Here I am, in Guro-dong, in Seoul, on Christmas Eve. I have never spent Christmas away from home before, and I feared that part of me would become really sentamental. And I guess part of me is. I've got so many loved ones and friends back in the States, and I miss them all. I want to open presents around a Christmas tree. I want to go to a Maple Glen or Grace Baptist Christmas Eve service. I want to do all of the things I've done every year. But I can't now, so what do I do?...
Here is Guro-dong, where I live, tonight on Christmas Eve:
As you can see, things are packed. There are traffic jams everywhere. Everyone is trying to get home for the holidays.
People have been shopping non-stop for the holidays, and I've definitely done my part in that shopping madness as well. One really cool area in City Hall is called Myung-dong. It's always so crowded and so hip:
To anyone reading this from Geneva, or anyone who's seen my film "Twin Dragons", you'll recognize my good friend Youn Chi Young ("Chi" for short) in this picture. We went to a restaurant in Myung-dong that is famous for a noodle soup called "kal-gook-soo." It's so famous that after we finished eating, there was already a line of over 40 people waiting to get some of this soup. It definitely reminded me so much of that Seinfeld episode.
Here's Chi:
and here's one more random picture of me at the Cheon-gye-cheong ^__^:
So yeah...what am I doing this Christmas? Well, I'm spending it with friends this year. It's kind of weird. Usually, when I think of Christmas, you just automatically think family. But in Korea, Christmas is very different. Most people spend it with someone they're very close with (like boyfriend/girlfriends). So a lot of people kind of hang out on Christmas day. I'll be spending my night at a Christmas party at my church. It should be fun.
Today at school (Christmas Eve) I dressed up like Santa Clause and got to give presents to every kid. It was a lot of fun, but so tiring. And even though most students knew who I was, it was still nice to have so many kids look so happy to see me.
I was afraid of feeling alone this Christmas, but I know I have so many people thinking of me back home, and I also have so many people that care about me here in Korea too now. God has truly blessed me so much with many great people here in Korea. Have a great Christmas everyone, with much love from Seoul,
Mark
3 comments:
hi mark! great entry :) you were missed in carlisle, and we'll miss you over the new year, but it was great to talk to you.. :) i'm sure you're looking forward to your time off....take more pictures! :)
I know you miss people, but that sounds like a lot of fun still. I'm really glad to hear about your blessings there!
It was weird not to have you at Geneva this past semester.
When will you be in the states next? The girls and I graduate in may. Let me know whenever you come in. I'd love to catch up.
You're in my prayers. God Bless.
Chi is back in Korea!? Was he just there for the holiday, or is he back to stay?
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