Ashley's First Outing

Two days after I arrived I wanted to venture out of the apartment to see where I was. I slipped on my shoes and waddled a mile up the road to what is called "The Ville." It's right across the entrance to Camp Humphreys. It's an amazing stretch of clothing stores, businesses, bars, clubs, restaurants, and hole-in-the wall family shops that have their home attached to it in back. I was wide-eyed as I read all the strange signs and took in all there was to see. Everything in Korea is smushed together, brightly colored and overstimulating to every sense.

I walked around peeking into most shops to see what they were selling. I stopped into one and was convinced by a little old Korean lady to buy a $6 pair of chopsticks - and she barely knew a word of English. She was just too cute and excited that I was in here store browsing. So I had my chopsticks in hand and went on. I was hungry and really eager to try some authentic Korean food so I went into a restaurant and sat down. I was the only one there. A nice man came and tried to help me with my order. I had no clue what I was doing. I pointed at a picture that looked similar to chicken and smiled. He said "Spicy!" and I shook my head no. No spicy food for me. My heartburn would probably be the death of me. He suggested another dish. Bulgogi and rice kabobs. He said it was beef. Before he went back into the kitchen he changed the channel on the TV to a channel that was showing Transformers. I was grateful he was trying to be accommodating. The food came and I was SO excited to eat. Funny thing about Korean dining is that they bring out so many plates and bowls of food. It's a treat for hungry eyes.

I took this picture before the other 3 bowls of food came out - I thought he was done. Then I felt silly taking pictures of food when more customers walked in, I was so clearly a foreigner with my chopsticks awkwardly in my hand and camera hanging around my neck.

After I was good and stuffed I sat there....and an awful thought entered my head as I stared at the left-overs. Did I just eat dog!!!??? I tried to remember if Bulgogi meant dog. I shook the thought out of my head and left. (I was assured later that day by Tim that Beef Bulgogi is just beef - thank the Lord). I continued down the road. I was met with a lot of stares. I passed by a group of middle-aged Korean men and they smiled and nodded and one said "You so pretty, so sexual!" I giggled and said thanks and crossed the road to the other side. How awkward! I am just going to assume he meant "SO Sexual" as a reference to my big preggo belly that was lost in translation. 

I shopped for about 2 hours browsing in and out of stores. I went into a pet shop not thinking to see puppies in there since I thought having dogs was a rare thing in Korea. I forgot to mention all the people who loved to come up to the dog kennel at the airport as I was passing by them that wanted to get a glimpse of my two. They would giggle and point at them. Anyway, I entered the pet shop and all that was in there were puppies. Usually I'd be the happiest girl on earth and smile and try to pick up every one I could. But not here. Many of them were sleeping or looked like they had puppy colds. A lot of them looked entirely too young to be in there. I had to walk out - in tears of course. I wish I could run a dog shelter. I wish I had a farm like on 101 Dalmatians at the end where all the puppies ended up. I hated to see small little puppies without anyone to love and snuggle them. It's not fair. It's not right. I told myself that they'd all find great homes and people to adore them. I fought back my tears, sucked it up and went on. 

By this time my feet were hurting from all the walking. I wasn't done but my body was. I went back to a store that sold stand-up fans - since I need one for the white noise at night - our apartment is entirely too silent. I asked the lady if she could call me a taxi and she did and one showed up right in front of the store less than a minute later. I crawled in and he took me home. I was exhausted from my first real day in Korea.

I can't wait to take Tim back to the Ville and we can eat at that restaurant again. We are so blessed to have great shopping right down the road from us! They even have a farmer's markets on some days. Amazing. :)