Sports Day

It was annual sports day today at school. Both my schools had been practicing for the past few weeks for this national school tradition, but I was unsure what to expect on game day. Their practices seemed to consist of milling about with hoola hoops and an occasional round of group jumproping. I suspect that these practices, which got them out of class, were, well, just to get out of class. But it got me out of class too so I can't complain.

Yesterday I was told that I could stay home as there would be no classes today, but I try to participate in school activities when I can. Not being able to have relationships with most of the other teachers, I take opportunities to still feel a part of the school. When I arrived on Sports Say, I received a green t-shirt and cap to wear in support of one of my 3rd grade classes. There was an opening ceremony on the field (similar to a baseball field, without the grass or the diamond) with the Korean national anthem. You aren't supposed to put your hand on your heart for another country's anthem, are you? I thought not, but still felt awkward. Then the games began. There were some races, some jump rope contests, tug-of-war, and other more unusual "traditional Korean games" that each homeroom competed in. The green team did dreadfully in nearly every event.

While I watched my team fail, I sat under the teacher's tent first eagerly welcoming and then politlely accepting all the food and drink thrust at me. Oh fried chicken? It's only 10:30 am but what the hey? Hamburgers? Where on earth did those come from? Beer? I don't want to be rude so I'll sip one... I was starting to feel sorry for the students out there in the heat jumping around while the teachers sat and indulged. Then I realized that there was a hamburger and Pepsi for each student, too. And popsicles. It seemed funny celebrating physical fitness and sports competition with a round of burgers and sodas, but oh well. After a donut for desert, I was ready to pass out.

When will I learn not to underestimate the amount of food that Koreans eat? After another hour's worth of games, everyone headed to the cafeteria for real lunch. I took a handful of rice, one slice of pork fat, and one lettuce leaf, but could barely stuff it down. Especially with the second can of beer placed in front of me by the vice principal. I ate my rice grain by grain and watched the other teachers show me how to make a lettuce wrap (refraining from explaining that the reason I didn't use the sesame leaf is because I don't like the sesame leaf). Then they made me compare skin tones with them by holding my arm out. Something which I have done many times in my day, but never evoking such envy. Pale skin is desirable here. And sunscreen is not hard to come by in this country so no one worry about me this summer. Luckily after lunch I was free to go, and I rolled home for an afternoon nap. Then again, it could be that I just dreamed all that up. Who goes to work and eats food and drinks beer and sits around?