The Hub of Sparkle!

Song: The Kids Are Alright, by The Who

So one of the Rate My Hagwon writers had the excellent idea of bringing care packages to the teachers in Quarantine. He did it yesterday, and two people came. He did it again today, and I went down there with Ben Wagner, making four people. He’s going to do it again tomorrow, and again on Friday, and you should all go help out: 7:30pm, at Nambu Bus Terminal Subway Station, exit 5. Bring food, books, magazines, DVDs, American snacks, whatever else you can think of. Don’t bring alcohol or cigarettes, but they didn’t say anything else was verboten. Bring stuff, or send it by mail. Send me pictures and I’ll publish them here. If your business sponsors part of the care package, tell me about it and I’ll totally plug your business at the Hub of Sparkle: if you’re pitching in for the expat community, I’ll promote you shamelessly.

You can also have stuff sent to this address.
Korean: 서울특별시 인재개발원 서초구 교육원길 56
Seoul Human Resource Development Center
Gyoyukwongil 56, Seocho-gu
Seoul, Korea 137-071

I threw some of my old books and things in a bag, bought some stuff from a stationery store, and met Ben Wagner, who’s interested in their situation, near Kyunghee university, where he works. We went down there together, and I took my camera.  The gate was guarded by an old guy, who wouldn’t let us through until we told him what we were on about, and gave the name of one of the quarantin-ees, and called up to her.

Once through, with a taxi driver probably grumbling about where the crazy waygooks ask him to go, we pulled up to the entrance of the building.  We were not allowed in (of course).  We didn’t touch any of the people who’d been inside: not to shake hands, dispose of their tissues, or lick their foreheads.  Nosireebob!

A lady came out: she was the quarantine director.  She went through the bags while we watched, making sure there wasn’t any contraband (alcohol or cigarettes, or hard drugs, I suppose: good thing we didn’t accept the philopon the taxi driver offered to pitch in)

This was the blocked off entrance to the building.

Along the tiered balconies, people were walking back and forth: some people have been bored out of their minds.

After a few “Hail”’s, people came down to the first roof level and chatted with us on the ground floor.  Here’s my shout-out to Shanna, Marissa, Drew, Kat, the two Jameses, and Grace.  Hey guys.  It was nice chatting with you.

All my worst fears were alleviated, frankly: while the quarantine got off to a rocky start, they said that every day, people have gotten better at communicating, more on the ball, and more helpful.  They reported that they have everything they need, and they’re pretty satisfied with their treatment.

They’re sad about the situation, and sorry if their situation is drawing heat on other foreign English teachers, but you know, it can’t be helped.

On the other hand, they seriously, sincerely, deeply appreciate the help and concern the expat community (and yeah, I’m using the c-word.  The expat community) has offered up to them.

Frankly, I’m proud as hell, too.  Over the last year, I’ve seen the expat population move closer to having a sense of community: from the Bill Kapoun fundraiser, to the Seoul Podcasts featuring Stephannie White, to the forming of ATEK, and, yeah, the anti-ATEK people too, standing up to be heard: people are recognizing that community IS important, even to live in Korea, that our lives here mean something, and it’s worth the effort to try and defend, or improve it, and I’m proud to be a part of that.

But readers: the quarantine isn’t over yet.  Over at “An English Teacher Under Quarantine” Drew wrote, “Seriously, it’s indescribable how uplifting outside contact with the world is.  Thanks again!  You fine folks are the reason why the expat community in Korea keeps us coming back to this funny little peninsula.”

Outside contact is helping these folks out a lot, so I strongly, STRONGLY encourage you to head down to Nambu Terminal Station, exit 5, at 7:30pm, on Thursday or Friday, and bring along some time-passers for the people inside.  They’ve said that they have no glaring needs, which means you get to be creative: sidewalk chalk, noise-makers, art supplies, a pack of paper and instructions for folding paper airplanes: your imagination is the limit, and you KNOW it’ll be appreciated.

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