Itaewon, the English Area for Foreigners

Today I went to Itaewon, the foreigner area of Seoul, with Pam. Here almost everyone who sells something speaks English. I bought two beautiful Korean masks representing a woman and a man. They'll be decorating my walls here and I'll be bringing them back home. I also bought some Soju drinking glasses, the Korean's official 90% alcohol drink, to be able to share soju with my friends. Each glass has a drawing of a Korean mask on it.

While we were waiting at a subway station, I bought a small bag of 10 Koreen walnut cakes. They are about the size of timbits. When looked in the bag I was surprised to see that each one was individually wrapped...Now this really does not come as a surprise; it simply confirms the Koreans obsession with details and perfection.

I also saw my first sqwatting toilets. I didn't "officially" try it since there was pee all around it, but I will eventually use one and when I do, I'll let you know about it...Like when I'll have my first grilled silkworm, full of nutriments and apparently crunchy, eating experience.

First Time at the Theatre; Ma première sortie au cinéma

One of the things I was thinking I would be missing while I was in Korea was going to see a movie in a theatre. Well, believe it or not, the English movies are presented IN ENGLISH with Korean subtitles! It's even better than watching a movie in Chicoutimi since they were always in French. Life is full of surprises!!!

Comfort wise? I would give the theatre a 10/10 score. The Koreans preoccupation for details is even seen here. First of all, when you buy your ticket they show you a screen on which you choose your seat. Your ticket has the number on it. Then when you enter the room, even if the lights are closed, you can easily find your place since there is a lighted number before each row. The seats are extremely comfortable with a headrest and you even have elbow space.

The only thing I found strange in relation to my own culture was when I bought my popcorn and was asked if I wanted it sweet. My spontanious answer was "No thank you!" but since I want to fully live my cultural experience while I'm here, the next time I'll say yes. That next time may even be tomorrow evening if I go to see Star Trek...in English :-)!!

Une des choses dont je pensais m’ennuyer en étant ici était de voir des films au cinéma.

J’ai eu la belle surprise d’apprendre que les salles de cinéma présentaient les films américains EN ANGLAIS avec des sous-titres coréens!! Enfin je vais pouvoir écouter les films au cinéma en anglais! La vie est pleine de surprise. La salle? 10/10 La préoccupation des coréens au petit détail est présent ici aussi. À l’achat du billet on choisit notre siège sur un écran parmi ceux qui sont libre. Il y a des numéros illuminés sur chaque rangée de siège pour nous permettre de trouver notre place même si les lumières dans la salle sont éteints. Les sièges sont très confortables avec des appuie-têtes.
Une autre chose qu’ils font que l’on ne voit pas chez nous est de nous demander si on veut du sucre sur notre pop-corn. Ma réponse immédiate et spontanée a été « Non!! » mais, étant donné que je veux vivre mon expérience coréenne au maximum, je vais dire oui la prochaine fois que je vais aller voir un film. Il se peut que ce soit demain soir ; le film Star Trek est encore ici et j’ai vraiment hâte de le voir!!