Amsikle - Tuesday, October 23, 2007 2:22:31 AM
Hey everyone, sorry about the lack of posting, things have just been really busy. I’ve pretty much been locking myself in my room, in the library, or in scattered coffee shops around town just studying studying studying.
Mid terms are this week, and I have a paper due Monday, a Korean midterm like Tuesday or Wednesday and then I have a 15 min presentation and paper due the following week. It’s not necessarily things that I’m not used to, but I really want to do well on these papers and tests so I don’t have to worry about the rest of the term. But yeah, so that’s why I did some lack of posting.
While researching topics for my papers, I’ve come across some really interesting topics and information about Korean history and culture, for example, the commodity of Coffee.
Here in Korea, you can’t really find good coffee. Well, good coffee as in brewed strong coffee. Everything here is mostly instant coffee, or canned coffee that is sold in super markets. Coffee shops are present here in Korea, but it’s mostly for the act of going to the coffee shop, not necessarily for the taste of coffee. In addition, even the coffee that is sold here in Korea is really weak. There are chains here such as Angle-In-Us Coffee, or Holly’s Coffee, and you’ll see the usual Starbucks coffee shops, but even in these chains, the coffee isn’t as good as back at home. I thought that perhaps Starbucks coffee would give me the same “experience” as back in the states, but IT’S A LIEEEE. There is no such thing as iced coffee with the white chocolate, there is no such thing as a good cappuccino, and there is no such thing as coffee having more than one shot of espresso. RAAAAAAR.
Back to my point… here is a short lesson on the coffee industry in Korea:
Fist of all, coffee in Korea didn’t appear until 100 years ago. I read an article by Bak Sungmee entitled From Strange Bitter Concoction to Romantic Necessity, and she states that it was only with the availability of powdered instant coffee as part of American military ration of food during and after the Korean War that a significant number of Koreans started to enjoy coffee. Right now Korean’s are the leading consumer of instant coffee. In 2003, the portion of Instant Coffee in the Korean market was over 90%, while in other countries it was only 20%. Surprisingly, I find Starbucks in Korea is definitely different than in the States. Starbucks in the States prides itself on meeting the individual needs such as ordering those ridiculously complicated lattes, or cappuccinos, but in Korea Starbucks doesn’t necessarily function in that manner. In Korea, Starbucks is utilized mainly for its atmosphere, no necessarily its’ taste. Often times, expressed in Dangmee’s article, Koreans usually order bland drinks such as lattes or americanos. In my experience, there isn’t even an option for Soy milk which I found really surprising. If you ask for a special drink, the cashiers more often than not will tell you there isn’t even a button on the register to perform the function.
Sigggh. So basically, my coffee search goes on. However, I have found a decent coffee place in Hongdai where they brew good strong black coffee and the atmosphere is perfect. It’s not that busy, it’s pretty small, and the guy running the shop is in his late 20’s and really nice. He has decorated the place pretty eclectic, with even A FOIL on the wall! A FOIL! I’m so excited! Then he has this like super old record player, with large speakers, his art work floating around, books and music everywhere, and really cool coffee maker concoctions. I really enjoy it here. The guy is really nice, and chill, and he seems really pensive as he sits in the corner always listening to music and doing work on his lap top. The owner and friend (possibly co-owner) always give us free refills, and chocolate, and it’s great. I will take a picture with him soon I think. He really threw me off today when Ryo and I were just doing work on our laptops, and he sat down near us and asked us if we knew where the apple symbol on Ryo’s apple computer came from. We both didn’t know, and then he proceeded to tell us where it came from, and with perfect English. I was really taken aback with his diverse vocabulary in the 3 min he talked to us, and I think that may just be the beginning of our talks. I really want to ask him about the foil on the wall, and see if he fences ^_^, but I think I will save that for another time.
In other news, I did decide to take a break from the sukjeh (homework) and we went out to this really nice bar in Hongdai. It was pretty hole-in-the-wall-ish as well, but really cool. The place was pretty small, but it had character. When you sit down, there are pens and paper where you can write down requests for songs that you would like to hear, and then you give it to the Ajusshi (older man). From there, the Ajusshi looks at your request and either tears it up, or plays your stuff. I kind of liked the elitism, and it was a nice change from the commercial bars in Shinchon.
So I really wish that someone could come visit me in Korea. Drastic change of topic but whatever. I really miss my family, and I miss my friends and since I’m having so much fun here I want them to share the experience with me. I really didn’t think that anyone else would have family come visit them, but it turns out EVERYONE’S family is coming, and I feel all left out…wah., wah right? I will do all that I can to take more pictures so you guys can live vicariously through me, and so I can pretend that you guys are here, but sigh…it’s just not the same. I really want Shannon to come up considering she’s never been out here, and I think she would really enjoy herself. I really miss her like SOOOOO much, and she would just fall in love with the shopping, mountains, and hey, she would get to see me! Too bad my family doesn’t have a million dollars right?
What else. Oh yeah, people here are just amazing. I’ve made good friends with a couple kids here, and it’s really nice to feel close with people so far away from those who were closest to me. Not that it makes me forget about those at home, but it’s great to find good friends to share things with here, and to putz around town. I really wasn’t expecting to find people that I really connected with on deeper levels, so it’s just a pleasant surprise. The unfortunately thing is, (like always in my case) we will be departing each other soon. Of course there is always the seeing each other once a year if not more, but really, unless everyone moves to NYC, San Fran, or Seattle (which oddly enough one person lives in each of these cities), it just won’t be the same. I spend literally every day with these people. Which seeing a person every day is weird for me in-and-of itself considering I live alone in Columbus, and do my on thing for hours during the day, but to want to spend more time with them which is like doubly-weird (puha). I really love how everyone has their own little quirks about them that makes them so special and dear to me…for example:
Hannah a.k.a Hanners: queen of awesome stories, and mumbling side comments in midst of conversation. She should write books…many many books. I’m sure of that. She’s also my partner in crime to pull the “we are too old for this shit” when I house kids are being immature, and stupid. This usually happens when 19 year olds try to drink too much. (I’m too old to be dealing with that stuff now, and so we bond). She also has an affection for reading books before she goes to sleep, and therefore speeds through books. I’m totally jealous of her book knowledge. One day I will have read as many books as Hanners.
Angelica a.k.a Jelly: Coined the phrases “Yooooooo” “we should totally cute a rug!” “Duuuuude” She’s my little jersey/nyc girl that is a doll. She’s totally amazing, and has a brain for archiving music. This girl would put any music guru to shame, and it totally took me by surprise. I have no idea how she knows everything that she knows, but she amazes me by the day. I also love that she’s totally not a music snob like everyone else. She also has an affection for helping people, talking with others through their problems, and really being aware when someone needs help, or needs to talk. Aww Jelly.
Ryo a.k.a Ryo Geo: God love em, this is probably my best guy friend here. Probably everyone else’s as well. Ryo has the tendency to pucker his lips in affirmation of any statement, or he just does them while he ponders information. He also likes to rub/tap his belly when he’s standing around, waiting, or thinking about what to do next. There is also the times when both mannerisms occur at the same time…that’s the point when I usually laugh to myself about how adorable it is. Mannerisms in any form are just cute to me. Ryo also threw me by surprise with how much he knows about International Relations and his affection for knowledge. It’s always nice to bounce ideas off him, or to learn something new that he picked up from wiki. Good thing is Ryo has a balance of being an intellectual, and being completely corny, so both never get old. Ohhhh Ryo.
Alex: the intense artist from New York. I really like Alex because he totally helps to satiate the side of me that yearns for listening to symphonies, go to art galleries, take pictures, see the theatre, go to coffee shops and talk about family or philosophy. He is quite a character, and he as well has some spunk under all the “intensity”. He has a affection for making fun of my mannerisms and noises, and in turn makes me laugh at myself. A very nice guy all in all.
So yeah, those are a couple of my close friends. It’s getting late or I would write about the Austrians or James from Seattle, or Pat from Vancouver, but that will wait another day. I love you fam and friends. I will try and write more soon.
