Park Jae-seok, the New York branch manager of the Korea Tourism Organization (second from left), presents a trip to Korea to Alexander Campana, an American couple (third from left, fourth from left) who helped nine Korean tourists trapped in heavy snow in December last year. Provided by Korea Tourism Organization
An American couple who gave a ‘Christmas miracle’ to a Korean tourist who was caught in heavy snow during their trip to the United States received a ‘Korean spring trip’ in return. The New York branch of the Korea Tourism Organization said on the 6th (local time) that American Alexander Campana and his wife, who had done good deeds for nine Korean tourists who were trapped in heavy snow near Buffalo, New York in December last year, to stay at their house for three days and two nights, returned to Korea. He said he was invited. Known as Korean food lovers, they will travel to major tourist destinations in Korea for a week starting May 14, and will also experience various Korean cultures, including Korean cooking classes. In addition, the Korea Tourism Organization explained that they will meet again with nine Korean tourists who helped during the last heavy snowfall and continue a special relationship. Previously, the good deeds of Mr. and Mrs. Campana were known through Christmas of last year, December 25th. According to the newspaper, at the time, New York was hit with a cold wave and a snowstorm for the first time in decades. Snow was also piled up near Mr. Campana’s house. On the afternoon of the 23rd, when I was about to spend a quiet holiday, someone knocked on the front door, and there were two Korean tourists standing outside the door. Outside, there was already more than 1m of snow in various places. They asked if they could borrow a shovel, saying that nine Koreans were on a trip to the United States and the vehicle fell into a nearby drainage ditch. Mr. Campana opened the front door to the couple instead of lending them a shovel. They generously provided three rooms and sofas for three days to a total of ten people, including a driver and a group of nine tourists, including a newlywed Korean couple. In addition, Mr. Campana readily opened the refrigerator, which was filled with food, to serve food in preparation for the holidays and heavy snow. Even the house of Mr. Campana, who usually enjoyed Korean food, was stocked with soy sauce, red pepper paste, and sesame oil. reported that Mr. Campana said, “I wanted to travel to Korea after receiving unexpected guests.” This kind of story became widely known in Korea at the time through the foreign press, and this time, the New York branch of the Korea Tourism Organization is known to have proposed a trip to Korea in the sense of ‘repaying the consideration of Koreans without forgetting it’. Park Jae-seok, head of the New York branch of the Korea Tourism Organization, explained, “We invited them as a token of appreciation for an American couple who saved Korean tourists in danger from heavy snowfall.” An official from the Korea Tourism Organization said, “The Campana couple, who are visiting in May, like Korean food, so we are planning a tour to experience Korean culture, such as a schedule where we can eat and experience Korean food.” Reporter Heo Yoon-hee and Hong Seok-jae forchis@hani.co.kr
