Asian on Air Program - Passion for Korea :)

Dear Diary,

I want to tell you a secret..I want to tell you about what I've felt for a long time. Please don't tell anyone, alright? Please be patient with me.

One fair day, my Tita(Aunt) told me she was planning to go to South Korea to meet a friend who's coming from the US this May 2013. She asked me if I want to come with her with the condition that I'll spend for myself. I was so excited that I said "Yes!" without any other thoughts. I am currently saving Php100 or 2714 Won a week and I don't know if it would suffice for even the airfare. (ㅠㅡㅠ) I was hoping and praying for someone who could sponsor this dream. Sounds impossible, diary, right?

Did you remember the Korean drama "Rooftop Prince" where Prince Lee Gak rode in a horse and was transported from Joseon era to 2012? You know what, I wanted to try the horse riding Gangnam Style and test if I would be transported from here to Korea! "오빤 강남스타일 강남스타일" ㅋㅋㅋ Of course it's impossible - again! (ㅠㅡㅠ)

All were impossible until KTO (KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION) and KOREAN AIR launched Asian on Air Program. Asians were thrilled. "It's our chance to go to Korea!" they said. And in my case, for real, I can't sleep for nights! Faced with the question, "What would you want to do/hear/see in Korea?" I can't think of anything because I want to try everything! I literally want to do EVERYTHING!

I promised myself to have my first airplane ride bound to South Korea. Whenever I go to far places, I ride on buses or ships, not on airplanes. I really hope the world known Korean Air can give me that first "Excellence in Flight" experience towards that Land of My Dreams.

Koreans has treasured their history. They love what they were and who they are. I want to have that same attitude too towards my country and people. To do this, I  want to visit their palaces, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghuigung while wearing their traditional dress, hanbok. How did the Koreans of long ago lived? We always study at school early civilization, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, medieval history and the list goes on and on. What was the Kingdom of Korea specifically the Joseon Dynasty like?  I want to go to Jeonju, the home of Korean tradition and feel what it feels to be like them. I heard Korea has lot of festivals! I hope I can attend even one. I don't have any idea about these celebrations but i know they are really worth watching and experiencing!How do they do that traditional wedding? How about the ceremonial tea ceremony? What are their traditional instruments? Can I hold and play even one instrument? By studying others, will I discover myself?

When I went for a vacation to a metropolitan city just this May, my aunt brought me to a Korean restaurant and convenient store. It was my first time. Asked my Tita how happy I was even when we were still riding the jeepney. And even if some of the tastes were foreign to me, I still ate all of it and enjoyed it a lot. I even took a picture of my first Korean ice cream. Sadly, here in my city, there are no Korean stores. I only buy Jjampong instant noodles. It's the only available here. It would be nice to eat real Korean foods like ddukbokkie, bulgogi, bibimbap, kimchi, jjampong, kalbi, shinsollo, hanjongshik and many more! Generally, I will eat it as long as its Korean. By eating their food, will I be inspired to cook my family's meals? Sadly, though I'm the eldest, my younger sister cooks for my whole family and I just sit and study. I'm embarrassed.

I am a Christian and I always stand in awe of the beauty of GOD's creations. Korea has wonderful tourist destinations. Diary, have you heard of Jeju Island? I want to go there! I have no words to say how beautiful Jeju Island is. It is truly a splendid and magnificent display of GOD's wondrous works! It is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Most people I know knows this place. I also want to see personally the flowers shown in Korea Tourist Organization's Miss Flower video. I thought such wonderful fields of flowers no longer exist. I was mistaken. It still lives in the land of my dream. I want to sleep on the grass fields as well. Can you imagine? You're like in the dramas!

My family and friends usually tell me that I have a unique taste of fashion. It's not my uniqueness but Koreans' creative minds that's unique. Sadly I just copied their styles. I would like to go to any street in Seoul and just observe every Korean's unique fashion If I go there will I know my own uniqueness as a person? Moreover, I would like to go to Nandaemun Market and say, "안녕하세요. 아줌마, 좀 깍아 주세요?" And, I would like to roam around busy districts of Seoul and observe.  Through their tradition, I'll know Korea's past. Through their technology, I'll discover modern Korea. Change is indeed inevitable. However, I hope they'll always preserve what they have - their beautiful culture. In the same way like them, I would like to cherish the more and most essential things in life which GOD has given me.

I have Korean friends who I knew through the internet only. One is a teacher and the other is a theologian. Both of them live in Seoul and are 10 years older than me. I also have a younger friend, DongIl, who's living in Daegu and is currently preparing for his college entrance exams. He tells me about Korea's history and people. I know Koreans are nice people not because others say so but because I feel it from them. I want to meet my Korean friends personally. I would like to ask them what Korean life is. Are they happy? Are they lonely? Or are they the same as with me having both?


I knew I wanted to go to that place because of an "invincible treasure" - a treasure cherished within one's heart. I figured out I want to go to Korea to know myself through them. I figured out Korea is a friend, a teacher, a mirror. They reflect how beautiful life is. Diary, you'll never understand but now, I certainly do.

I hope I can tell KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION and KOREAN AIR about what and how I feel. Thank you for listening! GOD bless us!

Your dearest friend,

Alyna Ruth Reyna

P.S. Some of the pictures I showed you are not mine. No copyright infringement intended. Good night my friend. I'll sleep now. It's 1:00 AM already.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!