Charpie's Travels

My parents are here!! I feel like a tourist now... 7 months late. It's kinda cool though; it's a different perspective of the city than usual. And it's quite nice to have family around to be touristy with you.  I took the subway home tonight and decided to get off at a different station. I NEVER get of there. But I figured, by the time I caught the transfer and walked home, I'd arrive about the same time. Plus, getting off at a different stop meant a change of scenery.  As I was passing a line-up of street food vendors, a lady tapped my shoulder. She pointed somewhere across the street and asked, "Hae-aw een lau-buh?" I quickly put on my puzzled face as I removed my headphones and replied, "What?" "Hae-aw een lau-buh," she repeated.  Ahh.  I nodded, thrilled and relieved that I understood. My last haircut was at the salon across the street. It's got a stellar Konglish name. (Look back at what the lady said to me and read it quickly....

Rainy season is here.  I took the subway to see Amy. She lives on the edge of civilization, so the number of occupants dwindled with each stop. As we approached Nowon, the man sitting across from me took his position in front of the door. I started to tell him he'd forgotten his umbrella, but realized I had no way to say such a thing. Fortunately, the elderly man to my left took up the cause.  It did no good. Despite the yelling, the younger man obliviously exited the train. The noise did, however, wake the woman on my right. She dashed out the door only to realize her umbrella was still hooked on the rail. While she ran back in for it, the old man threw the abandoned umbrella out on the platform, still yelling at its owner.  I can't say if the younger man finally heard the commotion or just switched his brain back on. But he jumped and made a mad dash for the nearest subway door. Fortunately, the sleepy woman got his attention before he could board again. She re...