Seoul Thoughts

Dear friends,

I started writing this from my hotel room in Busan, though I am now home. Outside was beach and the Korean version of Times Square. Thankfully our train trip from Seoul was nothing like the movie (Train to Busan), not that I watched the movie. But if you did, please know that our trip was delightfully uneventful.

The most complicated thing about it was finding a place to park our main luggage in Seoul, so we could travel light. And seriously, it was complicated. You can rent a locker at the train station, but only for three days. You can store it at a manned counter, but they don’t open until 9:00 am, and our flight left at 9:35. You can store it and get it shipped to the airport to the tune of $400. I’d rather do other things with $400. So I found a place a bit farther away that fit the bill and we were able to leave the big suitcases and be on our way.

I’ve gotten so much out of having an extended stay here—what I like to think of as “slow travel.” I truly believe it’s beneficial for people to travel and to see how other cultures work, but I think it’s even more beneficial to be in a place, not just to go to the hot spots and Instagram-worthy locations. It places you in a state of humility because things are not as you are used to. Language doesn’t work the way you expect. And being in that state cracks you wide open, ready to receive the wonder that’s available and to marvel at and appreciate the beauty of a completely different culture.

My exercise in posting 10 thoughts on Facebook (almost) every day that I was there allowed me to look for the wonder, the curiosities, and the people behind a culture. Yes, I’ve been to dozens of museums, temples, and shrines. I’ve eaten food that I never anticipated would be on my plate; I’ve researched for books I’ve got in the cooker, and walked about a million miles. I’ve sweat more than I thought was possible. It’s normally hot there in the summer, but there’s been a heat wave and everyday was above 90 degrees F since mid-July. Last Sunday it was 105.

And yet, now I know that Japanese businessmen wear suits all summer long, no matter the temperature. I‘ve seen how Koreans cover up at the beach with gaiters, face masks, full sleeves, and hats with flaps. I also know how they keep cool with frozen neck rings, personal fans, and cooling wipes. I went to church yesterday, and there were two newborns being blessed. I couldn’t help but feel such love and compassion for those young mothers, even though I didn’t know them, even though I couldn’t understand the words said. There is simply a sweetness in knowing that some things are universal.

And I can’t help but think that makes me more complete in some way. I hope you’re all well and enjoying the sweetness of life.

All the best,

Ginge

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