Reisherinneringen uit Korea en China
De Aarde en haar Volken, 1904
"Reisherinneringen uit Korea en China" by A. von Schmidt auf Altenstadt is a travel memoir written in the early 20th century. The book recounts the author's journey through Korea and China, focusing on the experiences of a small group of travelers on the Genkai-Maru steamboat as they navigate tumultuous seas and starkly contrasting cultures. It offers insights into the sights and society of both countries as seen through the eyes of a European explorer. The opening of the memoir sets the scene aboard the Genkai-Maru as it departs from Nagasaki towards Fusan, Korea. Within the confined space of the ship, various characters, including a young German couple and Dutch travelers, endure a rough voyage that turns perilous due to a storm. The passengers engage in worried conversations as the ship battles against the elements, and the author reflects on the nature of fate and the overwhelming beauty and power of the ocean. This initial chapter not only establishes the immediate danger but also hints at the deeper explorations of culture, tradition, and the contrasting realities of life in Korea and China that will unfold throughout the memoir.