'So Hot Right Now!'

Having gotten to bed at a reasonable hour and not consumed 16 gallons of soju the night before, Friday went rather well at work. As I again conducted the two lessons that I had been performing all week one might say that I had settled into a groove by the fifth day! Too bad tomorrow will only bring a change of plans. . .no worries, I should have it down by Friday I'm sure!

Despite being exhausted after our first week of work Nate and I decided to treat ourselves to an adventure Friday evening, exploring a bit more of the city. Hungry from working all night we took to the streets of Nowon, in our Junggyedon neighborhood, only to a find a number of restaurants closed. This upset us at first until we realized how unconventional it is to be searching for dinner at 11:00pm!

We managed to grab a hot sandwich from a store front that we hoped would be a 'burger' but ended up being again some combination of egg (sweet due to the corn) and meat! Wandering further along we grabbed an equally delicious and healthy snack of a battered and deep fried hot dog. . . differing only from your typical corn dog in that the deep frying takes place after the corn dog has already been cooked! Mmmmmmmm!

Running low on the initial cash that I brought with me (as we have been eating out every night, no reason to buy groceries if you're just going to be moving soon) we turned our attention to finding an open bank or working ATM. While I realize this sounds foolish to do at 11:00pm on a Friday, the corner that we work on is called 'four bank corner' or something like that due to the prevalence of such institutions. I know this only from what Harry, the New York-Korean, has told me. . . .mm hmm!

While we did find ATM's on the first floor of a few banks, none of them accepted foreign cards and only a few had an English button. . .which translated some, but definitely not all the writing! We eventually decided to give up in that we both remember LP talking about using the ATM's in convenience stores. . .though translating was mentioned as an important issue.

Found a taxi and headed back south to our temporary home in Dechidong, which, as it turns out, is a very posh and well known residential area. . . .we assumed this much however when we first encountered the Rolls Royce dealership around the corner from Dunkin' Doughnuts!

Dropping our school bags off we decided to head out to Apgujeong, as was recommended by our friendly tour guide in the metro station the other day. He suggested we visit the area because it is 'very expensive' with 'nice cars' and 'pretty girls.' Sounds like just the place for two rookie teachers fresh off the plane!

Thought we could catch the subway as Apgujeong was only a few stops up however entering our local Hanti Station we were greeted by lights turning off and gates closing up!! No subways after midnight it appears!

Jumped back out in the street and managed to hail a taxi. . . .after being passed by at least a dozen, already full with young Seoulites just starting their night (the next morning). Slightly surprised that the taxi prices jump substantially after a certain hour we still managed to make it to the "Beverly Hills" of Seoul for less than $10. . . oh yeah, we're living the life!

Pulling into the area the driver asked if we wanted to be dropped at "Rodeo Drive," which yes, is what they call the main strip in this little slice of California East. The naming is not in vain however as the streets are lined with the cream of the crop designer stores and cars. . . .and ooooohhh the cars!

For those that care. . . within minutes we heard, before we spotted, an Aston Martin Vanquish pulling out of a club, on the sidewalk as all Seoulites do of course. The next few steps brought with them an onslaught of Porsche Twin Turbos, the drivers of which could not have been older than 15. . .okay maybe 18, but no older! Gliding up hill (yes, it is possible to do) past us we just barely caught a glimpse of a black Ferrari Modena, riding batman style of course with all of its lights off! Looking back down hill Nate sent my heart flipping when he claimed to have spotted the Bugatti Veyron, my ultimate prize! Alas, I still must wait for the day when I will spot a live one as the car in question turned out to be an Audi R8. . . .not a bad piece of machinery! Finally, crossing the street we glanced up into a lit window to see a silver McLaren-Benz SLR, a steal at only a half-a-million dollars!

Of course the riff raff had their Lotus', AMG's and other high end European babies, but the ones mentioned above certainly sealed the deal. . .this is Rodeo East!

Having wandered no more than a few blocks we were approached by a Korean-American (just my luck, another New Yorker) with his friend from Fresno (obviously finding fitting in a bit easier to do in L.A. East than L.A. Standard where speaking English is a hardly a notable quality). The pair asked what we had planned for the night and we quickly briefed them on our only very recent arrival and lack of plans other than pure observation.

Alex, the New Yawker, suggested that we come with them to the Circle Club because they 'have a table' and it's obviously the 'hottest club in Seoul' right now! We told him thanks for the offer and that we'd think about it. They said no problem and wandered just down to the corner to what looked like the entrance to Circle. After recognizing that this club was connected to a parking garage we had wandered by earlier that housed Lamborghinis, we figured we'd give Circle a shot!

Not sure if we'd get stuck paying an exorbitant cover or not we hesitantly meandered towards the big bouncer wearing all black an adorning a flak vest (which can only be for show as Seoul is notoriously safe)! As we walked towards the door, past a number of people seemingly waiting in line, the bouncer shot a mouthful of Korean towards us to which Nate responded "oh it's okay, we're with Alex." Somehow this worked. . .

At the end of the long black stairwell filled with smoke and laser beams (ooooo retro) we were again stopped by a woman at a cash register. Undoubtedly she was telling us to pay whatever the cover was to which Nate again responded "oh it's okay, we're with Alex." Again this line was bought as we were given wristbands and entry into the club with no further questions. This Alex guy must be a big deal!?!

Once inside we found our 'friends' Alex and Jason(?) who introduced us to their partner in crime, Brad, from Canada. I asked him if he too was a teacher to which he replied, "I'm white without a buzzcut. . .yes." Makes pretty good sense as the only non-military foreigners we've seen/met/heard of are teachers!

Brad seemed much more collected than everyone around and by this I mean no enthralled by blaring techno music, flashing lasers and overpriced (essentially unaffordable) drinks. I asked him what the deal was with the table and what not, meaning who's the one in charge and who's feet are we stepping on by sneaking ourselves in!

I was told that Alex had taken a slight liberty in describing it as 'his' table in that they were in fact guests of a few Korean girls, one of whom was Sunny (not from our school)! Having paid at least $300 for the table Brad figured the girls like being seen with Caucasian men. It was explained to me that Sunny was trying out to be a flight attendant. . . .to which I responded "trying out?!"

Apparently, flight attending in Korea, especially for Korean Area is a big, big deal! The girls go through a five step selection process that includes beauty, brains and ability to speak English! Sounds kind of like flight attendants during mid-century in the US (though I only say this from movie references such as Catch Me if You Can). Brad explained however that Sunny was certain she will be cut as she is too fat. Oh the degree to which appearance matters in this country!! Los Angelinians could only hope to be this vain and be so darn good at it!

We stayed for a while but only to get our fill of watching, and trying, to dance to Korean techno. Deciding that it was wholly ridiculous and simply not possible to feel comfortable we took off for the streets of Apgujeong.

Having heard of a great jazz venue in the area we went out searching for the Blue something. . .Always happy to talk to a foreigner we found a young Korean man (who could have been anywhere from 12 to 60 as these people do not age) who directed us to Once in a Blue Moon. By directed I mean not pointed us in the right direction but rather took our hand and lead us to the front door. In doing so I felt obliged to offer him something and while it would be impossible to pass of a monetary gift I decided to share the gift of experience, informing our friend that Nate is a minor league baseball player; a status akin to Prince in Korea! Now this information is kind of true in that when Nate was a minor he played baseball in a league with other minors. . . .a Minor League Baseball Player! Unfortunately the venue was closed to we thanked our friend and headed off.

Having started our night at 12:00pm it was already growing late by this point so Nate and I turned our attention to food rather than further entertainment. As the majority of restaurants were closed by this late hour, we made our way to an alley of street vendors. We patronized two of such vendors for foods that I only wish I could explain. All but the sloppy meat sticks and noodles in red sauce were deep fried. One was clearly octopus as Nate, who is allergic, pointed out after taking the first bite!

As our hunger subsided and exhaustion set in, we hailed a passing cab to take us back to Dechidong. . . realizing that we really had no clue how to direct a taxi to our place. He managed to get in the general vicinity and we jumped out at our favorite landmark, which really isn't all that close, the Lotte Department store!

Unfortunately we both forgot cameras so none of this Hollywood evening was captured on film, of memory card! Oh well. . .we'll have the memories and you'll have the story! Just remember, if you're in Seoul anytime soon, check out the Circle Club, its the hottest thing around. . . .for the next 15 minutes if it's anything like L.A!!