"Palli Palli"

Like any other day, I decided to go on a run after work. There is a stoplight at the end of Colony Road about 1.5 miles from home. It was beautiful outside, the sky was clear, it was warm with a nice breeze, I was relaxed and in the zone. I reached the light and it was time to turn around to head home. This is where I usually kick it up a notch but my knee had been hurting so I decided it would be better to walk. Let me just say it was a surprisingly interesting walk home. 

I was in my own world, when I hear this woman say "excuse me". Yes, I stopped,it is just the type of person I am. She looked very lost. Hardly understanding what she was asking because of her choppy English and Asian accent, I put together that she was asking me how to get to "e-mart". It was in the complete opposite direction then where she was headed. I redirected her and her daughter which just happened to be the way I was going. She continued to tell me that her and her daughter just came from Korea yesterday. To my surprise,They kept walking with me and continued talking. Feeling somewhat like a host, I felt like I needed to be polite. I found out that her daughter would be attending HRA to study English. She pointed out schools and churches to make conversation. Her daughter would be staying with a pastor of a small Korean church and the lady herself, would be returning to Korea to be with her husband and other daughter. She was determined to take me with her!

She tried to convince me that Korea would provide a home, a job, and lots of money to teach English. I jokingly asked if I would be able to learn Korean, because it seemed like a hard language. She assured me it wasn't. We laughed about it and for the next mile we shared stories about our lives. Her Daughter, Emma, told me what subjects she was looking forward to school, we talked about pets, traveling, family, friends and of course the Olympics! As you can tell, the pace of the walk became leisurely. I mentioned that Bryce was probably wondering where I was. I proceeded to share that it usually didn't take me this long. Smiling the women patted me on the back and said "Pali,Pali". What!? Apparently, it is a very common phrase in Korean which means, "Hurry Up!" It was one of those moments where you just stop and start laughing. 

I walked with them (briskly) to end of the road, pointed them to the E-mart (also known as the Korean Wal-mart, another interesting fact which I learned on this trip), bidded them farewell with a handshake, a smile,and a new phrase "Palli, Palli" . I dont know that I will ever meet these beautiful women again but I am thankful for those wonderful moments we shared on that unexpected day! I guess, you never know who God will put in your path to brighten your day! On another note, I certainly hope that they found their way HOME!