American Doctor Couple Providing Food and Lodging to Korean Tourists Trapped by Heavy Snowfall

NYT "Spent 3 Days and 2 Nights in a 3-Room House Enjoying Korean Food"
Homeowner "It Was Very Enjoyable and a Blessing... Will Visit Korea"

Mr. and Mrs. Campagna (left), who invited Korean tourists trapped by the snow to their home, are toasting with their guests. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Ten Koreans trapped in the snow in New York State, unable to move, spent an unforgettable and special Christmas thanks to a kind American couple, turning a misfortune into a blessing.

The New York Times (NYT) reported in detail on the 25th (local time) about their amazing story. The protagonists, dentist Alexander Campagna (40) and his wife Andrea, a nurse, had lived their entire lives in Buffalo, New York, and were accustomed to the snowstorms there. They had stocked food in their refrigerator and planned to spend a quiet Christmas holiday at home while waiting for the snowstorm to pass.

However, at 2 p.m. on the 23rd, their plans completely changed with a knock on the door. Two Korean tourists traveling from Washington DC to Niagara Falls asked to borrow a shovel to clear the snow around a van stuck in a ditch. Knowing well the dangers of the winter storm, Campagna invited the travelers into his home immediately instead of just lending the shovel. The Korean group consisted of ten people in total, including one driver and nine tourists.

Campagna joked, "I accidentally became an innkeeper." The Koreans, seven women and three men, filled his three-bedroom house not only with guest bedrooms but also with sofas, sleeping bags, and air mattresses. They had gathered through a Korean travel agency tour and included a newlywed couple, a daughter attending college in Indiana with her parents, and two university student friends, three of whom spoke English fluently.

It turned out the homeowner couple were fans of Korean cuisine. They had prepared all the seasonings needed for Korean cooking, including soy sauce, gochujang, sesame oil, red pepper powder, and even cooking wine, which surprised and delighted their Korean guests. The house even had kimchi and a rice cooker.

On Christmas Eve, Campagna and his wife watched the American professional football team Buffalo Bills defeat the Chicago Bears together with the Koreans, sharing delicious Korean dishes such as spicy pork stir-fry (jeyuk bokkeum) and spicy chicken stew (dakbokkeumtang) prepared by the guests. Thanks especially to the mother of the Indiana university student, who was an "amazing cook," everyone ended up overeating.

Joseph Choi (27), who came from Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, to the U.S. for his honeymoon, described the encounter with the couple as "fate." He considered the fully equipped kitchen and the tremendous hospitality a stroke of luck. He also said, "The Campagna couple are the kindest people I have ever met."

Campagna also said he was pleased with the unexpected guests. He said, "It was a very enjoyable time and a unique blessing," adding, "We will never forget this experience." He also mentioned that this experience inspired the couple to plan a visit to Korea.

On the 25th, the snow finally stopped, and snow removal operations were carried out, allowing the tourists to depart for New York City. Most of the tourists are scheduled to return to Korea this week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.