Finding Community

Since I have been in Changwon many foreigners have told me the foreign community is very close here and they were right. It has been so nice to have people who I can meet easily and be able to make new friends. What started all of this is my co-workers. I have been SO blessed to have 6 co-workers to start my friends circle. I ask them questions all the time about the city, getting places, and other Korean life things. Through them I was able to meet some of their friends AND then I found out that Facebook is where many connections are made.

In the states I used Facebook to connect, but mainly with those whom I already knew. However, when in Changwon, foreigners use Facebook to connect with those they know and don't know. There are at least 4 or 5 groups I have joined targeted at people living in my city and area. One for sports and activities, another for expats, one for shopping and swapping items, and the list continues. At first I found this to be quite odd, but now I realized that it is how people meet new people in Changwon. Yes I have gone places and met new people there, but where did I hear about these people and events... Facebook. Wow! I never thought it would play an even larger role in my life, but now it does.

Now that I have built a small friend base I am able to do more things! This past week was such a blast for me, because I met lots of new people and felt like I actually had a social life here... YAY!! 

Tuesday night I went for a night hike with some ladies. It was fun to see another part of the city I hadn't been to before and to get some exercise. We did a shorter hike of about 2 hours round trip and it was so much fun. We had great conversations about traveling the world, teaching, and life. I am excited because this same group of ladies is going to go hiking this week again and I plan on going!

Wednesday I met LOTS of new faces and played games. There is a cafe where many foreigners meet to play board games and card games once a week. I figured I would go and again, meet some new people. I learned two new card games that night: Set and Halli Galli (spelling?). Apparently I chose a good night to attend as well, because there were about 30 people there and we filled the entire cafe.

Thursday I went to play ultimate frisbee with some people and had a blast. This is the second time I played with them and it was great. I had never played or tried to play ultimate frisbee before, but I really enjoy it and more group associated exercise, which I LOVE!! 

Friday night I had quite the evening with some Europeans. A German, French, and two Russians. I found out that Changwon has a Philharmonic orchestra and they concerts are almost always free. Friday they played a lovely set of romantic music including: Tschaikovsky's Overture to Romeo and Juliet, Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Hearing an orchestra again made me feel like I was back at Concordia listening to lovely concerts. Following the concert we went to get some dinner and coffee. Finally we ended up at one of the foreigner bars just sitting, drinking, and talking. A simply splendid night!

Saturday I traveled with about a dozen people to Jinju for their lantern festival. It had been going on for two weeks now and I was very excited to go. Numerous people told me it was beautiful and that I must see it. We took an hour bus ride there and spent the day walking around and learning about the lanterns and the city of Jinju. There is a fortress there that is famous, because a battle against the Japanese in 1592 was fought here. The Koreans defeated the Japanese after 6 days. This is considered to be the establishment of Korea's military defense system. All over this fortress and along the river were large extravagant lanterns. Some I would almost call them sculptures, but lanterns none the less. Once night fell seeing them lit up was a lovely sight. It was like they came to life and sparkled in the night. 

These are the lanterns on the river.

While in Jinju, I met two Koreans who were friends with other people in the group I was with. I was so happy to finally meet some Koreans and talk to them, because it is hard to meet some willing to speak English and not be shy. You find that many Koreans will not use their English skills even when they have them. Most of the time their English skills are very good but you don't get the chance to find out because they are worried they will speak incorrectly. The two guys we met are just about to finish college. They were so nice and helpful taking us around the festival.

My life continues to grow each day I am here and now I beginning to feel like Changwon is a place I will call home. I am still working and praying to find out what God has in store for me here, but I know he will make his plans clear sometime... I just need to be patient.