Short Notes and Anecdotes from Seoul
As I approach my three-month mark here in Korea, I thought I would share some short stories and little observations from my experiences here in Seoul:
one
I went to T.G.I.Fridays with some friends a few weeks ago and felt like I was right back in my element. Dinner was alright and I got kind of drunk. At the end of the meal I headed to the bathroom to use the facilities before we left. A lot of bathrooms around here have weird components to them which make me feel like I am in some foriegn land (imagine that), but this bathroom whisked me back to a bathroom I once knew at the Ward Parkway mall. Everything, including the toilets, reeked of America. I went to wash my hands, but the soap was really watery. I tried to work up a lather on my hands, but it was impossible with a soap so watery. When I felt like I had sufficiently cleansed my hands, I dried them off and then started to walk out of the bathroom. This is when I began to smell a wintery fresh smell coming from my hands. I returned to the sink to realize that I had covered my hands with the complimentary mouthwash and missed the soap altogether, even though it was clearly labeled "SOAP" in English.
two
This week was the second time that a student has accused me of being a Harvard graduate. The kids in my classes equate my knowledge of the English language with all-around intelligence - and I do not tell them that are wrong. There's a crazy contrast between the way I feel inside the walls of my school (intelligent, in control, able to talk to everyone around me) and the way I feel on the streets of Seoul (dumb, not in control, unable to talk to anyone around me.)
three
I have been able to debunk a lot of Asian stereotypes in my time here, but there is one that has actually been strengthened in my mind: Asians are fucking terrible drivers.
four
The word "salsa" is incredibly similar to a word in Korean that means diarrhea. So if you ever find yourself in a Korean-Mexican restaurant, be very careful when ordering chips and salsa. Maybe just ask for the CCQ dip.
five
I know I've already devoted a whole writing to the weird TV you find over here, but I have found a channel that is almost more baffling than anything else I've seen. It's a video game channel where games like Doom and Warcraft are played out on your screen. They will sometimes cut to the players playing the games on a stage in an auditorium full of nerds. The video games are accompanied by excitable announcers who explain everything that is happening. It provides all the excitement of playing video games without all of the pesky finger exercise involved. It's too bad there's no weed over here because it seems like it would be the ultimate way to play video games stoned - both hands stay free to munch on Cheetos.
I get paid tomorrow and plan on buying a digital camera. Hopefully, the next time I post it will be accompanied by some photos from around town.
Love from Seoul
one
I went to T.G.I.Fridays with some friends a few weeks ago and felt like I was right back in my element. Dinner was alright and I got kind of drunk. At the end of the meal I headed to the bathroom to use the facilities before we left. A lot of bathrooms around here have weird components to them which make me feel like I am in some foriegn land (imagine that), but this bathroom whisked me back to a bathroom I once knew at the Ward Parkway mall. Everything, including the toilets, reeked of America. I went to wash my hands, but the soap was really watery. I tried to work up a lather on my hands, but it was impossible with a soap so watery. When I felt like I had sufficiently cleansed my hands, I dried them off and then started to walk out of the bathroom. This is when I began to smell a wintery fresh smell coming from my hands. I returned to the sink to realize that I had covered my hands with the complimentary mouthwash and missed the soap altogether, even though it was clearly labeled "SOAP" in English.
two
This week was the second time that a student has accused me of being a Harvard graduate. The kids in my classes equate my knowledge of the English language with all-around intelligence - and I do not tell them that are wrong. There's a crazy contrast between the way I feel inside the walls of my school (intelligent, in control, able to talk to everyone around me) and the way I feel on the streets of Seoul (dumb, not in control, unable to talk to anyone around me.)
three
I have been able to debunk a lot of Asian stereotypes in my time here, but there is one that has actually been strengthened in my mind: Asians are fucking terrible drivers.
four
The word "salsa" is incredibly similar to a word in Korean that means diarrhea. So if you ever find yourself in a Korean-Mexican restaurant, be very careful when ordering chips and salsa. Maybe just ask for the CCQ dip.
five
I know I've already devoted a whole writing to the weird TV you find over here, but I have found a channel that is almost more baffling than anything else I've seen. It's a video game channel where games like Doom and Warcraft are played out on your screen. They will sometimes cut to the players playing the games on a stage in an auditorium full of nerds. The video games are accompanied by excitable announcers who explain everything that is happening. It provides all the excitement of playing video games without all of the pesky finger exercise involved. It's too bad there's no weed over here because it seems like it would be the ultimate way to play video games stoned - both hands stay free to munch on Cheetos.
I get paid tomorrow and plan on buying a digital camera. Hopefully, the next time I post it will be accompanied by some photos from around town.
Love from Seoul
posted by Kyle at 12:33 AM
1 Comments:
Kyle,
I have often heard the University of Kansas called "Harvard on the Kaw." So in a sense, I guess you and me both is Harvard graduates. Congratulations to us. And keep up the great posts!!!
LW
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