“The man who is isolated, . . . . or has no need to share because he is already self-sufficient, is no part of the city, and must therefore be either a beast or a god.”
~Aristotle
I have reached my breaking point. I miss interaction with people. I miss talking, communicating fluidly. I did not realize how bad I had become until four days ago when I bought lunch from the school cafeteria. The lunch lady showed me kindness by giving me an English version of the menu, and said “Happy New Year”.
When she gave me the traditional season’s greeting, I’m sure I blushed. I know I was touched, at least. It meant the world to me to hear English spoken where I expected none. Kindness feels sweeter when given at a moment least expected. I realized how pathetic I had become. Sometimes I brush into people in the hallway on ‘accident’ to feel physical affection.
I looked at my options to remedy the situation, and chose the one location that has always given me good friends and fellowship: Church. I asked Keunyea where I could find an English service. She gave me a church I could try, but she couldn’t go with me that Sunday. She would be out of town. I felt I could handle the situation by myself, so I got directions and a traveling time (40 minutes) . That was a mistake.
I have written down directions so many times with the barest of information. I give the major streets and what direction to turn. Any side information about landmarks or distances I think I will remember. I can never recall what I knew, regardless of how certain I once was. Plus, my side notes are always “after the first bridge, between the second bridge, big brick building with a cross”. This becomes worthless when I’m on a bus that travels over small bridges, under large bridges, and past brick buildings with a cross within the first 5 minutes of traveling.
I saw a white building made of white stones that could be bricks, and a cross on top near one of the stops, so I took a chance. I walked up to the steps of the church, and there was a welcoming lady with a yellow sash that beconed me in. When I asked her if this was an English service she answered in Korean. I felt this boded badly for me. She gave me a hand out for the service, not a word of English. My hopes were fading even more. But I was ushered in by her and another lady. They seemed so sure that I should come in that I couldn’t say no.
When I walked into the sanctuary there was not a single non-Korean speaking person. But now I was inside with the ushers guiding me where I should sit. I wanted to run. I knew I wouldn’t understand a word of the service, which would last for 1 hour that day. I read the banners at the front of the santuary again and again. There were four of them. No idea what I was reading since it was in Korean, but I practiced my reading skills all the same.
The day was not all bad, though. Two people in the congregation could speak English. One was ushered to me before I could be seated. He just came from the University of Wisconsin where he had studied for three years. His name was Chan. Chan’s English was better than anyone I have met here so far. It was great to talk with him, and share my thoughts and feelings. The other was named Nam. He was a little hyper and loud, but nice.
I sat through the service, and stayed for the lunch afterwards. Chan said good luck to me after the service was over, so I went downstairs with Nam for some rice, seaweed, soy sauce, bean sprouts and chicken called dak bahb. It was delicious, and most everyone was happy to see me there. Adults were shaking my had with a smile, and little kids would conceal a smile with their hands. Now and then, a child would wave and say “Howerya”, which would be followed by giggles from his friends and himself. When I finished my meal and talked a little with a lot of different people, I said good-bye to Nam and thanked him for his hospitality.
So there is my first failed attepmt to find a church. I wouldn’t call it a failed trip, though. I was sad that I could not be a part of the congregation, because many of the people I met were very friendly. Maybe within the next year, after I learn a fair amount of Korean, I can go back to visit. I like that idea.
