So today is Thursday morning and it is (as Miranda stated) the first time we were able to find an internet connection.
So far we have been in quarantine which means we are staying in a small motel room for a week while they determine if we are safe (not sick) enough to live in the apartments with the other American teachers. Unfortunately this has meant being somewhat isolated with few people which speak English to help us. That will change next week though.
What I have learned is that the city is quite interesting, and the life style is not much different from what you would expect, minor differences, but nothing shocking. It is easy to walk around the city, however Miranda and I learned we need to be careful about marking our land markets since we can't read. We have gotten "lost" once, but it wasn't as big of a deal as we made it at the time.
In Gwangju it is much harder to find English speaking Koreans, and if they speak English it is usually not very well. It has hindered us slightly because there is a language barrier. However, we consciously chose Gwangju for this very reason. We wanted to get the "full" cultural experience. It is apparent we MUST learn to read Korean and speak it as best we can. This challenge is exciting to me though, because it is pushing me out of my comfort zone.
Prices for goods is interesting. If you go to a more "Americanized" place like this coffee shop we are in then the prices are similar to America's prices. However, you can go to Korean restaurants and eat fairly cheap. You must watch your money as carefully as you do in America...which is different since the Won is so large you feel like you are spending so much buying anything.
The one thing I realize most is how dependent I am on both God and my wife here. Without Miranda I would feel utterly alone, and she gives me a purpose because we are working together to figure this out. As for God, He is my strength and you take for granted how easy life can be. I am not saying it is difficult here for we have had very few challenges as of yet, but I am saying when you facing a world you are a complete foreigner to it is good to know God loves you and is walking beside you.
I am excited and nervous to start school, but I know whatever challenges come my way I will be made stronger in mind and spirit.
I love you all.
Steve
So far we have been in quarantine which means we are staying in a small motel room for a week while they determine if we are safe (not sick) enough to live in the apartments with the other American teachers. Unfortunately this has meant being somewhat isolated with few people which speak English to help us. That will change next week though.
What I have learned is that the city is quite interesting, and the life style is not much different from what you would expect, minor differences, but nothing shocking. It is easy to walk around the city, however Miranda and I learned we need to be careful about marking our land markets since we can't read. We have gotten "lost" once, but it wasn't as big of a deal as we made it at the time.
In Gwangju it is much harder to find English speaking Koreans, and if they speak English it is usually not very well. It has hindered us slightly because there is a language barrier. However, we consciously chose Gwangju for this very reason. We wanted to get the "full" cultural experience. It is apparent we MUST learn to read Korean and speak it as best we can. This challenge is exciting to me though, because it is pushing me out of my comfort zone.
Prices for goods is interesting. If you go to a more "Americanized" place like this coffee shop we are in then the prices are similar to America's prices. However, you can go to Korean restaurants and eat fairly cheap. You must watch your money as carefully as you do in America...which is different since the Won is so large you feel like you are spending so much buying anything.
The one thing I realize most is how dependent I am on both God and my wife here. Without Miranda I would feel utterly alone, and she gives me a purpose because we are working together to figure this out. As for God, He is my strength and you take for granted how easy life can be. I am not saying it is difficult here for we have had very few challenges as of yet, but I am saying when you facing a world you are a complete foreigner to it is good to know God loves you and is walking beside you.
I am excited and nervous to start school, but I know whatever challenges come my way I will be made stronger in mind and spirit.
I love you all.
Steve
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