A Little Moore Perspective AFTER Korea

Back in October my school took three days for the students to take mid-terms.  I’m not exactly sure why they call them mid-terms since by that point we had only been in school one month, but sometimes it’s just easier not to question too much.  Anyway, because of these so-called mid-terms, we had a short day Wednesday, a class picnic Thursday, and no school on Friday.

The homeroom teacher and one other teacher at random was assigned to chaperone this picnic.  The class can go anywhere they choose and is responsible for coordinating all of the necessary reservations and transportation.  Because my teaching situation is different, I was not assigned a particular class, but chose to go with the class Ki Eun was assigned to.  I was really happy to hear that it was the student Kelly’s class.

Several students came to me at my desk asking where I would like to go or if I had suggestions.  While this was very considerate, at that point I had no idea where to go or what to do!  I said that I would be happy wherever they chose.  Originally they had intended to go to a University to take a tour, but Ki Eun said that the only reason was to finish early and then be able to go home earlier.   But after finding out I would be going with them, they changed their minds and decided instead on a place where we would learn how to make rice cakes.  Kelly even offered to make a lunch box for me!

The rice cake place is in Yang Yang, where our orientation was.  We met at a stadium in Chuncheon and loaded up in the busfor a two hour trip.  It started well, and the bus driver even put on a movie *(though in Korean), but toward the end of our trip, the roads were super curvy and hilly.  That was not good for me, still in the first trimester.  By the time we got to the rice cake place, the last thing I was interested in was eating rice cakes.

This place was a little building in the middle of some rice fields.  It was used a long time ago for making rice cakes, but now that machines are faster and more efficient, it is only open as a tourist type place to show how it used to be done.  There is even an old grinder outside to show how they would grind the rice.

The first step for us was to pound the rice…dough.  I don’t really know what else to call it.  A little old lady laid the dough on a big wooden board, picked up a mallet, and briefly showed us how to pound it.  First you dip the mallet in the water and then just whack away!  When she asked who wanted to go first, all the students and Ki Eun pointed to me!  A student took up the other side.  She insisted I take the first swing.  As had become usual, as soon as I took up the mallet, every camera was flashing and after my first swing, quite a commotion of cheering.  But it was a tough job!  That little old lady must pack quite a punch after having that job!  But it was really fun and the other student and I pounded back and forth for a bit.  Then we handed over our mallets to the next set of volunteers.  Each whack gave a satisfying thud, though sometimes, bits of rice dough would spray some innocent bystanders.

After totally pulverizing the rice into dough, we moved into the next room.  This room was more like a Korean restaurant type of room.  We had to take our shoes off and then sit on the floor around a little table.  There another lady dusted the table with a grainy flour and plopped down pieces of dough in front of several girls.  We were instructed to roll it into a long strip.  Once it got too long, we cut it and gave half to a friend.  Then once it was the desired thickness, cut into pieces and serve!  At first I was trying to avoid any sampling because my stomach was still not right, but there was just no way to dodge 40 girls and 2 teachers!  And I have to admit, out of all the things they call rice cakes here, this was my favorite.  It was very simple, but something about it being warm and fresh makes it beat all the others.

The ladies packaged all the uneaten cakes into a box and we went outside and just played on the grounds.  There were some pieces of exercise equipment, a gazebo, and a hugely tall rope swing with a wooden plank.  It was intended to stand on.  We tried all the exercisers, but the swing was by far my favorite.  I wish there was room to erect one in our backyard at home.  I loved that thing!

After a while we left and headed over to the beach.  Ironically enough, we went right back to the same hotel where we had stayed during orientation and parked in the parking lot!  We headed out to the water.  I was the first to kick off my shoes and roll up my pants and walk in the waves.  Sand and shoes just aren’t meant for each other!  I don’t really think I’m meant for shoes anyway, but especially NOT on the beach!  It didn’t take long for the girls to do the same.

We ate lunch at some picnic tables near the beach.  The homeroom teacher had bought Ki Eun and I each a bowl of noodles, similar to Ramen, but then I had Kelly’s lunchbox on top of that.  And it was loaded!  There was kimbap, similar to sushi rolls but with no raw fish, cherry tomatoes, and tons of fruits all cut up for me.  It was a delicious lunch and enough to share with the other teachers!

Soon after lunch we headed back to the bus to load up.  Before we left I had my first experience with a squatty potty…not terrible, but I’m more confident now, for sure!  On the way home, the students divvied up the remaining rice cakes.  Sadly, they were so focused on loading up their pockets and bags for themselves and their friends, I did not get anymore.  But they probably appreciate them more than I do anyway.

After two hours we arrived back in Chuncheon and all the students parted ways.  Ki Eun and I headed out on foot toward another part of town where we would meet the other teachers from our area at work.  The head teacher had told Ki Eun, “I know it’s kinda late, but I think we should take Sarah out for a welcome dinner!”

We headed over to Seoksadong, near Chuncheon National Museum.  We were walking mostly to kill time.  After a bit we jumped in a taxi for the rest of the trip.

At the restaurant, we met the head teacher for our area, Mr. Hong, Yuri, Leo, Superman, Jessica Alba and then, to my surprise and delight,  Mr. Han, the vice-principal, showed up!  It was a traditional style restaurant where we sit on the floor and cook on the table.  We had a delicious never-ending meal.  I don’t understand how Koreans can eat SO much and be SO small.  They definitely all out-ate me.  And Leo actually made some roll-up version of the meal and turned to me and said, “Sarah, say ‘ah!’” and fed me what he had made!  I found out later that this is actually really common!  It was this night that I really saw the importance of drinking together for Koreans.  I did not drink the Soju (alcohol), but instead they got a Sprite for me and Jessica Alba who is a Christian and doesn’t drink.  But it was really interesting to see the whole exchange taking place.  It is a way to show great respect for someone, both by pouring and receiving the drink.  In fact, another teacher from our school showed up at the same restaurant with his family and a few from our table headed to his for this ritual.

After leaving the restaurant, we made our way to a Karaoke place.  I’ve never really sang in front of anyone by myself, but I was really excited.  This place was not a bar.  Inside was broken up into different rooms and you can have a private party in each room.  You can order coffee or other refreshments from the front desk.

Leo and Yuri were really the stars of the night, though everyone took a turn at singing.  Leo was by far the funniest as he generally added some Korean-arm-wave-dancing to his songs.  Yuri added in some fancy stylings on the tambourine.  They kept telling me to find a song.  They actually did have American songs as many Koreans listen to American music, but I found it pretty difficult to choose one I actually wanted to tackle.  Eventually, I guess Leo couldn’t take it anymore and just picked a song for me.  It was the Celine Dion song from Titanic, and even though the song is melancholy, the pictures in the background of the words were totally lighthearted and lively.  Leo jumped right in with me and we did a duet.  We totally hammed it up and our little crowd loved it!  Later he chose another for me that I remembered from a long time ago, luckily, and again we were totally ridiculous, but at least entertaining for the others.  Mr. Han sang an old Korean song just perfect for him.  I definitely want to adopt him as my grandpa.

After our hour was up, we headed out again.  We stopped at a little BBgun shooting gallery and Mr. Hong, Leo, Superman and I took our posts and shot the targets.  As my first time ever doing something like that, I’m pretty proud that I didn’t come in last!

Last we went to a little place where we ordered drinks and an appetizer.  I was totally stuffed, but gratefully accepted my alcohol-free fruit drink and opened my mouth when I was literally being fed.

Finally we decided to call it a night.  Jessica Alba drove me and a few others home.  By then I definitely missed my family.  I had had quite a day, and thoroughly enjoyed most of it. I had learned how to make rice cakes, played at the beach, traveled a total of four hours, had solidified some friendships, gained a greater respect for Karaoke, and had even earned 30,000 won for chaperoning the picnic!

Yep, all in a day’s work.

Check the Gallery for photos!