News from Korea - Moira Kivedo(nee Wicomb)

KOREA –LAND OF THE MORNING CALM

What a wonderful feeling when I set foot on Korean soil in 2002! Although I traveled many times overseas before, I’ve never visited an Asian country. Just about everything was new – the food (eating with chopsticks); sitting on the floor at a low table; up to 13 side dishes (banchan); sleeping on the floor; toilets which are even with the floor; bowing to your seniors; to mention but a few. I came to teach English for one year but as with many other foreign teachers, I was absorbed by the exciting culture of the Asian people and stayed until the end of 2005. When they asked me to come back this year, 2007, I didn’t hesitate because it’s an opportunity so appreciated that I couldn’t decline.

The Koreans have a culture of learning. Everybody is serious about it. They’re well disciplined and they appreciate you. A teacher is highly respected. There’s even a Teacher’s Day! I’m teaching at the same Ivy English Academy for all the years and love every minute of it. It’s one of the many private schools where students go after their normal school day for extra classes. Most of them attend at least 5 different academies (hagwans) per day for English, Math, Taegwondo (Korean marshal arts, like karate), Science, Speed reading, Music, Chinese and/or Japanese, different forms of Art and more. The maximum of 6 students per class is a pleasure to teach.

They eat rice and gimchi with every meal! Gimchi is fermented cabbage with red pepper paste, spring onions, garlic, ginger, salted fish and salt. They claim that it’s the 5th healthiest food in the world at present. I must say, you need to acquire a taste for it!

The Hanbok is the national costume. For the ladies it’s a wide colourful high-waist skirt with a contrasting very short jacket. It’s very elegant and worn for special occasions and on certain holidays. The men wear baggy pants, tied at the ankles and a loose fitting jacket.

The Koreans are a very proud people. They promote their own goods and culture. They will easily tell you that they are or their country is “the best” or “number one”.A public holiday is a big affair. Their national flag hangs on every lamppost and from the window of every house or apartment. The whole family is involved. They celebrate together. They eat together and adults play games with children – mostly traditional games such as “kennetjie”! Then they visit a song-room where the family has karaoke.They all know the same songs, the same stories, the same dances and even the same jokes! Korea is a wonderful experience! If you wish to teach in South Korea and you have a degree (any) you can contact me at mkivedo@hotmail.com

Now you know why I missed the great Wicomb Reunion.
Love to you all.
Moira Kivedo (neé Wicomb) May 2007

*My picture was taken at the annual Mask Dance Festival and the hat was from one of the musicians.