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<27th week> Presented by Gary Lu: Korea Visit Diary General Impression:
Korea words take-away: hello (a-nio-ha-sell), thank you (ham-sum-hamida), 泡菜/ pickles (kim-chi), Hurry, hurry! (Bali-bali)
Natural blessing: scarce in natural resources—almost no natural resources except water, less than a quarter (20.5%) of the land is usable
National character: Taikongdou vs Taiji, straightforward and quick in action; Korea students and employees are hard-working, which are the foundation of the prosperity of the nation; private education is the largest industry in Korea, almost 20~30% of household income goes to education; border with North Korea is 50 km from Seoul; example of patriotism: nationwide gold donation by normal citizens during the 1997 Asia Financial Crisis to try to help revive the economy—government paid little to get the gold; domestic brands dominate most of consumer goods market, such as fast food, beverage, daily care etc. –brand life cycle is half of that in Korea. Korean companies use speed (fast to switch) to beat MNCs; “Did you try?” spirit exemplified by the founder of Hyundai Group—start from impossible
Good manners: cars on the road with no hush beeping (Korea streets were narrow and the geometric type was hilleous with a lot of ups and downs. Our shuttle bus was clumsy on the road especially during a turn-around and other cars were just patient and always pedestrian first)
Environmental governance: Seoul was not a self-importance city which was evidenced by its avoidance of too many sky-risers as well as by the 23 humble bridges built across the Hangang. Budget was implemented on a district basis and therefore in the wealthier districts the standards would be higher. Noise-proof walls were twice the height of those in Shanghai, some of them covered with ivy and it were built not only along the highway but also along some high-end residential areas. Fast track bus lane in the middle of the road, not many garbage bins on the road
Family harmony: parents with children, cradle children were brought out to some public occasions to feel the atmosphere. It was not a demonstration but a normal life that they are enjoying every day.
Weather: cooler and dryer than that in Shanghai
Beauties: eye-feasting, good at maintaining their appearance, girls and women are accustomed to play with clothes and cosmetics, slim figure and shanks (reasoning behind: climb mountains every day and digestive diet)
Korea food: healthy (more balanced: vegetable-dominant and usually meat is eaten with vegetable leafs, far less cooking oil, emphasizing more on variety and slim sized, side dishes to make the course look more inviting and diversified—sometimes more colorful, digestive soup—Da Jiang Tang or side dishes—Kim Chi or vinegar preserved luo bo), major flavor (cold—most of the dishes are cold with a few exceptions on rice, soup and main courses such as beef and pork, sour (first soup), spicy (could be side dishes or some main courses in cold; an explanation for slim figure—burning up the calories), sweet (always fruit tea or second soup which could be very sweet, which could also be plain—just to get rid of the strong flavors of the dishes and help to pacify the stomach with something not so radical, and the main course—my favorite one: sliced beef and stewed mushroom pot), implication: it takes a long time to prepare the dishes, especially for those hot ones, such as noodle, to cool down; the layout on the table is magnificent, held in many small bowls), inviting appearance (shape and color) and clean for snacks as well
Kevin is all too great in leading us through the way in Korea: he dealt with the bus rental company to obtain a good price with a guaranteed driving service; he invited his family, mainly his wife to prepare us one dinner and one breakfast; he was always the last to dine and the first to serve. He not only accompanied us all the way, briefing us about local knowledge and helping us to find out what we want but also arranged all the lunches and dinners to save our time, money and energy. With his help we got our agenda more smooth, squeezed more free time to look around and enhanced significantly our impression on Korea and Korean people and he was very polite to say that within five years our country would be able to perform as well as they did. Rigid task it is! He showed us by his own deeds about what is true leadership, brotherhood and responsibility. He has a happy family: beautiful wife and two lovely daughters. Tour Journal
Day 1: Arrival
The most impressive part was to witness the backlash of the Olympic Torch Relay, which was such a coincidence that thrilled all of us. Though we didn’t see the torch actually passing by, we saw a huge “red sea” composed of our national flags along the relay route. A lot of young people, most of them overseas Chinese students, were organized in different-sized groups, stamping a flag mark on the cheek, wearing the logo T shirt of the 2008 Olympic Games, covering a flag on their shoulders and back and holding and waving a big size flag in 1 or 2. They talked with Chinese in various provincial accent and this almost turned the downtown area into a Chinese occasion. A lot of Korea policemen were guarded along the roads to maintain order and make sure the traffic was flowing. It was indeed in good order while enthusiastic and made us proud.
Day 2:
Seoul National University (mor.)
Samsung (aft.)
Everland (eve.) -Kevin’s wife made us the dinner and wrapped in separate boxes: delicious and moving food.
Day 3:
Seoul National University (mor.)
SK telecom (aft.)
Traditional restaurant Dingshi (dinner) and Dongdaemun shopping (eve.)
Day 4:
Yongsei University (mor.)
ADT (Advanced Drive Technology) (aft.)
Day 5:
Free day city tour | 
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