Outside the Gate

For the last several months, the ladies in our squadron have been working on a comprehensive travel and shopping guide book for spouses at Osan. We realized that those in the fighter squadrons benefit from the experience and knowledge passed down from friends about what shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions to visit and which should be avoided. It makes it very easy for us to get outside and enjoy what Korea has to offer. But many people here do not have that kind of support network and are intimidated by the foreign world outside the gate. It was our hope that this guidebook would provide the inspiration and confidence they needed to go out and explore.

Originally, the idea was the sell the book as a fundraiser. Thanks to sequestration, the annual air show has been cancelled. Our spouse club used to rely on selling baked goods and pilot souvenirs at the air show to raise money for our big activities, etc. We figured this might be a good replacement. However, when we talked to the publishing company and realized how many books we would need to sell in order to make any kind of profit, it seemed like a lost cause. Thankfully, the publishers saw the value in our idea and said they would help us finance the whole thing through advertising. Then we could distribute the first edition for free to anyone who is interested. Once we raise awareness and create a demand for our product, we can sell more ad space, update it and publish a second edition that we can sell for a profit.

The Fiendettes spent many hours pounding the pavement, making phone calls, collecting information, writing entries and editing our content before sending the final draft to the publishers. I was a part of a small team in charge of the artwork. We poured over thousands of photos and selected the best ones for the cover, and for dividers between sections. We figured many people are visual learners and will be more likely to try something new if they see a picture, versus just reading a description. The collage to the right here is for our restaurant section. As you can see, we have a large variety of delicious, international cuisine available outside the gate. We tried to tickle your tastebuds with beautiful pictures of Korean dishes like pumpkin duck and bibimbap, to Brazillian BBQ, Pad Thai, Greek kebabs, Italian pizzas and fabulous brunch and dessert restaurants in Seoul. Doesn't this make you want to go out to eat? I sure hope so. I'm hungry just thinking about it... ;^)

Our table of contents includes chapters on local directions and common landmarks. (If you ask how to get to the market and someone tells you to turn left at the "triangle of death", what does that mean, exactly?) We've also got a GPS Coordinates guide, and our camping spots, cultural attractions, custom goods vendors, festivals, hotels, kids' play places, markets, movie theaters, museums, outdoor adventure spots, salons and spas, restaurants, shops, ski resorts, as well as some helpful information for those interested in traveling abroad while stationed in Asia. (A large portion of that section was penned by yours-truly. ;^)

We had a big release party for the book last Wednesday and invited the publishers and the heads of many squadrons on base. It was gratifying knowing that people are excited about and thankful for our book and want to give several copies to their friends and co-workers. I took a whole box to the chapel so we can hand them out as welcome gifts to new ladies in PWOC. It seemed like a logical thing to echo our desire that they don't just survive their tour in Korea, but thrive where they're planted!

My friend Sarah Markowski is a wonderful writer and served as our primary editor and spear headed the project from the beginning. She wrote a wonderful introduction that captures our vision for the project. I'll post it below. :)

Hello, world travelers and adventure seekers!

I am pleased to meet you here, where so many voices rise in a chorus of experience, and you are just at the beginning of your journey. There are so many tastes to be tasted, sights to be seen, places to visit - all of which will forever change you in ways you cannot even begin to imagine, if you are willing to be brave!

This book is a labor of love from a community excited about the people and culture around us at Osan Air Base; a people and culture so different from ours in many ways, but also kind and generous which is comforting when far from family, friends and home.

Our hope is that you will use this book as a guide. A stepping-stone. A spring-board. The suggestions you'll find between the covers of this book are some favorites of ours that have been tried, tested, and found to be fabulous. However, this guide is by no means comprehensive, and we encourage you to pave new paths, try new things, and pass on your advice to someone else! The best resource we have is each other.

When you discover a gem that is not already in the book, please share the information with us! Email any suggestions, submissions, or corrections to: osanoutsidethegate@gmail.com. Your contribution will help this resource continue to grow, improve, and serve this unique community.

Welcome to Korea! Whether this is your first time overseas, or your third tour on the peninsula, I hope this book helps you discover some of the many adventures that are outside the gate!

May the road rise to meet you wherever you go,
Sarah E. Markowski
Outside the Gate Editor
36 FS Fiendette 2012-2014

Doesn't that make you want to come visit! ;^) We've got about 9 months left and a great guest room. Just sayin'.