K POP

My younger pupils in Korea have taught me more about K pop, or Korean popular music, than I would really like to know. It can be challenging for some of my younger pupils, who are in their 20s, to relate to a 71-year-old grandmother. I discovered that bringing up K-pop groups was a terrific way to start a conversation and break the ice.

It helped that a well-known K-pop singer from the group “BTS” had been in the headlines recently due to an incident in which one of the members rode a scooter after having a drink or two. Any member of a K-pop group is prohibited from dating, drinking, smoking, and getting tattoos. It’s considered improper to even merely hang out with someone who is the other sex. Everything about their lives and image, including their clothing, hairstyle, and color, is carefully controlled.

They can’t ruin the K-Pop group’s meticulously planned look, which relies on their conformity to the scene’s tastes. Furthermore, an unapproved makeover might annoy fans who have a tendency to scrutinize and obsess over even the smallest detail. It’s clear that you cannot express yourself in this way without facing backlash from all sides. I also discovered that the majority of the money they make goes to the businesses that manage and advertise them.

When I mention that Elvis Presley and Micheal Jackson had some of those same dance moves as the K pop groups, they look at me like I am from another world- well I am!  Then I pull out my phone and show them clips of Elvis and Micheal performing and they get it.  K Pop stars have nothing on Elvis.

On two occasions different students invited me on short trips. Inche, an older student, took me on a 12-hour day trip. We visited a famous Buddhist temple, the Korean War memorial, the beach, the fish market and ate at a typical Korean restaurant, one I would have never found on my own. 

Another student introduced me to a typical Korean Bibimbop meal.  We first go to the “lettuce” bar and pick out the types of lettuce and cabbage leaves we like and load up our plate.  After that, return to the table and load them with various fish, meats, rice, beans, and sauces before folding and consuming them. We always manage to converse and have a fantastic time, even though none of my pupils would be considered fluent. We intend to continue our English lessons via What’s App for as long as they want. It is one of the benefits of working”gigs”- meeting the locals and learning more about the culture.

Traveling solo has its advantages but I admit that there are moments when I long for companionship. It can be lonely to wander through unfamiliar places without someone to share the experiences with. Sometimes, I find myself yearning for a conversation or another head to help figure out which street to turn up!

But then, I remind myself that traveling alone also has its perks. I can go at my own pace, change my plans on a whim, and fully immerse myself in the journey without any compromises. There is a sense of empowerment that comes from relying on myself and taking complete ownership of my travel experiences. There’s a certain thrill in figuring things out and fine tuning my own instincts. Like most things in life, it’s a trade-off, and ultimately, I can’t always have it both ways.

I joined a facebook group of “solo” travelers and “Nomad” travelers and was absolutely amazed at how many there are.  The solo travelers reach out on line and say something like ” Hey, I am in Kobe, Japan, does anyone want to meet up for a coffee?”  I am not sure how this actually works but, the idea that one could meet up on a trip with another solo traveler is fun to think about. I plan to try it.

I mentioned in one post that I gave up my apartment, put things in storage and have been traveling for a year as a nomad. A couple responded that 12 years ago they had both retired and decided to take a year and travel. Their intention was one year and it has now been 12 years and they still have not settled anywhere permanently.

Traveling alone today is easier than it was 40 years ago when I left Dayton, Ohio and that is all because of the technology.   I remember going to Honduras in 1980.  I was advised when looking for a place to live to make sure they had a phone and not a promise that one would be installed later, becasue the waiting list to receive an actual phone was years down the line.  I called my parents via a ham radio in Honduras that then tapped into a ham radio in Dayton, just to let them know I was OK.  Today I can actually face time my little granddaughter. Technology makes traveling a little easier with all the google maps, translation apps, money exchange app, and bus and train station apps to use. Learning how to use all of them is another story- but I am getting there.  

Famous K pop group BTS – google them

Lian picking out lettuce leaves for the lunch

Bibimbop lunch – I am getting good at using chop sticks!

Fish market – I have no idea what kind of “fish ” this is. I know what it looks like! I was told it is some sort of ocean slug. So disgusting!

They eat things I have seen while diving in Utila that no one would consider eating. These are sea urchins!

Meticulous beach in Busan Korea- so orderly

My friend Inche- we are at a famous buddhist temple over looking the sea

The temple area was huge!

Happy Buddha

Ramen Noodle with clams

Busan Korea Port – very modern city

Korean War Memorial – beautiful grounds and monuments. All American soldiers names were on the wall by state.