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which is situated on the coast. We were only suppose to be here for 2 weeks and then return to Incheon where Ivan was to start his official teaching position...however....after his interview here they wanted him for the year and the day after he started work they offered him a three year position. They just love him. Ivan signed a one year contract and we'll take it from there. We may stay longer than one year though it's hard to make that decision so soon after arriving. The city is truly amazing. There are 5 million people here living very densely. The city is situated in a series of connecting valleys that stretch out as far as the eye can see. You only get this view, of course, if you climb a mountain and look down on this mind-boogling scene. We are extremely lucky to be living with mountains close by (we only have about a 7 minute walk to reach two different access points to mountain paths) and we also have a view of the mountains from our 5th floor apartment. We live on a main thoroughfare through our part of the city, so in exchange for the lovely view from our window we pay by having to endure the noise of traffic 24 hours per day and air quality that rivals that of Mexico City (another place in which I couldn't breathe). Ivan is also suffering with the pollution and often wears a pollution mask when he's out, as do many others. We will be purchasing an air purifier so that at least when we are in our apartment our lungs can relax. The air in the mountains is refreshing and invigorating and we are up there almost every day. Ivan actually hikes over the mountain to get to school! It's very steep at times with numerous switchbacks and he is fond of refering to this twice daily routine as his "forced march". He either likes it or hates it depending on how much sleep he got the night before! All is well. I'll write more later! |
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"Cherry Trees in Bloom" |
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