It's been a few weeks since my last post which if you read my blog is about how things go for me. Since then I have managed to get out and have quite a bit of a social life. A couple of weeks ago went out with other EFL teachers from New Zeland, South Africa, and Canada to a bar called USA 99. The drinks in bars here are far more expensive than in the states unless you are having a beer but with the conversion rate they end up being about the same. Instead of serving pretzels or popcorn, many of the bars serve what look like Fruit Loop balls that are slightly stale yet quite addictive if you like that fake fruit taste. Believe it or not it goes quite well with the beer. After several hours in Songuri drinking we headed back to Pocheon where we did a bit of Noreabang (karaoke).
Saturday the girls and I headed to anther city to go clubbing. After having some yummy pasta and Korean pizza (like American but the crust is more like a tortilla), we headed off to enjoy the nightlife in Uijeongbu. This is a larger city south of my about an hour by bus. There are several Army & Air Force bases close by so this is where the soldier boys come to let loose. As one of the older people out for the night, I had a great time watching these "kids" party. Seriously I am a good 13 years older than the girls I go out with but one wouldn't know by my actions! haha
Here in SK one can walk around with an open container drinking and having a good time. I am not sure that they actually have public drunk laws if they did one would never know. I find it funny that the construction workers at my place have a refrigerator with beer and Soju that they drink throughout the day instead of water. Fun was had by all as we drank, got free drinks and danced the night away... well at least until 12:30 when we had to catch our bus. The bases have curfew here which is at 1 am. So the soldiers have to be back on base or in a private residence. The clubs start to die down around 12:30 because of this.
This past weekend I had plans that just fell through and was quite disappointed. So I ended up in "The Bu" (Uijeongbu) again, this time I was alone and a bit peeved and sad. What did I decide to do? Find the closest bar and drink of course! haha Well this isn't as easy as one would think especially when one does not read Hangul. I even went to a taxi driver and asked for him to take me to the closest bar, but without an address he wouldn't. <sigh> I eventually just got in a cab wich drove me to a destination unknown. I told him to stop when I thought I was somewhere familiar (it wasn't!). I ended up just walking almost aimlessly until I remembered there was a Dunkin Donuts near the area I had been to before. Thank GOD for my cell phone!
I found a 7-11, where you can sit outside and drink or whatnot. I went in and bought a KGB while noticing a couple of Army guys inside. While I was drinking outside I noticed them playing a Korean game, one of those claw games that you try to get a prize, and they were not winning a thing. We eventually struck up a conversation and they invited me to hang out with them for the night. What a great night! They are my age, married and been here about the same amount of time as I have been. We hit up a couple of bars and eventually I even got McDonald's!
After having talked to them for several hours, I have an even greater appreciation for what our soldiers do and go through. Even as cooks they are required to do what ever other soldier does. These men and women do something that us civilians will never comprehend. I give them much appreciation and many thanks that words can never express. To my new friends... Thank you OC & E! I also have a new hook up for getting from from home! YAY!!!!
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