Foreigner 외국인

Steep and cramped

As Jane explained to me, some days she just can't take all the people bumping into her on the street, and driving into her on the road, and staring and all the other things Americans would consider rude and reckless, but are just how the Koreans roll. I am truly understanding how she feels.

 People are usually staring at their phones and not ahead, and will walk right into you. Or they don't have a phone, they are just not looking ahead, and they will walk right into you. Or, they are looking ahead, and see you, and expect you to move, and thus walk right into you. Grrr

Or they are lost, and will stop in a busy street and block you until they can U-turn. Road lines for traffic are not boundaries, I don't know what they're for. And lots of streets are so tight, there is no sidewalk, and it's common to come to a 2 or 3 or 4 car impasse, and people, bicyclists, and motorbikes weaving through too. Usually someone throws it in reverse.



Look at the parking situation - they have some tricks up their sleeves.

And in the stores and street markets we were at today, sales people hover super close, and other customers are not shy about crowding in on what you're looking at. I actually pushed a girl out of my way because she and her friends were blocking the aisle. It was gently, but I pushed her. She didn't get out of my way, just started walking in front of me, still blocking me. Grrrrrrrr. It's a different world here.




Probably the best part of today was making this poor little guy cry the moment he saw me. Guess he doesn't encounter foreigners much. He did warm up to me, since I would talk to him in English and he thought it was so funny. Hah, he should have heard what I was saying to him ...

Coca-cola

But, we still know how to enjoy a good lunch! And the most fantastic organic cupcakes!

We were in a section of the city called Itaewon, near the U.S. Army base, and through the years it has drawn a lot of foreigners. Now it is completely diverse, the restaurants I saw were American, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Turkish, Indian, Halal, even a Brazilian churrascaria! We also hit up the markets that sell our familiar foods, at enormous prices! eek

mmm, burgers!

mmm, cupcakes
Green tea, chocolate, earl grey

mmm, dumplings
my chopsticks skill is off the charts

We were all over the place today, driving, taking the bus, riding the train, we even caught a taxi home because it was getting so late. I think everyone has a crazy taxi ride story. Tonight might have topped our ride in the Portuguese hills if it weren't for a couple red-lights he obeyed, and we weren't that far from home. Oh silver taxi-man.