The American Ambassador to Korea, Kathleen Stevens, welcomed us at her residence for a much anticipated American barbecue. She is in fact, the first female American Ambassador to Korea, as well as the the first to speak fluent Korean. I only spoke with her briefly, but her presence in itself spoke great lengths of her achievements. Also at the barbecue was U.S. Congressman Mike Honda (Ca-15), who addressed us all the while sipping on a chilled Budweiser. The event itself was a great success, not only because I was able meet Ambassador Stevens, U.S. Congressman Mike Honda, and other imortant figures, but because I feasted on, or rather inhaled, excess amounts of delicious American food. Hot dogs, hamburgers, tater tots galore. That is not to say Korean food isn't tasty, just very different.
After the barbecue, some friends and I walked five minutes to Seoul City Plaza where the Korea Philharmonic performed on the eve of Korean Independence Day to celebrate 64 years of independence from Japan. Not only did they pay tribute to many classical and operatic greats, but they managed to include a mixed variety of Korean music as well. It was terrific.
This is on the morning of "Yonsei Day," which is not a Korean holiday, but rather the day all the ETA's are shipped off to different parts of the country. My entire year in Korea will begin to fully unfold on this day. My experience here was a bit surprising, however. While many ETA's got to meet their Principal and Vice Principal, I was welcomed by my Co-teacher and her husband. A wave of relief washed over me, and the anticipation and anxiety of meeting my Principal and Vice-Principal was assuaged.
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