I believe that is blood-filled sheep intestines, which is how my stomach feels right now after teaching class 1-1. I was all excited to play them the movie “Scratch” because it’s the last lesson before summer break. But they didn’t give a shit. So I turned the damn film off midway and lectured about the American school system and university requirements.
Sara’s friend Mark couldn’t believe I might sign up for this place again next year, and I told him that if I got an English Zone, where I could have some control of my environment, that I’d like to see what I can do with all the disadvantages related to environment eliminated.
But just like being asked about how long I want to stay in Korea, that was yesterday. Today I just have this burning feeling in my stomach, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve had too much coffee, or too much kim chi, or if it’s the beginning of ulcers, or what.
Yesterday I saw a show following two foreign food critics eating their way across Seoul. It was grossing me out, actually, seeing them masticulating so much. But anyway, one of them was eating Sundae and said it reminded him of haggus. So now that I’ve eaten Sundae, maybe I can also cross off haggus as a thing to try. Even though my last name is Scottish, I am quite content to limit myself to shortbread cookies as my adopted parent’s heritage contribution. I am also quite content to limit my Sundae eating to one or two bites every other year.
Hello Korea ! 
It’s the food. Koreans die of stomach cancer. I think I’ve gone too native. I really wonder what the inside of my stomach looks like. Wait. I don’t want to know.
But hey, you live really far away. Maybe you can get a place closer to me next year?
Is it the food or the soju? One post I haven’t finished and never will was about missing the exorcism in Ganeung. (I was doubled up in the bus while others were hiking past a ritual spot and a shaman just happened to be performing an exorcism then) I’d had some soju the night before, but nothing to line my stomach with. The next day, I was sick – for the ENTIRE day I was throwing up and my plumbing was working way too good. And we were taking the bus on tour destinations. I honestly wasn’t sure if it was the soju or a bug. But wasn’t myself for three days. Maybe it was a bug AND soju combined, but my stomach had no lining left to it for at least a week afterward.
I ask random Koreans about kim chi and stomach cancer and my confusion how if eating the awesome pro-biotic qualities of kim chi is so great for you, then why do Koreans have the highest rates of stomach cancer in the world, and they say it is the salt and the pepper. Umm, so kimchi without salt and pepper would just be fermented cabbage. And fermented cabbage without the salt would just be, um, rotton…
I don’t know. I know I don’t know many westerners who’ve lived here long, but of those, sounds like nearing half are having serious stomach issues.
So I’m trying to be mellow and eat kim chi in smaller quantities, as a true condiment. I’m also trying to avoid anything fried. So I’m going more for fish, vegetables, and rice lately.
But the ice cream is really a problem, and I just discovered Korean fruit-flavored popcorn…
As for the living situation. I REALLY want to move the hell out of Pyeongchon Station area. Maybe somewhere closer to the Han river would be smart – kind of in between downtown Seoul, my Korean lessons, all the KADs, and my job. But others keep telling me about teaching positions in the country – where class sizes are small and schools are small and you get to see the kids twice a week or more. Except then I’d miss everyone I’m making connections with here…
And WHERE THE HELL are single people my age besides church?????
I remember trying kimchi at an Asian market in Canada. Except I didn’t know it was kimchi until after I “ate” it.
Far too spicy for me. X.x
Or maybe there’s milder kimchi and I just don’t know it? XD
Curious to know if Koreans talk about agent orange at all. I have been reading about the Korean and Vietnam wars. It looks like American vets are still struggling with our government to recognize the long-term effects of agent orange exposure. Back in 1999 the ROK vets “won” their lawsuit against Dow, but I havent seen anything about cleanup efforts. Could agent orange cause the high incidence of stomach cancer and “acid” rain in Korea?
Hmmm…I will ask this over lunch one day, but it is the last day of school and I might not see everyone for almost a month.
I HAVE heard it mentioned before, I just can’t remember when or why. I do know the acid rain is about Chinese factory emissions.
I also have heard about reforestation projects and I assume that was post war. They did a bang up job – you can’t see any scarring on the mountain sides at all.
I’ll have to read up on the health effects of agent orange…but I also know recent residents are having serious serious stomach issues, which is kind of scary.
As for kimchi, it just grows on you. And it needs the rest of the cuisine to compliment.
Had 3 yr. old kimchi once, and didn’t like it at all. Reminded me of a jar of Chinese preserved vegetables I got in a crock pot at the Chinese market one time. Was the same drab color, had the same stink to it.