• Written by Charlotte. v. Berg
• Slotie@yahoo.com

After spending almost two months in English Town, Kimhae, we were all very excited to go to Seoul for a week. Heading for the big city, seeing new things, meeting new people; we couldn't wait. We stayed at KoRoot, a hostel for Korean adoptees. Some of us had stayed there before but most of us were there for the first time and totally charmed by the lovely house and its sweet owners; a reverend and his wife. The reverend told us that he hoped that KoRoot would feel like our (Seoul) home, even though we were far away from our actual home, and it did! After walking around Seoul for a day it really felt like I was ‘going home' when we went back to the hostel.

The week started with a speaker of InKAS telling us about her experiences as a social worker. After this we had lunch together and we had the opportunity to ask more questions. That evening we also had calligraphy class so we spend the time in between just walking around in the city. Our calligraphy teacher was a very nice man and had a lot of patience with us attempting to do what was so easy for him. The next day we sort of had the same schedule. First there was a speaker, this time from G.O.A.L and afterwards we had lunch together. This speaker also told us thing about adoptees in Korea and how to go about finding your birth family. I do believe that her speech triggered some of us to return to our agencies to ask for (more) information.

That evening we had our second and last calligraphy class.

I think that some of us have definitely discovered some new skills during that class (guess we should all get Greg's signature!). As a gift our teacher also gave each of us a beautiful painting. Before class we had all gone to dinner (we just love raw fish!) and there he had already given us two postcards and a book of his works. Supposedly he is a famous artist in Korea and this book was on his fourth solo exhibition.

On Wednesday we were set free to go and explore Seoul on our own. Some went shopping, others just walked around and some went shopping some more. Wednesday night was reserved for clubbing and we did. Even though we were the only ones in ‘da club', we had a party. At KoRoot there is no curfew, which already is worth a party by itself, so we could come back at any time we wanted. It was nice to see the Seoul night-life. Different kinds of people in the street with different kinds of attitudes, styles and believes. It was good to see that, and the rest of the night, uh, I guess I just don't remember…..

1. The next morning we were all happy and shiny again to go to the folk village. The sun was shining and the sky was blue, after I had my coffee, that is! The folk village was really lovely, especially as some of the leaves (what's the Korean word for that again?) on the trees were already turning into autumn colors. First we went into some fun rides and what fun they were! Also we saw a few performances that were quite impressive. Even though lunch at the folk village was not exactly my cup of tea, I had a very enjoyable day all together.

Previously that week we had gotten free tickets to go see a performance. It was called ‘jump' and it was on Thursday night so we went there. The performance was non verbal and included humor and a lot of martial arts; it was absolutely amazing what they showed us. After that we spent the rest of the evening the way we chose to.

Our schedule said Seoul city tour for the next day but unfortunately this was cancelled. That meant that we had the whole of Friday to do whatever. Some of us went back to their agencies, others just hung out. A few of the agency-goers got some new and interesting information on their birth families. I think for them, that alone was worth the trip up to Seoul. That night we celebrated the end of our Seoul stay with a few white guys in a bar.

The next day we had a meeting with our sponsors. One of them had cancelled another appointment just to see us. Her daughter was there too and translated for her. She gave us all a necklace with a glass hanger which was made by her brother. After that we (again) had lunch together. Most of us went back the same day. Back to the ever picturesque town of Kimhae. Seoul was great, Seoul was huge; go and see the historical sites, go and shop till you drop, go enjoy the night life (till you drop…). Do all that and more and you'll probably agree!

Manager of the IIIHR of InJe Univ. / Hee Jung Kim

Inje University

055-320-3756 or 016-513-2105

townkim@hotmail.com or heejungkim79@hotmail.com