<p>Coming back home from almost 11 months stay in Korea, a big culture shock of reentry into America.  People are wearing masks!  Have never seen or expected my fellow Americans willing to cover their faces so religiously.  America thrives on individualism and covering their faces with masks has been something I never expected people here to accept.  No way.  But Covid really changed the mentally of people here.  Or at least Seattle, the hot bed of Democratic Party went out the extreme of warning people about Covid?  </p><p> </p><p>The other shocker is the basic thing like going out to eat.  I was so spoiled in Korea which never shut down.  Restaurants here have no sit downs, all takeout only and even then you have to order on line and pick up food.  No sitting area.  Going out to eat is ingrained in American's psyche as much as apple pie and now that is gone.  Oh, No!</p><p> </p><p>US is in the middle of the perform storm.  Boy, I was right about how Covid would fare in the US.  Back in January 2020 when I was travelling in Thailand, travelling Westerners were talking about some virus going around in China.  I had two options: either to go home to US or go to Korea to ride out the pandemic.  Knowing US healthcare system is so unorganized with general population much more obsese and with lack of access to healthcare, I thought US is headed for a disaster.  And 2020 is the election year and both parties will use the pademic to their political gains.  I am glad that I decided to go to Korea and shelter.  </p><p> </p><p>Well, now I am back home although much of the freedom America boasted has gone through a wringer.  That is a subject for another day.</p><p> </p><p>Thank you for reading this post.  I was just rambling.  </p>
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첫댓글Dear Sir, Many thanks for your very impressive greeting words herein E-club bulletin board and welcome your visiting to E-club with two open arms. Your writings have made me guess that you must have had very insightful views of cultural differences between U.S and Korea, as a Korean-American who has been living in the States for a long time.
Now we all are looking forward to your further writings. Whatever themes you may write with, I’m sure it would be of many interests and useful for members here to learn live American English. Thanks and welcome you again.
Many thanks for your kind welcome! Yes, there is a big cultural gap between Korea and US and having lived in both countries long enough, I have a vantage point to write about. I will avoid politics which only divides people already divided enough. You think Korea is politically divided and you have not seen US yet! But I will write about other fun and interesting things about aging, diet and meditation etc. Glad that we are getting connected.
will be more fun if you guys have anything you want to talk about or know about. I am pretty much an open book. I can talk about anything under the sun. Just shoot a few lines what you want to talk about. No politics please.
@사마디You have reminded me of Art Buchwald whose column plus humour presented delightful time in my school and young days. Will be more glad to see your writings forthcoming~^^
@정 담You know Art Buchwald! who used to give millions laughs and something to look forward to every day. I am just an aging romantic who has active mind. But don't look back too much those school days. Age is only a number in your head. I used to think I will never hit 60 years old! Now I am away past that. What is more important(I think)is to enjoy each moment and each day as if it is your last. In meditation and yoga, we call to be present now.
Thank you for your greeting and welcome to our room sincerely. I've been in Seattle for a year, but I've had a hard time because of cultural differences.
It's a well-known fact that COVID has changed a lot.
Seattle is on fire and in turmoil. Political demonstrations from both sides. Downtown is a mess with crowds with slogans and extreme politics. Business is leaving as the city turned leftist. I am glad that you are not here anymore. I live on east side, a place called Mercer Island. Covid is not a big issue but political polarization is.
Glad to meet you, fellow American! It sounds like you went to Korea before the Corona pandemic broke out in Korea and have seen how pandemic influenced people in Korea.
As in the news, lots of people resist wearing the mask, but in my area, everybody wears masks.
I think it will take time to adjust your life in WA after a long staying in Korea. Take care, and stay healthy!!
Yes, I got lucky. I sheltered in Haeundae enjoying beach walks, hang out with my old high school friends(have not seen them in 50 years and they embraced me with open arms) and met a few Westerners who are sheltering in Busan as well. I just got back one month ago. Planning to fly down to LA to see my kids and spend winter in Tulum Mexico for a month or two.
I think Covid changed people but we will not know until we come out of the other end of the tunnel. Maybe some good and some terrible. I will talk about them some other time. Not all is bad.
@사마디Nice place!! When we first came to the States, we lived in Mercer Island. Then we moved to Marco Island in Florida. When we came back to Washington state, we settled in Bellevue. Welcome again!!^^
Oh, I am glad that you know my town very well. I sold my house on the lake on Mercer Island and now downsized to a condo on downtown Mercer Island. But I now travel more than stay on the island. You must miss this beautiful area sometimes. How often do you come to US? I will visit Korea when the quarantine lifts. Did you kids go to Mercer Island schools? I have three boys all grown up working. Two in LA and one in Seattle.
I used to go back to the States every month because my husband is working here in Korea and our home was in the Ststes. My son was living in DFW so every month I went back to the States I had to take care of 2 houses plus one in Korea. Getting old, too much job.. So, got rid of our home in Bellevue 3 years ago and back to Korea for good. Now my son got rid of everything in Dallas and back to Korea as well. Corona laied off my son from his job as an airline pilot... ㅠ
You went through a lot because of Corona. It seems it destroyed your family as it is tied to the airlines. But now you need to focus on what really is life and happiness. After retirement I travelled almost one year mostly walking. Conclusion is very simple one: happiness does not depend on material things
@하늘을 나는Sorry I take it back the word "destroyed". At least in the US, the airline industry is very much devastated even with the government help. We all hope that people go back to flying. Many of my friends think I am crazy to travel to Mexico in November.
Tulum is about 90 minute drive from Cancun Mexico. Cancun has been open since July. Tulum is even further south of Cancun. You can read about Cancun: https://www.traveloffpath.com/cancun-has-become-one-of-top-destinations-in-the-world-during-the-pandemic/ It is a beautiful area and now a lot people especially from Europe are flying into Cancun for winter. I don't like that. I like quieter beaches. No quarantine but Tulum is just a small town and so far very safe. Many digital nomads who used to go to Bali are now headed to Tulum.
첫댓글 Dear Sir,
Many thanks for your very impressive greeting words herein E-club bulletin board
and welcome your visiting to E-club with two open arms.
Your writings have made me guess that you must have had very insightful views
of cultural differences between U.S and Korea, as a Korean-American
who has been living in the States for a long time.
Now we all are looking forward to your further writings.
Whatever themes you may write with,
I’m sure it would be of many interests and useful for members here to learn live American English.
Thanks and welcome you again.
Many thanks for your kind welcome! Yes, there is a big cultural gap between Korea and US and having lived in both countries long enough, I have a vantage point to write about. I will avoid politics which only divides people already divided enough. You think Korea is politically divided and you have not seen US yet! But I will write about other fun and interesting things about aging, diet and meditation etc.
Glad that we are getting connected.
Welcome aboard and your traveling strories shall give us a lot of fun~
will be more fun if you guys have anything you want to talk about or know about. I am pretty much an open book. I can talk about anything under the sun. Just shoot a few lines what you want to talk about. No politics please.
@사마디 You have reminded me of Art Buchwald whose column plus humour presented delightful time in my school and young days. Will be more glad to see your writings forthcoming~^^
@정 담 You know Art Buchwald! who used to give millions laughs and something to look forward to every day. I am just an aging romantic who has active mind. But don't look back too much those school days. Age is only a number in your head. I used to think I will never hit 60 years old! Now I am away past that. What is more important(I think)is to enjoy each moment and each day as if it is your last. In meditation and yoga, we call to be present now.
Thank you for your greeting and welcome to our room sincerely.
I've been in Seattle for a year, but I've had a hard time because of cultural differences.
It's a well-known fact that COVID has changed a lot.
Thank you again and welcome.
Seattle is on fire and in turmoil. Political demonstrations from both sides. Downtown is a mess with crowds with slogans and extreme politics. Business is leaving as the city turned leftist. I am glad that you are not here anymore. I live on east side, a place called Mercer Island. Covid is not a big issue but political polarization is.
Glad to meet you, fellow American!
It sounds like you went to Korea before the Corona pandemic broke out
in Korea and have seen how pandemic influenced people in Korea.
As in the news, lots of people resist wearing the mask,
but in my area, everybody wears masks.
I think it will take time to adjust your life in WA after a long staying in Korea.
Take care, and stay healthy!!
So where do you live? In Canada?
@사마디 No, I live on the East coast of Virginia.
@별 하나 Been to DC and Baltimore but never been to Virgina. Been there long? Getting late for you. We will pick it up some other time.
Yes, I got lucky. I sheltered in Haeundae enjoying beach walks, hang out with my old high school friends(have not seen them in 50 years and they embraced me with open arms) and met a few Westerners who are sheltering in Busan as well. I just got back one month ago. Planning to fly down to LA to see my kids and spend winter in Tulum Mexico for a month or two.
I think Covid changed people but we will not know until we come out of the other end of the tunnel. Maybe some good and some terrible. I will talk about them some other time. Not all is bad.
Welcome to the group.
Wonder where about in SEA you are living?
Mercer Island. Been to Seattle WA?
@사마디 Nice place!!
When we first came to the States, we lived in Mercer Island.
Then we moved to Marco Island in Florida.
When we came back to Washington state, we settled in Bellevue.
Welcome again!!^^
Oh, I am glad that you know my town very well. I sold my house on the lake on Mercer Island and now downsized to a condo on downtown Mercer Island. But I now travel more than stay on the island. You must miss this beautiful area sometimes. How often do you come to US? I will visit Korea when the quarantine lifts. Did you kids go to Mercer Island schools? I have three boys all grown up working. Two in LA and one in Seattle.
I used to go back to the States every month because my husband is working here in Korea and our home was in the Ststes. My son was living in DFW so every month I went back to the States I had to take care of 2 houses plus one in Korea.
Getting old, too much job..
So, got rid of our home in Bellevue 3 years ago and back to Korea for good.
Now my son got rid of everything in Dallas and back to Korea as well.
Corona laied off my son from his job as an airline pilot... ㅠ
You went through a lot because of Corona. It seems it destroyed your family as it is tied to the airlines. But now you need to focus on what really is life and happiness. After retirement I travelled almost one year mostly walking. Conclusion is very simple one: happiness does not depend on material things
It is little too strong word you chose.. Not necessarily...
My son should be able to go back to his job when corona is under control..
@하늘을 나는 Sorry I take it back the word "destroyed". At least in the US, the airline industry is very much devastated even with the government help. We all hope that people go back to flying. Many of my friends think I am crazy to travel to Mexico in November.
@사마디 Are you really sure you want to travel to Mexico? Don't they have 2 weeks of quarantine rule? Then I think it could be more dangerous.
Yes, It is devastated for all airlines everywhere in the world.
We can only hope it becomes as normal as possible..
Tulum is about 90 minute drive from Cancun Mexico. Cancun has been open since July. Tulum is even further south of Cancun. You can read about Cancun: https://www.traveloffpath.com/cancun-has-become-one-of-top-destinations-in-the-world-during-the-pandemic/ It is a beautiful area and now a lot people especially from Europe are flying into Cancun for winter. I don't like that. I like quieter beaches. No quarantine but Tulum is just a small town and so far very safe. Many digital nomads who used to go to Bali are now headed to Tulum.