Flat Stanley’s Adventures in South Korea
Hello, I am Haley’s Flat Stanley. I departed Chattanooga Christian School on the twelfth day of September, arriving in South Korea on Saturday, September 24th.
My hosts are Amy & Jeff Millican. They have lived in South Korea since the end of 2014. Jeff was on Active Duty with the US Navy Reserves. He is now a Defense Contractor. Amy works from home. More on that later.
Here Amy and Jeff are on the Han River. The river runs through Seoul, South Korea.
First, I rested to get over my jetlag. Jetlag is when your body has to adjust to time zone differences. In Chattanooga, we are in the Eastern Standard Time (EST). In South Korea, we are on the Korea Standard Time (KST), 13 hours ahead of EST.
So, for example, as I write this, it is 4:00 pm in South Korea. In Chattanooga, it is only 3:00 am. What a difference! It’s as if we “live in the future.”
On my first day, I learned about where I would be staying. The picture at the top of the page is of me in front of the Rice Paddy, near our home. Korea has a lot of Rice Paddies. The room where I slept had Korean Buckwheat Neck Pillows. And, a family dog, who tried to lick me.
Our neighborhood is called U Place Town. Although the Koreans named it a “town”, it is actually a neighborhood of 20 homes. The homes are designed for Americans who live and work in South Korea.
The neighborhood is close to U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys (Camp Humphreys). Camp Humphreys is the largest U.S. Military Base, outside of the United States.
U Place Town also has a Steel Factory nearby. Sometimes the Koreans work late into the night and it sounds like “Santa’s Workshop.” Koreans are very industrious.
I helped my host family with their table at a Market Place on Osan Air Base. Mrs. Millican helps people plan Safaris in Africa. It was a lot of fun talking to people about Africa and Safaris. I think one day I should go and see all the African Wildlife.
After working at the Market Place, I attended a U Place Town party, where I met Amanda. Amanda was extremely excited to have her picture taken with me. I like Amanda and it was fun to make new friends in South Korea.
I came home and climbed into my bed. It takes a long time to adjust to a new time zone.
I also met Kelly (the Mom), Ollie (Golden / Lab Puppy), Sawyer, Wyatt, and Owen Adams. Sawyer and Wyatt ride on the U Place Town school bus. The bus meets the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) School Bus to take them onto/off of the Military Base.
I liked playing with Wyatt, Sawyer, and Owen. They made me feel welcome and at home.
Thank you!
Another friend I made was the Korean Pear Farmer. His orchard is next to U Place Town. He was very nice and gave me a pear!
Korean Pears are a symbol of the Autumn Season. They are given as gifts during Chuseok 추석, which means “Autumn’s Eve.” Chuseok is much like American Thanksgiving. Families gather for big feasts. The Farmer always gives my hosts a beautiful box of Pears each Chuseok. They always reciprocate with a gift. In Korea, it is considered ill mannered to receive a gift and not give a gift back. Koreans are known for their gift giving culture.
You can see how big the Korean Pears are?
Almost as half my size!
Another tradition in South Korea is "Kimchi”. Kimchi 김치 is a side dish of fermented cabbage or radish. Every region in South Korea has its own version.
Kimchi is made with family and friends and stored outdoors in Kimchi Pots, during the Winter, such as the ones below. Inside the home, there are special Kimchi Containers, as you can see above. If you are wealthy, you may be gifted a Kimchi Refrigerator upon getting married. It is only for your Kimchi.
Koreans share their Kimchi with friends. My hosts have been given Cabbage Kimchi and Radish Kimchi. These are from friends in different parts of Korea.
Have you ever tried Kimchi? I love it!
Because I love to read, I visited the SFC Ray E. Duke Memorial Library at Camp Humphreys. I received a warm welcome from my new friend Ara Ko Lopez. Mrs. Lopez works at the library. She goes on Armed Forces Network Radio to promote programs they offer. I met someone famous in South Korea!
Dear Haley,
I hope you are well in Chattanooga. While I am looking forward to seeing you again soon, I am having so much fun in South Korea. I am going to tour some more before coming home.
Can’t wait to see you and tell you about more of my adventures!
Sincerely,
Flat Stanley
