Traveling internationally is not the arduous experience one would anticipate. Yes, the flights are long, but they are also usually more comfortable than domestic flights in the US. Flying back and forth to Korea on Asiana Airlines reminds me of the thrill of flying in an airplane during the 50s. The cabin stewardesses are attentive to your every need with nice meals, snacks, warm towels, slippers, headphones and lots to drink. There are no signs of the cattle prods used to usher passengers on and off the plane for domestic flights, nor the shoe horns used to squeeze you into your seat in a plane cabin that is more reminiscent of a cattle car on the back of an 18 wheeler truck. I wish I could say the US carriers offered a similar degree of service on international flights. Somehow I doubt it. We'll have to wait for a report from Susan who, with the kids, will rejoin me in Korea in mid September after flying home on United Airlines. I had to return early to be here for the opening day of classes on August 19th.
Unfortunately, I arrived back in Korea just in time to experience the tail end of what I am told has been the biggest heat wave in 85 years. All I know is that it was over 90 degrees when I arrived back on campus at 1 a.m. after catching a bus and a cab from the airport in Seoul. Thankfully we had installed a small air conditioner in our apartment. Unfortunately we did not install one in the bedroom. It is tough to sleep in a hot room with only a fan and the onset of jet lag.
While I was adjusting to the Korean heat wave, Susan and the kids were traveling down to Imperial Beach for our annual 10 days at the beach to celebrate the end of summer. Instead of hot sticky weather, they were enjoying cool ocean breezes and surfing lessons. Although I wished I could have been with them, it made me very happy to think of them enjoying the little cottage on the sand next to the pier. We have so many wonderful family memories there and it is indeed a blessing we have been able to arrange our schedule to continue to enjoy the cottage despite our move to Korea.
In anticipation of my opportunity to experience a bit of bachelorhood in Korea waiting for the family's return, Susan stocked the freezer with frozen hamburger patties, home made burritos and
bulgogi bakes (similar to Philly cheese steaks) from Costco. Surprisingly, I haven't yet broken into this supply thanks to meal invitations from faculty members and students. It's not just the international flights that remind me of what it was like to live in the 1950s. We do have a very supportive community here that helps me ward off the loneliness of being apart from Susan and the kids.
In order to keep myself busy, I attended to some needed car repairs for our Kia family van. I'd noticed quite a bit of wear on the tires and decided to replace them all around. The local auto mechanic can take care of this for you. While replacing the tires he called to let me know that there was a broken U-joint that needed replacement and a brake hose that was failing as well. I also asked him to replace the windshield wiper motor which had broken. In the US, the costs of these repairs and new tires would have cost close to $2,000 based on my past experiences. Here the total cost came to a little over $500. As you can see, although some things are very expensive in Korea, car repairs are a bargain. Everyone tells me the car repairmen and taxi drivers are all honest. I think they're right!
Your faithful (and a bit lonely) Korean correspondent
