Dancers and banquets

Today is the first day of our orientation at Dankook University. After a good nights sleep (despite the slab of rock under my back) I am awoken by the sound of some very loud bleeps and then one of the co-ordinators telling us what will happen today. A class meeting, some free time and then an opening ceremony and banquet dinner.

I make my way downstairs to grab some breakfast and am pleasantly surprised that they have laid on some toast and cornflakes. And even milk. My initial enthusiasm is short lived as I find that the toaster barely toasts the bread, the cornflakes are far too sweet and the milk Im sure has sugar in it. Maybe I will try some of this Korean breakfast they have also put out.

After getting washed I am back down in the cafeteria for the class meeting which will last all morning. Most of this is speeches about what to expect, both from the next week of orientation and Korea in general. Two good things though. We get our bank accounts set up, and should be getting a mobile phone next week. All sounds promising.

After an afternoon spent resting and enjoying the free Internet in the dorm room, I make my way to the opening ceremony hall. For the next hour we are treated to some traditional Korean dancers, some speeches and lots of clapping. Then onto the banquet. Which is a very large buffet. Get a decent dinner here. Sausages, potatoes, rice, fish and even chocolate cake. After some idle chit chat with the other teachers around me, everyone starts to float off and I make my exit to try and catch up some more on my sleep.