Going from 22 to 23
2022 July 8th is when I turned 23.
I don’t like writing out my own timestamps but here’s yet another one.
Today, typhoon Hinnamnor came through the Southern areas of South Korea and left the peninsula. Ukraine is still at war with Russia, Coronavirus is not really talked about in Melbourne, Australia anymore but people in some parts of the world continue to wear masks. Like in Korea, I did too. With not much complaint.
I did do some exciting things while I was in Korea. Which I’ll get into in my travel blogs (new section on the website)
Not with nightlife, barely went out late at night. I think I was out past 12 only twice? Of the two times, I once couldn’t catch a taxi to my uncle’s place in Seoul and missed the bridge to go over the Han river - so I had to walk many more kilometres on a warm heaty Korean summer’s night.
The other time was when I was catching up with my Korean friend who I met in Laos.
The Han River - 한강
That was about it as to going out at night - out of about ~83 days of being in South Korea as a 22 and 23 year old. My uncle at one point asked whether I even drank with my friends and was curious to find out what I even do, when I went out to meet people.
I suppose this was a more '‘chill’ trip away from nightlife activities.
Even my family members thought I barely had any friends. Contrary to their belief, I had done pretty well for myself keeping in contact with my primary school friends, university friends as well as Korean people I met through work in Australia. I had made conscious effort to keep in touch with good people.
Which resulted in mostly valuable conversations when we met; I managed to get 2 job offers and met the mayor of Dongnae district (부산시 동래구) (in Busan), gave a lecture to US college students and a Korean high school in Gongju (공주).
Dongdaemun Design Plaza - 동대문디자인플라자
An exhibition of Tim Burton was on at that time which I visited with a cousin of mine.
1) One of the four highlights of this trip was the time I spent napping and sleeping on couches at my father’s place and uncle’s place. I really just enjoyed sleeping on couches and waking up at random hours of the day to have the most regular conversations. Most problems arose when we’d discuss and have different preferences on what to eat. Well, at least with my dad.
2) Another two of the four highlights was spending continuous time with my father and grandmother for more than a week. I hadn’t done that in 11 years and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything else. It was so valuable. Walking with my dad around a local reservoir on top of a river stream for hours in the warm, humid Korean summer, and hanging out with grandma at beachside cafes and tagging along with her to meet her friends, that was all priceless.
3) Spending time with the uncles of my mum’s side in Seoul. That was incredible. Little did I realise I was staying at one of Seoul’s nicest areas,, I only realised as saw my friend’s reaction as I told them where I was staying at. Jamwon-dong (잠원동). Smack-bang in the middle of Seoul on the South of the Han River. Close to Gangnam (walking distance at most), and I’d just cross the road once and be on the Han River; a light stroll to Banpo-bridge. That was epic. I spent quite some time with my cousins and uncles getting to know each other that much better. This was precious.
As I spent time with the people I met and interacted with, I just had open ears and kept my mind light. Meaning that I engaged in listening or conversing with little to no presuppositions to what would be said by the words that came out of people’s mouths.
Korean Mother-of-Pearl lacquers and storage containers - 자개 보석함, 보관함
Being back now, I feel light.
All in all - I had an okay time, I got to do 97% of what I set out to do, became a better listener, spent time with family and got to grow lots on the inside. Carrying on with being 23.
I came back to Melbourne in mid-July when the weather was nice and cool here - as most Winters are here. I came back a more calm person. I’ve become better at listening. I take more action on actionable items that I notice and that is most likely due to my increased ability to be in-tune with what’s going on around me.
I will be back later with more stories and photos. Thank you for reading.
읽어주셔서 감사합니다//
