Published on Sept. 16, 2005 in South Korea

My last day in Korea, wow. Somehow I am reflecting on my adventure and seems like Korea, for me, has been a paradox. A city with so much to see and nothing to see. A culture so polite and warm but stubborn and cold. A history of pride and shame. Korea has personally been an adventure but no typical adventure has occured. Thinking back over the last week I am beginning to realize that possibly Korea wasn’t about exploring another culture, but exploring myself.

The last six days appear to have been a series of trials and tribulations. Undoubtably I will arrive in KL a different person than when I left the States. I’ve learned about my own patience, other’s ability to forgive, the meaning of friendship, new views on different cultures and the ability to accept them. For the first time in my life I was routinely singled out, both good and bad, because of who I am. Usually I emplore the new feelings, however I now almost have a glimpse of what being unique would be like.

Last night I went to dinner and then a club with Hope. Unlike the previous night where I could get to know some people, this other group of friends were surprisingly not quite as warm. Introductions were akward at best, and my opinion on anything mattered little. I walked by myself most of the way to the club. Already feeling slightly uncomfortable I realized just how different I was in every way from the people there. If language wouldn’t have been an issue I might have been able to meet some people, but with prejudices in place, or the lack of a common word of mouth, I felt quite alone. Realizing that Hope was there with her friends and couldn’t “babysit” me I tried to stay away. Grabbed a beer and talked to a Japanese girl from Paris who asked if I wanted to dance. Quite attractive, nice, sure, why not? I started to realize more and more though that dancing with another girl that I didn’t arrive with would be uncomfortable, but didn’t want to burden Hope, so just decided to take off. As noted earlier I hadn’t slept much the night before, so a good nights sleep was needed.

Reletively early in the morning I headed to the Central City and checked into a hotel — check in was at 2:00, but we all know the receptionist person behind the desk let me check in six hours early. Needing to get some work done before going to KL, needing a good nights sleep, a little time alone and the dread of getting on a bus at 8:00 tomorrow morning led me to a hotel downtown. In all my journies overseas I have never stayed at a hotel, or at least not a real “hotel” (Europe had some “hotels” that were more like ghetto hostels with nice paint). The internet is nice to have, and since I brought my laptop I have control.

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[19:18:24] LF I heard a ring in my ear phones
[19:18:37] Kelvin Nicholson wow, you tried calling me
[19:18:42] LF yeah
[19:18:43] Kelvin Nicholson hold on buckaroo!
[19:18:58] LF I didn’t know what I was doing but the phone symbol was enticing
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My mom is awsome as usual. Soon I’ll be firing up my webcam and showing my mom the view out the window.

I’ve met some great new people and continued building experiences with people I knew from Portland. Nathan, who I met at one of the bars, has the ability through wit to bring out humor in anybody. Mabelle (his roomate) somehow made me feel included when inclusion was needed. Sarah, strikingly dedicated to her work, was the E answer in the conversation with me (at the two tables the conversations were often ABCD and AB, we both knew almost nobody). I couldn’t have asked Amara to welcome me into this city any better; I think she is doing better than I have ever seen her. And Hope, charismatically illuminating all around her; one of the most independent, resiliant and strong people I have met.

Well, that wraps up Korea. I’ll be working and eating the rest of the afternoon, which at this point, sounds like bliss.