Korea

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

I lived in Korea, not far from OSan air base for

a couple of years. Honestly?? I loved it. I

would have stayed, if I could have done so.

 

The folks who hated it were often the ones who

never stepped off the military grounds - they

were so scared (or something) of dealing with a

different culture, they simply stayed in a " safe "

place, then complained about what they never

experienced!

 

I wasn't military, didn't have military access,

lived on the economy, sent my kids to Korean

schools, went to Korean churches, etc.

 

Immediately around the main gates, you will find

the worst of American and Korean interactions -

commercialism, hookers, theft, rape, racism, etc.

 

 

Get away from the base - get out of SongTan (the

town where OSan Air Base is actually located).

Take a bus (they are soooo easy to ride) to a

nearby town and shop. Most folks speak enough

English for you to get by.

 

Most American families hire a maid. If you do,

get to know her and her family. Ask her what she

would like you to call her (many of the terms

Americans use are insulting) and use that term.

Ask her to introduce you to people. Have her

take you to see the many fascinating local sites

- temples, cemetaries, memorials, folk art

museums, etc.

 

You can easily learn to read the language. The

alphabet and phonetics make sense. In a few

self-paced sessions, you can read well enough to

travel all over the country by yourself.

 

Read up a little on the Confucian ethic. One

book I found very helpful was called " Lotus and

Me " . I don't have it here with me, so I can't

tell you the writer's name. Several similar

books give you valuable insight into the culture.

Learn a bit about animism, too. One person told

me: Scratch a Christian, you'll find a Buddhist;

scratch that, you'll find a Confucian; scratch

that, you'll find an animist. He was right.

 

If you have other questions, let me know.... I

love to talk about Korea.

 

Trish Ross

San Francisco and Gualala, CA

 

 

 

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