Another day in Seoul

August 6, 2008

Yesterday was another exciting day in the city. Mark’s sister’s partner, arranged for us to meet with one of her graduate students, John, who just happens to be in Seoul right now. He hung out with us for about 7 hours and took us around more of the city. It is amazing how much easier life is when you can communicate.

Some of the highlights included NOT being able to go to the Blue House, the Korean Whitehouse, because George Bush was there. (Can’t we ever get away from that guy?)
This is the Blue House from afar.

There were some cool protests going on as well and I was able to take a picture. Apparently, Koreans love to protest. Okay, I’ll be honest, John told us that protest was actually about textbooks in schools. It was still exciting to see the police and the really nicely constructed protest signs. They were even neatly laminated, which made me suspicious that they were all just disgruntled elementary teachers protesting. (I know how teachers are about their materials.)

Anyhow, then we went to some big palace, but it was under construction. Next time.

After walking around for an hour and sweating until we were basically soaked, John took us to a pleasantly air-conditioned Korean restaurant. He ordered for us, and there were no tentacles, yeah! In fact, the food was great. We sat own on the floor and the food was served family style; communal eating is the way here. Basically, it was like a burrito buffet, well kind of. We just wrapped our choices up in large lettuce leaves. The only seafood on the table were tiny fish heads, but this time I didn’t even flinch. I still think I’ll stick to my processed fish oils.

The only thing I am just going to have to get over is the public bathroom situation. …once again, a hole. This one was much nicer than the one at the hospital.


We learned a lot from John about the Korean culture and transportation. We were even confident enough to take the subway during rush hour. It would have taken us so long to figure all that out on our own.
The major highlight of our trip occurred when John told us that cabs were much cheaper than public transportation for four people, so he hailed us a cab that proceeded to cut off the bus behind him. We jumped into the cab, oblivious, as the bus driver abandoned the bus, marched up to the cab window and began screaming at the cab driver. They got into a huge yelling match, and John kept motioning us to stay in the cab. Later he explained that us he wanted us to witness the true Korean culture. As you can imagine, we were getting a little nervous. The cab driver finally motioned us out, thank God, and another taxi came and snatched us up. John explained that the bus driver wanted the cab driver to take responsibility for the passenger in the bus that fell when the bus had to suddenly stop to avoid hitting the taxi that pulled out in front. Clearly, the taxi driver did not want to take responsibility. Apparently, the bus driver had to report to the bus company about the injured passenger and could get in trouble with her employer. She wanted the taxi driver to admit responsibility so that she would not be not liable. Of course, the taxi driver did not want responsibility either because he makes very little money and cannot afford to pay for any costs if the injury was serious, nor could he risk losing his chance of renting a taxi from the taxi company, necessary to make his living. John explained that in Korean society, the loudest always wins. Well that explained a lot.

Well just enjoy the quiet sounds of Carbondale, and think of me when you get served your dessert in a single portion just for you, sip that smooth cappuccino in the morning, stroll down the street without breaking a sweat, and sink into your soft pillow at night.

And by the way, I had to stay home the next day with Montezuma’s revenge. It was worth it though.