Pork-n-Bug Xmas
December 24, 2005

For Christmas Eve I did what almost all Americans do.  I traveled by taxi across town and taught three 13 year old Korean children an English conversation class!  I had a great time.  The students were very eager to speak English and were quite attentive.  I'll see them almost weekly to help them practice their English speaking.  All Korean kids in school have to take English, but the majority of them don't get a chance to practice with a native speaker.  So it's a real treat for them and me to sit and just chat.  I essentially help them form sentences better and throw in a few slang words here & there.  It's a lot of fun.

For Christmas Day I, once again, did what most Americans do.  I walked a few blocks to a place that specializes in pork and sat on the floor and enjoyed a plate that would be about 4 servings for an average Korean.  One of the side dishes were silkworm bugs, which I've tried before and didn't like.  I decided to try another one because how many chances will I have to eat a bug for Christmas in Korea?  After pork-n-bug Christmas dinner, I went for a walk and found myself at a little relaxing bar type place with couches.  I ordered a few cups of coffee and just sat there enjoying the ambience of the Christmas decorations, lights, and music.  With many happy Korean people around me enjoying themselves, drinking and laughing, I sat and contemplated my past Christmas'.  How I hated to travel back home to Florida and visit and how it was never really fun for me there.  Every time I'd visit, after about 30 minutes, I wanted to leave again.

But I was alone with a cup of coffee this Christmas.  Content and happy in a whole different country.  Far removed from bad childhood memories of Georgia and Florida.  I guess it doesn't matter how far away you move, you'll never forget those times.

What I learned today about Korea:  1) I REALLY don't like to eat bugs.