SEOUL FOOD

This trip to Seoul, South Korea has definitely been an unforgettable experience.  My growling stomach has grown fond of the South Korean cuisine. I have notice is that South Koreans pride themselves on great food and hospitality. When entering an establishment you'll be greeted by an "annyeonghaseyo" (that's Hangul for hello), and after each money transaction a "gamsahabnida" (thank you).  I have only been in Seoul for 5 days, but have come to realize that this is a society that learns respect and customer service from their young age and into adulthood.  This may be why tourism is such a successful part of the South Korean economy.

We have been staying in a working class neighborhood just outside of the Namguro subway entrance.  This neighborhood is home to hundreds of small mom and pop restaurants that are sure to satisfy your taste-buds with any South Korean dish that you can imagine.  We have even found some that have taken a western dish, and perfected it with some South Korean flair, like their pizza or chicken wings.  I have made it a goal of mine to not eat at the same establishment more than once, in an effort to absorb as much of the South Korean culture as possible in the short nine days we have here.

My first food experience of Seoul wasn't exactly too out of the ordinary.  I was starving for some grub, and the first familiar thing I could find was Doritos and a Vitamin Water.  Actually what hooked me for this first meal was the brand packaging and the fact that the labels were written in Hangul.  Just about everybody loves Doritos and Vitamin water, but he difference in the tastes from the American product and the Korean product didn't exactly blow my mind like I was hoping it to.

 

As my courage grew through the first and second day, I began to attempt more risky foods, praying that my stomach would hold up and not give me some serious problems.  My first attempt at some crazy food choices came at the wrath of Samgyeopsal.  This was an amazing meal that closed out a night with the great people from the Asian American Journalism Association.

From this point my food inhibition was broken.  Soon after came Bulgogi, Two Two Chicken, and even this amazing Halal food establishment called Ankaral Picnic located in Itaewon. Here you can get the most amazing lamb or chicken gyros.   I know that we are supposed to be eating Korean food, but Ankaral Picnic takes the prize.

MT FUJI REVISITED

It had been almost 15 years exactly that I first scaled this active volcano.  I was a young U.S. Navy Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman attached to  forward deployed 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.  I had seen it in the distance everyday from Camp Fuji and my mind wondered constantly about it's eerie mystique.  I began to develop a personal relationship with the mountain as I pondered it's mystery.  At times as I was going through personal family issues, I would sit and stare at the snowy peak and it seemed to whisper back to me through the whistling wind.  She was calming at times, until we began to make the journey to her summit on July 24, 1998.  The base of the mountain was humid and hot as we began to make the trek.  From check point station to the next, I could physically feel the air become thinner, and it became much more difficult to breath as we rose in elevation.  I can remember purchasing small canisters of oxygen and I was still having difficulty catching my breath.  What seemed like an eternity later, I finally rose above the summit to feel the crisp snowy air.  I began  to feel extremely nauseous, dizzy, and overcome by the thin air.  I couldn't decide whether I conquered the mountain, or the mountain conquered me.  I promised myself one day to return.  This mountain has personality. She has a mind of her own.  Respect her or reap the consequences.

On June 20, 2013, I had the wonderful opportunity to make a trip back to Mt. Fuji with full intentions of once again making the trip to her summit.  In my heart I was ready.  In my mind I knew I was too horribly out of shape.  She would eat me alive.  Like I said, we have this strange personal relationship with each other.  As our bus came closer and closer to the mountain base, we received updates that there would be a possibility that the mountain would be closed to traffic due to inclimate weather.  We finally made it to the first mountain check point and saw the road barrier up.

As I approached the large fence, a strong brisk wind swept across the cool mountain air, as if she was saying "not today big guy."  In a way, I felt as if the mountain could sense the personal turmoil that I am currently dealing with.  As if she knew what was going on in my heart and mind.  I wasn't ready, and I knew it.  Actually, I think she knew it as well.  My love affair with this mountain will have to wait till another day.  Maybe another trip to Japan is in order.  It may be time to improve my health, work on myself, and come back when the time is right.