Jaaroverzicht
In August, heavy bombs explode at the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. More than 300 people are killed.
In Indonesia, a massive demonstration against President Suharto leads to a bloody confrontation in which six demonstrators are shot dead by police. In India, the country will conduct nuclear tests on May 11 and 13.
The first Kok cabinet is coming to an end. On August 3, the second purple cabinet will be installed, consisting of PvdA, VVD and D66, again led by Wim Kok.
There is a large influx of asylum seekers to the Netherlands, which leads to social discussions. The law on partner registration (de facto cohabitation systems) will also be introduced, which is an important step in the recognition of non-marital partners.
The Netherlands has had an exceptionally wet year. Heavy rainfall causes flooding, for example in the Noordoostpolder.
In addition to the World Cup in France, the Dutch national team is also internationally successful in other sports, but the World Cup remains the sporting highlight for the country.
1998 was a pivotal year for the rise of the Internet and consumer technology. The Internet search engine company Google is founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. This marks the beginning of a new era in information processing.
The Furby is launched and is seen as one of the first successful “home robots” that become extremely popular as a Christmas gift.
The year is characterized by the emergence of new markets and the rapid growth of the “new economy”, with a lot of attention for technological breakthroughs in the IT sector. Although not directly mentioned in the snippets, this is also the year when the first version of the Mozilla browser (in response to Internet Explorer) goes into development, and Windows 98 is launched.
Celine Dion wins worldwide attention with “My Heart Will Go On” from the film Titanic, which becomes the number 1 hit of the year. In the Netherlands, “Niet Of Nooit Geweest” by Acda and De Munnik was a big hit.
Dagboekfragmenten
"Saturday, April 25, 1998. About a lot of hours later and a lot of sojus later (3:00 without lenses). The writing won't go so well anymore, but I have to tell you something about this day. I drank a lot of sojus, but hopefully I'll still be able to write something, even if it doesn't look like that. We are sitting in a yogwan (요그완), as it must have looked at one time. Lots of soju and everything of which I think it's somewhat Korean. Congratulations on my 25th anniversary. I drank too much, but it was certainly an evening to remember.
26-4-1998 “Nice day, a lot happened, saw a lot and experienced a lot.
Woke up early this morning with a terrible sticky mouth, but luckily I was able to sleep for a few more hours (eventually I didn't wake up until about 12 o'clock). Had coffee and ate a rice roll somewhere along the way. It turned out that in the neighborhood where we are located, a parade will be held to celebrate Buddha's verka birthday.
We were on our way to a market, but this was a lot of fun. Went to the Tourist Office on the way and asked about Korea Social Service (KSS) and the lady (with a garlic smell) was kind enough to immediately pick up the phone and find out everything. So tomorrow I'm going to KSS and I'm quite curious. When we finally left there, we decided not to go to the market anymore, but just stay in the area for the parade.”
[photo Tapkol Park]
26-4-1998 “Eventually I went to Tapkolpark (탑골공원) and that was an experience. Men (elderly) who indeed wanted to chat. They understood adoption, but they certainly thought I should marry a Korean. Breeding is important.”
26-4-1998 "Then the parade and it was a parade, incredibly long, all in honor of Buddha and incredibly friendly. My traveling companions were regarded as the others, they were given balloons and bows in general. And at first that was strange, because I still feel like an outsider, but I suddenly turn out to be one of them. Even though it is clear that it is not the case because of the language. That is very clear and sometimes also very annoying when I have to do it again say: I don't understand you, you speak English? It remains a mixture.
Then we ended up in a restaurant where we ate Bulgogi (불고기) to the great pleasure of those present. An evening that will not be forgotten. Partly because I was actually considered one of them.”
27-4-1998 "I was drinking a soju tonight and I know that I have to write down much or perhaps even more of what I have said here. That everything feels very strange or rather that I constantly try to stand outside of it, because I am afraid that I would feel all kinds of things if I were in the middle of it. Very occasionally that feeling comes out for a moment and it actually scares me, because it is pure anger, angry at the Koreans that they have done this to me, that I have been thrown away. Everything Everyone and everything seems to be going so well. All generations seem to be having a good time. And I have a lot of impressions that I don't know what to do with. A large part of it has to do with me personally and a large part of it purely as a tourist.
…Tomorrow at 10 a.m. an appointment in Inchon with that cranky nun. Curious what will come of that.
“Go try to sleep and maybe I'll dream something tonight.”
28-4-1998 “Somewhere between Seoul and Taebaek on the train.
Today is a very long day. Got up at 7.15 this morning to get to Inchon (인천). After a ride on the metro and bus we finally arrived at the Sea of the Stars. Mr Chang showed us everything starting from the baby room. Finally a sister took over the children's show. There were a lot of people, mainly children between the ages of 2 and 5, and it almost looked like a sale. It didn't feel good to see those children.
April 28, 1998 "Even though it was well cared for and maintained in comparison to KSS. Many women were concerned with the children. The sister also said that they were trying to place the children with Korean families, but that children are certainly still being adopted. When we finally wanted to leave, another sister, who by the way shouted that I looked so happy, made a run and came back with a fan. Then the accompanying sister came up with the idea of taking us away in the home's car.
It turns out I was found in now called Liberty park, so I wanted to take a look there. Ultimately we were taken to MC Arthur's memoriam of the American landings in '52 during the Korean War. Then we went to the park which was of course also a kind of memorial and surrounded by little children in yellow. I tried to ignore the memorials (built in '82) and get an idea of what it would have been like 25 years ago, but with the other sisters' leadership I didn't have time. Of course we also had to eat, which we had declined many times. Finally, near the crossing to an island (which was besieged by the Americans), we ended up in a kind of Mac) but without the efficiency. Finally she dropped us off under a watchful eye (we got the tickets etc.) and waved us goodbye. All this reminded me of the stories of others who had found their parents and ended up in a similar situation, being dragged from here to here without being asked if you wanted this. On the other hand, in some situations it is to be taken to the destination under the helpful and decisive leadership of the Koreans. Another hour and then we arrive in Taebaek (태백시). Hopefully we will find a yokwan soon and we can sleep, because all in all this was a tough day.”
30-4-1998 Finding a yogwan was not that easy, but as soon as we got out we were immediately introduced to Park Gab Sun and her son. While chatting with a minimum number of English words, she eventually took us to a yogwan (in our opinion very pricey, but also luxurious). She literally pulled us through the city because the first few yogwans were full. Finally the next day picked us up at 10am and we went to a traditional Korean house. When we got there, two people appeared and entered as if they were acquaintances, which later turned out not to be the case. She then paid for our food (an extended preparation time) and mr. Kim would take us to another yogwan and a cave tour. We were busy all day, because before that happened we also had to go to Park Gab Sun's house and then go to the yogwan to pick up our things. After Mr. Kim's tour through the caves, he invited us for a dinner, Korean style, in a small house on stilts with tinted glasses, which you can open in the summer and with an ondol system. The boiled chicken was a wonderfully tasty dish. During dinner we of course talked about everything. He said, among other things, that he once saw a call that made him cry. He has plans to come to the Netherlands in September/October and we have invited him to call us.
May 1, left for Ullungdo (울릉도 island along the east coast) via Tonghae (통해). When we got there we were too late for the ferry. Grabbed a hotel just outside Tonghae (Mok'o 목오}.
“Sunday, May 3, Buddha's birthday was celebrated in the Pulguksa temple (불국사) and that was special. 1000s of lanterns were lit. The entire complex was illuminated and people walked in two circles around some pillars and eventually out of the complex.”
There we took the train to Kunyo (경주). A city with authentic buildings, etc., etc. The buildings were hard to find, but the area was indeed full of sights. Stayed for 3 days.”
May 4 by bus to Pusan (부산) -> Kwanju (관준) -> Mokpo (목포) to sleep there for 1 night and May 5 by ferry to Hongdo (홍도) in a nature park.”
Small island, not really beautiful, little to do except walk from one small village to another over the Ehuvelruggn. Special view partly due to the fog that had been hanging there all day.
Diving fisherwomen”
The last days in Taejon (대전) we stayed in a (dark) Yogwan, which was cleaned daily. Once we got there, we first sat outside at a supermarket (with reasonably English-speaking salespeople) and then looked for an opportunity where we could have kalbi, which was delicious. The next day I got up early to take the bus to Taedusan park (대둔산도립공원) at 10.35 and that was special. First with an elevator up and then a spectacular walk to the top with a very steep staircase, some footbridges, etc. When we got to the top, there were already a lot of Koreans screaming and eating noisily. The descent was beautiful with several plateaus where you had a great view, unfortunately we ended up on the other side of the park, which took us about 2 hours to travel by bus and also ended up at the wrong bus station, which meant we ultimately didn't get back until late. Ate something in some snack bar-like place that was not really worth mentioning and then took a bath.”
The next day we would go to Sognison nat. Park (속리산국립공원) somewhat with the intention of taking it easy because everyone felt something. Fortunately, there was a temple with a 50 meter high Buddha. The complex was beautiful, spacious and some parts were still truly authentic.
Then we would go half a km where the decision would be made as to who did what where and how far. That decision was never agreed upon and we just kept going. Not quite the highest peak (but just 25 at the bottom). Was a tough climb with only stairs. Right now I shouldn't be thinking about it because I think I might die. But there is always the reward of the view. Not a single day has been really clear and neither has the view. Blue with haze, a watercolor of blue mountains. Grandiose. We returned somewhat late and exhausted. Had something to eat at some kind of Mac, another game of Mad and then went to sleep.”
The last few days in Korea were mainly spent shopping, visiting almost all the markets (a bit exaggerated) and visiting all kinds of department stores and shopping areas. The choice was large and difficult, especially considering the quantity (size and weight) available.
Nel was not really happy that morning and Mar was not really feeling great and we spent that afternoon in a lazy and very quiet way.
The next day we visited all the markets and the next day I quickly went to buy some gochujang and a large bag with Mar.”