People are strange, when you're a stranger...

Before I move onto China, I'd like to share two more details of my experience in Seoul that is sure to raise the eyebrow of any God fearing American.

Let's talk about personal space. We all need it. Sometimes it's because whatever you are doing at that given time is an event that should be kept to yourself, and other times it's just nice to get away. Well, I give you this...



Now, not all bathrooms are like this. Many have the standard westernized, Man and Woman rooms, but many if not most are like this. A general bathroom with Men and Women "zones". I didn't encounter any uncomfortable situations myself, but I can imagine some good ones.

Here's another:

From Seoul

There's lots of people in Seoul, and therefor lots of cars. Just like any major city really, but there are no (or at least it there doesn't appear to be) any parking rules. Basically, if you can put park it without blocking the main road, it's fair game. Naturally, you'll have these situations where you're going to get parked in, and in order to get out you have to find EVERYONE who is parked in front of out and ask them to move. When I was told about this "situation" I thought, "how is this possible?" I mean you'd be waiting all day! Well, I also learned that the trick to this is that every one's cell phone number is on the window of their car, so if you need them to move it, you just call. "And they'll come down and move it", you ask? Yes, they do. This happened to us once and I figured we'd be waiting for awhile (like any New Yorker would), but to my surprise the car was moved in a matter of a few minutes! Talk about respecting your fellow man.

Before we move on, please watch the following:



What's going on you ask? Why a rally to drum up support for Son Hak-Gyu! Mr. Hak-Gyu is running for a position in the South Korean Parliament, and he needs your vote. He shook my hand, and I saw into his soul.

My natural reaction was to chuckle at this sight. A group of teenagers dancing in a city market is supposed to be taken seriously? How can they take such a serious thing as Democracy and bring it to the level of a teenage dance party!? Then I thought for about two seconds, and realized America is no better. We just look at things like: if someone is or is not wearing a pin, believes in Jesus, wears boxers or briefs, or inhales. You know, the important stuff. Now, I only wonder what other countries think of us.

Sigh.