Korea Day 1-- A Taste of Kimchi

Well, after an exhausting day of airplanes and bus stations and freezing cold to get here, I'm happy to say that I've finally arrived :) After a grueling 14 hour flight from Detroit, I had my first experience with Korean food as I got to the bus station last night with my fellow English teachers. Grilled corn on the cob sold at a street vendor was absolutely delicious! As I stood outside in the arctic cold, (not as cold as ranger school of course), I was slightly warmed by the yummy corn.  Korea was looking pretty good so far.  After meeting with the man in charge of our arrival, we were taken to dinner at a traditional Korean Bar-B-Q restaurant.  The grill is in front of you with hot coals underneath (similar to a hookah only upside down) as you sit on the floor at your tiny tables.  A large tray of pork comes out that you are to place on the grill, turning it with tongs and cutting it into pieces with scissors-- so weird.  Random pieces of bread are scattered around the bottom of the grill and are used to soak up the oil from the meat.  Various side dishes are then brought, such as kimchi in different varieties and a bowl of garlic which is also placed on the grill, and lettuce to make kind of a pork lettuce wrap.  I feel like this blog is going to be a lot about food.  The pork was good, the kimchi wasn't awful, and we left feeling exhausted but satisfied.  Our hotel which we're staying in until our apartments are ready, is dark, but nice.  It comes fully equipped with a computer, large TV, and mood lighting for those sassy korean escapades.  Apparently it's one of the only places in Korea that you can actually find a bathtub, score!  I fell hard into a deep sleep last night and woke up excited to see the school.  I was not disappointed! My job today was to shadow a current ESL teacher to her kindergarten classes.  I fell in love with kindergarten.  They are so tiny and so loving, and already their english is so clear!  I was introduced as "Marissa Teacher" and instantly given hugs and kisses.  Since the school year is ending here, today was spent doing a completion ceremony in which the different classes dressed up in tiny caps and gowns and received a certificate, after doing a presentation of a song and dance of the teacher's choosing.  I heard adorable Korean renditions of "Dancing Queen", Michael Jackson's "ABC 123", and my favorite, "A Whole New World".  CUTENESS OVERLOAD.  I was in tears.  I just had a revelation-- I think I was probably born to teach kindergarten asians how to sing and dance to american disney songs. I'm going to be so good at this!  After their ceremony I watched the teaching of some other classes and received a real korean school lunch.  I think my love of Korean food might never arrive, as I had two bites and decided it was not for me.  The fish were like sardines, complete with heads and scales, and of course, the kimchi was just as appetizing. I decided to opt out on dinner tonight to catch up on some more sleep. Got some peanut butter and bananas at the grocery store across the street, but I seriously might starve if I don't find something edible soon.   I am already missing some spaghetti and meatballs.  And Adam. I miss him too. First day in Korea = major success :)