Nick’s Asia Trip: Korea
Next stop is Seoul, Korea. The trip up from Sydney was interesting. Ten hours almost due north — I only moved over one time zone to the east. I’ve never flown in a plane that long without doing some serious time-shifting and resulting jet lag. It’s also weird to get on a plane and fly from a beautiful spring day to a beautiful fall day.
Coming back to Seoul is quite fun. As some of you may know, I lived here for basically the whole year of 1999, stationed here by the US Navy. I was apart from my family for the year, which was no fun, but setting that aside, I loved Seoul. It’s a vibrant city with lots of business, commerce, excitement, and nightlife. The Han River cuts right through the middle (There are an astonishing 23 bridges across it in Seoul, with more being built!) and along with the hills makes for a very beautiful city. I have many fond memories of Seoul, so it was nice to be back.
The event was held on a Saturday, and about 250 dedicated Delphi developers came out to hear a full day of speakers, including yours truly. I gave the Delphi Product address. It was my first experience with sequential translation. I’d say a few sentences, and then the translator would translate them. It’s a weird experience, as you have to be very measured in your words, and you have to think in short, succinct sentences. The translator did an excellent job though — I’m very impressed with this skill.
During the day, I did an interview with a Korean Developer’s Magazine. The reporter asked a lot of good questions, but then asked me to do something a bit unusual — he asked me to write a message to the readers of the magazine in Hangul (or Korean). The results are here — though I’m sure it looks like a five year old wrote it.
And of course, I have to conclude with a great big thanks to my host in Korean, CodeGear’s Park Beomyong. He was a marvelous host, and did a great job both taking care of me and running the event.
Man, I’m so jealous. I studied abroad in Korea in 2002 and lived in Seoul. I absolutely loved it. I think they have some of the best food in the world there, and the people of Seoul were so respectful to others. I rode the subway daily, and I would see a young person give up their seat for the elderly nearly every day.
Don’t forget to visit the Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namdaemun_Market). Great deals to be had and tons of great food vendors!
October 26th, 2007 at 8:24 am> "Mr. Kohl has made a joke, please laugh"
that actually *is* a great translation
October 26th, 2007 at 10:09 pmHi Nick,
The reporter told that you’re better than him in writing Hangul
I have some photos about that day.
(visit here, http://www.codeway.co.kr/board/bbs/tb.php/Basic_Free/45506)
Thank you for your visiting Korea and speech.
October 28th, 2007 at 4:51 pmHope we can see you soon with exciting news of CodeGear.
Like Ryu already mentioned, we korean delphi developers appreciate you so much. Though I couldn’t hear your grreat session because of the next session that I addressed, but I could know the hot response of korean developers.
It’s so sad to us to let you leave without more conversation with you, but I believe your promise that you’ll visit korea again, and we’ll be wating for your coming back with a another good news.
October 28th, 2007 at 7:59 pmHi Nick.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:08 amI’m a that reporter.
Thank you for your posting and Link.
Thank you for your visiting Korea and speech.
Hope we can see you soon with exciting news of CodeGear.
Hi Nick,
Thanks again for your sharing your weekend with pleasure.
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:02 pmI would like to quote Korean user group’s slogan on the t-shirts.
“Go Native Go Delphi” “C++ Future C++Builder"
Thank you so much for your posting and introducing my writing.
I’m a very that reporter that asked you to write a message.
I was so happy to meet you there.
Your handwriting’s wonderful and my blog audiences liked to read the story about you.
Actually you must be better than me in writing Korean.
Hope to see you again in Korea sometime. ^-^*
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November 16th, 2007 at 10:46 am