We're Headed to Thailand

Sarah and I are off to Thailand. Vacation at last. Look for some new pictures here.

The BK Hosts End of the Year Field Trip

The rain didn't dampen the spirits of the thirty ECC students whom feasted on burgers and fries for their end of the year field trip.

But it didn't help mine. I was packed into a miniature bus with a gang-load of raving kids, ravenous for some greasy Western Food.

The children were herded into the plush vinyl seats and served half a regular burger and fries each. I was shocked by the way they just accepted the small portions.
If you gave any American child half a burger and no cheap plastic toy, she/he would probably pitch a fit.

But what was even more surprising was that they were full after the first half.

Oddly enough, I was the only one not enjoying a "delicious" burger.
It just didn't seem right.

A Room of One's Own

In some area's of Seoul, building codes allow for apartments to stand for only twenty years. Then the developers must buy out people who own an apartment for the current value of the land.

Sounds like a good deal for the owners.

Except there is a extensive waiting lottery list that you have to get on before you can buy, and then priority is given to families. Another reason to get shacked-up early.

Given the condition of our apartment, I think that it's just about time for the wrecking ball.

We live only blocks away from these apartments going up near Olympic Park. It's only when you see places like these that you can really feel the uneven distribution of wealth.

A Dog in Man's Clothes

Dogs are no longer just for the eatin'. The small dog has redefined its role in Korean society. They're now the object of lavish affection. This dog is sporting its casual wear for a jaunt in the park. But it's likely to have an outfit for every occasion.

Now, big dogs are reserved for the dinner table. It's really messing up the pecking order--allowing small yappers even more license to growl and bark at everything.

I know what you all might be thinking. Before I arrived in Korea, I made some pretty staunch claims that I'd eat dog at the first opportunity. I know that many will be saddened to hear that I rescind those outrageous. It's more than the fact that dog meat isn't kosher.

Fido finds its way to your plate in a grisly manner. He's hanged by the neck and then beaten to death, or in modern times, electrocuted. No coup de grâce, here. Keeping the dog alive as long as possible allows more adrenalin to percolate into the meat. Dog meat by nature is tough and stringy. The more body blows he takes--the more tender to chew.

Fast Love is Big Business

Cell phones aren't the only thing you can pay for as you go in Korea. When we first landed in Seoul, Seokchon ECC put us up in a love motel called, the Wow.

We were wondering why the alacritous desk staff was so tickled to see us coming and going. At first, I thought it was because we were foreigners. By day 5, our relationship with them matured, and we realized that maybe we were on a short list of repeat customers.

Some things that should've keyed us in earlier:
1) Free condoms being dispensed at the desk.
2) A DVD rack filled strangely enough with porno.
3) A tucked-away parking area
4) The entrance is draped with low hanging tassels
5) We never actually saw any other guests.

In their line of work, a 5 day stay must seem like a marathon.

Luckily for us, there is no shortage of English speaking missionaries who, "discouraged and disheartened with the world," are ready and willing to share their plaintive and depressing dogma with us.

When they see us coming, it's a two for one special: They get to spread the gospel and brush up on their English at the same time.

After we moved into our apartment, we spent a good amount of time trying to wash off the "WOW sleaze," and just when we conceeded that it would never come off, a friend told us that love motels don't carry the same stigma here in Korea.

Children typically stay on with their parents until they get married or acquire enough key money to make an outrageous deposit on their own place. And despite our cultural differences, bringing some one home to your parents' house to shag just isn't cool.

So love motels are OK. So are DVD rooms. That's why we still haven't been to one of those.

Some say extra-marital affairs are also a common occurrence here. It's not only "summer lovin" going down. Unsurprisingly, love motels are conveniently located in the ally ways behind big office complexes.

Are the motels mainly just for randy and repressed twenty-somethings, or is something else afoot here?