I would say one of my favorite parts of the tour was the people that I got to be with on it. I think it’s good to have people who have had some of the same experiences and thoughts that you have had because they might be asking some of the same questions that you may not have had the idea to ask. Being with people like yourself makes you more comfortable and more likely to come out of your shell and talk to the others. I also think that going by yourself can open up different opportunities that may not have been open if you went with your parents. But having your parents there can be helpful because they can offer comfort or a different perspective on the adoption process.
Another one of my favorite parts of the tour is the different activities that they had planned for us. They always had a fun activity planned and kept us moving and seeing different sights. They are well thought out and they are engaging so that the adoptees can have fun but also learn about their birthplace. I think one of my favorite activities that we did was the baseball game. The crowd vibe is so much different than any event in the States because there is a really positive mood in the air and everybody is chanting and having a good time. Everybody there already knew all of the chants and dances and it made for a really good feeling of teamwork. It was really fun trying to learn all of the different chants and dance moves. Another favorite memory was playing sand volleyball on the beach of Busan. Half the experience was finding a ball that we could play with. The second half of the experience was the locals who joined in to play with us. Especially the super tan guy wearing a speedo. Those are definitely memories that I won’t forget.
Lastly is the food. I don’t think I’ve ever ate as much good food as I did there. It was also probably the most adventurous that I’ve been with food before. I think I tried 5 new foods that I once would have said that I would never have ever eaten in my life. They always had good, traditional food arrangements but also free nights where you could go out and get some American food if you were missing home or were feeling daring and wanted to try some of the street food. I strongly recommend trying street food because it can be where you find some of the most delicious food. They have certain foods that you wouldn’t have thought of cooking in that way and they are fairly cheap.
All in all, if you are still on the fence about going on the tour, I say go for it. It’s an opportunity that you won’t get many times in your life and you can make memories that last a lifetime. You can meet some really cool people and make lifelong friendships. You get to experience things that you don’t get the chance to in the States and see things that are unique to Korea. It’s a really fun trip and you also get to spend it with one of the most amazing tour guides, Mr. Kim. If you want to know why he is the world’s best tour guide you’ll just have to go on the trip yourself to find out.
