On Wednesday 4 March I went back to the hospital to get an update on my foot, this time I went with Christina. I was so certain that I would walk out the hospital that I had a shoe in my bag. Instead I was put in plaster cast, given back the crutches and sternly told not to walk on it at all. I am not entirely sure what the problem is, though from the talk of Park Ji Sung between my doctor and Christina I surmised that it's a common injury among football players. The fact that an operation was mentioned (really don't want it to come to that obviously) means that I am taking the "no walking on it" instructions very very seriously. I have to go back on the 24 March to get it checked up again, so fingers crossed that it's not as bad as my over active imagination is trying to tell me it is.
Life on crutches has shown me a whole new side to Korea. From almost being bowled over by an inconsiderate old lady in the hospital reception, to being stared at more than usual. If I thought that being a foreigner in Korea was an insight into being a celebrity, being a foreigner on crutches is like being the Brangelina of celebrities. But the most frustrating part of daily life has been the distinct lack of disabled access to most of the buildings in Hongseong. Lifts here have a handy function-if the kids decided to press all the buttons "as a joke" you can press them again to prevent the lift from stopping. This fact is only handy when you are in a building with lifts.
I haven't been given a repeat prescription for pain medication, which has been a nightmare at times. It's hard enough trying to get the kids to take you seriously when you are sat with your leg in the air encased in a bright green plaster cast, let alone when you are pale and unable to concentrate because of the pain. As we know my method for coping with pain is swearing, and I am fairly certain that the parents won't thank me if all I teach their kids in the next couple of weeks is expletives! But since Christina has apparently "retired" from teaching again, Charlie has been sacked with no warning and the new guy's vocabulary is limited to ancient song lyrics I haven't had much luck expressing how I feel about all this.
In many ways life continues as normal, my schedule has changed three times this week, Seok Jae still "doesn't like me" and Hannah is still crying because her younger sister knows more answers than her. I am glad that I did so much sightseeing before all this happened, and even if I limped home tomorrow I would limp back knowing I have seen a lot more than I ever expected I would. It's still hard not to be despondent at missing out on some of my plans. I am just glad that Viro filled my last weekend with Shabu Shabu, delicious pasta, and plenty of conversation, even on the “bastard stairs.”
I have 45 measly days until I am on the plane back to the United Kingdom, so since I now have a lot of free time on my hands I thought I would share some more about what I will miss from Korea….
…..my kids.....
Life on crutches has shown me a whole new side to Korea. From almost being bowled over by an inconsiderate old lady in the hospital reception, to being stared at more than usual. If I thought that being a foreigner in Korea was an insight into being a celebrity, being a foreigner on crutches is like being the Brangelina of celebrities. But the most frustrating part of daily life has been the distinct lack of disabled access to most of the buildings in Hongseong. Lifts here have a handy function-if the kids decided to press all the buttons "as a joke" you can press them again to prevent the lift from stopping. This fact is only handy when you are in a building with lifts.
I haven't been given a repeat prescription for pain medication, which has been a nightmare at times. It's hard enough trying to get the kids to take you seriously when you are sat with your leg in the air encased in a bright green plaster cast, let alone when you are pale and unable to concentrate because of the pain. As we know my method for coping with pain is swearing, and I am fairly certain that the parents won't thank me if all I teach their kids in the next couple of weeks is expletives! But since Christina has apparently "retired" from teaching again, Charlie has been sacked with no warning and the new guy's vocabulary is limited to ancient song lyrics I haven't had much luck expressing how I feel about all this.
In many ways life continues as normal, my schedule has changed three times this week, Seok Jae still "doesn't like me" and Hannah is still crying because her younger sister knows more answers than her. I am glad that I did so much sightseeing before all this happened, and even if I limped home tomorrow I would limp back knowing I have seen a lot more than I ever expected I would. It's still hard not to be despondent at missing out on some of my plans. I am just glad that Viro filled my last weekend with Shabu Shabu, delicious pasta, and plenty of conversation, even on the “bastard stairs.”
I have 45 measly days until I am on the plane back to the United Kingdom, so since I now have a lot of free time on my hands I thought I would share some more about what I will miss from Korea….
…..my kids.....
They have all been so helpful about my leg (fetching me coffee, mocking me and stealing my crutches) so I let them run riot with a marker pen and some tipex and this was the result.
"You're genius" Eric (aka Aron, Angela’s slightly crazy brother) who am I to argue!
"Please Stay Korea" This from Yun Seob, the boy who started my classes hating everything “just” because.
"Teacher Jo is good for health" Steven-maybe he meant the health care system! Though he’s so keen he tries to sneak into extra classes. He also idolises King.
"T. Jo Babo" Sally, babo means stupid/foolish in Korean.....Hey my leg is plaster cast because I tripped over myself…so she might be on to something.
”T. Jo Fighting” Amelia (aka Lita), it’s used by Koreans as a term of encouragement rather than as a challenge!
"I love you" Numerous students (all together now awwwwwwww!!!!)
“T. Jo Bye Bye” Sonia, one of my favourite students, her family is moving to Seosan soon. She asked me yesterday if I would cry when I go home. I think that’s a given now, these kids have been so great.
“빨리나” Basically walk again quickly!
They definitely made the days go quicker, which is no mean feat since I am spending close to 11 hours at the hagwon everyday due to the lack of transport, and the fact I live in a building with no lift.
“T. Jo Bye Bye” Sonia, one of my favourite students, her family is moving to Seosan soon. She asked me yesterday if I would cry when I go home. I think that’s a given now, these kids have been so great.
“빨리나” Basically walk again quickly!
They definitely made the days go quicker, which is no mean feat since I am spending close to 11 hours at the hagwon everyday due to the lack of transport, and the fact I live in a building with no lift.
2 comments:
Hi there I can only imagine how difficult it is to be injured in a foreign country and deal with the medical system there. I was recently in Europe and broke my foot there and had a terrible experience but not back in the states and one surgery later in a cast although not as sexy as yours,lol. May I ask why green????? Anyway feel free to write,tippyotp100@aol.com,Dave.
Hi Dave,
Sorry about the rough time you had. It's definitely shown me a new side to Korea-and the most frustrating aspect has been not getting a complete English translation, though I am sure it will work out just fine.
It's been difficult seeing a lot of my plans cancelled, but I have a very good friend out here who has kept me entertained and kept my spirits up.
And why green!? I wasn't given a choice in the matter! Jo
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