02/18 A letter to a fellow Korean teacher of 2016
Dear a fellow Korean teacher,
I’m Boyoung Blake Jang from Busan. I’m very pleased to tell you my experience in Austin and Keller (my site visit). The biggest lesson I’ve learned from this program is “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” My goals were to have as many encounters with locals as possible and see details of American culture rather than to hang out with Korean teachers since I’m in America. I assume you have similar ideas. Thus, I’d like to share my adventurous stories with Americans.
Austin is so-called the Live Music Capital of the World, so you have to go downtown 6th street and its vicinity. This area comes alive after 10p.m. There are lots of bars in which you listen to live music over liquor. Even a fancy steak restaurant called Sullivan’s has a live musical quartet. I strongly advise you to sit at a bar and start talking to the bartender and the locals. I could always exchange emails with them afterwards. And you can be their Facebook friends and get invited to their party. If you go out in groups, you’re less likely to talk to locals. How about going out alone once in a while especially when you feel like having time to yourself? Dare to challenge yourself; it’s worthwhile and you’ll gain confidence. Basically Austinites are very open-minded and friendly, and you get hardly rejected when you come up to them.
Austin is a good place to broaden your horizon in terms of religion and transform the way you think. I don’t practice any religion, though. I have reasons not having been religious and luckily I’ve sort of found hope and potential of spiritual part of human life here. Please go to David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with Mary Gordon. It’s an African American church in which you have different vibes feeling blessed with their soulful gospel songs. In addition, don’t forget to take part in the Red Bench which Abbey recommends you. It’s an interfaith communicational meeting where there’s no judgment, and any ideas and opinions are shared and accepted. You’ll definitely feel part of the community. Plus, the Unitarian Universalist Church will be a unique experience. Their minister doesn’t talk about the Bible. Technically it’s not a minister. A member of the congregation leads the service. The service I was in was led by a songwriter. Their service seems to work more for a meditation.
Tips:
- Shopping is fun. But stop and think about how much room is left in your luggage. Some of the Korean teachers are struggling to pack all the stuff they’ve bought so far. You may have to pay more than $100 for additional or overweight baggage.
- Be sure to carry a bunch of small Korean gifts wherever you go. You never know when and where you’ll meet local people. A hanbok-shaped bookmark works all the time.
Best wishes,
Blake
02/19 Firehouse Lounge
I was unable to find the entrance of the bar unless Serene told me beforehand. How could a new customer imagine the bookcase is the door? I felt like I was setting my foot onto a wonderland just like Alice did.
02/20 Starbucks Coffee at downtown Austin
I've always wanted to work on a laptop at this coffee house just like Americans do. But there was little or no time to idle away here. The priority in Austin was walking around and experiencing other things in person.
On the late afternoon of this last day, I couldn't put this off anymore. Sitting by the window, I was putting posts on my blog and working on the Fulbright teachers' assignment. I looked out at the passers-by. Soon the dust started to fall; neon signs and streetlights came on. I felt melancholic and wistful. "I don't want to leave this beautiful city tomorrow morning. One more day, please" I still can't forget every single moment I enjoyed at the Starbucks. I prefer Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, though, since I hate monopoly.
