Overview

I recently Skyped (had a Skype conversation? Skyped with?) my mother. Exciting, no? I just find it funny that Skype has become a verb. An action that could've easily gone down in history as video messaging is called "Skyping" regardless of the medium. If you use "Facetime" you're "Skyping". If you use Facebook's fiasco of a video call you are "Skyping". These things are all one in the same. A clever name trumps all comers in all cases. Anyway, I find it amazing that I can talk to my mother, or my grandmother for that matter, as if they are right in the room with me. I am literally staring them in the face (and at myself in the little corner just to see how good I look). Technology is incredible. It doesn't allow me to be homesick. It doesn't even afford me the ability to surprise my parents and friends with the significant amount of weight I've lost in Korea. The evidence is on Facebook and those who speak to me frequently can spread the word. So, despite being on another continent, my friends and family are able to keep up with all of my goings-on. I don't know how I feel about that.

Sure, I'm sitting here writing a blog. I'm telling everyone about my experiences and all of that. In a way, I am not disconnecting myself enough. In a way, I'm still attached to the umbilical cord of the United States and I can't let go. Try as I might, I can't get away from baseball. With the Orioles playing as well as they have this year and with the NFL season on the rise, I cannot, will not sever my ties with home.  With Facebook, I'm constantly reminded of the beautiful sunsets of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the brisk autumn rolling into the Eastern Shore. I see all of this as I lay on my bed overseas waiting for the tail-end of monsoon season to reach the end of its tail.

I spend my evenings running in the city of Daejeon. I enjoy running up the cool, dark alleys that rise and dip seamlessly in and out of the imposing mountain range and valley amidst blinding neon lights and gas stations, and cloudless, light polluted sky.  Nature is constantly at odds with technology in Korea. Nature is losing. But, it still kicks my ass every night. The hills are still hills. The rain is still wet and blinding.  

Let me just say, my experiences in Korea are not unique. I am sure of this. There are thousands of Weigookans in Korea. In fact, it seems like millions. Each one of us wants to feel unique. As a result, none of us speaks to one another. I assume this would go against logic. You would think that if two Americans ran into each other in a far away land that they would instantly becoming friends, wanting to connect and learn everything about one another. Not so in Daejeon. Every time I have encountered a foreigner, they droop their head and pretend like they don't see me. It is a little disconcerting. I want to say, "Hey, pretending you don't see me doesn't mean I'm not still here." We are all here for the experience, but I guess we feel a little less unique each time we see another foreigner.

S. Koreans like Americans. This should come as no surprise. They like America so much that they try their hand at a ton of American cuisine (it should be said with mixed results). Pizza is Italian? Pah. You are full of it. America has the best pizza. Let me give you a sampling of a pizza I had in Korea. Ham. Good. Mozzarella cheese. Perfecto. Rice crust. Uh. Sweet potato filling. Um. Corn. Shoot me now. Not that it is that bad. No, it is far from bad. However, it needs to be said, it ain't American. Try a pork cutlet. That sounds delicious. In fact, it's Japanese! Bonus points! Um, please stop pouring all of that sauce all over the pork cutlet. Seriously, stop. Stop. When! When! I said, when! A light touch does not seem to occur to Korean cooks.  Koreans take on other cultures foods often leaves something to be desired. I didn't come here to eat pizzas all day, though.

Dulsot bibimbab is the go-to dish. I'm a huge fan of Dak kalbi, as well. Hajeon Guk is quite good also.  However, budae jjigae is the one dish I will never turn down. Budae Jjigae is quite possibly the most western Korean dish there is. In fact, it originated during the Korean War. Budae Jjigae (as a loose, loose translation) is Soldier's Soup. It is a combination of hotdogs, Spam, mushrooms, carrots, glutinous rice or Duk, tofu and other odds 'n' ends.  It is not the most healthy dish, nor is it the most appetizing looking. On a cold day, I would rather curl up at a traditional Asian table to Budae Jjigae than just about any western meal. It is that delicious. The jjigae part is the soup. It is made with fermented soy beans and the ubiquitous red pepper sauce, Gochujang. It smells phenomenal and is quite spicy and delicious.

Next segment: Korean People