Well, I'm home from Korea. South Korea.

Some things I learned: the US FTA with Korea is totally unfair. We allow them to export their cars, technology, phones, etc. but in return, THEY have to take our agricultural exports. And they are a very agri-friendly country, so they grow plenty of stuff on their own! The farmers were practically rioting outside the capitol one day, because they can't sell their stuff, and they have to sell it for a LOT more than the US imported stuff. So, when you are in SKorea, you are eating California grown rice, midwestern soy products, beef and dairy from the beef and dairy states, and the only stuff they actually grow in S Korea and sell to Koreans is sweet potato and cabbage. That's it, pretty much. There is also a thriving organic sector in South Korea. But I think the trade agreement we have with South Korea is for shite. A Ford, with all of the tarrifs attached to it thanks to all the tarrifs we place on them, costs as much as a Jaguar. They do that to keep Fords out, because a) American cars are crap and b) we pull that shit on them as well.

There are 3 generations of Koreans. The ones who fought in the war, the ones who were raised during the "cold war", and the ones who started school in the 1980s. The fighters are very conscious of the fact that they have "family" and blood ties in North Korea; they want reunification. The cold war/baby boomer generation (40-60 year olds) do not trust the North, but think food should be sent, and that's about it. They would reunify if the North accepted everything the South believes in. The weirdest generation is the youngest. The 8-39 year olds. They believe that the north is a stagnant culture, steeped in harmless communist rhetoric, that they are poor harmless people and they feel sorry for them, but could care less if the people in the North are ever reunified. They feel no ties to them. They also feel incredibly safe; the other two generations? Not so much. It was kind of a surprise.

I'm more of the 3rd generation, I don't think of North Korea as much of a threat. But I am dead wrong. They are a seriously messed up country. The people ARE starved and poor, but the ones who get fed are in the military, and the children are totally brainwashed. Also, they are under pain of death if they try to explore the southern coast or try to escape. It's bad. The regime is horrid.

The rest of my trip went well. I missed my beanie and my PF desperately. I would love to go back to Asia with them, maybe take a hopper to Hong Kong or Shanghai. The roads to China from Korea are pretty open nowadays. I think getting a Visa is pretty tough going, though.

Next week I need to go to the Brazillian consulate for my Visa. I'm FINALLY going to Curitiba. This is after mythologizing the city for a good 10+ years after learning about Jaime Lerner and the mecca of Urban Planning.

It's another week away from my bean, but I need to do it for work. She will understand eventually. Someday I may even take her with me on a business trip. How fun would that be, my darling beanie boo? You could play in the sands of Rio De Janeiro or Jeju Island.

Now I have that Salinger poem in my head:

Dance Along The Silv'ry Sands
and Beat The Turtle Drum...
That Youth May Last Forever,
and Sorrow Ne'er Come.

I have quite a few pics of my trip. I will upload them this weekend when I get a chance.

So glad to be home....

~The Beanie Mommy