Not much to say this week, been a low key week.
Just wanted to share a kind of funny story. As a Westerner in Nowon I get attacked a lot by people who want to speak English with me. Some are genuine, some just get a kick out of it, like getting a dog to bark. The second group annoy me.
Usually it's kids, and usually I just answer the two questions they know and move on. Sometimes though, they don't move on. When you're reading in a park and you've been asked for the 37th time "Where do you live?" it really starts to get frustrating. So I've found two ways to solve this:
1. Answer in Korean. Usually I can answer a basic question in Korean. When I do this the kids go nuts and immediatlely switch to speaking to me in Korean.(and I have no idea what theyre saying) So they ask me a much more complicated Korean question, and I answer with some Korean phrase I know. Something along the lines of "At the next stop light, turn left please." or "I'll have 2 cuts of Galbi please". This really confuses them. They start going "Boyya?" or "Wa?" (The Korean 'what's) So I repeat the phrase that undoubtedly makes no sense, and they usually wander off confused after that. (Imagine if you asked a Chinese person "Do you like Pizza?" and they answered "Turn left at the next stop light".)
Way #2, and my favorite way of solving the problem
I get tired of "Do you like Kim Chi" and answering "Yes, I do", so I add to my vocabulary.
They ask. "Do you like Kim Chi?" and I say "Why indubitably! What an astute question you've asked!" Again the "Boyya" and "Wa"'s start up. Cracks me up every time. Sometimes I'll just answer gibberish to. "Where are you from?" "Spaghetti."
Man it makes me laugh. I'm a cruel cruel man.
That's my story.
My notification is that I'm leaving for Beijing in the morning. I won't be back until Thursday evening(my time), and I probably won't get around to posting anything about it until that weekend. Sometimes vacations can be overwhelming when it comes to writing about them, so don't expect me to give some sort of full report. I promise lots of pictures and at least some form of update then.
I'm sure I'd be much more likely to post in more detail if I were encouraged by an exorbitant amount of comments when I got back...
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4 comments:
Good morning and what a Blog. You be very careful on your trip. Keep your passport next to your heart. Stay safe and have fun get lots of pictures. Mom and Dad said they spoke with you this morning and you were tired and getting ready for big trip. We will keep you in prayer and be glad to hear when you get back and to see the pictures. You sure are doing something so different and what a feeling you must have. We love you and our so very proud of you. Seen one of your teachers at Party in the Park Mrs Right she said you was a great student and had all good things to say about you. Do you ever pinch your self to see if all this life you are liveing is reall. Love Aunt Emma
Just an update for anyone reading the blog. I got an email from Bret on Friday morning letting us know he arrived safely, already visited Tianamen Square and was relaxing in the Hotel Lounge.
I am sure answering in Korean really gets them excited, but have you tried answering in Arabic. I am sure that would confuse them as well.
It sounds like you are having a great time,but I am sure it doesn't compare to waking up every morning at 4am and selling band aids. I think I have you beat. Can't wait to hear about your trip.
You should keep a daily journal of your travels. Then you could share all of it with those less fortunate than you. You know stranded in the states.
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