Beware of Subways

After a day in Korea, I have to say that of all the countries I have been to, Koreans are the most friendly and helpful people...in direct competition with the Irish who are also extremely friendly and hospitable. I went out today to explore the city and locate a few schools. What better way than to try to figure out the public transportation system? I was surprised to see how few people actually spoke English but how willing they were to try to help me. I had people who couldn't explain to me how to get there in English, so they walked with me the 3 to 4 blocks to the bus stop and communicated with the driver in order to get me in the place I needed to be. This happened several times! I love Korea! I met so many wonderful people today as these strangers took the time to talk with me a little and help me get around. It reminded me that places don't leave you with the fond memories but the people that you've met and shared time with in that place. I'm a girl that loves to see the sights but the truth is that the landmarks will soon fade from my memory and be nothing more than just a place that I marked off of my sights-to-see list. It is the cultural exchanges, conversations, negotiation of meaning (when you can't speak the language) that remain in my memory and form my overall impression of a place.
With all that said, I do have to share with you an interesting story that I could have done without...though it does not change my initial love for Korea and the people here. So, I'm feeling great, getting around, and bounding up the stairs of the subway station. All of the sudden, a man passes me on my left, stands about 5 steps ahead of me and pulls down his pants. Whoa! That was something that I could have done without. I just rolled my eyes and went around him. This was a time that I wished a friend would have been with me because it would have produced a lot of conversation and laughter afterwards. Any takers for the next time around? I'm sure he'd be willing to do an encore!