The Land of Morning Calm

With my first Korea (or rather abroad) trip (and it is just a beginning, they say) coming to an end (hopefully), it would be fitting enough to give this country some space here. Some sacrifices were made (I would rather not discuss them) and some benefits (not only monetary) were accrued, but overall it was an experience worthy to comment.

This trip gave me first chance to expose myself to corporate world. The reason for saying so after having already spent 1.5 years in Samsung is because i got to know what it really takes when the onus is on you. Every minute i spent in that skyscraper (which is christened as R4 Samsung HQ) i found someone (aha...it is actually something?) giving me good company....BINARIES. It was as if i am in "Binary World" where the only way of communication was through 0's and 1's. When you are in Suwon (Samsung HQ in Korea), you are kinda under a training where your so called "Korean managers" tame you like animals. Needless to say even your team members in India treat you as if you are getting paid from their pockets. And your managers...for a change they don't (actually can't) control (or help) you anymore. You work as if 2012 is certainly going to bring an end to the whole world (don't u watch "India TV" ??). Life is so fast here (people keep running here and there) that they have "No time For Love".Well i really doubt if Koreans love anything/anyone else apart from alcohol and work (that might be the reason they are called "Workaholic"). Loving Indians are anyway out of question though exceptions are part of our(and also theirs) everyday life.

Come out of Samsung office physically(because getting Samsung out of your mind and sight is not at all possible as you can see Samsung hoardings at every corner place) and this is where you start loving Korea (and sometimes Koreans). Eye catching skyscrapers, multi-compartment aquariums in many of the stores, cleaner than cleanest Indian roads, fairer than fairest Indian gals, keep you going. The roads are bereft of people most of the time, people don't honk even when you are obstructing their Ferrari's way and more importantly here pedestrians are given some due respect (I have seen most of the Koreans giving way to me). Korean's traffic rules are inspired from USA -people drive/ride on the right side of the road and they have steering on the left side of their vehicle. You will find only three types of vehicles moving across the city - Cars (taxis included), buses and bicycles (yes,bicyclers are in abundance here). In fact there are special pavements for bicyclers. As about people, they will smile at us as if they are in some zoo. Ask them to take pic of yours and they won't leave your camera until they have taken three snaps of yours in different postures. They are generally soft-spoken and reserved sort of people. And guys are mostly shorter than ladies (I don't know whether it requires to be mentioned)

We had been to many places (which are very few though) in Korea -Seoul Tower,Han River, Olympics Stadium, Suwon Fort, Coex Mall....But the trip which will be imprinted for long long time is LOTTE WORLD. It is an amusement park with rides ranging from Gyro, Freefall, Roller Coaster to Balloon Ride, Forah's Fury. It had been more than 10 years since i enjoyed the ride. The very first ride sent chills down my spine (though later i enjoyed more frightening rides). We were shouting on each ride more out of fear than intoxication. For other places their journey (through metro trains) were more enthralling than actual visit. Since these Koreans don't understand Hindi (and most of the times English) you could go about your business (hope you understand) in the metro trains without the fear of being beaten up. Metro trains are the real place where you can appreciate the beauty not only in your minds but in your words.

It is really amusing how things and taste change when you are lonely in a land far-far away. I for one never liked eating Maggi (even i did not like carrying them from India to Korea) ,but all of a sudden i found it to be best option available. Watching movies like "Aladdin" and "Aao Wish Karein" made me realize that how dangerous it can be to be a big fan of Hindi movies. I also realized how necessary it is to skip bath sometimes (It saves both time don't let your body dry up in such a cold weather).

With 2 more week for my return to India (hopefully) and only one month due for my second Korea trip (My manager want me to come again in mid January), I am long yearning to go where i belong. Korea may be good for multiple reasons but it cannot be my comfort zone. Hope my second trip may be not be wors than this one if not better.