I love when something funny happens that reminds of something else funny from the past...sorta like a smell or taste will transport you back in time. This week while trolling the NFL injury reports on-line, a Baltimore Ravens football player is listed as being questionable to play this Sunday as he was hit over the head with a bottle by an angry stripper named Sweat Pea. This information triggered my brain to recover a file from Freshman year of college when I was part of the American University meal plan. Terrible food, we would steal giant ziplock bags full of Cap'n Crunch and eat that for dinner, then went off of the plan altogether after one semester and lived off of 39 cent chicken pot pies from the A&P and happy hour specials for the next few years. But during that one semester, there was a server whose name tag read "Sweet Thing". She was a large lady, with a little tiny baby mustache, that worked over a line of greasy hot serving trays. Her nickname quickly became "Sweat Thing". I can visualize like it happened 5 minutes ago my friend Katie putting her tray down on the table and declaring, "just got my burger from Sweat Thang."
Our Chinese class this year has moved from a structured vocabulary/grammar based curriculum to a "conversation" class. We communally decide what we want to talk about then write dialogue about it learning the vocabulary to go along with it. Things like making reservations, ordering food, going to the market, etc. We got into making a reservation at a hot spring (of which there are many in these parts), which naturally led to discussion of the weird things people do. I mentioned our experience in Korea over the summer where we went to the foot flesh eating fish exfoliation place, which was met with equal parts knowing nods and disgust, and then was one-upped by the teacher who described the new thing in Japan. Whenever someone uses the term "new thing in Japan", you know it is going to be either robot related, or something extremely twisted and perverted. Or sometimes both. I give you, Japanese Snail Beauty Treatment. Very restorative and moisturizing. The snails are fed a diet of organic vegetables and they are kept at a constant 20 degree C (68 Fahrenheit) temperature. I'd be game to give it a try if it weren't for the fact that one treatment costs a whopping $350 and probably won't try it as DIY. And is it wrong that I felt a little turned when watching that video?
Had a chance to go to the kids school where the high school counselors put on a morning coffee discussion for the parents about keeping your high school student healthy and happy. They led off with this quote...
“Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers.”
Sounds like some parents I know, but was uttered by Socrates. This meeting was mostly about not overloading your kid with activities and making sure they get enough sleep...obviously a Chinese high school as they have to remind the parents not to burn their kids out with tutors and violin lessons, etc. If it was a US high school, we'd hear more about how to keep your kids away from drugs and the day care center they offer at school to help keep the teen moms coming. Towards the end, we broke into parent discussion groups by table and they gave us some questions to help spur on our conversations. Can't really remember the questions exactly, but one of them sparked one of the moms to declare that at home, she is always the bad guy to the kids. They are always mad at Mom for telling them what to do, being mean to them, etc., you know the story. Then another mom says the same thing goes on at her house and that the dad is always the good guy. A third mom agrees with the first two and says that her kids think she is a real Bee-atch. I could not resist and then say to the table, "You know why that is?" paused for a couple of beats to build the mood..."Cause it's true." After a couple seconds of silence, got the awkward laughter I was looking for, but know I didn't make any new friends that day. Actually, probably made one as the other dude at the table secretly gave me the raised eyebrow/head nod.
Went to my first foot massage last night. Was driving Betty home from the airport and said she "needed" a foot massage. Since the kids were all taken care of for the night, thought it would be an opportune chance to try one. Am not a massage lover...always find myself more tight and in pain the next day. My feet don't typically hurt, even though I've had major foot surgery (triple arthrodesis), but thought it might be a good time since I like the little massage they give when you get a foot pedicure (the best...fellas, do yourself a favor and try it if you haven't) and that everyone raves about them.
We went to Betty's joint around the corner (another great thing about living in a dense urban setting...$20 hour long foot massages a five minute walk from home). Nice place, clean and well appointed. Soaked the feet for a few minutes in some fragrant water while they do a short neck massage, then a half an hour on each foot. The masseuses had never had a patron bring a beer along to enjoy during the chirapsia (deep cut word from the synonym dictionary), so we all had a first that night. Once my lady started working on my ankle, she asked Betty what happened to my foot as she could feel the metal screws from the surgery mentioned above (gross for her). What was even grosser for her was after the foot massage when they were asking if we wanted to do a full body one. They were talking to Betty as they had as much English knowledge as I do Chinese, but I can do a good job of catching the drift if the context is clear. Betty says no and then they look at me...Betty says something else to them and the lady gives the look of revulsion that is crystal clear in any language. Once we're outside the door, Betty relates the above and says that when they asked if I wanted a massage, she said no because I have a very hairy body/back. Being less evolved is both a gift and a curse.
The foot massage itself felt OK. I didn't get the endorphin rush that I was expecting after listening to everyone that loves them, which was disappointing. My feet didn't feel much (any) better afterwards and the parts that were painful going in, feel even more so this morning. As we're chatting this morning, Betty just cannot understand, almost to the point of disgust, as to why I didn't love it nor why I don't want to go back. I just had a similar conversation with my buddy John about going into a football betting pool with him. He was getting mad, even insulting me, saying it's just a few bucks and it's so fun.
Why do people insist you love something they love? If you say no, or that you hate something without ever trying it, well shame on you, but when multiple people whose opinion you respect recommend something, I think you should be obligated to try it with an open miind and not say "no" just to be a contrarian.
That said, I do respect the position where a person has one thing that everyone in the world adores, but you have never tried just on principle, such as watching the Godfather or eating Thai food.
However, if your friend does try Thai food, foot massage, etc. and doesn't love it as much as you, then just let it go please. I know I am guilty of such behavior. With age comes maturity and a better understanding of people along with it, so to those where I have insulted you for not loving something (that you really should love) as much as I do (3 page laminated list available on request), I apologise.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Week of September 20th, 2013
A quick correction...have mentioned the Chinese penchant for wearing masks, bathing caps, umbrellas in the sun, etc., and have been corrected that I should refer these traits to the Taiwanese only. I've not been to China yet, but am told that not only do they not wear masks, but spitting openly everywhere is typical. In listening to my Chinese counterparts, China is Oscar Madison to Taiwan's Felix Unger.
Thursday is Moon / Mid-Autumn Festival. As usual, the date of a holiday here is dependant on the phases of the moon, but it is your typical celebration of the harvest that is common throughout the world. In modern Taipei, it manifests itself with everyone having a BBQ. Sorta like July 4th, but having a BBQ here is a big deal in that most people live in apartments and don't typically have the access to a grill. The stores are crammed with the portable, almost disposable kind and on Thursday night, the streets will be filled with impromptu cookouts. And on Friday, the news will be filled with stories about impromptu fires being started by novice grill masters. Pretty mild on the scale of unusual cultural events from around the world. Have you ever been to Seattle's Summer Solstice Parade where naked bike riders paint their bodies in crazy ways to celebrate the longest day of the year. On my bucket list is visiting certain places for their nutty rituals including: Thailand for the Songkran Water Festival and Tomato Throwing Festival in Bunoi, Spain. And I am definitely going with Paul to the Yanshui Fireworks Festival right here in TW before our time is up.
Sunday Night Football starts at 8:30AM on Monday here, and last weeks game was a huge one between the Niners and Seahawks. As it was one of the best regular season games this year being played at an time when most people are awake, invited some fellas over to watch it. Perfect storm when the kids were at school and Betty on the road, managed to get three gents to play hooky from work and come watch Seattle bust the loudest stadium record up. A great game (if you are a Seahawk fan), but was as great to have some traditional male bonding time. Drinking beers, chili omelets and your basic shit flipping good time was awesome. If it is wrong to skip work and get drunk in the morning with the boys and watch football, I don't want to be right.
Whenever you get together with folks here, the crowd is typically very international, and one is always learning things about other cultures. Something I learned during our beer-fueled game watching on Monday was the Indian Head Bobble. As a collector of cultural stereo-type information, was pretty amazed this widely known one had passed under my radar. I know that many cultures are uncomfortable saying the word no...for instance, whenever our Iranian friends answer maybe to anything, we understand that is an unequivocal no. What I didn't realize was that the Indian aversion to the word no (attributed historically to their unwillingness/fear of saying no to the British Raj), had turned the head bobble into an involuntary reaction of sorts. In retrospect, whenever I say things in an Indian accent, I feel like my head does the bobble thing.
Speaking of things that have been under my nose all along, need to keep it short this week to get this done by Friday. Have some things on the list to write about, but any free time (and some not so free) the last few days has been dominated by a Breaking Bad. Mentioned last week that I was hooked, and am currently on episode 4 of season 5. Am officially putting it on my Mount Rushmore of TV shows all time (along with I Love Lucy, The Simpsons and Veronica Mars). Everything about it, writing, casting, directing, is close to perfect. The subject matter is twisted and definitely not for everyone, and it can be ultra-violent at times, but every episode leaves you breathless and dying to know what comes next. I think the final episode is being broadcast this Sunday and cannot imagine how much the fans that have been watching it all along and have survived the week long breaks / season hiatuses are going to freak when it is done. OK...gotta go. Everyone is still asleep so can get another episode in before they wake up.
.
Thursday is Moon / Mid-Autumn Festival. As usual, the date of a holiday here is dependant on the phases of the moon, but it is your typical celebration of the harvest that is common throughout the world. In modern Taipei, it manifests itself with everyone having a BBQ. Sorta like July 4th, but having a BBQ here is a big deal in that most people live in apartments and don't typically have the access to a grill. The stores are crammed with the portable, almost disposable kind and on Thursday night, the streets will be filled with impromptu cookouts. And on Friday, the news will be filled with stories about impromptu fires being started by novice grill masters. Pretty mild on the scale of unusual cultural events from around the world. Have you ever been to Seattle's Summer Solstice Parade where naked bike riders paint their bodies in crazy ways to celebrate the longest day of the year. On my bucket list is visiting certain places for their nutty rituals including: Thailand for the Songkran Water Festival and Tomato Throwing Festival in Bunoi, Spain. And I am definitely going with Paul to the Yanshui Fireworks Festival right here in TW before our time is up.
Sunday Night Football starts at 8:30AM on Monday here, and last weeks game was a huge one between the Niners and Seahawks. As it was one of the best regular season games this year being played at an time when most people are awake, invited some fellas over to watch it. Perfect storm when the kids were at school and Betty on the road, managed to get three gents to play hooky from work and come watch Seattle bust the loudest stadium record up. A great game (if you are a Seahawk fan), but was as great to have some traditional male bonding time. Drinking beers, chili omelets and your basic shit flipping good time was awesome. If it is wrong to skip work and get drunk in the morning with the boys and watch football, I don't want to be right.
Whenever you get together with folks here, the crowd is typically very international, and one is always learning things about other cultures. Something I learned during our beer-fueled game watching on Monday was the Indian Head Bobble. As a collector of cultural stereo-type information, was pretty amazed this widely known one had passed under my radar. I know that many cultures are uncomfortable saying the word no...for instance, whenever our Iranian friends answer maybe to anything, we understand that is an unequivocal no. What I didn't realize was that the Indian aversion to the word no (attributed historically to their unwillingness/fear of saying no to the British Raj), had turned the head bobble into an involuntary reaction of sorts. In retrospect, whenever I say things in an Indian accent, I feel like my head does the bobble thing.
Speaking of things that have been under my nose all along, need to keep it short this week to get this done by Friday. Have some things on the list to write about, but any free time (and some not so free) the last few days has been dominated by a Breaking Bad. Mentioned last week that I was hooked, and am currently on episode 4 of season 5. Am officially putting it on my Mount Rushmore of TV shows all time (along with I Love Lucy, The Simpsons and Veronica Mars). Everything about it, writing, casting, directing, is close to perfect. The subject matter is twisted and definitely not for everyone, and it can be ultra-violent at times, but every episode leaves you breathless and dying to know what comes next. I think the final episode is being broadcast this Sunday and cannot imagine how much the fans that have been watching it all along and have survived the week long breaks / season hiatuses are going to freak when it is done. OK...gotta go. Everyone is still asleep so can get another episode in before they wake up.
.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Week of September 13th, 2013
Betty hit the road yesterday. This has been the longest we've all been together for about 2 years...nearly 2 months straight. When people ask what it's like having this kind of schedule, we usually reply that we have to get used to getting used to each other. It was a nice run this time and don't remember having too many arguments. One thing that didn't cause an argument, but is a source of concern is her new found addiction to the game Candy Crush. She is running games on three different devices and it's taken over her mind. I appreciate that it is a source of relief and comfort from a long day of work, but worry that it is affecting her sleep. On Monday, I woke up at 1AM to watch the opening weekend in the NFL, and who is sitting by the edge of the bed playing her game? I could see the colorful candy pieces moving in her glazed over eyes. I went back to check in on her later and found her still jonesing on it at 3AM.
I guess the NFL is one of my joneses...but it is so great. We discovered that the NFL offers a season subscription to residents outside of the US called Game Pass and it has pretty much changed my life. Not only can you dial up any game you want to see live, but you can also watch the Red Zone channel, which happens to be the greatest invention since Candy Crush. And you can go back after the games are over and watch replays of any game both in broadcast mode or in a condensed version. The condensed version shows only the action and one can watch an entire game in about 35 minutes. I love you Game Pass. Add this to the MLB season winding down (with the Dodgers being relevant for the first time since Mannywood), and the playoffs in full swing in the greatest sport on the planet...Australian Rules Football, good on ya Freo...and you understand why this is the best time of the year. For me anyway.
I finally took the advice of people that know a thing or two about great TV and started watching Breaking Bad. Amabout half way through season 2 well into season three and have been blown away by every single episode. It's not for everyone, but holy shit is it great. Those that watch it will nod and say, "what took you so long". The rest of you can go on with your life of ignorance, but it's not too late...find it on Netflix and start binge watching now.
We had a short stretch of reasonable weather, but the brutal heat came back a few days ago with a vengeance. The simplest of forays outside saps every ounce of energy and the urge to hide inside all day is strong. And it doesn't get much better at night...hot, humid and not the slightest leaf blowing breeze to cool off the sweat running down your neck. Yuck. I reek constantly and am completely unsure sure how the locals can wear suits and stockings all day and be in the mood to make babies at night.
Did you see this article on Yahoo the other day about adultery being illegal in Taiwan? This woman was facing a possible 298 year sentence for doing it with the neighbor. The law states that each "act" is good for 4 months in jail, and doing the math (298 x 3), that's 894 visits. The dude in question was freed when his wife forgave him and dropped the charges. Am dying to get a look at this crew, and how have they not been summoned to appear on Maury.
This week's summer vacation installment will cover our SoCal time. Only spent a few days there, but did manage to hit Betty and my favorite Thai restaurant.
The food is good all around, everyone loves the orange rice, spicy pork and green beans, and the crushed ice in the Thai iced teas gives it a slushy consistency, but the reason for the repeated pilgrimage has always been for the spicy seafood soup. Full of fish, clams, mussels, shrimp, crab and squid, and seasoned to perfection. One of those dishes that I find myself craving often and has led to a search around the world for something that comes close (to no avail).
Another food spot that is visited on each visit to my hometown is for a combo burrito at Taco Lita.
I've been going there since High School (a stones throw from Arcadia HS) and the food is exactly the same. And it's not only the food. The place looks exactly like it did 30+ years ago and the SAME WOMAN IS STILL SLINGING THE BURRITOS. She is about my age and started working there in high school and has never left. I am a member of the Taco Lita fan club on Facebook and the owner says that his prices are a bit higher so they can not only provide a superior product, but offer their employees better a career rather than minimum wage. We call our old friend Red as she had red hair (we were so clever). The hair is not as red as it used to be, and eating that stuff every day has added to her weight, but she is keeping the dream alive. Went there with some of my Arcadia boys and we had to give up trying to figure out how many burritos she has rolled in her day as it made our heads hurt. I always want to get a photo of her, but still avoid eye contact as we used to torture her after a night of drinking. Not "we" really, but would go with our boy Andy, and he and Red would get into it. Not really Red either, but Andy would go in drunk and feel the need to harass her for whatever reason, culminating one night when he hurled a combo burrito at the glass that separated us from the back. Andy had some anger management issues to be sure and I always felt bad about what he did that night. Still, I hope there are no hard feelings with Red. I really should take step 9 and make amends to her...
Anyway, got to go to Taco Lita twice...once with the fellas, and another time with the family. They don't "get" it as much as me obviously, but they humored me and think they are starting to enjoy it as well. Carolyn in particular is now a fan of their legendary sauce and now have competition for the stash that I always bring home.
When in town, always get together with the boys, James, Ched and Bill. Not only for a run to Taco Lita, but for an afternoon of gun and car talk, booze swilling, playing a game of 'do you remember so and so', and Obama bashing (at the time regarding his comments on Travon). James just bought a sweet VW bus and we spent a lot of time comparing it to the one Bill has, and wondering in what condition Ched's was in since it went into mothballs 20 years ago (but he claims it is a week away from hitting the road).
This year, Bill had installed a pool table in his garage and we shot stick while Jack FM cranked out hits from the 80's, providing the perfect soundtrack for reminiscing. This isn't the kind of reminiscing you see on a Dockers ad...we still flip shit like we were in high school, complete with mother jokes and questioning of each others sexuality. There aren't any other people in my life where the no holds barred reality checks and sheer stupidity of thought and action are still possible as we close in on 50 as it is with these guys. And love them for it.
Paul and I decided to catch an Angels game with my buddy Norm one night...we met at a place down the street from the Big A that Norm suggested called Angelo's. Check out the marquee as to what is new at Angelo's...Norm is all class.
I will say that the bathrooms were nice. The game was fun (Angels lost in dramatic fashion-good for a Dodger fan), and it's always a good time talkin' sports with Norm. He was working over Paul to become a Dodger fan, and we got into a back and forth as to who could name the most Blue Jays from their back to back World Series teams. As we pulled into the parking lot, Norm looks around and says "it's gonna be a real Bro-fest here tonight". I've been to many an Angel game, and as the stadium is situated in one of the whitest areas of California, I know there aren't going to be many black folks out at the game and tell Norm he's crazy. He then informs me that a Bro is now a term that is used to refer to SoCal white trash dudes that drive raised trucks and have sleeve tattoos. I knew immediately the type of guy he was referring to and the moniker is so perfect. These are the older versions of the dudes in high school that had the tiny baby mustaches, jacked up Camero's, and listened to Sammy Hagar. Apparently, there is no term for his woman, the sun burned bubble headed (and butted) bleach blond, but there needs to be. Working on that.
Other highlights of LA was staying at Betty's sister Alice's house (equal parts fun and frustrating as always) and watching for the first time the 1997 Travolta/Cage thriller Face Off with the kids. How did I not know about this film before? Immediately entered my top 10 good/bad films list. We were all laughing so hard and I had to wipe tears from my eyes by the end. If you've never seen it, do yourself a favor, but make sure you go into it with the right frame of mind. Another thing I checked off my bucket list was eating at Chik-fil-a. Not sure why it was on it, and it was fine, but am not craving another. And finally, there is nothing like driving on the freeways in LA. Got stuck in traffic a couple of times, but one can avoid that for the most part and just fly. Ripping from Arcadia to Irvine on the 210-605-10-57-90-55-5 with the windows cranked all the way down and the tunes cranked all the way up is Zen.
I guess the NFL is one of my joneses...but it is so great. We discovered that the NFL offers a season subscription to residents outside of the US called Game Pass and it has pretty much changed my life. Not only can you dial up any game you want to see live, but you can also watch the Red Zone channel, which happens to be the greatest invention since Candy Crush. And you can go back after the games are over and watch replays of any game both in broadcast mode or in a condensed version. The condensed version shows only the action and one can watch an entire game in about 35 minutes. I love you Game Pass. Add this to the MLB season winding down (with the Dodgers being relevant for the first time since Mannywood), and the playoffs in full swing in the greatest sport on the planet...Australian Rules Football, good on ya Freo...and you understand why this is the best time of the year. For me anyway.
I finally took the advice of people that know a thing or two about great TV and started watching Breaking Bad. Am
We had a short stretch of reasonable weather, but the brutal heat came back a few days ago with a vengeance. The simplest of forays outside saps every ounce of energy and the urge to hide inside all day is strong. And it doesn't get much better at night...hot, humid and not the slightest leaf blowing breeze to cool off the sweat running down your neck. Yuck. I reek constantly and am completely unsure sure how the locals can wear suits and stockings all day and be in the mood to make babies at night.
Did you see this article on Yahoo the other day about adultery being illegal in Taiwan? This woman was facing a possible 298 year sentence for doing it with the neighbor. The law states that each "act" is good for 4 months in jail, and doing the math (298 x 3), that's 894 visits. The dude in question was freed when his wife forgave him and dropped the charges. Am dying to get a look at this crew, and how have they not been summoned to appear on Maury.
This week's summer vacation installment will cover our SoCal time. Only spent a few days there, but did manage to hit Betty and my favorite Thai restaurant.
Another food spot that is visited on each visit to my hometown is for a combo burrito at Taco Lita.
Anyway, got to go to Taco Lita twice...once with the fellas, and another time with the family. They don't "get" it as much as me obviously, but they humored me and think they are starting to enjoy it as well. Carolyn in particular is now a fan of their legendary sauce and now have competition for the stash that I always bring home.
Paul and I decided to catch an Angels game with my buddy Norm one night...we met at a place down the street from the Big A that Norm suggested called Angelo's. Check out the marquee as to what is new at Angelo's...Norm is all class.
Other highlights of LA was staying at Betty's sister Alice's house (equal parts fun and frustrating as always) and watching for the first time the 1997 Travolta/Cage thriller Face Off with the kids. How did I not know about this film before? Immediately entered my top 10 good/bad films list. We were all laughing so hard and I had to wipe tears from my eyes by the end. If you've never seen it, do yourself a favor, but make sure you go into it with the right frame of mind. Another thing I checked off my bucket list was eating at Chik-fil-a. Not sure why it was on it, and it was fine, but am not craving another. And finally, there is nothing like driving on the freeways in LA. Got stuck in traffic a couple of times, but one can avoid that for the most part and just fly. Ripping from Arcadia to Irvine on the 210-605-10-57-90-55-5 with the windows cranked all the way down and the tunes cranked all the way up is Zen.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Week of September 6th, 2013
Things have been relatively quiet and routine around here. I have the first draft for my Taiwan Driving expose down and am fine tuning it for hopeful future publication. If you've visited this page even a small amount, or have seen me in person over the last year, you've heard me rail on these buttholes. My diatribe is not pretty and the likelihood that someone would publish it is unlikely, but will still share with you.
Nothing around town has inspired any entries so far, at least nothing new. All the same nose pickers and hairy moles are out and about. We did find an Israeli lady that makes Middle Eastern food and treats that have been a nice addition to our food choices. Babaganoosh, Moroccan lamb egg rolls, etc...the real stuff. She is the mother of one of Carolyn's friends, and Betty and I met with she and her husband last Saturday so we could ask them about Israel and what we must see and do when we visit in December. Super nice folk...they told us that they met while serving in the Israeli military. His brother works for a travel agency in Israel and we're going to work with him in setting up an itinerary and tours. Fingers crossed that they keep their shit together in that area.
While I wait for Taipei to inspire some entries, think I'll do a recap of our summer journeys. I mentioned that our friend Bob from college came to Taiwan for a visit, and then we went off with him to Seoul for a few days bbefore heading to the States (talking early June now). Always nice to have visitors and hope we showed him a good time. He is an easy traveler...his idea of fun is to get lost walking or riding a bike around town, so we pointed him in the right direction and he did the rest. We did have a zen dining experience at Din Tai Fung together and enjoyed it so much, that we all went back again before we left for Seoul, and then searched out the Din Tai Fung in Korea. Verdict is that the dumplings they make in T-dub are a religious experience and to avoid them outside of Taipei at all costs. By far the crapiest meal we ate in Korea.
Seoul was really great. Honestly...I never thought much of the Koreans before. Kimchi makes me gag, their products always seem to be missing one little feature that makes the whole thing suck, and then there is this. But we absolutely loved our time there. Even though the reason why was horrible, being able to rebuild the city from scratch after the Korean War allowed them to plan it out really well. The streets are wide, the architecture innovative and interesting, and the subway was increbily extensive and convenient to all parts of the city. If it wasn't, a short taxi ride got you where you needed to go.
The day we got in, we went to a baseball game at the big stadium in town called Jamsil. Had ordered some bleacher seats before we left and we showed up a few minutes before game time thinking we'd just sit in the back for a few innings, but when we got in, the place was draped with fans. Total sell out and in the bleachers (only ones available), not only were all the seats gone, but people were having massive picnics in every nook and cranny...the aisles and concourses totally jammed with kimchi dipping baseball lovers. The first pitch we saw seemed normal, but have seen since that they are capable of so much more. Or how about this... Pretty hot whatever your predilection. Was fun to see, but not fun to watch a game and we only lasted a couple of innings, but seeing a culture so in love with baseball already had me reconsidering my prejudices.
Another morning, we took a half day tour of the DMZ with the local version of the USO. Must have been a slow week as it was just us and our guide and driver on a full sized bus. As a history buff, I was familiar with the scenario, but being able to see it was special. At the tourist center, we got to see the weapons and equipment used on both sides and learned that the DMZ itself has turned into an ecological sanctuary as no one goes in to disturb it. They say that occasionally, some local creature will activate one of the millions of landmines that litter the border, but that they are free to be free otherwise. Part of the tour was a chance to visit Infiltration Tunnel #3. The North Koreans dug a series of tunnels under the DMZ for use on the next invasion of the south. No photograpy allowed, but this YouTube clip gives a decent feel for what it was like. You get to the tunnel via a very steep underground decline and then traverse the North Korean dug tunnel well under the DMZ. The tunnels were found after a defector hipped the South to them, and the North claimed they were digging for coal except that no coal is found in that region of the country. The tunnel was very claustrophobic, but it is said that theycould move 10,000 troops plus tanks and artillery through in an hour. Malnutrition isn't all bad I suppose. The morning we drove out to the DMZ coincided with the first meeting between North and South officials regarding the reopening of the Kaesong industrial park that was closed during all the sabre rattling last Spring, and our bus was passed by the South Korean official motorcade, which was being followed by a 1/2 dozen news vans. It is neat feeling like you are a part of the news (my camera was on some funky setting at the time unfortunately)
Our tour guide was a pretty little thing, which was lucky for us as a couple of the guards seemed smitten with her and allowed us into some areas usually off limits
They do that stupid peace sign when taking a picture thing in Korea too. A couple of physical characteristics of the Koreans that jumped out at me was that many of them have chubby cheeks and meaty thighs. I must have gotten used to the stick figures of TPE because I noticed it often. Not saying it was a bad thing, just sayin'. Visiting the different Asian countries is really helping me be able to identify the differences between them much better and that they don't al llook alike.
One afternoon, we visited the North Seoul Tower, which is situated on a hill in the middle of the city and gave a commanding 360 degree view. It was at this cite that one can apprecieate how big Seoul really is with 25 million people, and how well laid out it is so that it never feels crowded.
Hard to get a good feeling of how far it extends in a simple photo, but a definite must visit for a tourist. They had these chimneys from the old days on the hill where they would light fires to warn the population and military of approaching armies, and were told these chimneys are spread across the hills all over the country. Now they provide a photo-op
And they have these "trees" set-up on the tower where lovers put locks on them to certify their bond. Saw the same deal on the Accademia bridge in Venice last winter...such a delightful tradition.
On another day, we visited the Gyeong bok gung Palace, which is the huge home of past dynasties. More expansive than you'd imagine, and the buildings have been restored lovingly, but most of the treasures were stolen long ago. They did have an exhibit of the kimchi pots that were used to ferment that horrible concoction...gross
Definitely worth a visit, but be prepared to walk a lot. It was a hot day and the kids an my favorite spot was a water fountain where we could spray each other down. And then there were these guys.
I think the site that ultimately turned me into a Korean lover was the Cheong-gye-cheon stream. It is a stream that runs through the heart of Seoul and used to be a place where merchants would set-up shop. After the war, it was capped and covered up by an expressway, but a dozen or so years ago, the road was taken down and was transformed back into an open stream where the citizens can come and enjoy. Even though it is literally right smack in the middle of the busiest part of downtown, as it is below street level, the bustle of the city is removed and you get this peaceful park that is 5 kilometers long. You can drop down and walk from neighborhood to neighborhood in peace, or just find a spot under a bridge (they are all different and cool) and sit in the shade while dipping your feet into the cool water. Was such a perfect spot to catch our breath on a hot day...we visited it often on our stay.
Probably the strangest thing we did was to having our feet exfoliated by fish. I had heard about this before and remembered a place in Seattle that did it, but was shut down due to some issue with the spreading of infection, but we walked past a sign advertising it and as curious travelers, decided that we had to give it a go. Pretty simple really...you stick your feet in this tub of water filled with flesh eating carp, and they go to town. Carolyn freaked at the sensation so pulled hers out, but the rest of us were down...felt like a combination of a light pinch and gentle tickle. Due to my Fred Flinstonesque feet, I got the most attention from our little friends.
Other than the worst Din Tai Fung experience, we found some yummy food, especially chicken. We stumbled into some random chicken shop in a cruddy neighborhood one day when we were tired and hungry and desperate for food, and had some amazing chicken sausages of various spices and aromas. And in front of the palace, there was a street fair going on and we found these guys stir frying the bird to perfection. We went back three times...Koreans do chicken right.
Unlike Taiwan, there is little left of the Japanese influence. Taiwan has a lot of Japanese cars, department stores, etc., probably due to their more benevolent treatment of the population here. Learning more about their history on this trip, the Japanese were awful to the Korean with forced changes of language, destruction of culture, and what they now call genocide of the population. We saw only a handful of Japanese cars the entire time (almost exclusively Kia's and Hyundai's) and would guess it is probably one of the few places on earth where that is so.
Another notable difference between the Chinese and Koreans is the use of face masks. The Chinese love 'em and wear them everywhere all the time. The fear of disease is omnipresent with the masks, the swim caps in the pool and so on. No only did we not see a single mask worn in our four days there, but sneezing without covering the mouth is not only socially acceptable, but close to a national pastime. Am a believer in the what doesn't kill you makes you stronger philosophy of medicine and that the fascination with Purel that has swept the planet might just be the death of the human race. The flip side is that the Chinese may know that what doesn't kill you, may still maim and disfigure you.
Sometimes it is the little things that speak volumes about a society, and that thing for me were the use of these little foam blocks we saw on the door edges of most of the cars. We kept seeing these blue things on the cars and thought how ugly they were, but finally figured out they are situated on the door so when you open it, they protect both your car, but more importantly, the car parked along side's door from getting dinged. Simple, ingenious, and more beneficial to you neighbor than it is for you. South Korea's national motto is "Benefit Broadly The Human World." I'm sold.
Nothing around town has inspired any entries so far, at least nothing new. All the same nose pickers and hairy moles are out and about. We did find an Israeli lady that makes Middle Eastern food and treats that have been a nice addition to our food choices. Babaganoosh, Moroccan lamb egg rolls, etc...the real stuff. She is the mother of one of Carolyn's friends, and Betty and I met with she and her husband last Saturday so we could ask them about Israel and what we must see and do when we visit in December. Super nice folk...they told us that they met while serving in the Israeli military. His brother works for a travel agency in Israel and we're going to work with him in setting up an itinerary and tours. Fingers crossed that they keep their shit together in that area.
While I wait for Taipei to inspire some entries, think I'll do a recap of our summer journeys. I mentioned that our friend Bob from college came to Taiwan for a visit, and then we went off with him to Seoul for a few days bbefore heading to the States (talking early June now). Always nice to have visitors and hope we showed him a good time. He is an easy traveler...his idea of fun is to get lost walking or riding a bike around town, so we pointed him in the right direction and he did the rest. We did have a zen dining experience at Din Tai Fung together and enjoyed it so much, that we all went back again before we left for Seoul, and then searched out the Din Tai Fung in Korea. Verdict is that the dumplings they make in T-dub are a religious experience and to avoid them outside of Taipei at all costs. By far the crapiest meal we ate in Korea.
Seoul was really great. Honestly...I never thought much of the Koreans before. Kimchi makes me gag, their products always seem to be missing one little feature that makes the whole thing suck, and then there is this. But we absolutely loved our time there. Even though the reason why was horrible, being able to rebuild the city from scratch after the Korean War allowed them to plan it out really well. The streets are wide, the architecture innovative and interesting, and the subway was increbily extensive and convenient to all parts of the city. If it wasn't, a short taxi ride got you where you needed to go.
The day we got in, we went to a baseball game at the big stadium in town called Jamsil. Had ordered some bleacher seats before we left and we showed up a few minutes before game time thinking we'd just sit in the back for a few innings, but when we got in, the place was draped with fans. Total sell out and in the bleachers (only ones available), not only were all the seats gone, but people were having massive picnics in every nook and cranny...the aisles and concourses totally jammed with kimchi dipping baseball lovers. The first pitch we saw seemed normal, but have seen since that they are capable of so much more. Or how about this... Pretty hot whatever your predilection. Was fun to see, but not fun to watch a game and we only lasted a couple of innings, but seeing a culture so in love with baseball already had me reconsidering my prejudices.
Our tour guide was a pretty little thing, which was lucky for us as a couple of the guards seemed smitten with her and allowed us into some areas usually off limits
They do that stupid peace sign when taking a picture thing in Korea too. A couple of physical characteristics of the Koreans that jumped out at me was that many of them have chubby cheeks and meaty thighs. I must have gotten used to the stick figures of TPE because I noticed it often. Not saying it was a bad thing, just sayin'. Visiting the different Asian countries is really helping me be able to identify the differences between them much better and that they don't al llook alike.
One afternoon, we visited the North Seoul Tower, which is situated on a hill in the middle of the city and gave a commanding 360 degree view. It was at this cite that one can apprecieate how big Seoul really is with 25 million people, and how well laid out it is so that it never feels crowded.
Hard to get a good feeling of how far it extends in a simple photo, but a definite must visit for a tourist. They had these chimneys from the old days on the hill where they would light fires to warn the population and military of approaching armies, and were told these chimneys are spread across the hills all over the country. Now they provide a photo-op
Definitely worth a visit, but be prepared to walk a lot. It was a hot day and the kids an my favorite spot was a water fountain where we could spray each other down. And then there were these guys.
Other than the worst Din Tai Fung experience, we found some yummy food, especially chicken. We stumbled into some random chicken shop in a cruddy neighborhood one day when we were tired and hungry and desperate for food, and had some amazing chicken sausages of various spices and aromas. And in front of the palace, there was a street fair going on and we found these guys stir frying the bird to perfection. We went back three times...Koreans do chicken right.
Unlike Taiwan, there is little left of the Japanese influence. Taiwan has a lot of Japanese cars, department stores, etc., probably due to their more benevolent treatment of the population here. Learning more about their history on this trip, the Japanese were awful to the Korean with forced changes of language, destruction of culture, and what they now call genocide of the population. We saw only a handful of Japanese cars the entire time (almost exclusively Kia's and Hyundai's) and would guess it is probably one of the few places on earth where that is so.
Another notable difference between the Chinese and Koreans is the use of face masks. The Chinese love 'em and wear them everywhere all the time. The fear of disease is omnipresent with the masks, the swim caps in the pool and so on. No only did we not see a single mask worn in our four days there, but sneezing without covering the mouth is not only socially acceptable, but close to a national pastime. Am a believer in the what doesn't kill you makes you stronger philosophy of medicine and that the fascination with Purel that has swept the planet might just be the death of the human race. The flip side is that the Chinese may know that what doesn't kill you, may still maim and disfigure you.
Sometimes it is the little things that speak volumes about a society, and that thing for me were the use of these little foam blocks we saw on the door edges of most of the cars. We kept seeing these blue things on the cars and thought how ugly they were, but finally figured out they are situated on the door so when you open it, they protect both your car, but more importantly, the car parked along side's door from getting dinged. Simple, ingenious, and more beneficial to you neighbor than it is for you. South Korea's national motto is "Benefit Broadly The Human World." I'm sold.
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