
^^Giggling quietly at those hitting the invisible brick wall on their bikes...and not getting hurt.
^^Hearing the Lion King man bellowing his sales pitch late into the evening outside my window.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^The array of aromas that overpower you while walking anywhere in Seoul.
^^My security maintenance men who give me the sweetest compliments most days I see them.
^^The lovely man at the gas station who yells to me "have a nice day" every time I pass, even if I'm walking across the street & not really within earshot.
^^The confusion between myself and my coteachers when trying to communicate about lesson plans.
^^The looks on student faces when they have understood one of my jokes.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^When calling a government office and having someone hang up on you cuz it's just easier than me trying to speak Korean or them trying to speak in English.
^^Belting out the tunes at Noraebang...without the aid of a microphone and discovering awkwardly just how loud my own voice is.
^^Kimchi.
^^Strolling around Insadong & the Palace district.
^^Sunday, fun days in Hongdae.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Lanny letting me in on Korea's many secrets and calling me "Eye Spy".
^^The constant bowing that has become second nature in only a year.
^^Grinning ear to ear when reading butchered English language on signage or T-shirts.
^^Not understanding most of what is being said around me.
^^Having someone pay for my apartment.
^^Catching men trying to slyly slip outside of the brothels in the Gangdong.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Being looked after & cared for by my co-teachers.
^^Hearing my students sing Lennon, Marley, Queen, Elton, & the Beatles during Music class.
^^Watching Nicky's pregnant belly grow.
^^Brushing our teeth communally in the school rest room.
^^Couples wearing matching outfits.
^^Relying on public transportation to take me anywhere & everywhere across the country.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Being able to drive across the country in just a few short hours.
^^The beauty and smell of the cherry blossoms in the spring.
^^The crazy driving skills of bus drivers & symphony of horn honking throughout the city.
^^Being mesmerized by the beauty of the mountains & rice fields throughout the countryside.
^^Hearing & watching people of all ages hawkin' loogs all around.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
^^Bibimbap.
^^The giant smile given by my mandu ajumma at the market.
^^Temple food.
^^The suffocating smell of red pepper paste when first entering a bus.
^^Watching in amazement when someone in a hospital gown, IV still in, is drinking & smoking in a Hoff.
Seeing the faces & hugging the friends that I've made here at any time.
Seeing ^^ at the end of an email or text msg.
^^The deafening sounds of K-pop in the streets.
^^The variety of street food & random merchandise accessible at every street corner.
^^Kimchi jiggae.
^^Weekend excursions at the temple hangin' with monks.
^^Missing Canada and building closer relationships with family & friends.
^^Pretending I can speak Korean to the telemarketers that call my cell.
Okay, so it was more than just a few things :D
I'm excited about moving forward, but realizing Korea is quickly becoming a part of my past is a little unsettling. It's hard to say goodbye to something you looked forward to for so long.
George Harrison said it best y'all...
This being my last Gypsy Seoul post, I would like to thank everyone who read my blog and/or contributed to it some way :) I really enjoyed writing it over the past year and appreciate all the terrific feedback. I'm glad everyone felt entertained by my adventures.
I hope to write about other 'Gypsy' adventures to come.
Peace to all!
