Seoul, Korea - June 5, 2003
I met a few more Iranians since last time I've written a journal entry, they don't live too far away from me, one of owns a motorcycle, and they both look like members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, complete with extremely long stringy straight hair and tons and tons of tattoos.. I don't know exactly whats going on in Iran, but it seems quite interesting. From what I know, most people there were born after the Iranian Revolution of the late 1970s, and have no clue or interest to perpetuate anything from that time frame, most are very well-tuned into the Western world with alot of interest in that realm. Interesting time to be in Iran.
With regards to the German guys who live not far from me, there money and teaching is pretty limited. Actually it seems as if they never have any money, so I wonder how long they will be able last in Korea. The Iranian guys I know are pretty much fluent in Korean and know some very good English, so they are able to have alot of opportunities, but the German guys struggle with English and have absolutely no knowledge whatsoever of Korean, and probably will end up leaving at some point.. they are good guys, but no money and very few working hours.. not sure what there fate will be..
I did find one really great place to hangout near my neighrbood, complete with request music from USA/Britian, etc.. a very good place! There is one American guy from West Virgina who lives there.. and he's been in Korea for 10 years.. a very good guy.. apparently his brother taught in Korea way back in 1972-1973.. and for whatever reason, he's been teaching here as well at this time. He was married to a Korean woman most of those years until she recently died.. I didn't ask why.. but there are alot of interesting people around Seoul and Korea when you look around..
Also, since the last time I wrote, I went on a visa run to Osaka, Japan.. my 4th small journey to Japan.. actually, I am now once again quite impressed with Japan.. and upon arriving there, I wish I could have stayed much longer and even thought of trying to teach there. This is direct contrast to the last couple times I went to Japan and couldn't wait to get back to Korea!! Osaka is the same as it was the last time I saw it a couple years ago.. there is still the America-Town.. complete with some graffiti walls (for image purposes), thrift stores, hip hop music everywhere, token african-american (or nigerians, etc) to promote the american image.. oh, and there are statues everywhere of Uncle Sam, some red-white-and blue cowboy, and the famous Statue of Liberty among others.. plus smack dab in the middle of it is a Disney Store.. plus a park with a bunch of hip punksters and gangster wanna-bes.. all the Japanese in this area have big jeans and hat a little backwards or whatever.. kind odd.. meanwhile sitting in the park, myself and a couple other english teachers waiting for our visas to be processed.. we saw a punkrock japanese woman with camera taking pictures of other punk rockers.. kind of interesting touch..
Korea is also the same as always.. but nothing like Japan.. everything is just as Korean as it ever was.. just the little things like pickles being served with your pizza.. (pickles are like kimchee taste/flavor - which is a must for almost any meal for Koreans).. and stuff like that..
Next: Seoul, Korea:
July 9, 2003
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