Not at all. Thank you.
Yeh, I know. I am really sick to death of religious people who insist on forcing their beliefs on others. I don't have any issue with religion but as long as you keep that in the private sphere. It's when one guy insists his illusions have to be foisted on others.
I have always had a soft spot for Paris, France. There is a story to this that I will reveal to you. When I was 17 at sixth form [British schools have sixth forms for 16-19 year olds to do their pre-university exams we call A-levels] I got a weekend job with a import/export company.
I was saving money to buy a car as I had just passed the driving test. Well the owner of the company was very wealthy and he gave me a loan to buy a car. I could not believe how nice he was. There was just four of us who worked in the office. I often went with him driving his fancy Mercedez to meetings and then to top end restaurents. It was a crazy life. During the week a immature young kid at high school and on the weekends with these high powered guys doing million pound deals.
Then one day soon after my 18th birthday in 1981 he closes the office door and wants to talk with me about something really important. He begins by saying that if I say "no" he won't mind but he would really, realy appreciate if I could do him a favour.
Well what was the favour? He wanted me to get married to this girl from, Seoul in Korea. I was like aghast. What the hell? He then explains that he needs to bring this girl over to UK but he can't because his wife won't divorce him and I would get money plus a holiday in Paris. He then says do I intend to get married in the next few years. I said no because I intended to go to university and then find a career etc.
Long story short. I agreed. I would get a card and all expenses would be paid for and I could spend freely. The idea was I would go to Paris then go pick Kim, that was her name from Charles De Gaule Airport and then spend a week in the city as tw lovers. Take pictures and go on the town. Then come back to UK with Kim as my spouse.
I had three days to get to know all the details about her and the backstory that would be sufficient to convince the immigration officer at Heathrow to let her in. I then went on a spending spree and bought suits, shoes etc I also was placed as a executive in the company with large salary, business card etc.
I had to miss school that week and was taken by limo to the airport and next thing landed in Paris. From there I was taken to Hotel Saxe Redience on the Champs Elysee. My room actually had view of the Eiffel Tower. The next I got the contract limo to Charles De Gaulle Airport to pick Kim Hyun Kwang.
This was June 1981. It was really warm day in Paris. As the KAL passengers walked through the gate I had a sign in my hand. Next thing I saw the most glorious looking young lady wearing this fabulous pastel dress with a soft hat on her head. Honestly she was stunning. My legs went wobbly on seeing her. She was only year older than me at 19.
I straight away knew this was gonna be tough 7 days as my throat dried up, face went red hot and I was lost for words. You got to understand I had led a very sheltered life of school and 3 hours of hard study every day. My dad was a barrister and very demanding. He expected top grades and had grown up in enviroment of rigourous discipline.
I won't lie to you but I was in love or what I thought was love. Actually I suspect it was lust and all the surroundings had just elevated the whole thing to a emotional mix I had never experianced. To make things difficult she came running and wrapped around me kissing away. It was a sureal experiance. I found out what is meaning of "wet dreams".
For the next week we dined, shopped, walked around in Paris enjoying every minute. It literally was two lovers and she played her role as well sans sex although we slept in the same hotel bedroom.
Finally we came back to UK and at Heathrow we were questioned by the immigration officer who let us both through. We had been interviewed seprately and then came around to bid us both well and a happy life. That is how well it had worked.
Week later I saw her again in London to attend the marriage register office. Of course she was with my boss and he was waiting outside. About six months later his wife found out and I was sacked. Apparently he had moved her to a town next to where he lived as a mistress. My understanding was she went back to South Korea after that.
So yeh that left enormous impression on me. I still nurse that summer in a fond way and Paris will always be special. Last time I was in Paris I traced the hotel down but the name has changed but it was still there.
So yes, I was abused as a young man by being peddled as a male order bride !
