Korean translation, 년[neon,nyawn]: year



Korean translation, 년[neon,nyawn]: year




To whoever is looking at this blog, know that while although one of the functions of this blog is to inform others of my time here, I also use this blog as a way to document what I am doing in Korea for myself. I do this so that come a year, two years, ten, twenty from now, I can look back and remember some of the the amazing people I met, the places I went and the meaningful experiences I had.

Why am I in Seoul, anyways?

Why am I in Seoul, anyways? I'm studying language in Seoul for the year through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth operated by the U.S. State Department. While in Seoul, I attend a local Korean high school as a regular Korean student and have intensive language classes three times a week at an international institute in Seoul. My school is a digital media vocational school. Both in school and in many other settings, I am often the only American they have met and almost always the only Jew. As such, I have an important role, not only as an American or a Jew, but as The American and The Jew. Because of this, I have been prone to some alarming, but insightful questions. Like when it was drizzling outside, weather that does not necessarily warrant carrying an umbrella, but being asked by my host brother, "Do all Jews not use umbrellas?" I am constantly being put in new situations. I make mistakes sometimes. Like when I clearly asked for "not spicy," however later realized, tears in my eyes, that the woman's shocked expression when I ordered "meh-un tteokbokki" was not from my Korean ordering skills, but was because I had probably been the first foreigner to specifically ask for the spiciest food on the menu. These year as the non-umbrella-carrying-spicy-food-eating-American-Jew living in Seoul has been exhausting and exhilarating, but a year of experiences I will bring with me for the rest of my life. .

Olympic Sized Pools and Walks

Finally got myself to a pool. The Olympic pool used in the Seoul '88 Olympics. I had started out going to the Sports Complex pool, but when arriving at the doors of the center, realized it was closed on Sunday. So instead of paying the dollar fee to take the subway to Olympic Park, I walked. Sports Complex to Sincheon to Jamsil to Monchongtoseong and finally to the pool.
It was a little bit pricey, but I had come this far and I wasn't about to go home without a swim. The five dollars I paid was worth it, though. That Olympic pool was great in size and magnitude and significance. I swam in the same lane as-----had in the '88 Olympic Games. 

After a 시원한 (shiwonhan, refreshing) swim

Woori Art Hall- expected to see art, but it is more of a theater. 
Seoul Baekje Museum- Peninsula's prehistoric history. Not as well organized as the other museums I have been to, but nonetheless informative and interesting. 

One of my December goals was to get more in touch with the city. The subway is definitely one of the greatest aspects of living in Seoul- no part of Seoul is out of reach- but on the subway I go down at one station and pop up at another. I was undergoing something, I could feel it. I could feel myself wanting to know what I was going under. 

And so, after walking from the Sports Complex to Olympic Park, I walked back. And on my way I ran into none other than some kind New Jersey folk. Recognizable not only by the kippah on his head and by the tichel wrapped tightly around her hair, but by the way they walked together, so slightly separated. 

Slichah, Shalom Aleichem 

Aleichem Shalom 

Hello I'm Gadi, I saw your kippah from over there and wanted to say hello. 

Hello, where'you from? 

I'm from Boca Raton. And you? 

New Jersey (pronounced Joyzee) 

What brings you to Seoul? 

Business trip. What about you? 

Studying language with the State Department. I wanted to come over to talk- it's so rare you see someone wearing a yarmulke here in Seoul. 

Yes, yes. We went to the Chabad last Saturday. 

Really? I was there for Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur. The Rabbi's a great man. 

Yes. He was so kind. 

I'd best be on my way, but I wish you a great visit in Seoul and todah rabah. 

Todah Rabah, have a great day! 



Moments like this always make me feel connected into a greater scheme. I wouldn't have felt the same bond with anyone walking down the streets of Seoul. 

I walked back to Sports Complex and continued onward. Through the blistering cold, I persevered. Sports Complex to Sameong to Yaksam to Hakdong to Apgujeong to Jongwon to Banpo and across the bridge to Noksapyeong. I saw a part of the city I'd never seen before. The road I walked along reminded me of 7th Avenue in Manhattan, but with fewer skyscrapers and less crowded sidewalks. I saw the Gangnam trolley that was launched recently to give tours of the town and walked past Lotte World, the largest indoor amusement park in the world. But my favorite was getting to the Han River just after sunset. Freezing cold, I hurried to the river's park to see the sun set. Although I missed the sunset, I was able to see the sky lit up with the purples and pinks and oranges and reds reflected off the Han. I walked from where Apgujeong hits the Han to Banpo Bridge. Walking across the bridge, some 10 feet above the river, was exhilarating. 
I ended at Noksapyeong station roughly ten miles from where I started. 

Most certainly a day full of Olympic sized experiences.  I intend to return to swim, but with more conviction, intend to continue to walk through Seoul. It gives me a sense of Seoul's magnitude both in size and grandeur. 



Olympic Park 
Korean War display. Flags represent countries who have either combat or material support. 
Lot before getting to the Han



Dusk on the Han 

Near Full moon 달 seen halfway across the Han