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7/52. I am inbetween mountains. Having climbed Chong Byong San last Sunday, I will be attempting a higher mountain, in Jirisan National Park, this Sunday. Kilimanjaro, they are not! They are hills, really. But it is great to get out of the city. I really have developed a passion for it... got my schooling in Snowdonia as a kid, and more recently enjoyed the climbs of the Lake District. For an experience, Kilimanjaro is unlikely to ever be bettered.. unless I conquer Everest or K2.
The need to escape is already becoming a desire, as the claustrophobia of the language academy begins to hit me. It is a test of my mental strength... things happen which bring a rush of blood to the head and i get angry and frustrated with the kids. I feel sorry for them, however, having to study all day long. Setting them homework makes me feel like I am the devil incarnate. Their diary entries, which I have to mark, all full of usually misplelt advectives like 'depressed', 'stressed' and 'tired'. They are quite an insight, however, into the minds of the average Korean student. I have vented my spleen this week over the inconsistency in some of the textbooks. One lesson I am discussing 'Can I borrow your toothbrush' and then next, with the same class, I am discussing 'Do You believe in Life After Death'. I had previously thought the jump in demand between levels was one thing, but this jump between one situation and another left me gobsmacked. Anyway, talk of ghosts got them scared, and they were too young to get into a deep existential debate - or rather, their English isn't good enough. I compare my inability now to control unruly students with my inability to deal with drunk and hostile customers in the bar. I am Mr Nice Guy, I am not strict, but things are beginning to come out of me out of frustration, and I don't mean in a John Hurt 'Alien' kind of way.
I think I am missing home... but that is understandable. If I could pop home just for one day... but, ah, no, i am committed to this. When good things happen you appreciate them more than you otherwise would... and i am making both students and fellow co-workers laugh... so it's not all bad.
Anyway, my laptop arrived yesterday - all the instructions are in Korean so I am going to have to get help getting set up, but I should be blogging from home soon.
Well done to Mum for adapting to the 21st century and using Skype successfully... my thoughts are with her at this time. It was a year ago that Tony died suddenly and her big 60 is coming up... i hope to be there... even if its via satellite.
Look after yourselves and i will try to do the same. Another busy Friday awaits...
Phil
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