My Korean adventure is coming to an abrupt end. I never wanted it to end this way but I brought it upon myself. Today I will return my apartment keys to my employer of the last 13 months. Tomorrow I fly out of Incheon Airport, back to Heathrow, UK and then home to Wells-next-the-Sea.

It will be difficult to say goodbye, as I managed to achieve so much in my first stint. Even the second stint wasn't going too badly, but ultimately I paid a hefty price for my own decision to return to exactly the same set up with the school rather than challenging myself with a new position. It never quite felt right inside and I suffered embarrassingly, and to the detriment of colleagues. Its a shame because lots of the kids loved me teaching them. I had few complaints about them. I became ill again because I couldn't come to terms with a scenario of my own making. The depression, once it begun, came quickly. I had made a positive advertisement (video) about teaching in South Korea, for a recruiting agency earlier this year. Now, i was struggling to remain positive myself.

I managed to complete a year, just, albeit in two stints. I will have some fantastic memories - photos and videos. I never quite got to grips with learning Korean, although I had made great steps in the past few weeks. I will miss the food, the efficient public transportation system, the saunas and jjimjilbangs. I will miss certain people who have been kind and warm to me. I won't miss the guy selling tangerines, or whatever it is he has that day, who would loudly drive round my neighborhood.

I may return... I am not ruling it out... but i suspect my future lies elsewhere.

South Korea... land of the morning calm... it has been lovely knowing you.

P.