My Easter

The holidays are hard when you’re not in your regular environment. It is a beautiful spring day. Sunny, not too hot, not too cool. The flowers are blooming, petals drifting to the ground when the wind blows ever so gently. I know it is Easter, and yet…

I see many churches here, but all the services are in Korean (as well they should be – I realize I’m in another country). I thought about going to the local church here, just to experience the service, hear the music. But then I thought not. It could be just the thing that would bring tears to my eyes. There are no Easter bunnies. No chocolates. No marshmallow peeps. I love those things. I know they’re nothing but sugar and food dye, but, mmmmm, good stuff. No Easter egg hunts. I miss my godchildren. I miss the excitement of children at the holidays.

I had planned to meet a friend for lunch. We were to meet at the omnipresent landmark, DongA department store. I walked there and sat on a bench out front, just enjoying watching people walk by, enjoying the warm sun on my face. Two of my students passed; they excitedly stopped (one was on roller blades, the other on a bike) to talk. They were on their way to get hamburgers. They left. Bye teacher! I was enjoying such a sense of calm when I felt someone beside me. “I think you are an English teacher.” Well…, yes…, I am. “I sit here.” Well…, okay.” And the conversation began.

Im never quite sure how to react to this. I’ve gotten used to (sort of, not completely) not talking to people. It surprises me when people randomly approach me now. Most people want to practice English. I can understand that. There aren’t that many native speakers here. But, most of the people who approach me are men. And given my recent experiences with random Korean men, I’m a little wary about talking to strangers. My key strategy now is asking lots of questions (giving them a chance to speak English) and offering as little personal information as possible.

His name was Min Sop. He’s a medical student. He plays keyboard in a band. He plays basketball. He was surprised I play also. He’s been to the US once, for the Atlanta Olympics. He stopped in San Francisco for 5 hours. He wanted to know where I taught. Oh, a private hogwan. High school students. Are you married? This is undoubtedly one of the first questions asked, by men and women. I don’t understand it. No. I’m not. Do you live alone? Again, another very common question. I’m not sure if it’s one they learn in class, or if it’s just not considered rude to ask that here. Yes, I do. Rice-a-roni. At this, I turned and faced him. What? Rice-a-roni?and he smiled. Was he making a joke since I was from San Francisco? I looked at him quizzically. He then said, “My pronunciation so bad. One more time. Aren’t you lonely?” Oh… no. I’m not. I’m not lonely at all. At this point I had been waiting for my friend for almost 45 minutes. Hmm. Maybe he’s lost. Maybe he decided not to come. I told Min Sop I was going home, but it was nice to meet him. He wanted to know if we could play basketball together one day. Sure. No problem.

It turns out my friend and I were at different DongAs (there are three in the city). So, I didn’t get to have Easter lunch, but I possibly met a new basketball buddy…