The relatively long journey to Suncheon, Jolla Namdo, South Korea seemed so common and uneventful that I wondered if I had taken this path previously. Alas, only in my dreams did I.

The half day flight was primarily spent sleeping and reading. I did take in a couple of movies; doesn't Harrison Ford come across as still agile and nimble?! The sun never set during the flight, though the interior of the craft was mostly dark as everyone shuttered their window to ease the onset of sleep. To my very pleasant surprise, I did not have a seating companion during the flight. No one to bump elbows with, no one to crawl over in order to stretch one's legs or visit the head. Never in all my days of travel by jetliner have I enjoyed this luxury!

Arrival at the Incheon/Seoul International Airport saw the obligatory lines at the immigration and customs stations, yet nothing but graciousness and professionalism. The kindly gent holding the sign with my name spelled a couple of different ways saw to it that I knew where the restroom was and where my bus would pick me up for the trip to the southwest of Korea. Again, no one sitting next to me allowed me to sleep somewhat comfortably. The bus ride was a nearly six hour jaunt as two separate traffic incidents slowed progress considerably. During the second incident, our bus driver aggressively cut through a rest area to save precious moments as well as to get ahead of about twenty vehicles. Clearly, he had experience with this prior, and, overall, I wouldn't be surprised to learn if drivers in Korea learned how to master driving by mimicking ants.

I am currently residing, temporarily, in the flat of a couple who teach at the same school as I. They are on their one month vacation. A lovely place in a massive series of apartment complexes. It's only a ten minute walk to the school, if I dwaddle and take in the urban sites, that is. Thus far, I've thoroughly enjoyed the staff and teachers here. Interestingly, I am the only American among the English speaking foreign teachers; South Africa and Canada are the countries of origin for the balance of them.

The impetus and importance for South Koreans to learn English is thus: it greatly benefits a student to be able to enter the best high schools and best universities. Not atypical, a student's school schedule begins at 0900 and ends at 2100. Twelve hour school days in order to potentially enjoy the best education possible. Pressure? Yes, of course. When I walk home from school at night, the local park is teeming with families who are working hard at enjoying some time for recreation and relaxation at 2200 hours.

I look forward to some time off so that I may be able to set up my camera. Taking a business trip to Yeosu this morning to complete my immigration documentation, I saw a great many rice paddies whose color reminded me of the saffron that is grown in North Dakota in the US. Yeosu will be home of the 2012 Expo and a great deal of construction is underway to meet the demands for this event. Really, the opportunities abound for the camera.