We also got to see the multi-level circulating water channel so we did see some interesting resources, but most of the day was anticlimactic and spent in lectures about the different Hyundai Maritime Research Institute (HMRI) departments. The hardest part of the lectures is that we don't have the luxury of napping during a lecture (a courtesy we don't always extend to our professors in Ann Arbor) when the temptation of the previous nights' field trip to the bar trumped the logic of an early bed time. We do plow through an impressive amount of instant coffee, but the hardest part of paying attention in class is really that many of the lecturers speak softly and in mildly broken English and require much more focus than a lecture delivered by a native-English speaker.The more blogworthy (yes, I made that word up) experience was an impromptu galivant around town in an unsatisfied quest for pizza. A few of us decided to go on an exploratory food hunt prompted by the sight of that night's dinner selection. Over an hour of walking yielded no pizza even with the guidance of Kurt Jankowski, a seasoned veteran in the ancient art of Ulsan pizza discovery (he claims to have found two such places). In the end, we happened upon a western restaurant which bears a name I never remember but know has alliteration based on the letter 'b'. The painful fact is that we were only a block and a half away from Pizza Palm's but I'm certain we will find our way there in the near future.
The subject matter taught by the HHI employees has been interesting so far (even if we don't always have the internal caffein content to appreciate it to its fullest extent) but the most memorable events tend to be when we get sidetracked. Half of our discussions begin with the current World Cup gossip as this is a nation that awakes in unison for a 3:30 AM, holding soccer on the same pedestal as perhaps Buddha or God. We have taken more than one break to watch obscure Japanese (the HHI guy was very adament that the show was Japanese and not Korean) television programs that usually end up with a mechanized seat or port-o-pottie straight out of Tranformers with the only intent of publicly exposing you while on the throne. Awkward? Less than you might think. Hilarious? Absolutely. Even if you aren't amused by the adolescent nature of this comedy and you are surprised it's legal in Japan, the HHI teacher's genuine enjoyment of the outlandish entertainment will bring you to laughter. Today, the noise & vibration specialist alluded to the importance of sound insulation on a cruise ship in case you have newlyweds (not the word he used) having a 'hot' night in the room next to yours. I can say that I have appreciated the colorful minds of the various mentors HHI has presented thus far.
The final and equally unrelated thing I want to discuss is the dormatories where HHI has put us. The word 'dormatory' gives people the impression of communal bathrooms (no matter how high tech the toilets are) and bad food. Well, we don't know how the food compares because every meal is new to us, but this isn't the brick wall-facing viewless room that I had on campus freshman year. No, we are on the 14th floor with fantastic views of both the city and the yard that specializes in offshore vessels. How impressive and inspirational are the views? Take a look for yourself and you tell me. Both of these pictures are from our floor. The interesting part is all of the boats in the first picture that just sit outside the yard waiting for refit work. They make for amazing but difficult to photograph visuals when illuminated at night.
Until next time,
-David Rood
David,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear all is well and you are adjusting well. You have already discovered that many asian cultures, especially Japanese and Korean to some extent, find great relief in self deprecating forms of humor. Your comments about being exposed while on the toilet are very typical. Some late night game shows actually have had contestents in full latex outfits with their rear end exposed and the game is to have them drink a large amount of liquid and then take a high dose of a laxitive. The winner is the one that can control his bowels the longest and the audience takes pleasure in watching the contestents writhe in agony.
By the way, I assume you have been introduced to the fully automated, washing, and drying versions of toilets by now. Quite a surprise the first time you press the buttons. Take care and enjoy.
Love,
Your World Traveling Uncle Howard