The Halfway Point (The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly)

On September 3rd, we reached the 6 month mark in our first contract here in South Korea. At this stage, many teachers are overjoyed as they can now start counting down the days until their term is complete.

I, however, am relatively nonplussed about this event, for a variety of reasons. The main one being, thankfully, my enthusiasm and excitement for this country and this job have not dimmed in the slightest.

To mark this occassion I will quickly post a summation of the good and bad points, as I see them up until this point, and reflect on whether this has ultimately been a good decision in life. This might not be entirely interesting to a casual reader but I mostly want to document the way I feel right now and contrast it with the way I feel after the year is over.

Don't worry though, the next post will be ridiculous and crazy. In fact, this is probably the only serious post yet!

Coming To Korea (THE GOOD)

• A completely free round-trip airline ticket worth roughly £800
  
• A completely free apartment for a year worth the equivalent of £3600
• A fantastic salary, coupled with a ridiculously low cost of living, means I can pay off £600 of debt per month, and still buy whatever I want.
  
• I've lost 3 stones accidently, my tastes have changed to accept spicy soups and stews which I previously would've cast aside in favour of "something more substantial". Bye-bye bread etc, and don't miss it at all.
• I've made progress with my wrecked knee which feels much stronger. Due partly perhaps to weight loss, but mostly due to the close proximity of the running track, badminton courts, basketball courts, and hikable mountains.
• I've learned a lot about teaching, having had no experience in the past.
• I've had the opportunity to experience a completely different culture, learn a new language, and learn how to be wholly adaptable.
• I'm now much better with children, and completely unafraid to be "touchy-feely" with them. All the kids here are constantly sitting on your lap, stroking your head or arms, or clinging to your legs. Eventually you stop worrying that people are thinking Gary Glitter has entered the building, and it becomes completely natural. Which is a good thing.
  
• Living here means that airfare to China/Thailand/Australia etc, is very cheap, and these are all places we will be able to visit. I think we'll book Xmas in Thailand this week!
• I feel much more proactive, and inspired to learn new things. I now regularly play basketball and badminton, mean to find out about Kendo classes, and am trying to play my new guitar (Thanks Lynne!). Even trying to learn Baduk and Janggi to one day challenge the huddles of cronies in the park.
• Korea has MUCH more entertainment options than back home. More bars, more restaurants, noraebangs, DVD bangs, board game cafes, console bangs, driving ranges, sporting facilities, and cinemas are EVERYWHERE.
• Mountains! EVERYWHERE!
• Korean food is absolutely fantastic. We recently found a kalbi restaurant which charges only 3000W per massive serving of delicious meat. That's about £1.70. With side dishes!
• We have fallen in love with many aspects of Korean life. The emphasis on family, and respect, particular for one's elders. The way eating together is such a huge deal, eating out in Korea is such a grand occassion. So it's nice that this happens every night.
• There is barely any crime here. People leave goods out overnight, bikes and doors unlocked. I have only seen one argument since getting here. (which did result in shards of a soju bottle shaving my cheek!)
• Korea has an endless amount of historical and cultural places to visit.
• It also has numerous quality beaches all around the peninsula.
• Taxis start at £1 and generally don't start to increase until almost 10 minutes into the journey!

Coming to Korea (THE BAD)

• I obviously miss my friends and family back home.
  
• Sometimes I wish I could taste some Scottish Cheddar cheese. MMMmmm. Actually, in general there are some infrequent urges for home food. More out of habit than anything though. Plenty here to fill the void.

Coming to Korea (THE UGLY)

• I have a bizarre rash on both elbows. My feet never used to smell like two small corpses. Must be that bastard Korean washing powder. Useless!
  

So, it's pretty obvious, in conclusion, that I believe this has been a fantastic decision, and life is indeed peachy here. In addition to all of the good points, it also means I can carefully consider what I want to do with my life after returning from Korea. I feel there are many options, so it's just a matter of making my mind up, and there is certainly no desperate hurry to be made. I'm in no rush to simply tick all the boxes and become bedfellows with stability and convention. Not that they are undesirable, but there's still so much to do. Vietcong tunnel networks in Vietnam, The Great Wall of China, The Himalayas..... maybe Lynne and I will open a bar on the beach in Bali? I don't know, but at least we can mull these things over, I've no wrinkles or grey hairs as yet! Maybe I'll return to Dundee and pursue teaching, I know already that it's something I would enjoy.

Ultimately, if I could ship all my friends and family over here, then I can imagine staying for quite a long time. Especially if they loaded up on Cheddar cheese and Irn Bru.

Anyway, if you managed to read through this self-serving existential bullshit, you'll be pleased to know the next post is a return to the Kindergarten Gallery, a look at their artistic and literary treasures. The little scamps!