Korea

I woke up this morning and when I stepped into my bathroom I came to the following realization... the only "Western" thing left in there, is my toothbrush.

I have slowly, without even knowing it, acclimated myself to a culture that quite frankly, even though I have been here almost six months, consistently makes me feel like a monkey in a zoo.

After the bathroom discovery, I took in the rest of my apartment. The only familiar food in my fridge is the Minute Maid orange juice. I eat ramen noodles with spices and sauced I can't even begin to pronounce. Honestly, I can't even read the bag, but when I go shopping I know to pick out "that green one with the NON FRYING written on it". Shopping consists of recognizing colors and pictures, not writing. I buy meat at the store that I have no clue what it is, I just know it tastes good. I quite frankly don't even want to know what it is. I use a rice cooker, hang my laundry on the roof (on nice days) and have a pair of slippers I wear INSIDE.

I have begun to not say "excuse me" when bumping into another person. Why? Because if I said it to every person I bumped into, that's all I'd say all day long. Lining up for the bus I can now shove my way to the front with the best of them. I unabashedly stare at people for long periods, especially other foreigners. I enjoy sitting at Starbucks and people staring for hours on end. I throw toilet paper in a trash can, and use a courtesy bell (see previous post on that). I automatically turn on the water heater when I want to wash my dishes or take a shower, and I bow to people who are older than me.

I need a vacation!