Friday, January 13, 2012

Reflections on Northern Asia

January 12, 2012 It's been awhile since my last blog update and that's not because I haven't had many "blog worthy moments." Rather, that I've had so many that I haven't had time to write about them. I've actually moved on from Northern Asia to South East Asia and the difference is huge. I actually think this may help my reflecting back since I think sometimes you have to remove yourself from your surroundings to appreciate them. (When I refer to N.A., I'm talking about the Northern Asia areas that I visited—Korea and Japan) As I think back on Korea and Japan, here are some of the things that stand out (in no particular order—you're getting them just as they pop into my head).

1. I was pleased to discover that even the Japanese hands hurt when they use chopsticks sometimes. Also, when my hand was cramping at dinner one day, my host mom in Jeju Island, Korea realized it was because I was using (poorly) chopsticks to eat rice and they only use them for noodles. They use a spoon for rice—gave them a good laugh over that one!
2. N.A.'s don't follow traffic rules when they are driving but they do when walking---jaywalking is NOT common (except for the silly foreigners). On the driving note, they are pretty bad, but in a different way from many other countries. Less chaotic and crazy and, as my friend puts it, it's more of a "predictable bad" like they all do the same things so you can predict when it's coming (someone pulling out in front of you, stopping in the middle of a lane, etc.) But, if you put on your flashers after you do something like this, it makes it all ok : ) Oh, and they use their horns but not in an aggressive manner like in the states, it's more just as a "hey, I'm here" sort of way.
3. N.A.'s have the most gorgeous skin in the world, in large part due to their diet. For example, when my friend in Japan cooked dinner, he added an entire bag of collagen to the soup!
4. There are vending machines for tea and coffee but the soda machines also offer juice and tea (hot or cold). Depending on what you order, it comes out cold or warm.
5. Both the Koreans and Japanese will walk you to your destination if you stop to ask for directions (even if they are working or ordering food…they will just stop what they are doing and help you out). And, I thought it was because I was a foreigner but the guard in the bus station walked Jyumpei (my Japanese friend) and I to the right stop (several floors away and outside the building).
6. I had my bag searched in security when entering Japan after the guy asked me where I had come from and I said the U.S. and Korea and he saw the stamps in my passport for NZ, AUS, HK.
7. The heating system in Korea comes through the floor. In Japan, it's like ours at home.
8. All the NA men I met were gentlemen to me—carried my bag, held doors, etc. and I noticed that the younger generation does this (the boys all carry their girlfriend's purses) but not the older generation or strangers (i.e. guys will remain seated on the metro and not offer it for girls).
9. Japan uses the same outlet plugs as us.
10. Men carry "man bags" that look like purses.

Things I will miss specifically about Korea:

1. The shy laughter where people cover their mouth with their hand when they laugh.
2. Hearing people say "niceaaaa" for something nice.
3. Having your gas pumped for you and getting surprise freebies each time like a box of tissues or popsicles in the summer.
4. Funny phonetic spellings of signs in English. (ok, so this applies to SE Asia too—saw one yesterday that said "Sandose" for sandals : )
5. Being thoroughly confused when asking certain questions. Example:

Me: "The store is not open?" Response: "Yes." Me: So to clarify, I ask, "So, it is closed?" Response: "Yes." Me: "So I cannot go now?" Response: "Yes" It took me awhile to figure out that they respond "yes" to confirm a question asked in the negative where we would say "No"

1. Being able to shop in "Foreign marts" and getting away with things locals can't because I'm foreign. I liked to really abuse my power and do such rebellious things as using the bathroom at a shop, jaywalking, or drinking water during my meal.

In sum, I REALLY enjoyed my trip to NA and plan to make it back there soon! But for now, I'm ready to explore SE Asia and see what impressions I will take away from that area of the world.