It has come to this

| 3/23/2006 3:25 pm | ...

OK, it has come down to this: A plate of leftover stir-fry, lukewarm, eaten while reviewing a pile of papers that advise, warn, excite and update us about what to expect after landing in South Korea. Lift-off is less than 24 hours away.
 
This is the spring conference site for the Midwest Travel Writers Association. We tend to meet much closer to home but consider this adventure to be a growth opportunity. It is worth the investment of time and money for 30 of us (five from Madison). That includes 10 spouses or  equivalents.
 
We will get better acquainted with a part of the world that surely is as misunderstood as our own. We will make connections with Korean editors. And we will better understand why everybody seems to giggle about gimchee.
 
We already have learned that getting business cards translated into Korean is more difficult than it sounds. Even with online translation options.
 
We also have been introduced - electronically - to the Elvis of Asian Fitness, Mariko Takahashi. She will lead us in a 5:30 a.m. exercise class, somewhere along the line. For an introduction to her Poodle Power Workout Party, see:
 
http://us.video.aol.com/video.index.adp?mode=2&pmmsid=1476120

 "Pump your arms like you're in the mud," she says.
 
Our group also has been chatting about translators, and our hope that messages of goodwill don't come out like this:
 
"My President says
'I raise my hood and sound my horn
to light your road!
If my tires were not flat I would
change your muffler belt!"
 
That's from a co-traveler who says he has been studying basic Korean from the owners book I borrowed from the guy next door who owns a Kia.
 
What else? We have packed gifts for our hosts, as is customary in Korea. Our trip coordinator, Brad Brennan of the Korea Tourism Organization, observes:
 
"Whenever I go to Korea, I bring my family large chocolate bars, the $1.99 kind. They do not have large size chocolate like that. My family also likes beef jerky, and any sports team memorabilia."
 
He also has provided this general advice:
 
1.    Do not write someone's name in red (means death -- Asians write dead
people's names in red)

2.    Number 4 is unlucky. Most buildings do not have a 4th floor (like we don't have a 13th floor)

3.    Do not blow your nose during a meal; it is considered very rude.

4.    Use two hands to hand something to a person who is older than you or of a higher position.

5.    Use two hands to pour alcohol.

6.    Do not toss something to someone, unless they are of the same age and
friendly with you (never to a stranger).

7.    Always take off your shoes in a building, especially someone's house.

8.    Do not be offended if people stare at you. It is because they are curious about foreigners (especially outside of the main cities).

9.    When you meet someone, bow and exchange business cards (bring lots of
cards because everyone has them!!)

10.   Koreans do not normally go Dutch. They will usually take turns paying
for the whole amount -- or go to another bar, restaurant, singing room, etc.
the same night and just keep on alternating who pays.

It's a 15-hour time difference, we've checked out www.MDtravelhealth.com for health advice, we know our cell phones won't work, and we may buy phone cards at www.goodphonecards.com. 

We'll have fun sharing what we see and learn along the way, as technology and time permit. Would love your feedback about what's worked for you and what's particularly worthy of our attention.

blog entry tag reference

go to ... | Digg this story | add to del.icio.us | print | email