Having survived Halla Mountain on Jeju Island, my technical high school trip moved on to the beach. As we made our way through the sand, my co-teacher warned me that the students may attempt to toss me into the salty water. At the time it didn’t sound like a good idea.

But as the students began to throw each other in and play around in the water, I had a change of heart. I figured that they would enjoy getting a little revenge on me for subjecting them to all those hours of incomprehensible English lessons. And so I removed my shoes and socks and mosied around near the water. I was a sitting duck.

It didn’t take too long for a few students to take advantage of my vulnerability. Okay that sounded bad. Anyways, 6 of them grabbed me, picked me up, and herded me into the sea. I tried to act really, really mad. When I was back on dry land, a student accidentally kicked mud into my eye. As I wandered half-blind back to the water to wash it out, I was ambushed by 6 different students and received a second dunking. I didn’t have to try as hard this time to act mad … And I was a bit relieved when the students’ attention moved to a particularly dainty female teacher. She was the next to go.

Before we left, I gazed out at the swirling waters, and imagined what Arirang television’s On the Road would have to say:

The salty turquoise waters seemed to wave goodbye to me as they lapped up against the parched, rocky beach. I knew that they would miss me – but in my heart of hearts I also realized that they would always have a friend to whisper to: God. The majesty of the scene brought 4 tears to my eye, and I swallowed each of them in succession to regain my strength. I couldn’t help but remember once again that the sea I wistfully gazed upon was mostly composed of God’s tears.

Man staring at water: As deep … as the understanding … of Buddha.