We have arrived! It was quite a crazy journey. We took off from Houston on Thursday with Korean Air, which I must say is the way to go. Even in coach, there was great leg room and the seat went surprisingly farther back than we thought it would. Another plus included a well-sized bathroom, which is pretty incredible for air travel. We landed in Seoul fourteen hours later on a Friday at approximately five o'clock. We had to collect all of our luggage and go through Customs before we had to catch our local flight to the island. As we walked out of the terminal, we were welcomed by these two women in traditional garb and asked to complete a scratch-off contest to see what we could win--not really something I wanted to do after a 25 hour day. We won some pretty cool fans that say "Welcome to Korea."
So, here we are in Seoul, with two carts of luggage, a million people at the airport and really not an idea of where to go. We eventually found the counter to our connecting flight and waited till it opened. After checking in our luggage, we went through security again and waited. The flight to the island took only an hour; we slept the entire way. When we collected our bags, we were greeted by some of the school staff and taken to the school bus. The bus is awesome!!! There should be a picture below. They took us to a hotel where we have been staying for the past week. We'll get to move in to the school on the 2nd of September. It's a nice place. We have suite with a living room with a bathroom and then a separate bedroom with the master bath. So, not too shabby...lol.
Unfortunately, the international pay-as-you-go phone did not work and with no computer, we couldn't get in contact with anyone. There is a business center in the lobby with one computer we were lucky to use. We sent quick emails to our parents just letting them know we were safe. We're still going to be limited for a while with technology. We are waiting to be issued our laptops and telephones. Hopefully, we'll get the laptops by the end of this next week, but it doesn't look like we can get our telephones till the end of September. We have to wait till we get our Alien Registration Card.
We began our training on Monday. The staff is amazing. There are teachers who have taught from all over the world, from Kuwait to Shanghai, Venezuela to Chicago. It's great to meet such an eclectic group unified under one goal--the global community. It's been fantastic learning the core values that will be implemented at this school, and they make so much sense! In preparing for the year, we've had to read three books: The Whole New Mind, The World is Flat, and Good to Great. We're also following the SportsPlus method of evaluation which I find to be a really cool way of looking at Respect and Responsibility.
Throughout the week, we have been exploring the city, Jeju-si. Its on the northern part of the island. Pictures below. The island feels bigger than expected. But then we have not had the chance to explore too much. I wish there was a way to learn the language overnight. It's not like any other place we've been. There is such a language barrier here which makes things interesting at times. Something that is wonderful of the Korean culture, is that they are willing to help in any way they can, even to complete strangers who are waving their hands and speaking a different language louder than usual in the off chance it would help to be understood. The food has been excellent! I feel healthier already! There are stews, noodle bowls, bibimbap, gimbap, sushi, and all sorts of goodness. We have stumbled on Dominos, McDonalds, Burger King, Outback, Quiznos and several others, but almost feel guilty just looking at them as we all just want to inhale the local cuisine. There was one particular stew I think I could eat every single day. When I remember to bring my camera, I'll take a picture of it. For now, just imagine deliciousness! HAHA.
Yesterday, that's Saturday for us, we went for a hike on a mountain trail that was about 30 minutes outside of the city. It was beautiful! A really tough hike for the first one, but so amazing. It was especially amazing to see the sunshine as it had been raining everyday we've been here. I think we've pretty much caught up with everything. If you think of some questions, please feel free to comment and we'll try to answer them in the upcoming blogs.
Cheers
So, here we are in Seoul, with two carts of luggage, a million people at the airport and really not an idea of where to go. We eventually found the counter to our connecting flight and waited till it opened. After checking in our luggage, we went through security again and waited. The flight to the island took only an hour; we slept the entire way. When we collected our bags, we were greeted by some of the school staff and taken to the school bus. The bus is awesome!!! There should be a picture below. They took us to a hotel where we have been staying for the past week. We'll get to move in to the school on the 2nd of September. It's a nice place. We have suite with a living room with a bathroom and then a separate bedroom with the master bath. So, not too shabby...lol.
Unfortunately, the international pay-as-you-go phone did not work and with no computer, we couldn't get in contact with anyone. There is a business center in the lobby with one computer we were lucky to use. We sent quick emails to our parents just letting them know we were safe. We're still going to be limited for a while with technology. We are waiting to be issued our laptops and telephones. Hopefully, we'll get the laptops by the end of this next week, but it doesn't look like we can get our telephones till the end of September. We have to wait till we get our Alien Registration Card.
We began our training on Monday. The staff is amazing. There are teachers who have taught from all over the world, from Kuwait to Shanghai, Venezuela to Chicago. It's great to meet such an eclectic group unified under one goal--the global community. It's been fantastic learning the core values that will be implemented at this school, and they make so much sense! In preparing for the year, we've had to read three books: The Whole New Mind, The World is Flat, and Good to Great. We're also following the SportsPlus method of evaluation which I find to be a really cool way of looking at Respect and Responsibility.
Throughout the week, we have been exploring the city, Jeju-si. Its on the northern part of the island. Pictures below. The island feels bigger than expected. But then we have not had the chance to explore too much. I wish there was a way to learn the language overnight. It's not like any other place we've been. There is such a language barrier here which makes things interesting at times. Something that is wonderful of the Korean culture, is that they are willing to help in any way they can, even to complete strangers who are waving their hands and speaking a different language louder than usual in the off chance it would help to be understood. The food has been excellent! I feel healthier already! There are stews, noodle bowls, bibimbap, gimbap, sushi, and all sorts of goodness. We have stumbled on Dominos, McDonalds, Burger King, Outback, Quiznos and several others, but almost feel guilty just looking at them as we all just want to inhale the local cuisine. There was one particular stew I think I could eat every single day. When I remember to bring my camera, I'll take a picture of it. For now, just imagine deliciousness! HAHA.
Yesterday, that's Saturday for us, we went for a hike on a mountain trail that was about 30 minutes outside of the city. It was beautiful! A really tough hike for the first one, but so amazing. It was especially amazing to see the sunshine as it had been raining everyday we've been here. I think we've pretty much caught up with everything. If you think of some questions, please feel free to comment and we'll try to answer them in the upcoming blogs.
Cheers
Everything looks beautiful especially you two! So glad you were able to get out and see the island. Hiking is a much more enjoyable way of exercising don't you think? Thanks for the update! Love you!! Mom/MIL
ReplyDeleteOnly 1 correction...you flew out of DFW!
I am SO excited to keep reading about your unbelievable adventure!!! I knew you'd do great things with your life. :)
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