Tired
Trip Start
Jun 15, 2006
1
7
11
Trip End
Jul 20, 2006
Busan, Korea Rep.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
I spent time with my mom and (vigorous) grandmother two days ago. We took a bus down to the big (and I think, not the only one) fish market where we rifled through dried sardines, eels, sea cucumbers, crab, octup(i? I need Maritess' help here, ha), creatures I couldn't identify, and yes, whale meat. Big chunks of whale meat. That made me sad because everyone knows whales have pencil drawn smiley faces and spout animated water and deserve our help. Anyway, last night, we ate dinner at a Japanese restaurant where we consumed these various creatures, and more. I almost ate the whale, thinking it was a thin slice of mushroom (which, in irony, I greatly dislike but was trying, in the spirit of 'openness'). My crestfallen face showed my mother what I thought of whale, and I promptly shoved the plate to the other side of the (low) table. Maybe wedged in is more appropriate, since the table was covered in spiky legs and squishy fish.
My grandmother wakes up at some ungodly hour like six. Today she called me to have breakfast at 7:30. I got some hot soup and rice into my stomach before I fell asleep for another two hours. In bed (also on the floor), not the table. My grandmother, who will never stop still for more than a few seconds, also does not believe in washing machines. So she does her (and her daughter's) laundry by hand. I'm now sleeping on the floor, eating on the floor, wearing handwashed clothing, and getting used to the hectic apartment lifestyle. I don't mind anything but the chaos. Not to say Busan is chaotic--it's fairly relaxed and full of wind from the ocean (literally), nothing compared to Seoul (a world unto itself). But nothing, then, can compare to Santa Maria, which is defined as the opposite of all that moves.
As I am losing track of time and date, as well as borrowing a computer, I can only give vague ideas of chronological order and no idea of visual imagery. However, it seems visual imagery can be just as well created in one's mind, using one's own imagination. And chronological is important to no one except me and people who have a liking for chronology. I suppose I will put up photos whenever I get the chance, and then I will add captions explaining, thus canceling the need for me to describe them here and now.
Life here wears down on you, and it is true that Korea is, as my cousin puts it, a "funny hell." Five weeks once sounded short; now it is seeming endless. However, that's not to say that I'm not enjoying myself-I am, and it is good to understand and have the company of blood relatives. But the language barrier is creating problems for me here in Busan, where only my cousin and mother know any English. I know more Korean than people expect, but I am reluctant to use it. Why is that?
Tired now, time for some eye-panning-over-English then bed.
love,
Sarah
p.s. sorry to everyone to whom i owe emails, especially to those who await long emails. i promise i'll write as soon as i get a longer block of time at this thing called internet.
p.p.s. i also miss fresh food. though koreans are so health-conscious that the Body Shop, organic food, and other health-related ventures are likely to be popular, "healthy" is interpreted the same way as "natural", i.e. vaguely at best.
What I could really go for, right now:
* authentic Mexican food. especially anything with carne asada, mm. and soft tacos, corn tortillas.
* salads with dressing that doesn't taste like candy.
* In 'n Out burgers
* black coffee, no cream or sugar. in a portion that's larger than 1/3 cup.
* tall glasses of water. here, you're normally served a small carafe per table with similarly small glasses.
* houses and sidewalks
* my phone
However, I am developing certain habits, likings:
* hot green tea (nokcha)
* Korean food for breakfast
* drinking coffee after meals
* long meals
What is boring me:
* trivial chatter that can go on for hours
* a routine life consisting of eating, drinking, going out, sight seeing
* learning defined by 'seeing', or 'going to see...'
Hm, everything seems to center on food. I like food, and I like people who enjoy sharing long meals together.
