Backdated posts

So, Ive decided to post some thoughts about my first month. I made notes as things happened, so these will be backdated.

At Orientation, March 26-30:
Stayed in a dormitory in Seoul for the first 4 nights in Korea, with about 140 other native English teachers. Had a great time while I was there, met lots of other cool people, most of whom did not know anyone, so it was a great networking opportunity and a great way for us to get transitioned to life here in Korea. They held lectures and useful information sessions about not only how to teach, but how to get along with other teachers, what things to see/do, thigns to avoid, etc. On the last day they took us to see the national museum of Seoul, Gyeonbukgung palace, which is over 1200 years old, and a Korean performance called Nanta, which is like Stomp, but better and with a storyline involving chefs. Very great musical performance, and hilarious as well. The whole orientation I did not know where I was going, or what grades I was teaching, they finally told us on the busride to my province 30 minutes before I got there. Korea is very dynamic, likes to not reveal things til the last possible minute.

In Yesan, March 30-April 22.
The bus dropped us off at the Chungcheongnam-do (the province I'm teaching in) office of education, in Cheonan. It is here I meet my co-teacher, who then procedes to drive me to Yesan to get my aparment. The first thing she says to me as we get into the car, "I hate driving, and I'm not a very good driver." She would prove both of these facts frequently over the 45 minute ride to the school. We arrive at the school, where I meet the principal and vice-principal. They take me into his office, I dont say anything, they talk to my co-teacher in Korean for 10 minutes, then we leave. Same thing happens when we go to the Yesan district office of Education. Seems to be a very strange practice, but it's all about customs here in Korea. Finally get taken to my apartment, and I see waht I'm dealing with. It's actually a nice place, new appliances and furniture and whatnot, jsut very small. I'd say its about 22'x 16' approximately, and that includes Kitchen/Bathoom and living/dining/bedroom. Notice the shower is just a handle above the sink, next to the toilet. Very different, but I'll get used to it.
The next day is my first at school, and its quite the experience. If I ever wondered what any of the guys from NSYNC or Backstree Boys felt like, now i know. All the girls would do anything just to catch a glimpse of me, some would stop in their tracks, some would stare, some would giggle. It was surreal. I am literally a celebrity. I sat in my classroom, and every break period, literally a line of girls would run to the door, shout broken english, then giggle and run away. Truly amazing.

The pictures is of aview from the top of Mt Kumo, in Yesan.
Not going to bore with details, and I'll be posting more frequently from here on out, but it's been quite the amazing experience so far, and I'm lookin forward to many more.