So long Jeju

This morning we donated our last eggs and cheese from the fridge, wiped down the furniture, and waved goodbye to our home of the last two years. So long Jeju, and thanks for all the fish. 

Ok, so the fish was pretty good (and so fresh!), but the real tug at our heartstrings has been saying goodbyes to amazing people here. You know when you start college, or go to summer camp, and are suddenly in this strange place where you know nothing and no one except the other weirdos next to you? You figure things out together and forge some pretty tough bonds in the process. That’s a bit like international teaching. Two years of unexpected new experiences: crying in frustration because I am literally trapped in an aisle as the store, gagging over way-too-spicy or raw or chewy foods, long walks when you end up at the wrong place because you can’t explain properly to the bus /taxi diver where you want to go. 

But then there’s that even more memorable day when you manage to spit out “bus, here, tomorrow, time?” And actually understand the answer. When you stop for lunch during a hike and trade snacks with locals. Or when you plan a week-long trip to a developing country, including 10 flights and way too many delays, and are still friends at the end. 

Ok, I’m getting sappy. In an effort to remember, process, and share with you all, I thought I’d write up a list of some things I’ll miss about life on Jeju. Read on if you like. In no particular order:

1. Being a 1-minute walk from almost all my friends. 
2. Picking and eating all the tangerines I can handle from November-March. 
3. Having one bite of kimchi with every meal out. I still don’t love it, but have come to appreciate its subtle differences everywhere we go. 
4. The person who’s job it is just to say welcome and then bow to everyone entering the grocery store. 
5. Never locking my car door. And knowing if I set down my phone and wallet at the market, they’ll still be there when I go back. 
6. Korean spice. So different than any other. 
7. Gimbap. $1-2 at every convenience store for a reasonably healthy and filling lunch!
8. Easy flying. Full water bottle? No problem. Show up one hour before your flight and you’re fine. 
9. Looking at the ocean. I’m not much of an ocean person, but it sure is pretty. Living 10 minutes from the coast has been nice. 
10. The gorgeous rocks! Volcanic geology is cool. 
11. Simple living. Korea has everything you could ever want, but we chose to live pretty light the last two years. It’s been very refreshing. 
12. Travel buddies. Everyone we know had the same breaks, and almost everyone travels during them. It’s been amazing to share new places with our friends here. 
13. K-drama. Bad soap operas, but we were “learning the culture”. I’m going to miss those weekly gatherings. 
14. Game nights, bbqs, and pot lucks. Living an hour away from any night life meant lots of great nights around the apartments with friends. 
15. The kiddos. Korean students are under so much pressure from parents and society, but they’re still kids. It was fun to teach them and learn from them!

There’s lots more, and plenty of things I won’t miss, and that I’m really looking forward to in the U.S. But it’s been a good experience here. 

I’ll finish up with a few photos of our last few weeks. As for what’s next? We are traveling for a bit due to tax reasons (have to stay away until mid July). So after a couple days in Seoul, we’ll be off to Italy and Morocco for just over 4 weeks. Stay tuned for updates! Really looking forward to reconnecting with you, and life in Colorado, very soon.