I decided to stop off at the bank after school the other day, and attempt to find my home via an alternative route. Besides getting wildly lost, here are a few things I passed while meandering home:
And then my lovely friend and I went to that bar, U-Ben, in our neighborhood. I may have mentioned it before, but it's run by a 64 year old Korean woman who I wish would just adopt me and get it over with. Little grey pigtails and a baby-face, it's always a treat to go in and drink a $5 (or less) beer when this deliciousness comes with it for free:
The bar is fairly tiny. Very classy joint, though. All wood-slatted walls, tables, benches and bar. Low lights, sliding doors to enter, little wooden circles loop together to form "curtains" between the tables, but the space feels open and friendly. Usually a conversation is available with the other (few) patrons that frequent the space.. my most recent being a Korean Democrat from my district who was excited to talk about New York, in which he lived for 18 years.
The owner's a dream. If I was a better person, I would remember her name, but alas, it's lost on me in a sea of conversation that blurs my memory.
Last time I went, she suggested that I massage vaseline all over my face at night. It will make me young! And drink plenty of tea: then I will always go to the bathroom. It's good for me.
Each time (even the first time) I've visited U-Ben, she's taken the opportunity to make me feel as welcome as family: talking with us, sitting down to eat with us like we all knew each other for an eternity... always refilling beers for free... throwing delicious fish stew and miles of snacks at us (not cheap food, either), plus a free Korean lesson; I love her. I may move in and sleep under the tables, but the bathroom is outside and around the corner, so that's a bit of a draw-back. For now, I'll just settle for her munchies, wisdom, hugs and alcohol.
testing, 1, 2, 3. Testing.
ReplyDeleteHey - it worked!
ReplyDeleteI was lying in bed last night, imagining myself trying to find my way in a city without street signs... I would probably take photos with my cell phone to mark my path so that I could find my way back to 'start'.
ReplyDeletehahaha! ya, i look for certain trees.... certain streets.. i walk around saying "Cheongdam saguri?" and somehow get to where I need to be :)
ReplyDeleteI had a little place similar to this in Shanghai run by this pretty lady named Jenny. I think I ate there every single day, sometimes twice a day. It was Vietnamese/French cuisine, and tiny. I miss it. Dan and I loved it so much we wanted to open the same exact one here! ha.
ReplyDeleteaw that sounds SWEEET. ya, it's time i get over there for another visit very very soon :) can't be neglecting my lady.
ReplyDelete