The year 2007. As I was on my way to Korea, in my heart a deep sense of gratitude was very clear: To God first, to the old OhmyNews, to Softway/Softrack and to all the people who made it possible for this common Brazilian to come to Asia and visit South Korea.

Korean friend, Kon

Korean Flight Attendant

While still in Guarulhos Airport in Sao Paulo I thought of writing about my impressions. Long before I actually arrived I did get a preview of what it would all be like – I mean in Korea. While enroute from Los Angeles to Incheon, I was already puzzled.

The Flight

Incredible service is not exactly the best way of describing it — fantastic, I think, is much better. You think of pressing the button to call the flight attendant and she is there already. Korean Air personnel were my first encounter with Korean style: Fast, objective, efficient. I hope I am lucky enough to come back this way soon with Korean Air.

Beautiful People

As a man I was quick to notice that all the flight attendants were very beautiful. I thought, “They get the best of the land… of course…” Then I arrived in Seoul and thought that all the girls were flight attendants — incredible — everywhere beautiful looking men and women, it is rather rare to see someone out of shape. But let me tell you more, they are not just good looking they are great care takers, I felt very well taken care of while in Korea.

Koreans

Friends

As always, at an international gathering like this, there is a sense of friendship and sharing. The Mennonite Church in the U.S. has a program of exchange visitors and their motto goes some like “Building Bridges Across Boundaries” and, you know, that is exactly what happened with all of us during this Forum.

So, now Korea is no longer just a flag for me, a distant country somewhere on the map; now Korea is Ms. Nayoung Han, Kon, Mr. Oh, Mr. Jean K. Min — for me now Muhammad Aslam Khan is Pakistan, Yehonathan Tommer is Israel, Rajendran Nair is India, and so on.

I did try to put it in words — I am sure this is something we all felt and feel until today.

Oh how many beautiful people!

People from all over the world

Giving Thanks

I am still thankful to all readers in Korea and all around the world because you are the ones who ultimately made all this possible.