I accepted a position to teach in a private school in Seosan, South Korea in July of 2005. I had two weeks to wrap up my affairs in South Florida (more like "get out of Dodge") and get on a plane.
Arriving, I knew not one word of Korean, had not met whom I was to be working for and had committed to do a job I’d never done before…for a full year.
Here’s the story:
July 29, 2005—Incheon Airport (Seoul, Korea) I arrived after traveling for twenty-four hours to find my director and assistant director waiting for me as I cleared customs holding up a big sign reading “CONLEY.” I had never been met at the airport like this but had seen it done plenty of times (especially on TV), so I knew the procedure.
I approached the gentlemen and bowed as I thought that was what the Koreans did (they do), they extended their hands and we had some brief pleasantries.
The next thing I knew I was sitting in the back of an ultra-modern utility vehicle complete with talking GPS and we were whizzing down this amazing highway. Huge modern bridges, well-lit highways, tons of traffic--I was in awe.
In about two hours I was in my seventh floor apartment that I was to live in for the next twelve month.
