In case you are wondering 119 is not an address. It is the number that one dials in case of an emergency, ya know like 911 only- backwards or is it America that dials it backwards? I have been in Korea long enough now that these distinctions are starting to blur. Where am I in this photo?? Well, it is the cutest, smartest thing in Suncheon . . . Kiddie Traffic Fun Park!! Did you ever think those words would go together? Much to my surprise, it was all that it boasted and perhaps more. This miniature traffic themed romping ground brilliantly masqueraded life saving traffic safety for FUN! As we meandered through colorful and slightly informative dioramas and miniature working traffic lights, the traffic park seemed to me to be an essential part of a young Korean's life. It reminded me how I was taught about traffic safety when I was a kid so long ago . . . "Cross at the crosswalk, wait for the light, look both ways before you cross the street" . . . (can't you just hear your Mother's voice in your head) There is however a slightly different way to be safe when crossing the street in Korea- which I learned at Traffic Fun Park. You, of course, wait for the light. Once the light turns green you walk quickly and carefully across the street, but while crossing you must put your arm opposing to the flow of traffic straight in the air. Which means you must switch arms as you pass any median, which means if you are carrying anything you must switch hands with which you are carrying things and all the while keeping you eye out rogue drivers blowing through stop lights which happens frequently. This is a lot of work for a little kid trying to get to school on time! Shoot, I've been here for almost a year now and I still wait for a Korean to walk with across the street with me. It is that scary. YES it is. Korean drive like CRAZY people! It's a faster and me first driving mentality and people get hit and hurt and killed all the time by anxious, hurried drivers. Our tour through traffic land included a slightly disturbing cartoon on how to avoid being 'run over by speeding trucks ignoring red lights.' There was also the 'don't stick your hands out the window of the bus' warning because they will get chopped off by a narrowing neighboring buses or trucks. Oh, and the 'look both ways before you get off the bus' warning as to not be pummeled by a motorcycle using the curb as his driving lane. All in all, I think I left traffic school learning as much as the children did. Now if I can just teach my dog how to cross the street with the right paw in the air . . .
