#87 The Chuseok Season

[스티븐스 대사]

Greetings, netizens.  September is here and the humidity has finally cleared.  The sky seems bluer, and the sun seems to shine just a little bit more brightly this time of year.  Even in the hustle and bustle of Seoul, the old phrase rings true: 천고마비(天高馬肥).  “The sky is high and the horses are fat.” 

I learned this phrase during my early days in Korea and would like to share some photos with you that I took during my first autumn in Korea, in 1975.  I will never forget how beautiful that season was in the Korean countryside.

I had never seen cosmos flowers before, and here they were, growing wild along the pathways through the rice fields. 

Men and women alike worked so hard in the fields. 

I also want to tell you a little bit about what I have been up to lately.  Autumn is always a good season in Korea, and this year it ushered in a very special visitor.

A few evenings ago, on the first really pleasant autumn evening of the year, I hosted a reception for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California.  His compelling personal story of coming as a young immigrant from Austria and succeeding in America, coupled with the fact that he is the governor of Korea’s most important trading partner among the fifty U.S. states (and the home of the largest number of Korean-Americans), brought a lot of people to the reception, all of whom wanted to have their picture taken with him.  Maybe his popularity has something to do with his acting career, too.  Everyone in Korea seems to know all his movies!  He was a wonderful representative of California and of the American dream, and it was great to have him in Korea. 

I hosted a reception in honor of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 14.  Governor Schwarzenegger came to Korea on a trade mission, highlighting the close ties between Korea and his State. (Pictured: Jeju Governor Woo Keun-Min, Representative Na Kyung-Won, and Gangwon Governor Lee Kwang-Jae) 

In the residence 

Governor Schwarzenegger and I with the U.S. Marine detachment - the governor told us all to flex our biceps for the photo, but I’m not sure you can tell that I’m trying! 

I wish everyone a good time with family and friends during this Chuseok season.  Whether you stay at home or travel to your hometown, Happy Chuseok! 

 

[ligerin]

U R better than Arnold...