Monday was a light easy day... just got a mani/pedi with my host sister and hung out at home for the night.
On Tuesday, I said goodbye to Changdo Elementary School. At our Farewell Ceremony for our morning students, the principal talked about how much he was going to miss us. He told the students to never forget us and to write us emails all the time. He then handed us this huge bag full of gifts. We didn't think they were getting us anything so we were all very shocked. That's when it hit me hard that we were actually leaving in 2 days. As my students hugged me and took pictures, they shouted "teacher Krista, you can't leave! Stay forever." My heart jumped from my chest as tears fell down my cheeks. I thought it was hard saying goodbye to the older students two weeks ago, but it was even harder saying goodbye to these guys. My favorite student came running up as the last one to say goodbye. She held my hand as tight as she could and wouldn't let go. As I tried to leave the classroom, she kept pulling me back in. Then she said "Teacher Krista, I love you," and started crying. I grabbed the boys as quick as I could and got out of there. I couldn't believe that Zack, Travis, and I had this much of an effect on these students in only a matter of 2 weeks.
Afternoon class was super easy. We helped the children review their colors from the lesson the day before. We then watch some KungFu Panda with them while we handed out some extra snacks and candy that Travis and I brought for them. After break, we helped the children make Thank You Notes for their 4 amazing after school teachers (Zack, Judit, Travis, and myself). They had a white piece of paper that they drew a picture of us on it and then glued it to another piece where they wrote their note. Travis and I gathered them up and I almost started crying again! One little boy really wanted to write his note to me but he was sitting at a table of all boys who were writing their notes for Zack and Travis. So any time one of the other boys or myself would look over, he would cover his paper and just smile. When he was finished, he walked over and handed it to me with the biggest smile I have seen on any of these students. I read it to myself and realized we had just as big of an impact on the younger students as we did on the older! Man, am I going to miss these kids.
Tuesday night, my host family went Downtown. There is an area of the city in between some major buildings, that they created a river. The river is water from the Han River that is filtered in through the city to this area. They built seats around the river so people can come and picnic or play in the water. It's meant to be a hang out place. Of course I was the first one to roll up my pants and hop in. My host sister Lisa was the next to join us and after a little convincing, my host brother John got in. My host mom and dad got in but not for very long. Just enough to take some pictures and then hop back out. Lisa and I saw that the group of teenagers next to us were having a water fight. We decided this would be the perfect chance to get John. We turned around and splashed as hard as we could! He ran out of the water to the other side of seats. He decided he was going to try and be sneaky and kick water at us when we weren't looking! That quickly turned on him! As he went to kick, his other foot slid out from underneath him and he fell in, completely wet head to toe. Game over at that point! Lisa and I won!!!
We tried to dry off a little before hoping in a light up wagon to take a little ride around the area. It was super cute and reminded me of riding horses with Grammy and Choca. We then called it a night.
Wednesday was the DMZ. If you ever come to South Korea, the DMZ is a must to go to. It is the area between North and South Korea where there can be no military action. Each side has 2 kilometers from the border line that they protect with military soldiers. We went up to the observatory where you can look through telescopes to the other side of the line and actually see the North Korean soldiers. We were also taken to the 3rd tunnel. Over the past 40 years, South Koreans have discovered these tunnels that the North Koreans dug under the border line to try and plan a sneak attack on Seoul. As of today, they have found 4 tunnels, with 3 being open to the public to go into. They are estimating that there is at least 15 other tunnels. We strapped on our hard hats with only a warning that it would be very cold down in the tunnel and that it was a far walk. We headed down the steep hill to where the tunnel began. When we finally reached it, we all understood what the hard hats were for. The tunnel was meant for someone who is 5'4" to comfortablely walk through. Me being much taller than that, I had to be completely hunched over. Even being scrunched in half, I still managed to hit my head on the top numerous times. Thank god for the hard hats. We were only allowed to go to the 3rd blockade because beyond that is controlled my military. The hike back up the steep hill was definitely not fun after being hunched over in the tunnel. I bought some cool things, including a plaque with a piece of barb wire from the DMZ.
We went to the Peace Garden were we saw what type of animals are native to the DMZ that are often not found in other areas. This place is almost like a nature preserve more so than a military action zone. It was so pretty to be out away from the city for the first time this trip really. The fresh air made it all worth it. When we got back, we had a farewell ceremony with the mayor, vice-mayor, and both sets of homestay families. I told myself I would not cry because all of these goodbyes are actually "see you laters." When the vice-mayor said his speech, he reassured us that we are welcome back any time. He then said "I hate goodbyes. So this is a see you later speech. I will miss you my sisters and brothers." I felt my tears preparing themselves in my eyes. These people have been sooooo generous to us. All we did was come here and help some others with their English and they are considering us family. In 6 weeks, I gained at least 20 new family members. I love that! They gave us each a present of a traditional Korean mask! Pretty cool! They then presented each of our host stay kids with awards for being part of the program. I thought it was really cool that they recognized the kids for being such a big part in this process.
When we moved into the other room for snacks, we presented some people who have touched our hearts on this trip with pictures of us and City of Henderson pins. Sue Ann was the most influential person in making this trip a success. She started crying when she saw what we had done for her. She latched on to me with the biggest hug I have had since being here. We then gave Sari and the office mayor their pictures. They were all so thankful that we had gotten them gifts. I can't even explain in words the emotions that were running through the room.
Wednesday night I went with Danny and some of his friends out for our last night here. I'm glad I had Danny, John, and Matt to share our last nights together. It made it seem like I wasn't alone. After some awesome dinner and just hanging out with the group, Danny had to start saying some goodbyes. Even though I have only known John and Beth for two or so weeks now, they are people I know I will try to stay in contact. Good people should never be forgotten!! Danny said goodbye to some close friends and his co-teachers. Eyes all teary when he walked back from the train station, I tried to comfort him knowing that if he continued to cry, I would lose it to.
We eventually said our goodbyes to everyone. It was really hard. Even through we said goodbye to these people on Saturday thinking we wouldn't see them again. Knowing this was the "final goodbye" was really hard. At 6:45 this morning I said my goodbye to Danny. He really helped make this trip easier when I was having complications with things. He is a true friend I know I will keep in touch with for quite some time. I couldn't help but cry on my walk home because I knew our contact over the next year will be limited with him travelling. I will be so excited when I sign into my email and see a message from him!!
My host family had a "see you later" breakfast for me this morning, complete with cake and presents. They have been soooooo good to me. They each wrote me a note and I told them I couldn't read them because I didn't want to cry anymore. They understood that this goodbye would be extremely hard on me! It will probably be just as hard on them. As we took our final pictures, I could tell my host mom was crying behind the camera. I will definitely consider myself a lucky girl because I now I have 5 women with motherly insticts to run to. Of course, my mom, my step-mom, bobby's mom, and now my host moms in Korea.
Time to head to the office to turn in my cell phone and get on the bus to the airport. Goodbye John, Lisa, Hera, Julie, and Captain!! Goodbye Elizabeth and her family! Goodbye Danny, John, Beth, Alex, JoYoung, and everyone else I made friends with! Goodbye kimchi, rice for breakfast, hard beds, bathrooms with no shower curtains, and bus/subway systems! Goodbye Dobong, South Korea.... =(
Downtown/Farewell Ceremony: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46379050@N04/sets/72157624632621101/
Randoms from 2nd house: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46379050@N04/sets/72157624757266618/
No comments:
Post a Comment