For those of you who don't know, I actually lived in Korea for 2 years serving a mission for my church back in 1998-2000. And almost 10 years later I had a chance to go back.
Hyundai (the Korean car maker) is building a new manufacturing plant in West Point GA. My company which Engineers and builds bridge cranes is doing the cranes for the entire facility. So when the owner of the company Josh came over to my desk and said, "I'm going to Korea". I said, "hey I speak fluent Korean, you should totally take me with you". At first he didn't believe me, because it's not often you run into Korean speaking Caucasians. But after I told him I lived there for 2 years he said, "Well, do you have your passport ready?". And that was pretty much it. A few weeks later we were off.
We spent a week there and I was surprised at how well I remembered the language. I really hadn't spoken it in 8 years; but once I got back into the surroundings and the people, the language came back to me pretty good. We spent 3 days doing business, eating, and hanging around chain smokers all day (seriously, I had forgotten how much Koreans smoke). We ate Korean food the entire time we were there (when in Rome...), which I was fine with. It was good to know that I would only have to do it for a week as opposed to 2 years.
We were kept more than entertained by our hosts. Despite the fact that I told them I don't drink, they would kindly offer me alcohol multiple times at every meal. But Josh drank enough for the 2 of us, so I don't think they were that offended. They were even kind enough to take us to a Karaoke bar and hired us some "Escorts"... (Yeah, you heard me right... Escorts. But that's a blog in itself which I may write about some time). Needless to say, I finally understand why as missionaries we weren't allowed to go to Karaoke bars.
It was kind of weird since I had actually lived there for 2 years; there were a lot of deja-vu moments. All in all it was a great trip and I'm glad I was able to go back. Maybe if we get some more Korean business in the next ten years I'll head back... otherwise there are many other places in the world I still have to see.
Hyundai (the Korean car maker) is building a new manufacturing plant in West Point GA. My company which Engineers and builds bridge cranes is doing the cranes for the entire facility. So when the owner of the company Josh came over to my desk and said, "I'm going to Korea". I said, "hey I speak fluent Korean, you should totally take me with you". At first he didn't believe me, because it's not often you run into Korean speaking Caucasians. But after I told him I lived there for 2 years he said, "Well, do you have your passport ready?". And that was pretty much it. A few weeks later we were off. We spent a week there and I was surprised at how well I remembered the language. I really hadn't spoken it in 8 years; but once I got back into the surroundings and the people, the language came back to me pretty good. We spent 3 days doing business, eating, and hanging around chain smokers all day (seriously, I had forgotten how much Koreans smoke). We ate Korean food the entire time we were there (when in Rome...), which I was fine with. It was good to know that I would only have to do it for a week as opposed to 2 years.
We were kept more than entertained by our hosts. Despite the fact that I told them I don't drink, they would kindly offer me alcohol multiple times at every meal. But Josh drank enough for the 2 of us, so I don't think they were that offended. They were even kind enough to take us to a Karaoke bar and hired us some "Escorts"... (Yeah, you heard me right... Escorts. But that's a blog in itself which I may write about some time). Needless to say, I finally understand why as missionaries we weren't allowed to go to Karaoke bars.
It was kind of weird since I had actually lived there for 2 years; there were a lot of deja-vu moments. All in all it was a great trip and I'm glad I was able to go back. Maybe if we get some more Korean business in the next ten years I'll head back... otherwise there are many other places in the world I still have to see.
I'll be checking back for that escort post!! that would be awesome to be up there singing with escorts holding onto your arms and dancing while you sang. you will feel like a king!
ReplyDeleteHi Shehanes! You guys may not remember me, I was Amanda Goodwin--from Athens. I found your blog through Dana and Ty. Anyways, my husband is a mechanical engineer (grad school at Tech) and we are DESPERATELY looking for jobs back in the ATL...so, I'll take this chance to network! Do you know of anyone looking for a ME in Atlanta? he currently works for an oil field services company. Hope guys have a great holiday!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so cool Jason can still speak Korean! I bet that's such a turn on ;-) I wish my job would send me somewhere exciting like that instead of Omaha... Miss you and Love you!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Amanda,
ReplyDeleteA few months ago we were looking for a "Structural Engineer" for our Braselton location (up towards Gainesville). If you're interested just send me his resume and I'll pass it along.