We spent the weekend in Seoul -- a long weekend, with a long plane ride back and forth. But it was so rewarding: we had wanted to visit such a great city again anyway, and see old friends and sites well-remembered. I specifically wanted to see a particular crop of my students graduating from high school. I had taught them English Literature in grades 9 and 10, and club-advised a number of them when starting up National Honor Society and the EcoSave club. And most of them -- unlike the case in most international schools -- continued all four years there. So it was such a treat to see them waiting in the lobby for the graduation ceremony.
When walking to the school, we bump into two of Barb's "room mothers" from last year -- they are so excited! They organize a luncheon the next day with their two kids and six others, all now in second grade. How rewarding for Barb to be remembered so lovingly. During that luncheon I walked around downtown, in wonderful weather. I marveled at the vibrant and demonstrative culture: five different groups demonstrating about something. The city provides them some space; they produce posters and sit or talk or wave flags; two groups have formed permanent campgrounds: the Sewol Ferry group, there for three years, and the more-recent pro-ParkGeunHye group.
We also visited with friends/colleagues Colleen and Paul Dwight, and Vicky and Sean Deetlefs. And we ate plenty of pork products and fresh brew. By an interesting coincidence, the Seoul Mosque was visible from our hotel window -- however, we never heard the call to prayer there. Rather, the hotel's nightclub was audible on the weekend nights, and the occasional car horn.
Pray we can return some day...'twas a perfect respite and reminder.
When walking to the school, we bump into two of Barb's "room mothers" from last year -- they are so excited! They organize a luncheon the next day with their two kids and six others, all now in second grade. How rewarding for Barb to be remembered so lovingly. During that luncheon I walked around downtown, in wonderful weather. I marveled at the vibrant and demonstrative culture: five different groups demonstrating about something. The city provides them some space; they produce posters and sit or talk or wave flags; two groups have formed permanent campgrounds: the Sewol Ferry group, there for three years, and the more-recent pro-ParkGeunHye group.
We also visited with friends/colleagues Colleen and Paul Dwight, and Vicky and Sean Deetlefs. And we ate plenty of pork products and fresh brew. By an interesting coincidence, the Seoul Mosque was visible from our hotel window -- however, we never heard the call to prayer there. Rather, the hotel's nightclub was audible on the weekend nights, and the occasional car horn.
Pray we can return some day...'twas a perfect respite and reminder.
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