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.
Showing posts with label South Korea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Korea. Show all posts
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Sachin- The Only God on this Earth
Here I am... Back To Blogging World. It has been sometime since I updated my blogs. It was rather a lack of interest than the work which kept me away from this site. There is a very solid reason for updating this blog-'God'.
Coming Sunday will see the completion of 20 years of 'GOD' on cricket field. Batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar who burst into the scene as a kid of some 16 odd years (when most of us are unaware of nitty-gritty of the world) is about to set a benchmark on 15th November. With more than 17000 runs in ODI and close to 13000 runs in tests, he is way-way ahead of other contemporary players. But what sets him apart from other players is not the number of runs he scored but the hunger which he still has, even after so many years. Humility and respect for elders which were his hallmark are still intact in him. Despite the accolades the world has showered on him, despite the doubts that were expressed by several when his elbow tormented him, he fought off all his demons and detractors with the same affable, self effacing attitude and focused on just what his country asked of him. He never let his fame go to his head and this is where his greatness lies.
Learning is a never ending process and Tendulkar is the best example for that. He is the most analyzed cricketer in the world history but his urge to learn kept him scoring freely for 20 years. He took each game as a fresh challenge and approached the game with the same intensity. The only time he didn't want to play for India was when he lost his father in the midst of 2003 world Cup. But he was forced back by his family to play for only cricket could have helped him get over his grief. And when he scored that century against Kenya the next day, it was a testimony to tha fact that he was very much committed to the game. One could also point out that when Tendulkar felt that captaincy was not his best contribution to India, he relinquished it in favor of Ganguly thereby advancing the cause of India. What else can we ask for???
However,critics never missed a chance finding fault in him. He is always criticzed for not having won so many matches for India as other players did. But what they forget is Sachin has never been a part of the team where others equally perform. Plus the expectations of bollions of people around the country. There were times when India used to be completely outplayed whenever Sachin underperformed. He is just a part of the team. One cannot forget that Chennai Test where he kept on playing despite suffering from severe back pain. No one took the responsibility once he departed. And the recent ODI against Australia where he took the sole responsibility of taking India so close. There were times when he did not perform when India utmost needed him but as i said he is just a part of the team.
He is the most admired cricketer around the world and commands a huge respect both from within and outside his team. His sheer presence instills a sense of confidence in the team. The one statement that will sum up the whole point is: I have never seen God,but I have seen Sachin Tendulkar.
Coming Sunday will see the completion of 20 years of 'GOD' on cricket field. Batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar who burst into the scene as a kid of some 16 odd years (when most of us are unaware of nitty-gritty of the world) is about to set a benchmark on 15th November. With more than 17000 runs in ODI and close to 13000 runs in tests, he is way-way ahead of other contemporary players. But what sets him apart from other players is not the number of runs he scored but the hunger which he still has, even after so many years. Humility and respect for elders which were his hallmark are still intact in him. Despite the accolades the world has showered on him, despite the doubts that were expressed by several when his elbow tormented him, he fought off all his demons and detractors with the same affable, self effacing attitude and focused on just what his country asked of him. He never let his fame go to his head and this is where his greatness lies.
Learning is a never ending process and Tendulkar is the best example for that. He is the most analyzed cricketer in the world history but his urge to learn kept him scoring freely for 20 years. He took each game as a fresh challenge and approached the game with the same intensity. The only time he didn't want to play for India was when he lost his father in the midst of 2003 world Cup. But he was forced back by his family to play for only cricket could have helped him get over his grief. And when he scored that century against Kenya the next day, it was a testimony to tha fact that he was very much committed to the game. One could also point out that when Tendulkar felt that captaincy was not his best contribution to India, he relinquished it in favor of Ganguly thereby advancing the cause of India. What else can we ask for???
However,critics never missed a chance finding fault in him. He is always criticzed for not having won so many matches for India as other players did. But what they forget is Sachin has never been a part of the team where others equally perform. Plus the expectations of bollions of people around the country. There were times when India used to be completely outplayed whenever Sachin underperformed. He is just a part of the team. One cannot forget that Chennai Test where he kept on playing despite suffering from severe back pain. No one took the responsibility once he departed. And the recent ODI against Australia where he took the sole responsibility of taking India so close. There were times when he did not perform when India utmost needed him but as i said he is just a part of the team.
He is the most admired cricketer around the world and commands a huge respect both from within and outside his team. His sheer presence instills a sense of confidence in the team. The one statement that will sum up the whole point is: I have never seen God,but I have seen Sachin Tendulkar.
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