I woke up this morning and saw the angry gray sky and said to myself, "it looks like it could snow today." The wind was howling most of the day and the air was cold on my nose. And wouldn't you know, tonight, as I was returning from a most fantastic meal, I came up the stairs from the underpass and there, flying down to meet me, were at least four snowflakes! I was so excited I think I actually chortled.
Let me back up a few days before I tell you about my fantastic meal experience. On Saturday night I decided to go visit Christina on her end of town. So I about 8pm I set off at a brisk walk to get on the subway and go to her place. I am not a fan of the "must look frumpy and unkept because I am in a foreign country" thing and so I like to at least look like I thought about what I was wearing. Being Saturday night I also put a little more energy into it. So I am listening to music, walking along, not really paying attention to anything. I get to my transfer and basically run to the next train because I want to catch it and I always miss it and have to wait for at least 20 mins til the next one comes. I get there and it is gone so I sit down. I sit beside some girls and another lady sits on the other side of me. And we wait. Eventually more and more people show up and the train finally makes an appearance. I get on and settle into my seat for the short ride to Hoegi station. Again, just listening to my music, people watching, etc.
I exit the train and head out of the station. I am in a hurry because Christina has been waiting for me forever so I am not strolling, I am power walking. I head down the short avenue that separates the station from the main road and just as I am about to come to the crosswalk a Korean man catches up to me and says hello. I am not surprised, random men often say hello. They ask me what I do, I tell them I am a teacher, we make boring small talk and then go our separate ways. But this one decides to tell me something else. "I have been following you since Cheonho." Oh my. this gets my attention. I look around nervously just to make sure there are people around. I think I might have done the nervous giggle and I know I stepped back in alarm. So I look at this guy. He is a little taller than me, not huge, not tiny. He is carrying a brief case and wearing glasses and a suit. He looks to be about 30, but I am never sure with Koreans. He seems harmless enough. Plus I am armed. I have many sharp and heavy objects in my purse. Then he adds to his first shocking statement, "you are very beautiful so I had to follow you." goodness.
The light changes and we cross the street. He tells me that he is a business man and gives me his card. I mispronounce his name and he is annoyed, but amused. We continue walking. We come to the place where I can either cut through the dark alley, or walk around the long way on the main road... and for some stupid reason I chose to walk my normal route through the alley. He keeps pace with me and I momentarily plan my escape if he should chose to assault me. So far he still seems harmless and I would hate to be that American girl who was so paranoid that she never went anywhere. I walk wide around dark corners, and bushes, things that seem like a person could get lost in. We get to Christina's apartment and he whips out a starbucks drink from his man purse. And all smooth like tells me that he bought it for me and the station but there were too many people around to give it to me. So he says, stay have a drink with me. So we stand outside of Christina's apartment and drink coffee. He is a fine fellow. Not scary, but nothing exciting. I am not really into dating Koreans. Thanks anyway. Somehow I gave this man my number.
Fast forward to Sunday. He called. Which I was not expecting. Called himself the subway man. Asked to take me to dinner. So I agreed. I don't know why. I probably should have said no. But Whatever. He took me to Walker Hill. Which is an amazing place up on a hill overlooking my lovely city. It was so fancy. I felt horribly under dressed. But he said it was ok. Anyway, he bought me food. Taught me some history. Said he would love to take me everywhere and show me all of Korea. He also told me I was beautiful about a hundred times...which was awkward. I told him we could be friends. I don't know if he believed me. I am going to try to be very busy the next time he calls. I would not like to give him the wrong idea.
I like Korea. I like that random guys want to take me places. But I realize this is not safe, nor advisable. I do however know that there is strength in numbers and I will hopefully drag Christina along with me next time. But what better way to see the real Korea than with a native who wants to take me places? Hmmm... something to consider.
On the way back, it snowed. Perfect.
Not one bit. Sure, they're cute and they're adorable and I love teaching them. But put them all in a van and make them sit still for an hour and a half... Well. Not an experience I'd like to relive any time soon. It was nice to get outside of the city though. I'd mostly forgotten what things like grass and wide open spaces look like.
Not one bit. Sure, they're cute and they're adorable and I love teaching them. But put them all in a van and make them sit still for an hour and a half... Well. Not an experience I'd like to relive any time soon. It was nice to get outside of the city though. I'd mostly forgotten what things like grass and wide open spaces look like.