Guest wrote:
> That rats have started to flee the sinking ship in droves. I have
> had two long time foreign residents in Korea tell me today that
> they were 'going on vacation' for a few weeks. A former co-worker
> has decided that now would be a good time to fly back home for a
> few weeks. Our phone conversation went something like this:
> Foreigner: I'm going on vacation in a couple days. I'll be
> back in June. I'm having a going away party at my place. I'd like
> to you to attend.
> Me: Really? A vacation? Why are you having a going away party for
> that?
> Foreigner I just want to have a little get together, you
> know?
> Me: Is your girlfriend going with you? (His soulmate...)
> Foreigner No.
> Me: I'm really busy this weekend. I'll see you when you come back.
> Foreigner Okay.
> So, he's going back home and leaving his Korean girlfriend
> behind. What must see think of that? He's leaving his girlfriend
> behind along with his rented apartment. Asian women have always
> been disposable to foreign men. What must their Korean employers
> make of this?
> I have been in a few really bad situations, and I have yet to meet
> anyone who will admit that they are scared and just to save their
> own skin. I wish just once, before I die, that someone would admit
> to me that they are scared and taking off.
> I have heard other rumors of foreigners requesting emergency leave
> because of 'family emergencies' at home, including one foreigner
> whose father had collapsed and died yesterday (even though he told
> me himself that his father died back in 1999).
> I have the option to leave, but I haven't taken it. I think I'm
> going to ride this one out.
Well, it's also possible that he invited her to go with him, but she
didn't want to leave home -- e.g., if her parents are going to die,
she wants to die with them. Did he prepay the rent on the apartment?
It's also possible that she encouraged him to go -- either because she
loves him and doesn't want him to die, or perhaps (depending on his
nationality) because it's too dangerous for him to stay in Seoul, and
he could even be subjected to torture, if the wrong people come to
power.
Hope your ride is successful. If you can't write during the ride,
then write again when you're on the other side - assuming you're still
alive.