My wild, crazy, Christian Saturday night.

My Korean friend Guard has been amazingly nice to me. He has taken me out and shown me much of the city. Tonight he introduced me to his friend Jinok, a Korean girl my age. We walked to Seoul National University, so he could show me the track, where I can run. After that, we went to dinner. Last time I ate with him I tried their version of chicken soup. He knew I wasn't feeling well, so he told me it would make me feel better. In the soup you get a whole baby chicken with rice, ginseng root and nuts (peanut, ginkgo and chestnuts). It was very delicious. This time I got to experience something new again. Steamed pork that you eat with cabbage leaves and kimchi. I haven't really liked much kimchi, but however I really enjoyed it at this restaurant. It was spicy. The meal was also served with a spicy sauce with teeny, tiny shrimp mixed in it and a soy bean paste. Just like every meal, the dinner was served with rice (bap) and a soup, which is usually overly salty. This particular restaurant we ate on the floor. It is funny cause we were not in a Korean part of the city and many of the other diners were looking at me. Jinok, especially watched my chopstick skills and impressed with my ability. However, Guard is not an orders me a fork which I refuse to use.

Both Guard and her are Christians. They prayed before they started to eat, they don't really drink and they study all the time. Their English is limited, so our conversation is limited, as well. This Saturday compared to an average Saturday in Philadelphia is very different. To them I come across so nice and good. Not that I am not, but if they could understand what life back at home is like I doubt they we would talk to me. They don't realize they practically had dinner with the anti-Christ. I nearly burn up, when I enter church and my mouth is incredibly dirty. It is sort of weird that my existence has taken on something else here in Korea.

Its funny though, just walking down the street I am stared at. There is no hiding here. I am use to being able to blend in walking down the streets in Philadelphia and even in my travels to Europe to a certain extent. But here I am noticed and constantly examined, like how little kids look at disabled people. It is a feeling I am not use to and don't enjoy.

After dinner, we go get coffee. The World Champion baseball game was on. It was Korea versus Japan. The coffee house was packed with people watching the game on the large flat screen. Here in Korea everywhere is a hangout: McDonald's, Dunkin Doughnuts, Starbucks, everywhere. After enjoying our coffee, it was time for Guard to continue his studies, so I am now home at the very late hour of 9:45 pm. I think I will wake up early and run tomorrow.