Micro Pollution - ICK!!!!

All I heard growing up was how beautiful, lush and fresh Korea was and for the most part that is what I have experienced since I have been here.  I was NOT prepared for these random days of bad air quality.  I feel like I'm back in Sacramento, CA where they have a tower that will notify you of the air quality for that day - if the tower is green you're good to go and if the tower is red limit your outside activities.

Starting this past weekend until today the air quality was really bad here.  One could easily mistake the bad air quality for just fog or a slight haze - at least that is what it looks like to us.  From what I have been reading, there are days when you can't even see it and/or the quality will only be poor for a short period of time and so there will be no notification.  Before moving here I would see pictures or stuff on TV about Asians wearing respiratory face masks while doing their daily routines outside and thinking, "wow, they have taken this 'being clean' gig a bit too far".  Now I definitely understand that this is not the case.

Korean news will notify the public when the air quality is bad and advise everyone to take precautions. Did I mention that I still haven't learned the Korean language?  Well, this same information is not provided on AFN (Armed Forces Network) that is in English - WHY???  We see infomercials about terrorists; human trafficking; saving money; intoxication; etc but nothing about notification on bad air days and/or how to take precautions.

These particles in the pollution are typically made up of smoke, nitrates, dirt or metals but samples have also shown neurotoxins such as lead and arsenic.  Oh joy!  According to the Korean news, most of this pollution is being blown in from China and making its way even to Japan.  From articles I have read, Korea use to have really bad pollution years ago that they generated on their own as their industry starting booming.  Since then they have become environmentally aware and began to enforce strict health/environmental guidelines.  China, on the other hand, doesn't have as strict of regulations and they are suffering the brunt of their own pollution while sharing some of it with their Asian neighbors.

Do I think this is any worse than what I have been exposed to in the US?  No.  I just had a different expectation when I came to Korea and very disappointed that this is an issue here.  From my understanding, winter is the worse time, although you will still have some days in the summer.  I just hope that there aren't that many bad air quality days in the summer, not only because I want to avoid getting asthma or other medical issues but also because I want to save $$.  I plan to keep my windows open for the majority of the summer to avoid expensive electric bills from running an air conditioner.

6 months

Wow!  I can't believe it, we have already been here almost 6 months.  We have experienced so much and yet have only scratched the surface.  What I have learned so far?  That I need to learn the language! I have to admit, I really haven't put hardly any effort yet - why?  You got me. We have been  My brother supplied me with some great resources to learn the language and starting today I will use them everyday.  Both Steve and I have said that we are now able to pick out words here and there and at least get an idea what is being said.  We have a "kindergarten" style Korean alphabet chart hanging on our kitchen wall, that will also start becoming our daily practice.

I joined a photography group here because I would like to learn some new techniques to capture some of these spectacular sights.  As of right now, I have been mostly only using my auto settings and missing some great shots if I only knew more about shutter speed, aperture and ISO - I will conquer this!

Steve and I are really enjoying our time here.  We have made some friends and are getting around the country pretty well.  Last weekend our friend Steve B. gave us hands on training on how to use the subway here.  Yahoo!  Now it makes sense but will have to keep practicing because it is still a bit confusing since we're still not familiar with locations of many of the cities.

Love love love the farmers markets here!!!  All sorts of different fresh produce; prepared varieties of kimchi; Korean treats; seafood; and cooked food are sold there.  I have been to a few in Korea but so far my favorite is right here in Pyeongtaek.  We are still considered the country area so prices are very reasonable and the selection is wonderful.  Here is one of the pics that I captured during one of my trips to the market.  They are soooo cute!!!!

Things we miss about the States...our family of course.  We also miss Costco and Trader Joes!  We also miss the luxury of just being able to go anywhere and reading all the signs, menus and instructions.  In time, this should change for us as we learn the language.

The highlight of this adventure has to be meeting my Korean family for the first time in my life.  Since I've been here I have met my grandmother; my aunt and her family and my uncle and his wife so far.  It was surreal.  We haven't seen each other much lately but that is because of our language barrier.  I kept finding myself starring at my grandmother and comparing her features with my mother and also watching my mother interact with her sister - it was fantastic and like a dream!  The picture below from left to right is: Haeson (cousin); my aunt; my grandmother; my mother; and I.

I will try to keep up with this blog so that one day I too can look back after this adventure is over and enjoy the good memories.