WOW is all I can say. I was fortunate enough to be able to take time and travel to Korea with other members of the Moo Duk Kwan from the United States, Belgium, Mexico, UK and Australia. At the end of the trip I spent two extra days in Seoul with another student from our school, Mr. P.J.Steyer.
The trip through Korea was so beautiful. Visiting the central dojang and seeing Kwan Jang Nim not once but twice was hard to top. The demonstrations in Pohang City and Taegu were true Moo Do events and the clinic in Taegu was a perfect example of International Human Relations as most of us had an opportunity to work with a Korean partner. Master Hwang's clinic on the proper use of the huri was delivered in Korean yet was still easy to understand with his many familiar examples and demonstrations.
Korea is rich in culture and the food is spicy, just how I like it. Taking this trip with a group of senior Ko Dan Ja, many of whom helped create the Federation in the United States, other masters and fellow students was something I will have trouble topping for many years.
Making connections with so many of my Soo Bahk Do friends was also great. Spending time with my new friends Mr. Kelly and Mr. Vodden, rooming with Master Hays, seeing Master Amico from my home region, getting to know the people from Soo Bahk Do in Australia, adventuring out with Master Hedges from the UK and the members from Belgium, eating with Master Whitcomb and Mr. Gilnor who could smoothly order in Korean, experiencing an interesting (and tasty) meal in the fish market with Master Donnelly and being warmly adopted by my friends from Region 10 were just some of the highlights.
Thank you to my other Moo Duk Kwan travelers, to the organizers of this trip (and our bus guide Inee Jung) , to Sa Bom Nim Hwang for being with us for all the important events on the trip, and to Kwan Jang Nim for making all of this possible.
Soo Bahk!
-John Maihos