Two Meals

Apologies. I have found it difficult to find space to blog. Not that internet has been scarce, but having grown accustomed to the comfort of writing in the solitude of my room, writing in public comes with much determination. I am now at a PC Bang around the corner from my house. It's small (30 CPUs) and comparatively quiet.

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We were looking for Galbi, Korean Barbeque wrapped in a big leaf and eaten with garlic and peppers. Cheap and quite delicious. But feeling adventurous we ordered the Makchang. Daegu specialty. The place was packed as it is every night when I walk home from work. The owner of the restaurant was very hospitable and spoke some English. He helped us cook it on the grill in the middle of the table. It was circular and hollow like little slices of squishy peachy PVC tube. It tasted mild, not unpleasent, but definitely not special. Like a little roll of fat. Found out today, as we suspected last night. We were eating pig intestines.

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Although I often encounter periods of time when I feel very isolated from this society I have found myself in, now and again I am confronted with such uncommon generosity that I forget all previous woes. Friends are found in the most unlikely places. Like at the chicken place down the street from David's apartment. His English was poor, but he was eager. The chicken man who we call Hangnim, or elder brother, invited David, Jenny, and I in late one night and offered us free chicken and beer, and an enjoyable time. I even got to practice my Korean a bit. When we left, very late in the night, he made us promise to come again next week.