Week 5 - The other side of the river...

The 5th week has ended.

The first 'Freak Show' visit was on Tuesday - to a middle school, followed by a trip to an elementary school on Wednesday. They tried to get me to act in the 'Smellarella' performance on the first day, and I convinced them that I needed to observe it again, and I would write a part for myself. They seemed to want me to be in it the following day. I got the feeling the reason the others seemed so keen for me to be in it was because they have finally realised it's an embarrassment... they don't want to do it anymore, and they want to see me embarrass myself too. They are not asking me because it will be fun; they are asking me out to be spiteful. So far 3 people have told me I can have their part...Smellarella, the 'Prince' - played by freaky Korean/USA girl, and the Fairy Garbage Man, played by Big Friendly American Pete. I got out of it on Tuesday (I got the whole thing on video), and hoped they would forget by Wednesday.

Wednesday came, and when it was time to prepare for the performance I slipped away and went for a walk around the school. It was lunch time, and lots of the kids were around. It was an elementary school, and some were trying to compare their height to mine. They were pretty small, and one asked if I would lift him up so he was taller than me. I did it....and he was happy. Then another asked to be lifted up, then another, and another. They seemed to find it great fun. Soon a line of about 30 kids had formed. It was easy to begin with, but by number 15 it was getting harder to lift them, and there was one girl who, unfortunately, had eaten too many pies and I asked her to lift me up. She tried, but failed and went to the back of the line. In fact, after each lift they were all going to the back of the line. Was great fun - for them. I managed to get away after a teacher said I looked tired, and went back to find the freaks. My timing was not good, as the Big Friendly American was waiting for me. He insisted that I take his role. Smellarealla then said I should take her/his role too...and was offered another. I couldn't get out of it...they were most insistent, the bastrds. As the 'Garbage Fairy' only had 2 lines, I agreed to do it. I put on the ridiculous clothes, and had to sit on stage behind a screen. I was to jump out and 'surprise the kids', say to Smellarella 'I'm your fairy garbage man' and then hide again. I would come out again later and try to make Smellarella wash herself before he/she went to the ball. She would refuse, I would spray her/him with air freshener, and then hide again. That's it. I did it, with all the enthusiasm I could muster. It ended. That's all that needs to be said.

On Thursday, back at the 'Teaching Centre' I finally got my computer repaired…the internet hadn't worked for a week for some reason. I had asked for it to be fixed a few times...and was met with suspicion by the Korean helper. It seemed he thought I had put a virus onto the computer, as no one could work out what was wrong with it. Mr. Yang, my partner, was sitting at his desk reading the Biblegateway website, as usual. The chap I was talking to really seemed to not want to help me, and said to me 'Well, it's like Mr. Yang said... it was fine before you came'. My Yang continued to stare at his screen...but I saw him freeze, as the page he was reading suddenly stopped scrolling. My Yang...my partner, and 'good friend', who has invited me to his hometown, invited me to sing at his church, has been 'very happy' since I came, wants to introduce me to a head doctor (for some reason)....then changes sides and tries to get me into trouble! Thanks so much friend, partner, buddy!

On Thursday evening the Aussie/New Zealander chap (he cant decide which he is) who plays Smellarealla, and his girlfriend, then Canadian 'supervisor', were going to Pizza Hut, and invited me along. I didn't think there was a Pizza Hut here, but there is, and I thought I can go there just once as a reward for my performance in the play yesterday. I was told that we are going to 'the other side of the river'. I had wondered what was over there..and now I would find out.

As we walked across the bridge I began to notice that there were rather a lot of buildings...in fact many, many. There were lots and lots of people too, and many shops. Soon I realised that this was in fact, the main downtown area of Gongju. Where I am living, the place I thought was the whole city (which I refer to as a village) is in fact a small offshoot of the main area. Crossing the river was like walking into a different world.

After Pizza Hut, we decided to go for a beer. Some more people joined us, Paul - who works in the same building as me and seems the most 'normal' person I have met so far, and, unfortunately, the crazy Korean/American. Paul had invited her 'as an experiment', and 'to see what would happen', as she goes nuts when she drinks. She didn't disappoint, and made her feelings known, in a very loud way, about the people she works with. She hates them. What a surprise. She screamed and shouted for most of the evening, and it turns out she really hates Big Friendly American, Pete...who was not there. While the screaming and shrieking was going on, I noticed that there are some quite nice females on this side of the river. It's a bit frustrating to have been here 5 weeks not knowing the city I thought I was living in, is in fact on the other side of the river. I will cross it again, I think.

The night went on to a karaoke bar, and ended around 4am. I realised I had had a bit too many refreshing beverages the next morning, as I had to get up and be at my desk by 9am. I made it, but couldn't do anything all day...which was lucky because there wasn't anything to do....except one last bit of planning for the teachers that will come in a few weeks. I started the planning at 4pm, just as I was told we could all go home early. It took me 2 hours to do, and I left 2 hours after everyone else, having done nothing all day...except doze at my desk and feel like crap.