Hi Folks,
Here's a quick update. I'm writing to you at the end of Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok ("chew-sock"). I took Josh and two of his friends from Daegu to the Everland Theme Park, along with several million other non-Koreans (read: Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indonesian mostly). We went on many rides. It was very thrilling. My voice was still at 20% capacity, so I sounded kind of grouchy the whole day though, which was too bad. Also, the thing that happened to my knee in Australia came back, so I was pretty slow for the rest of the weekend. The spectacular parade and fireworks at the end of the day made up for it though.
Johnny is of Korean descent, so he spent two days with his family, eating.
Friday, Josh and I went to the National Museum to learn about the history of the Korean people on the peninsula. We even found ourselves being studied and photographed alongside the exhibits! After, Josh was tired so he went back home.
I was on a mission to eat, however; so I went farther into the city. I had two things on my list: Ya Kun Kaya and Subway. Two things I enjoy most: good milk tea and legitimate sandwiches. I overcame throngs of pushy people in Myeong-Dong, traversed a raging river, and battled with some old people telling me about forced organ harvesting in China, but eventually I found the first place on my list hidden deep underground in a secret office food court. My prize was a delicious respite in a secret garden where some homeless people were sleeping. At first I thought I was drinking tea, but when I reached the bottom of the cup, it might have been coffee. Either way, it was delicious and so worth it.
I had one more item to find on my main quest, and it involved some delicious, non-sweetened bread, crisp vegetables and tasty deli meats. After accidentally rear-ending someone while I was walking with my head turned, I found my way to a subway station. Getting off the train in a strange neighbourhood, I walked until I saw it, gleaming like a beacon in the night: Subway~
I ordered my sandwich and they were playing some orchestral music that sounded like it came from the final scene of a musical. There was audience applause and everything. As the clerk made my day, my mouth started salivating over the thought of turkey and bacon together. I sat down, unwrapped my sandwich as the music in the restaurant started building to its crescendo (you know the part of the song where it is most glorious and everyone is very moved and asks for an encore). Finally, the music reached its final, triumphant notes and something happened.
I don't know how to describe the feelings I was feeling in that moment, but let's just say I took a moment and was elated. I felt like everyone in the world was clapping and congratulating me on this moment.
It was a tremendous meal, except for the dangerous jalapeño lurking between hidden lettuce. My throat closed up for a time and I couldn't stop crying. Roll with the punches I guess.
On the way home from Seoul, I was one of 4 people on the entire bus. SO nice and relaxing. Best bus ride ever.
