Am I Really in Korea?

Wow, so much has happened since I first arrived in South Korea.  The days have been packed with fun activities, training, outings in the city of Seoul, worship services, teacher preparation, paperwork, and exploring.  Checking out new places, seeing new things, hearing a new language, experiencing new (not always pleasant) smells, and tasting interesting new food has been quite the adventure!  I have enjoyed meeting missionaries from all over the world and citizens of South Korea.  Hearing about different cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds has been challenging and exciting.  Amongst the struggles and joys I have often had to deal with the reality of being in this foreign land.  The first few days I would say at least once a day “I am really in Korea?” I would feel like I was just in a different part of the United States, not on the other side of the world.  I have grown in my comfort level for the area that I am staying in, used the subway system a few times, ridden the city bus (which is an extremely popular way of traveling and pretty inexpensive), and communicated with people who understand very little English.  I will continue to embrace the “newness” and learn how to live in this country!