Molestation on the Subway

My tiredness had consumed me
My feet were fatigued and sluggish
Yet there were no seats available on the subway
And it seemed as if every stop had more arrivals than departures
But just when the unbearable became tolerable
The doors gave way to an influx of those on their way elsewhere
At last I had a place to liberate and rest the day’s aches and pains
But then I notice him standing before me, he was speechless
An elderly Korean man who without words was demanding my seat with his facial gestures
But I revisited the Civil Rights archives and resorted back to my ancestor Rosa Parks
I was tired and too tired to move, and wondering if there was a reason he picked me
Why should I be the target of his silent protest as he looked me up and down from head to toe
But in that very moment I decide to ignorantly look the other way because my tiredness became pressing
I ignored him altogether hoping that his masculine disposition would realize I was a feminist
But just when the thought that his stares could become a Korean gender/ageist protest
The female passenger to my left cordially advanced her seat to the man after eyeing me
And just when I thought our silent dispute for the seat was over he stared me down one last time as if to say he had won the battle but had not gotten what he truly desired, my seat
Then the next thing I knew was she was speaking in Korean and aggressively rubbing my arm
I was confused thinking that she was talking about the feministic war that had just taken place
However, she was obviously letting me know that my color had gotten her attention
Within seconds most of the cars attention had turn to me
She was still rubbing me and speaking in Korean and I was clueless and perplexed
Next thing I knew was she was comparing my arm to hers and smiling
And just when things had reached their baffling peak the elderly man who was just at war with me chimed in with a raise of his thumb gesturing some sort of approval
Just by reading the facial expressions I felt somewhat safe, but I was still a little uneasy
And without understanding a word she was uttering I said, “Gomap-Seumnida,” or “Thank You”
Then the flood gates opened as the entire subway cars attention became more pronounced
She continued to rub my arm and smile, and he kept gesturing with thumbs up
But I felt I had been molested on the my way home after a long tired day of sightseeing
And for the first time my complexion gave way to a foreign but almost distinguishable acknowledgment
And I realized that even in this foreign place my skin color is still is the topic of conversation

Week 2

This is an adventure and I really love it. I have been able to have fried chicken sitting on the street watching life in action, and it is wonderful. I would have never in a million years imagined moving over to Asia less alone South Korea, but I’m here and loving it. A few days ago I was walking to work and as I stood at the cross walk I heard, “Hello,” and when I turned I saw an elderly man waving at me. He was just as happy as he could be, and I returned the hello with a smile. That moment made my day.

I arrived here in Korea with little to no expectations, and I am glad I did because I am able to take things in and not prejudge them in anyway. Every day is a new adventure and I am just glad that I have been chosen for the opportunity.

On Saturday, I took my first trip to Costco and bought some groceries which made my life much easier. I can now cook for myself instead of going out trying to find something Western to eat, which is always much more expensive. I have tried to eat Korean food, but it’s really not my thing. When I go out I will attempt to try things and if it’s good I will continue to eat it, but if it’s not I’m done. However, I try to have an open mind and at least say I tried it and it’s not for me rather than never trying it at all. Although, one thing I will not eat is pork. Eating pork is so against everything I believe in, and I would be sick as a dog. I have not had pork since I was about five years of age, and I am not willing to test those waters.

However, for the most part I really love living here and I learn more and more each day. I took my first subway ride with two transfers alone, and I am so proud of myself. I didn’t get lost and it wasn’t as hard as it looked. I even got to my final destination on time. I thank God I learned to read maps in elementary school cause it’s is saving my life these days.

Today, I even took a different way home just so I could learn a little more about the neighborhood I live in, and I found a high school with a yard in which I can go walking. I also found a mountain with a walking trail, and I went to the top of one side of it. Sure did with my work slacks, blouse, and flip-flops on. It was cool, but next time I will be dressed a little more appropriate.

Well, I think this week has been wonderful. I can’t complain about one thing. Oh, before I forget I even went to see the Korean Heritage Gospel Choir, and that was a sight to see. It was amazing to see Korean’s singing gospel songs, and with soul might I add. If you have not heard them you need to you-tube them because they are the truth. And with that I will say this week has been blessed.

Week One

To still a line from the Wizard of Oz, “There is no place like home।” There are places that may resemble home and even make you feel like you’re at home, but really there is nothing like being home. As I have surpassed my first week here in South Korea I have already started to notice the things I have a better appreciation for in the states. For one I appreciate having a bathtub. I know when I got off that long 24 hour air trip I wished I could soak in a bathtub, but no that was not an option. Since I am talking about bathing I should jump into my second appreciation. I really appreciate our indoor plumbing. Yes, before you crazy American’s start the rumor that they don’t have indoor plumbing, they do. However, in the bathrooms many of the apartments don’t have a drain in the shower. “Where then is the drain” you ask, the drain is in the middle of the bathroom floor. So, when taking a shower the interior bathroom gets wet. I guess the other thing I would have to say that I appreciate would be red lights. Now, you may be thinking, “Why would she care about red lights?” Oh, but red lights are wonderful, especially when you are walking across the street with the right away, but the driver stops and decides no, he wants to go again. Yeah, here you don’t have a right away; you have the right to get the hell out of the way before you get hit. No joke, I have been at a light, which by the way, everyone stops at and there is no jay walking. People wait for lights to change to green before proceeding across the street, but you must be mindful of the drivers because they don’t mind running lights or stopping and deciding then that they want to go again. The last thing I would say that I appreciate at this time would be having reasonable prices on items. Here things are really expensive because most of everything is imported because Korea doesn’t have natural resources. So, food is imported in most cases. Oh, and an example of something that I thought was too crazy was the price of a microwave. Yes, I said microwave. In the states you can go get a microwave for about $25 to $50, and here it would cost about $200 t0 $500. However, overall I really can’t complain. I am enjoying this time in Korea and I work with some wonderful people who are really helpful, and they make things easier. Home will always be home and there will never be anything that can replace it, but it’s is wonderful to be able to step outside the box and see first-hand how other people are living. I appreciate being able have this opportunity, so until next week look around you and be thankful for what you do have.

Yes, I have tried the food. Not really a fan, but hey I tried it.
Yes, I walk my ass off, and now I have a bike.
No, I can’t speak the language yet, but I try every day.
And this week I am much better than I was last week, so that is all the really matters.