Oh the people you'll meet

Hey all. Some thoughts for you and a couple of pictures.

This weekend was a little bit interesting. Sunday was Alex’s birthday, but he’s come down with a wicked sickness over the past couple weeks so he wasn’t out for a major night out. Instead we went to Itaewon for dinner. We ended up going to a Turkish restaurant that was right next to a Mosque on hooker hill. Yeah, try imagining that one. It was a hole in the wall, but the food was pretty decent. Still, I thought it would someday make for a great way to start a story-“So at a Turkish restaurant in Korea with two Africans and a Kiwi…” man where that story can go…

While were speaking on the random and different people I’d meet. Before we went to dinner we ran into a guy who was lost. Both figuratively and literally I think. He was looking for somewhere-a gay parade infact. So, he was gay. Also, he was a big black man. Also, he was Muslim. He himself was aware of the oddness of being a Black, Gay, Muslim. I think he’s gotta be pretty close to the Midget Korean Cross Guard right?

The more interesting person I met this weekend was the aforementioned Kiwi(that’s someone from New Zealand for, well, mom). J(name omitted in case telling his stories could get him in trouble somehow), was someone Alex and Tazz met two weekends ago. He works for the U.N. and lives in the DMZ. Jin who was at dinner with us, and didn’t know J was UN asked J where he lived. That was an answer you won’t here very often “Well, I live in the most heavily armed place in the world.”…”Oh”…Anyway, guy was a really bright guy and had a lot of cool stories too. If he wasn’t dating Tazz I’d probably date himself.

Two stories he shared that I think I’m allowed to pass on.

One) Asked what he does to pass the time hanging out up in the DMZ, he says drink. He doesn’t like drinking all that much, and he wouldn’t if it weren’t for the Americans. Remember, New Zealand is an island the size of Japan with only 4 million people on it-so there’s plenty of room and they’re all pretty laid back people. Well, the Americans at the DMZ are not. I’ve seen this before when talking to the GI’s at the bar. They are trained that North Korea could come across the boarder and attack at anytime. So, if they feel that way down here-60 miles from the boarder. Imagine what they’re like on the line. He says they’re unbearable. Like it’s war at all times. Even though no NK soldier has illegally stepped foot over the line in 20 years. TOMORROW TOMORROW THEY INVADE. I can imagine that’s pretty unbearable.

Two) He patrols the actual border. The way the North Koreans work is they send out exactly the same number of people the UN/US/SK sends out. The NK soldiers match the south soldiers step for step. One this is funny because they really are short.

-side note. South Koreans aren’t that short, and theyre getting taller every year. The traditional Korean diet really isn’t conducive to growth, that’s why they’re so short. So now that South Koreans are so much better nutritioned they’re growing more(5’6” for man and 5’4 for woman I think), but the North Koreans ARE still starved and malnourished, so the average North Korean soldier matching you step for step is about 4’10”. Imagine that, a fully decked 4’10” Korean soldier. HA.

Even funnier though, he was once on said patrol-being matched step for step by a 4’10” North Korean soldier. They were standing post-all very serious-and the North Korean yells “Fuck YOU!” in the most Asian voice you can imagine. He kept it up for the entire post standing “Puck Jew!” And the poor guys south of the line had to stand perfectly still, couldn’t laugh at this site. Man, these are some disciplined dudes.

I guess the North Korean soldiers are constantly trying to start shit, they’re looking for any reason to cause a conflict. (I don’t mean war by that, I mean a reason they can bargain more at the negotiation table because of South misbehavior, or at best capture one of the soldiers and use him as a bargaining chip)

So, anyway, he had some high quality stories.

As for me and my stories-here’s what I have planned:

This weekend-probably rafting East of the city Saturday morning, and then the afternoon over at the beach on the East Sea.

Late July-Weekend trip to North Korea(hopefully), and then a 5 day trip to China the next week.(hopefully)

I’m working on both of these right now. So, I’m finally settled enough that I think I’m about to start venturing out of the city a bit more. Remember though, my time here is for the most part to save money-my great traveling will happen after I’m done here. Now THAT’s gonna make for one heck of a blog.

No pictures today because my photobucket isn't working tonight. Try again later.

Also, I’ll try to cut down on the swear words so you can read this to the boys a little easier Chris. I’m sure you’re tired of blacking out the swear words.

Thanks for the comments guys. And remember, if a question crosses your mind while reading this, ASK!