Saturday, July 22nd
Kyonggi-do
7:00 a.m.

We're just north of Seoul in a YMCA for a YICF (Yonsei International Christian Fellowship) retreat. There are 27 of us (14 guys and 13 girls), lots of bugs, and no hot water [or shower curtains], but I'll be OK. I think I slept well anyway.

And yes, being north of Seoul does mean that we are that much closer to the demilitarized zone. In fact, we passed by some U.S. property surrounded by heavy barbed wire on the way here. Someone called it an arms camp. It's pretty much next door.

Everyone seems pretty nice, but I've been out of the church scene for awhile, so I have my moments. Life has made me very cynical. Almost all of their songs and their few rituals are totally unfamiliar to me, which doesn't help much either. Something comfortable in such a strange place would make such a difference to me right now. I've been gone four weeks today. Past the halfway point. . .

Anyway, Yonsei IS a religiously affiliated university, like most institutions of higher education in Korea, so all students are "strongly encouraged" to get involved with groups like this one. It would be a lot more appealing if the pastor wasn't so long-winded, though. He talked at us for at least an hour and a half last night. I felt like I was back in class. Geez.

Oh GOOD. Breakfast IS going to consist of more than these crackers. I thought I was surely going to starve. Now if only it would stop POURING so that we could go out and get it. . . .

I'm not a tourist anymore. I can feel it. I'm definitely LIVING here. I have a favorite street vendor and a favorite cosmetics store and a favorite jeweler, and they recognize me at Jessica's Pizzeria, an American restaurant that's only slightly expensive and serves a lot of vegetarian pasta dishes. :) They don't even stare at me while I eat or seem surprised that I'm alone anymore. It's about three minutes from the dorm.

I still miss HOME, though. The Art Fairs are going on right now. I wish there was some really thick grass to lay in - I think the smog around here is the cause of that. There's not really anywhere peaceful and comfortable to focus my thoughts and to study. Their cafes just aren̉t used for that, and it's usually too hot outside. So easy to get a sunburn.

Still this whole experience has been a wonderful break for me. No bills, no responsibilities - nothing to worry about but getting the most out of every opportunity I find. We've already established that I'm learning a lot about myself as well as a whole other culture. I've also been able to do some reflection on my life and what I want to do with it and how I'd like it to be. I definitely need to get back to God; that's the first thing. I guess that's why I came on this retreat this weekend. Pray for me. . . .


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