By Kim Ja-young
I haven't been to New York City, so I might not understand exactly why people are so crazy about it.
Some even say when you leave New York you have to say a proper goodbye. My neighborhood is a kind of New York. I am leaving soon, so I want to say goodbye to it, and my neighbors, who help me to start a new day every day.
I wake up at 6:15 a.m. every morning to go jogging. Going outside into the dark, I walk through the narrow and curved allies of Gye-dong, in Jongno-gu. When I arrive at Gahoe-dong Street, I accelerate my pitch until I pass the Board of Audits and Inspection, where I start running. Passing Samcheong-dong cafes, galleries and shops, I finally reach Cheong Wa Dae Street, where the president lives.
This street also forms a part of the wall surrounding Gyeongbok Palace. Every morning, I run past it twice and meet my neighbors, including Cheong Wa Dae security, traffic police and other early morning exercise enthusiasts.
But when the nation was in the midst of ``candlelit vigils" protesting the importation of beef from the United States, I didn't dare run there as I thought it was prohibited. The riot police and security guards also scared me, so I used to run the opposite way when returning home.
One day, however, an adventurous spirit and the beauty and calmness of the area made me want to run there. When I asked a police officer if I could, he answered with a simple ``Yes." Since then, I've run along my usual path and the season has changed from a brilliant green summer to a colorful autumn and the current white winter.
This year was dark and lonely for me. I wanted to appear strong and independent, but I couldn't easily talk about work issues or personal relationships, which is why I did nothing but run early in the morning. Only then could I forget my problems and enjoy the streets and cool breeze. When I felt extremely lonely and times were tough, the people who made me smile and encouraged me were those I met at dawn.
The security officers and traffic police lining the way along Cheong Wa Dae turned out to be lovely people. At first, I couldn't say hello to them because I was so shy, but they spoke to me first, saying ``Good morning" or ``Fighting!" Sometimes they saluted me.
Imagine receiving a salute from tall and well-built military policemen wearing uniforms. It's romantic! In the early morning, they are my guards, not the president's people. Thank you for guarding me against the dark morning and helping me start another gorgeous day.
Then there's the peaceful old man who takes a walk around Cheong Wa Dae with his puppy, ``Yeppie," which means ``cutey" in English. He's taken walks around here for years. In the early morning, he shows up with a bright smile and waves to all the Cheong Wa Dae security people, policemen and street cleaners alike. Sometimes, when I want to sleep in, I think of this old man and his puppy and get up and go. His greeting is warm, like a grandfather's. From far off, he recognizes me and waves his hand and when I get closer he says, ``Annyeong" (hello), as if I were his granddaughter. He often tells me to bundle up, more for fear of getting a cold and to be careful not to slip. I hereby thank him for his concern and smile and for the strength to start a new day.
Meeting ``Haroo," a big black dog, is also a pleasure for me. He's as high as my waist and recognizes me sooner than his master, running over and putting his big paws on my shoulders and waist. Then, there's the middle-aged man who transports rice bags by tractor every morning. He always warmly waves to me and wishes me a good morning.
Meeting such characters and watching the sunrise near Gyeongbok Palace, surrounded by four mountains, is an amazing experience. When I'm really fortunate, I can watch the sunrise and moonset at the same time. It is a scene beyond description. Just looking at Cheong Wa Dae, embraced by Mt. Bugak, comforts me.
But now, because of my work, I'll soon be leaving this place.
I might cry on moving day because I'll miss my neighbors who've given me so much strength this year. Perhaps I'll weep because of the loss of every corner and narrow, curving alley of Bukchon that I love, just as I'll miss Gyeongbok Palace and Cheong Wa Dae, two of the most beautiful places in Seoul.
I'll shed tears mainly because I had a fabulous life in this small village. Goodbye, my neighborhood
The writer is a radiation oncology resident of Pundang Cha Hospital. She can be reached at hontas0809@hotmail.com