The Sherpa Derpa's thoughts on Korea.
Denise's 2 week visit summed up for your enjoyment.

I'm back home now. For the record, I had a wonderful two weeks in
Korea. I attribute a great deal of my 'good times' to my lovely
hostesses: Heather and Jennifer. It was great having a home base with
internet, air conditioner, a fridge and a blender for those A.M.
smoothies.

The Korean people are quite nice. As I would have expected based on my
Korean friends back in the states. My favorite thing about the Korean
people was how they all travel with their own personal BBQs and mini
gas tanks. They all squat down anywhere, the beach or the park, and
start up a good old pork and fat bbq. Then naturally as you walk by
you're invited to share some food with them. When I say share, I mean
that they will call you over, gesture for you to sit with them, then
place food directly from the bbq into your mouth with their own
chopsticks. Which then leads to something to wash down the food with.
Soju. There is no shortage of liquor in this country. If you pass on
soju, the staple firewater of Korea, then you get a watered down cheap
Korean beer. Which I actually liked. But I'm not a big beer drinker,
so what do I know. Honestly, I love how the whole society is so much
into being a community, sharing, eating and drinking together.

In general, I found Koreans to be very friendly and helpful, if you
are not embarrassed to act things out when trying to communicate.
Trying to find a restaurant, bathroom, or subway in Korea is like
charades or an Into to Drama class, you have to use your imagination
and be patient until you are understood.

Who knew that there was so much to do in Korea. I went on several
hikes to beautiful temples. Island hopped. Visited a botanical garden,
a fish market, and several bars. I went to many beaches. The beaches
are a cultural experience. They are very much into protecting their
skin from the sun, so they swim in their clothes. Even the kids were
wearing shirts and long shorts to play in the water. Many of them do
not know how to swim so the whole beach is full of yellow plastic
inflatable inner tubes.

Heather and Jennifer have a great group of international friends in
Buson who also teach English. The “Sherpa Derpa” was happy in Korea. If
I would have had more time I would have down some rock climbing,
shopping, another manicure and more museums. Especially the DMZ tour
which was cancelled b/c of the holiday unfortunately. Alas, two weeks
goes by so quickly.

I did manage to squeeze in a temple stay, which was so cool. Waking up
at 4am with the monks to meditate, walk and do martial arts with them.
Then eat a light vegetarian meal, followed my some more meditating and
martial arts. No wonder those monks are so fit! The most impressive
part about the temple stay was that since it was summer you were there
at the same time as the children who were doing 1 week to 1 month
programs. Imagine an American child up early to exercise and clear
his/her mind. No video games or TV. No wasting food, eat everything on
your plate. No whining, your elders are served first and you're served
last. That would be something I'd like every one of my LAUSD fifth
grade students to experience as a prerequisite to my class.

I can't wait for my next trip to Asia.
Cheers!
The Sherpa Derpa
aka Denise