Live from Korea Pt. 2

We have a village about 15 minutes from our base. My chain of command started associating with them about two years ago as a way to better our relationship with the locals.  We try to do things with them as much as possible.  I have had the privilege to go over there twice so far.  The first time I went to teach English and play soccer with children ranging from ages 6 to 12.   They are all taught English in school already, but we go and basically just hold conversations with them.  They will ask how to pronounce certain words and sometimes then will describe something and you will tell them what the English word is for that.  For instance, a little boy described a fire hydrant to me.  And I simply just told him what he was thinking about was a fire hydrant.  Not too hard.  I was skeptical at first because I am no teacher like my wonder fiancé is, but I managed to do just fine!  After the long talks we had, we then went outside to play soccer.  Soccer is the most popular sport here in Korea.  I am not too big of a soccer player, but it was still fun to run around and play with the kids : )  The next time I went to pick potatoes with the older kids.  They ranged from the ages of 13-18.  Picking potatoes wasn’t too bad.  It consisted of a lot of bending over, but they figured me out fast and made me the potato sack holder and wheel barrel pusher!  I didn’t mind.  The kids are so grateful for everything they have and I didn’t hear one complain about being out in the heat and picking potatoes.  I guess it is normal to them. They seem to still have fun and joke around while getting the job done as well. It is a good lesson for all of us.

Like I said before I work with the ROK Marines and Korean security guards.  I am the only Marine MP working for 12 hours.  I don’t do much besides patrol the base once an hour and hang out with the gate guards.  Speaking of the gate guards, I have a pretty funny story.  Last week, I went up to the gate to see how the guards were doing.  I was only there for about three minutes until they started talking to me about working out.  I was challenged by two of the guys in a push up contest.  I had to take the challenge, and proceeded to get down in a push up position.  I figured the other two guys would get down as well, but only one did.  The other guy hopped on my back!  The rest of the guards already knew the plan so they thought it was hilarious.  They call me “Mershkin”, so they said “come on Mershkin, do some pushups.”  The man on my back couldn’t of weighed more than 90 pounds, so doing pushups with him wasn’t too big of a problem.  I some how still beat the other guy.  While we were doing that, my Gunnery Sergeant came through the gate, so I quickly popped up.  He didn’t care, and from what I saw he was quite amused as well.  I’m glad I can find a way to amuse the Korean people and bring some excitement to Camp Mujuk.  All in all, my time in Korea has been okay.  Talk to you all soon : )

{Guest Blogger} Live from Korea! Pt. 1

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            Hi everyone!  I have now been in Korea for a little over a month.  If time can keep going this fast, I will be home in no time!  Korea has been pretty interesting.  Once I got settled and actually stepped out of the three- mile boundary of Camp Mujuk, I started learning more and more about the Korean culture.  Everyone is always talking about the Korean bbq. I finally had some time off so I went out to see what all the fuss was about.  The two Korean security guards whom invited me out are named Jo-Mik and Mr. Kim.  They took me the best bbq around.  I cannot pronounce the name of the restaurant, but being there was quite an experience.  They sit you down (on the ground), but on a nice comfy blanket type thing around a table.  In the middle of the table is a giant grill (just like you would see at a hibachi restaurant).  They start you off with a bowl of soup.  It is normal for you to share one bowl with a friend.  There were only three of us, so I decided to get my own!  You then chose whether you want your beef or pork marinated or just salted.  We got a little of both so I could try them out.  They bring you a tray of raw meet and you grill it yourself.  The meat also came with white rice and lots and lots of lettuce and condiments such as onions, garlic, peppers, cucumbers, etc.  I was confused at first because there was no bread, rolls, or anything to put the meat and condiments on.  My friends laughed at me and showed me what to do.  Apparently, when you eat Korean bbq you don’t need bread.  The lettuce is your bread.  You cook the meet, grab a piece of lettuce, throw some onions or whatever on top, then roll the lettuce into a little burrito type thing and shove it all in your mouth.  My opinion- not bad at all!  I don’t like eating bread anyway, too many carbs : )  The bbq was yummy.  I wouldn’t say it was everything it was talked up to be, but I would definitely go again.  

Also during my first cultural experience I learned a couple things as well… (1) You do not pour your own drink.  You offer to pour someone else’s and they pour yours in return.  

(2) The youngest person at the table cooks the food.  It is not a rule, but more of a courtesy thing.  I, however, got away with not cooking because they were showing me the ropes.  

(3) You do NOT use your left hand to give or receive anything.  It is a sign of disrespect.  You simply use your right hand and put your left hand by your right elbow.  If you need two hands then you can use both, but if not, use your right hand only.   

(4) You must know how to use chopsticks.  I never could use these things, but never actually had to either.  Being in Korea it’s a necessity, so I have been practicing! 

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Since my base is very tiny, there is no commissary to buy groceries.  Your choices are to either drive an hour and a half to the nearest American Army base or go to E-mart.  E-mart is kind of like a super Wal-mart.  Supposedly there are E-mart’s in the United States, but I have never seen one.  Have you?  I went about a week ago to grab some groceries.  For some reason, I forgot I was in Korea because once I got there I was shocked to see EVERYTHING in Korean.  Side note:  I learned the language is not “Korean” it is called Hangul.  So yes, everything was in Hangul.  I should have expected that!  It wasn’t too hard to find the things I needed, however, I like knowing the nutrition facts of what I am eating.  Obviously I could not read the labels, but I could make out how many calories or “k-cals” here so I was all right.   Luckily, I went equipped with my Korean speaking Lance Corporal.  He saved me from buying goat's milk and eggs that were not from a chicken.  E-mart was a success, but I think I’ll stick to the commissary as much as I can. 

Pt. 2 later today!