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....

Between my house and the subway station, there is a small bakery. I stop there sometimes...mainly for mocha bread. When I went in a couple weekends ago, a new girl was working. "Helloooo!!" I rarely am greeted in English and, with the exception of a few pre-kinder kids, no one sounds that excited when they see me. She asked the usual questions about where I'm from, informed me that English is very hard, and picked out an extra pastry for me.  "Service-uh," she said as she stuffed it in my purse. That's Korean for "this one is free."  Sunday morning I stopped again for mocha bread and a coffee. Same worker, same enthusiastic greeting. Well, possibly more enthusiastic. She even remembered my name! I realize I don't exactly blend in here, but I still thought it impressive that she remembered my name. Among other things, she established that she is my "big sister." In Korea, you are friends with people who are the same age a...

For now, anyway, my favorite restaurant in Seoul is an Indian place. I went again with some coworkers tonight. This restaurant has the music, the decor, floor seating, and even an Indian movie running on one of the walls. (The Korean employees seemed out of place at first, but now they fit right in.) The samosas can't compete with anything made by a De (or Charpie) or Mohinani, but I still get unnecessarily excited about them. Same goes for the naan.  I ordered milk tea this time. It was also super, though its super-ness had less to do with its taste and more to do with what it makes me think about. I haven't been homesick yet...not even close really. But if any one thing in Korea can possibly make me homesick, it's gonna be the milk tea. At the same time I'm thinking of my favorite people in Minnesota and Texas, and I find myself wishing I could stop by Kerala for an afternoon cup of Molly's amazing tea.