Still Lost in Translation: Under the Umbrella Tree

Summer time in Korea is always the most entertaining season for foreigners living and working in this wondrous country. Mostly though, it is a season which enables us to enjoy all Korea has to offer - touring its beautiful islands, beaches and cities. Two weeks ago, about 300 foreigners from around the country got together and pulled off an all day/night beach party on Wando, about 2 hours south of Gwangju. We camped out on the beach and drank until the sun came up... or until we were passed out on the sand waking up with red skin and a horrible headache. The rising sun definitely didn't stop us.

We were lucky to get such gorgeous weather since apparently typhoons have been said to transpire during Korea's rainy season. What I've come to notice however, after living in this country for almost a year and a half now is that Koreans tend to over exaggerate certain aspects of their lifestyle. For example, there are no such things as 'clinics' or a 'doctor's office'. Rather, if one is feeling under the weather, or is just in need of a checkup they must go directly to the hospital. From my Western perspective, going to the hospital sounds so much more hostile than going to visit your local doctor. My Korean friend recently told me he spent 5 days in the hostpital. Naturally, I was shocked and worried by this, thinking something pretty devastating must have happened to him. I later found out he checked himself in because he was stressed.

Moving on...

So you would think because of Korea's annual 'rainy season' they would be used to the wet weather and thus be able to easily distinguish between heavy rainfall and a monsoon. Well that is not exactly the case. This past weekend a monsoon was apparently brewing and all that really emerged were dark clouds and... wait for it... RAIN! It was nothing out of the ordinary. Korean's though, were more than prepared for the rainfall which could be seen through their overt use of umbrellas. I seriously believe that Korea is the one country in the world that utilizes umbrellas for every single season. Come rain or shine, wind or hail, Korean people will have an umbrella in hand. I find it quite amusing, to witness the vast transformation of people walking casually in the streets one second, to the sidewalks covered in umbrellas the next, when a drop of rain falls from the sky. Umbrellas are decent sized objects... where do they hide them?? It's almost as though they have a secret compartment where they keep their umbrellas and us foreigners didn't get the memo. Being the tall Westerner that I am, I have learned to be extra diligent when using an umbrella in the crowded streets. Apparently there are unwritten umbrella rules one must follow to successfully arrive at their destination, dry and unharmed. I will attempt to write them out for you:

1. When you feel a slight drop of water hit your skin, IMMEDIATELY release your umbrella holding it above your head.

2. When walking down a busy street, you must relentlessly alternate the umbrella between your right and left hands depending on which side pedestrians pass you by.

3. You must also frequently raise and lower your umbrella in order not to collide with a strangers umbrella. *This is probably the most important rule.

4. Keep your eyes peeled for 'couple' umbrella holders. These umbrellas tend to be much larger, rounder and more hazardous to the general public.

5. Lastly, when you enter a store or restaurant with your umbrella, you must deposit it in the suitable umbrella bin, and on your way out, be careful not to 'mistakenly' pick up a nicer, prettier, more efficient umbrella because... that's just rude.

It's never really fun to travel during rainy season but there is so much to see and do, a little bit of rain never hurt anybody! Last weekend some friends and I bussed to Seoul to send off our good friend Aaron who was leaving Korea after two and a half years. As you would expect, we got him pretty drunk and had a ridiculously fun night out on the town. Seoul is literally a city that never sleeps. Bars and clubs are opened until wee hours into the morning and last call simply doesn't exist. With that being said, the next morning was a complete write off for all of us and bussing back three and a half hours to Gwangju seemed less and less appealing. The idea of getting a flight back was brought to our attention (as a joke) but after some inquiring, four of us decided to go ahead and book seats. It was so worth it! After 27 minutes in the air and a free glass of orange juice later, we arrived back to our home away from home.

Seoul is always an adventure for us 'country folk' but it is definitely nice to return back to our quaint life here in Gwangju. I suppose there are obvious differences living in Gwangju opposed to Seoul - an overpopulated metropolitan city. I tend to treat my visits to Seoul as a trip back into Western society. I go there with a big appetite, low expectations and fewer morals. When the city wakes up, us foreigners have left our mark and nothing is forgotten...hazy, but not forgotten. I did however, forget where I left my umbrella. Oh well.