SOUTH KOREA
SEOUL - DAEGON - ITAEWON
Patriotism is not an abstract concept. It begins from one's own home. It buds out from the love for one's parents, spouses and children, the love for one's own home, village and workplace, and further develops into the love for one's country and fellow people.
Kim Jong Un
The Itinerary
It's not even that serious. I've been traveling since I was airbound at 8 months from Seoul, South Korea to Portland, OR. I was adopted, applied for, waited for, and paid for by two white people from Dayton, OH. High school sweethearts. Catholic. Chemical and computer engineers from families.
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I went to Korea with my roommate and friend from college to visit her family. It all happened randomly. I found a cute apartment on a cool block in Humboldt Park and descended from my River North high rise, because I was on my Buddha path. We were at Falcons at a club downtown. She randomly needed a place, and I was open to a roommate. I didn't want to live there alone anymore.
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We got new under neighbors. She befriended them first. I was initially wary. The rest was history. We also went to Seattle and Vancouver for a girls trip and my Business Coaching Mastermind VIP with my coach and group of other girls. We had a great time. All of the girls liked me more than the coach, and Sunjin and I got to explore the city at our leisure and have solo time. We had great Korean, Japanese, and Italian fare.
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She grew up in Texas and went to SAIC. I saved her life, and she came back to graduate later. We reconnected via music and mutual friendes. Her dad is a professor of Theology at a college and her mom works at the International School. Her brother is a sports writer and has side gigs.
The Breakdown
Before the Olympics
DAEGEON
My friend's parents lived in Korea. We went there. Her parents helped us arrange logistics. Every day was a new adventure. We ate a lot. I was grateful to have hosts that were able to take me around like they "owned the place" - meaning they were very confident and comfortable. That was a rare experience. We could walk around the town, and they would drive us.
Pre-Olympics
SEOUL
We went to the city by ourselves. We took planes, trains, and automobiles. I love the food, shopping, and culture. We stayed at a hostel-esque hotel with included breakfast. We were able to walk around everywhere.
There were trains and taxis. It's nice - like a city. Seoul has a past of war, international occupation, and leads the East in Western Adaption while creating new industries in technology, biotech, robotics, beauty, cuisine, and architecture. Skincare is the absolute best there - as is the nail salons. I was featured on their instagrams and video screen display.
We really had a lovely time. It's very different and enchanting in an absolutely magical and foreign way.
Pre-Corona-19
REMOTE LOCALS
Her dad was a professor of theology at a university and was the practicing traveling preacher at an orphanage for mentally retarded and abandoned children in the mountains. It was a two hour drive for church. He did it in Korean, and the people were very nice to me.
I could've easily had my choice of husband from their smiling faces. There were also chickens and snow and buildings. It was freezing with ice and snow. It gets very cold in Korea. We are northern Asians and the elite breed. We are different. That is apparent. We love our culture and our people and our land.
We never give up on ourselves. We strive to survive and thrive and bring beauty to the world in the chaos.