I'm sure there are other titles for EFL, she went on so much about it, i only remember so much, my mind drifted!lol!

fear not, schwarz, i'll answer you.

i too lived in korea for two years. i loved it. it is about 15 years behind japan in many regards of moderization, for better and for worse.

korean is a very isolated country, a pretty closed society. as such, it remains quite traditional. this is rapidly changing in the younger gnerations, but still very prominent in korean society.

what did i like about korea...almost everything. as an isolated society, the people are innocent to many worldly things, and very sweet. they are so helpful, unbeleivably so, and very proud of their heritage. as such, they won't do anything that reflects badly on korean society. it is an interesting cultural mix of two dynasties following buddhism, separated by one following chritsianity, and an underlay of confusicianism prevelent in everyday encounters. age is the first order of respect, the first question after your name (so a person knows how to address you), and affords older persons with privlege such as surrendering seats on a bus, disciplining children, and being herad when they are speaking. it's very nice to see people truly honoring their elders.

the countryside is beautiful. korea is small, so they build up, not out, and as such the communities may have several buildings that look like skyscrapers, and then the community is surrounded by feilds of rice and barely, or by mountains. temples are always at the base or on a mountain, near to a fresh water spring. koreans enjoy nature, and hiking is a national pastime. the mountains are amazing~i espeically like the western side of soraksan national park, the less-visited side of the park. i stayed there at a small minbak and still years later feel a longing for it.

the cities are safe and clean, and public transportation is sensational. in seoul, you can get a bus or subway within fifteen minutes of wherever you are. and, taxis are pretty cheap.

the food is delicious and healthy, perhaps takes some getting used to, but varied and delicious, and suitable for all kinds of tastes and diets. koreans are so happy to see foreigners, and very friendly, and open and gentle. and if you try even to speak korean, as with many places, it is so appreciated that they will help you and be patient and listen to you and try to work it out.

there isn't really any tourism in korea, so it's different from being in places like thailand where the foreigners are basically seen as temporary. most foreigners in korea are working and living there, and the people are both interested in that and welcoming. i have lots of korean friends, and have so many warm and wonderful memories of korea.

perhaps your link to korea as part of your heritage is part of your resistance to it. i suggest going there but without your family, without staying with your family, and experience it for yourself. i think you will find it quite different. my friend catherine is also half korean, and she moved there and worked and lived, away from her family, and had this different experience.

i'm going back to visit in a few months...it will always be in my heart.

love and light,
karin