"Korea Dreambus" Pilgrimage and Documentary Film

Incredible though it seems, it's been a month and a half since I returned from Korea. Until now, I've actively avoided writing on this blog or engaging in a serious perusal of the media I captured on the pilgrimage for three reasons:   1. I had quite a sit-rep presented to me when I got home, requiring me to sort out my housing in a hurry. It has all been settled now; I am getting a new housemate as of Jan. 1st. God be praised! 2. The backlog of catch up work and future planning for my teaching job was staring me down, and since this is the first time I've taught these three theology classes, there is heavy prep that requires intense intellectual focus and time. I also had to get my head back in the game for my writing job, which felt easier and more natural since I've been doing that job for over a year.  3. I just wasn't ready.  Let me unpack that third statement a bit. Lotte Department Store, Ulsan, S. Korea When I first got back, the jet lag was more than just a...

This is an excellent question!  The title is a holdover from the earlier plan to make a film about EFL teachers in Korea, and I've decided to keep the title for a few reasons: It's catchy and curious from  https://www.theseoulguide.com/seoul-bus/ When I go to Korea (especially that first year), I ride the bus everywhere. The public transpo is extremely reliable there. The bus as metaphor for my life: stops along the way, people getting on and off the bus, the destination and the ride are both important, and I am not in the driver's seat! Physical perspective riding a bus: raised above things around me, outside flashing by quickly Being outside the culture and dominant language can often feel like being in a dream, where you don't really know exactly what's going on and sometimes culture shock experiences seem surreal After I returned home from that first year in Korea, I often did dream about being there, only the dreams were confused and hazy. This created the effe...