Centre Stage

Today celebrates a year after one of the most culturally surreal experiences I've had. Literally a few days after I arrived in Korea, I found myself centre stage, surrounded by Korean children and their teachers, dancing and singing to Abba, with a crowd of parents in front of me, cameras flashing away. A few questions occured to me at this point. Where am I? Whats going on? What am I doing?
Why? Huh!? I don't get it.


I didn't know the dance that they had all practiced together, therefore would have stuck out even more, being the only Westerner there, and dancing out of sync. This came after having to perform 3 open class on stage, and before being taken out for dinner. Keep in mind I had been here for maybe a week at this point. To then go out for dinner, and not be able to understand a thing anyone says all night, but this being topped off by the mass of food. All of which is raw fish. Some raw fish I can get my head around, but others, not so much. For example, jellyfish! It doesn't matter how much you try and chew it, it just doesn't break down. It's cut into thin long pieces. So when it comes to a failed attempt of chomping, I tried to swallow it as it was. This was difficult as half of it made its way down my throat and nearly gagged me before the rest of it had a chance to catch up. Bottom line is, it's not recommended.

Anyhows, today I went through a similar experience and I kept away from the jellyfish, but this time I also knew the dance routine after too much practice! And after a year of being here, these things don't feel surreal at all. A little over the top maybe, but not surreal. See what you think of some of the kids outfits.