I am a giant

Ok, here it is. I'm a giant in this country. I tried shopping today and it was very disappointing. EVERYTHING is too small, from top to bottom. And, I dislike most Korean fashion, so it's a bust. I didn't pack enough clothes to bring over here, so I'm a little bit fristrated right now, but it's not the end of the world, and honestly I don't feel as concerned about my style here because no one seems to notice my clothes, they just stare at my blue eyes in some mystified state.

Yesterday I met up with Yong Jeong, the nice guy I met on the flight over. We went to Ittewan and walked around all day, oh and found the book store that carries english print. The book store is a well known place around here, but it was funny to actually go there and find it to be a tiny space with books stacked all over the place in a fairly disorganized state. It was a store the size of my mini apartment. Mostly paperbacks of murder mysteries and those really bad romance novels. Not to mention the price was exorbant for a used paper back. I left the store with three books for $13. Where is Half Price Books when you need them??? I am happy to have some reading, so I wont continue ranting.

Yong Jeong is a very kind and generous person, and I am so happy to know him. He has told his family about me and I spoke with his little sister on the phone. She can speak a little english and giggled a lot when she talked. Next week is a very big Korean holiday similar to our Thanksgiving. I think its called Chusok. It goes from Saturday until Monday. Yong Jeong's mother has invited me to come to their home for a big dinner this coming weekend. I'm a little nervous, but excited to spend time with his family. Yong Jeong says his mother is a very good cook. I wonder what I will have for "Thanksgiving" here. Maybe some squid stew, rice cakes, and kimche. The possibilities are endless: )

There are some things that I see here that are strange to me, but over here they are completely natural to people. For instance: Many Korean men will drink until they pass out. It is not unusual to see a man passed out on the side of the street sleeping off the drinks he has just consumed. I have seen this many times in the short amount of time I have been here. I see anyone from a young man to a business man in a nice suit sleeping in alleys, on sidewalks. They just drop where they pass out and sleep it off.

I live right by the biggest hospital in Seoul. Its about a minute's walk from my apartment. Everyday from early to night I see people just going out for a walk in their hospital clothes, they will have their IVs hooked up to their arm, and they just walk around pushing their IV bags beside them. Or a guy with a broken leg pushing himself around in a wheelchair with his leg elevated. The other night I was eating dinner in a little restaurant and no sooner did I have the food up to my mouth I saw a burn victim walking by outside with his face looking like it was melting off. Appetite suppressant, baby! Let me tell you!

The other thing that I have found very amusing lately is the "konglish" (korean-english). It's on t-shirts, billboards, bar names, restaurants, just all over the place. Some of it is misspelling, some of it is funky translations into english. I will get some written down to explain myself better. And some of the sexual conotations are just incredible, but I dont think they understand it. Like the t-shirt I saw today "love harder, love deeper", I think it means something about being a good person, not what I think when I see it. Other times when I go out to clubs, it is blatantly sexual. Like the club called "Girls On Top". The other night walking home I saw "Ladies talking room only" club, it is a type of Chip and Dales club for women. That cracked me up. It is pretty funny, and I am enjoying this aspect of the trip very much. I will take more pictures of it.

Ok, one more funny and then I have to go. Last night Derek, Laura (friend and english teacher in another area of S.K.), and me went to a bar close by. The waiter knew some english and we all had fun getting to know him. He calls himself Simpson, and said his father's name is Homer. Ha ha, it was pretty funny coming from a Korean guy. After a little while we hear screams coming from the table behind us and we are wondering what the deal is. A few minutes later Simpson comes to our table with a Korean game. It is a plastic, red semi-sphere with four cords attached to it. At the end of the cords are metal handles for each opponent to hold with a red botton on them. There is a botton in the middle of the plastic center that he hit, and it plays scary halloween sounding music and blinks flashing red light. Simpson said when the flashing light turns green to press your button on your handle as quick as you can. So we do this and as soon as the light turns green Laura screams and drops her handle. The slowest person to push their button gets an electric shock. I know I shouldn't say anything further, but Derek and I felt bad about Laura getting electrocuted, and were somewhat curious in our "martini functioning" brains as too how it felt. So I lost next and screamed really loud, because it is a horrible sensation that goes from your hand straight up to your brain. Derek also lost to Simpson and had a shocked look on his face, like he couldn't believe we were stupid enough to play this insane game. Honestly, I have to say it was an experience, but not really that much fun to play. I don't recommend it.

Well, I have to go to bed and get rested for the beginning of the week tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing good and getting ready for Chusok! : ) Miss you all very much. -Katie