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11/12/2017 Musings

We Can and Must Find Something in Common

On a recent flight from Incheon to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as I made my way to queue for immigration processing, I noticed there were two Korean guys behind me. Their curiosity probably got the better of them, as they were wondering why a Filipino looking guy would queue on an immigration line for foreign nationals. So they asked me, “where are you from?” “Just outside of Chicago,” as most people will not know DuPage county nor my small town of 4,000 people. “Oh, we’re from Chicago as well.” If I remember correctly, one guy was from Lincolnshire and the other guy from Vernon Hills – I do remember both were from the northside burbs. One guy was on the same O’Hare to Incheon flight I was on, the other guy met with his friend to catch the flight to Manila. Koreans are big golfers but I would think the rainy season isn’t the best time to golf in the Philippines.

Before we could converse more to tell them more about my trip, it was my turn to walk up for immigration processing and I had to say goodbye. As I walked away, what were the odds of finding fellow Korean immigrant Chicagoans landing in NAIA? In a shrinking world made possible by cheaper air travel and connectedness of the web, I guess way much higher.

What made me post this experience is this, as we find commonalities among seemingly different backgrounds, we can build from those commonalities to build friendships and understanding. I pray this will pervade as APEC closes and the Asean Summit starts in Manila this week, amidst the threat of thermo nuclear war with NoKor.

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