Questions to consider:
The person I have chosen to go through is John from Johannesburg in South Africa. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. It is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, which tells that the city is in advanced state than other African cities. However, according to what he had said in one of his three videos, Johannesburg is an unstable city. There are many ‘hijacked buildings,’ the buildings which are occupied by violent robbers. These hijackers kill the real owner of the building and steal the ownership from him. Then, they collect money from residents. Hijackers often refuse to pay basic fees to government to receive water or electrical service, which leads service to stop. However, residents cannot move out or refuse to pay the rent because it they do so, hijackers will shot them one night (they don’t hesitate).
Also, people in Johannesburg have a bad habit. That is, throwing their old furniture and garbage out of their window. This is becoming a serious problem because this not only makes the street dirty and unorganized, but also treats people who are walking by.
What do I see when I look out my window?
Right out at my window, I see many buildings full of institutions. Almost in every city of Korea, one can notice this scene. However, there is one special scene out in my window. Near my apartment area, there is so to speak ‘nightlife district.’ What do I mean by this? I mean there are literally hundreds of karaoke, bars, and nightclubs. Although this cannot be called ‘the only place’ in Korea, this sure is very unique scene, to see more than 300 karaoke concentrated in a city. Furthermore, because some of institutions are placed near this area and I had attended one of those institutions, the scene is very familiar to me now. The time I felt that I am more used to these than other students was when I stayed in Seoul last winter. The apartment I stayed with my friends was placed in the middle of this ‘nightlife district.’ So there were millions of little advertisement about clubs, bars, and even prostitution. Other students freaked out while I was just a little amazed to find out how many people works in such industry.
Moreover, the food alley is also in this area. One can find every kind of food they want to eat: sushi, steaks, Han Jeong Sik- a full course Korean meal-, tunas, raw fish, ramen, Vietnamese restaurant, Chinese restaurant, curry house, all the kinds of roast meats and of course Baskin Robbins! Unlike Seoul, one can eat delicious foods in much cheaper price because the rent is cheaper. Especially if the cuisine is related to sea food, the quality is much higher (because the sea less than an hour away).
In one sentence, what I see out my window are educational and entertaining venues. However, Changwon’s street is much safer than that of Johannesburg because there is no violence involving serious danger (death) because gun is not allowed in Korea.
One more interesting thing, there is a Southern type of dolmen in the middle of our city. It’s quite cool.
How does that compare to the view out my chosen participant's window?
Changwon is much safer because there’s no one who will shoot other. One can safely wonder around the city even in the midnight.
What are the items/features of my home that define culture, family, and well being?
How do Korea's economy, politics, and cultural issues compare to that of (other country)?
What are your impressions after experiencing HIGHRISE?
The world is full of diverse civilizations and cultures. Even in one country, there are hundreds of distinct cultures that mingles together.
Everybody has a "here and now," resulting from seemingly insignificant life choices and conditions. What are mine? Have I thought much about them?
Moving into Changwon from Masan. (although Masan became a part of Changwon now.)
Can a mouse click change history?
