More on Hapkido

My form of exercise here has been a daily dose of Hapkido, for an hour each day pretty much right after work. The language barrier is tough, but I am managing to work through it and make friends along the way.

For the most part there are about 4 or 5 people you can rely on being there every time, and about 2 or 3 more that are reliable when its not exam time. Students study hard here, I know for me if I was in school I would be looking at Hapkido as a way to take a break from studying.

I am one of the regulars as well as a girl in elementary school and a boy who is probably about the same age and of course the instructor and the instructors assistants. There are a couple older students that are there everyday when they don't have to study for their school tests or exams. They are quite helpful in communicating with as they know a little English, but the 13 year old may know the most out of the three. I tend to ask her questions although she doesn't always know the answers.

As far as learning Korean goes, or just communicating with them, I basically have only learned insults or things to say when you are insulted. Not so much Korean insults, just English ones that they understand. Crazy is one. BaBo is Korean for foolish. Chul go Rae (i think) is do you want to die?

The 13 year old boys little sister started as well. She is the only belt lower then me, and she is adorable. A little malicious though. I got out my notebook one day at the end of class to right down 'jon da jol aww' or something like that which means very very very good. She took my books and started pointing at things and righting the Korean down for me. It helped, a little.

I have a lot of fun in Hapkido and just hanging out with these people. I am not expected to teach them anything unlike most of the Korean youngsters I am constantly around, which is nice.