Earlier this year, after much thought and discussion, The Man and I decided that I would return Sam to his parents in South Korea come autumn. Being responsible for a budding teenager and the fact that we are not getting any younger are the most important reasons for this decision. This is a time when a young man really needs the strength and vigour of his parents and two years away from them and his two brothers are quite long enough.
So a few days ago, I booked our flights and we will be eastward bound on the eighth of October. Yikes! That's next week! I must admit, never having been to Asia, I am quite excited. My son and his wife live about 300 miles south of Seoul, near Taegu and I will be staying with them for 4 weeks.
I actually arrive on the 9th of October, which is a very interesting holiday in South Korea. This holiday is called, Hangul and celebrates the creation of the Korean alphabet:
It was created in the 1440s by a committee of scholars commissioned by King Sejong. King Sejong, also known as Sejong the Great, was a fervent supporter of literature, science, and technology in his day. Some 200 years before the founding of the first scientific academy of the enlightenment, Sejong convened a group of handpicked scholars for his “Hall of Worthies.” One of their major assignments was to come up with a writing system to represent the Korean language.
At that time, Korean was written with Chinese characters. Learning to use Chinese characters, along with the adjustments required in adapting them to the Korean language, was an arduous process, requiring years of education and training. This meant that literacy was only available to a tiny elite. Sejong wanted to open literacy to the general population, but that would require a system that was easier to learn.I will most definitely be on a learning curve! My son confidently told me I could learn this alphabet in 30 minutes! But I know someone a lot smarter than I, an American, who said it took him 3 years! I'll be reporting back on that...
In the meantime, there is a lot to do and dinner to cook.
What an exciting adventure this will be for you. I look forward to hearing about your trip.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm looking forward to telling about it!
DeleteSeveral adventures in one. Have a wonderful trip, and keep extensive notes, for us.
ReplyDeleteThe plan is to make regular posts -- I've had that plan before!
DeleteWhat an adventure! I look forward to hearing more about it. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am looking forward to the telling!
DeleteHas it been two years already?! I am looking forward to learning about your experiences. And pictures please!
ReplyDeleteTwo years almost to the day! And the cameras are all primed.
DeleteDefinitely a big adventure, and an adjustment for Sam too. Looking forward to posts about your experiences.
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be an adjustment for Sam and I am a bit worried. However, we really do believe that he needs to re-establish his life with his parents and his siblings and to be part of his own family again.
DeleteHave a wonderful trip. I'm looking forward to reading all about it,
ReplyDeleteThank you Gaynor!
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip for you and how lovely to see your son after such a long time apart. It will be good for Sam to be back in the midst of his family again, with lots of memories of his time in Britain. Safe journey.
ReplyDeleteFive and a half years is entirely too long. Thank goodness for Skype -- but still it's not quite the same!
DeleteIt sounds as though you are in for a fascinating sojourn. Do you take Melatonin? Might be a good idea to stock up if you ever suffer from jet lag. It tends to smooth out the time adjustments.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up about Melatonin. I'm going to look into it.
DeleteIt is amazing that 2 years have gone by...what an adventure you have all had during that time....and now, a wonderful stay in S Korea beckons. I hope you have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janice. The two years certainly have gone by quickly -- in some respects!!!
DeleteDear Broad, I so look forward to learning more about your adventure in flying Sam home and in staying in Korea/Asia for four weeks. This is exciting! Peace.
ReplyDeleteIt promises to be quite an adventure for me. Especially culinary-wise -- some Korean food I like very much -- but some ....!!!
DeleteI hope you are having a sage journey and that the whole trip will be exciting and enjoyable.
ReplyDeletesafe as well as sage, of course . . . .
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