Church on Sundays

I'd like to dedicate this blog to Louis Busta because right before I left for Korea, he was talking about how much he'd like to go to a Russian Orthodox Church at some point, and I am now going to one =)

With the help of a map my film professor gave me this summer, I found the only Orthodox Church in Seoul: St. Nicholas, which happens to be only 4 metro stops away from my apartment! I went today, and when I arrived at the stop, looking confused and lost, a nice Korean woman asked me if I was going to church. I didn't quite know what she said (it was, of course, in Korean), and then she said, "Christ?" It was like that West Wing episode "Shibboleth." (Anna and Jordan, you know what I'm talking about). All of a sudden we spoke the same language. She guided me to the cathedral (which I wouldn't have found on my own), and I finally got to use the phrase "Nice weather," which I've been studying thanks to my Pimsleur's Korean tapes. She kind of laughed and agreed...then there was a short, awkward pause in our brief conversation on the way to the church--

which is gorgeous, by the way. The service was beautiful. All in Korean (with the Creed and Lord's Prayer said in both Korean and English). Because Orthodox services are all the same, I could follow along, using the hymns and rhythm (sitting and standing at particular times) as guides. I'm sure the sermon was lovely-I have no idea what the priest said though. I kept the bulletin to translate later, and plan on learning the Lord's Prayer in Korean soon. On a side note, fasting will be interesting here cuz most of the time I'm not even sure what's in my food. But more on that later...

After the service, I was about to leave when the woman who showed me the church grabbed my hand and started introducing me to several people, most of whom spoke English. Through her efforts, I discovered that there's lunch served after liturgies, that services are conducted in Korean, Russian, and English (when possible), and that an Orthodox chaplain in the US army should be stationed in Seoul for the next two years. She also introduced me to a girl from Wisconsin named Katie who is just finishing her one-year teaching contract. She and a Russian chemist named Lenny invited me to have some hot chocolate at a cafe and we chatted for a couple of hours.

She, just finishing her experience, and me at the beginning of mine, there was much to talk about. I found out more info on Korean classes, holidays, and cultural stuff. More than anyone else she reminded of how exciting this year will be, and for the first time I felt like I was once again studying abroad, rather than just working in a foreign country where I don't speak the language.

It was an awesome blessing to find such a welcoming parish close by my apartment. I feel very fortunate. Hopefully there will be lots more of these spontaneous interactions to come and lots more like this to write about. In the meantime, you're all in my thoughts and prayers.

the first few days

So. This is my first experience blogging. For the past couple days I've been attending a teacher training program at the Sogang University, and I've had a chance to meet some of the other foreign (and domestic) teachers here in Seoul. One of them told me about how convenient blogging is, especially if you want to write little messages about stuff right away. This probably means that you'll be hearing my thoughts on all sorts of insignificant details about Korea and Koreans that strike me as interesting.

First Impressions:

• the food is delicious-but spicy, extremely filling, often involves eggs and always involves kimchi (more on that later)
• Koreans are extremely nice people when you interact with them, but for the most part just stare at us Westerners like we're diseased
• the metro is like a dream come true (sorry, Anna, it is, in fact, way nicer than the NY subway), especially given the fact that you can buy cell phones in the station
• Seoul is lovely: beautiful city with lots of trees and parks, very tall buildings, and a gorgeous river running through it.
• children are children everywhere (again, more on that later, too=)
• sparkles and giant flowers on shoes for women and metallic silver suits for men are definitely "in"
• cars seem to get points for hitting pedestrians
• the language....gonna be a challenge, particularly pronunciation.....

I'll write more in a bit, but for now thanks for reading. I miss you all tons. Think about you all the time. Good luck with everything! Lots of love till next time,

Maria

Beginnings

Hello Everyone!!

I thought I'd create a blog for this trip abroad instead of sending email updates every couple of weeks. That way I don't clog your inboxes as much=)

so.... without further ado, here are some fun anecdotes of my time in South Korea. I hope you enjoy!