foot in my mouth 내 입에 발

we're late

A typical Korean breakfast is actually soup! Jane made a lovely broth with onion, dried shrimp and anchovies, and seaweed. Then when she removed the flavor ingredients she boiled in some dumplings. Was it good? I don't know, we didn't have time to eat! We had to run out the door and get to her friends house to help them move.

Move? No big deal, right? Well, renting is a little different here. Most places require a large deposit - we're talking $50,000 to $100,000., and this new place was even more. Then while you live there it can be rent free, just pay utilities. The owner takes the money and pays off debts, or collects interest. The renters can save money from not paying rent fees. Then when they decide to move out, the deposit is returned to them. It's a big investment.

opening our sushi snack

ham & kimchi triangle sushi

fresh roasted chestnuts

lots of new construction

As Jane and I found out, moving day can be especially stressful because the coordination of renters moving - Rachel and Jason were moving out, but they needed their deposit back. The owner doesn't pay it unless a new renter makes their deposit. Then we're off to the realtor's office (Angela I hope you're taking notes!) The money is transferred, then cashed at the bank, and then we headed with the truck full of their belongings to the new place. Their old apartment was already being fixed and probably the new tenant would move in that evening. Everything happens the same day.

don't drive off a cliff

Next this process repeated at the next local realtor's office, but first we inspected the new property. It was cute, only a year old, but the previous tenant made a real mess of it. Sadly, that seems common here, the home isn't really your castle, its just a place to sleep. Places are small and plain, and more time is spent at work and eating out than home. But, the movers were already moving in! We helped carry everything up the tight spiral stairs and then got to work scrubbing.

Janey and I want fajitas!

They kept saying "You're on vacation, I'm sorry you're helping us clean!" but I didn't mind, it was fun meeting some new friends. And they all are part of the English congregation here so I could understand everything today.

Rachel treated us to lunch at the Taco place! haha mmmm, it was really good, and spicy! The area they moved into is known for the foreign population, so I felt right at home.

We got home just in time to get ready for the meeting, and were joined by Jane's friend Sara and her friend who came for the first time.
As we walked up the steps to the door there was a line of brothers waiting to welcome us! Not like I had special treatment, they are glad to welcome everyone in this fashion. A little bow and then the appropriate greeting (that I am able to repeat but not spell out here) and most of them said with a big smile "Nice to meet you" and shook my hand. It was so sweet! All the friends came up to us and Jane introduced us all. There's always one person who refuses to believe that I can't speak the language, though. Just because I can say the greeting and smile, does not mean I can hold a conversation with you! Jane was having a hard time keeping up with everyone talking around us. It was fun though!













Afterward we were hungry, and went to a chicken bbq place, this one was more of a dive.

sesame leaf roll-up

Minho quickly got to work, and then a thousand little bowls of sides and sauces come out and there is no more room left on the table.

Eat the chicken by itself, dipped in some sauce, or roll it up in some fresh lettuce or sesame leaves and make a tasty bite.

They even brought out a bowl of fresh garlic and jalapenos to add in .... whew I passed.

Next some boiling hot tofu soup came out.

Then an egg soufflé.

Then some ramen.

Then the plate of chicken feet.

Then the bowl of rice, seaweed and caviar.




Wait - chicken feet!? Yep. and I think my face says it all.

yes I have a chicken's foot in my mouth

see the fish tanks full of eels on the left?