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Yesterday, Jay and I spent another Saturday in Seoul. We went with some of our co-workers to a technology mart where you can barter for tech gadgets and gizmos. It was definitely Jay’s kind of place. He was even able to find his first Apple products in Korea! I think we will be going back there often. After a day of guys trying to convince us to buy cameras, computers, cell phones, and bootlegged DVDs we all felt like we could use a drink. We decided to have “a few” drinks with our co-workers and their friend Chris. In Korea it is legal to drink pretty much anywhere. People drink in bars, on the streets, while taking public transportation, you name a place and Koreans will drink there. So we grabbed a drink for the cab ride to the bar. The teachers introduced me to a favorite drink of theirs, Soju and Blue Powerade. “I just want to say that Powerade is delicious, it cools you off on a hot summer day, and we’re all looking forward to the release of Powerade’s new flavor, Mystic Mountain Blueberry.” Jay wasn’t down for the Soju Powerade, so he opted to start the night with a 1.6 liter plastic bottle of good ol’ Cass Ice. Jay said, “Plastic bottle? A rescrewable cap?! Genius!!”

Dublins, the bar we went to was full of foreigners, many of which our co-workers knew. The guys played some pool while Katie, Danielle and myself were entertained by the bartenders. I don’t know if it was just the bartenders at this bar or if all bars in Korea are this way but I have never seen such entertainment from bartenders. I am not talking about bottle throwing tricks and slick drink pouring moves. These bar tenders broke out magic tricks and balloon animals! I kid you not, I had magic foam bunnies reproducing in my palm and I left with a balloon poodle. And the best part, in Korea you don’t tip! This show was absolutely free. I tried to give the bartender a couple bucks anyways and he refused to take it. All the bartenders also had iPod Touchs for you to play with while sitting at the bar. Jay would have loved this but he was too busy pissing off Canadians by asking them what kind of Indians they were. (FYI: “Native” doesn’t always mean Native American)

After the bar we were somehow convinced that it was a good idea to go to a club in Seoul for a concert. Somehow we must have missed the part about the concert being Basement Jaxx and the club being a Techno club. Sorry for all you Techno fans out there but it’s just not our thing.

The cab ride to the club was probably the highlight of the night. The cab driver spoke a little bit of English and was probably equally entertained by us as we were by him. When we first got in the cab, he said “Soju”. He was trying to ask if we had been out drinking. Chris took it as the cab driver was asking him for some Soju and offered him a bottle. Good thing he did not take it because Korean cab drivers drive bad enough sober. The cab driver then got a phone call which he informed us was his “boyfriend”. After some explaining of English terms, we found he actually had a “girlfriend” and it was his “friend” calling him. It was a funny ride but you might have had to be there and had some Soju. In Korea you also don’t tip cab drivers so I left him with my balloon animal as a thanks for his entertainment.

I don’t think Eminem visited Seoul before saying “nobody listens to techno” because when we arrived at the club there was a line of people wrapping around the building. Not being fans of techno ourselves, we really didn’t see a point to waiting in line. However, our friends (hardcore techno fans) were determined to get in. Our friend Chris decided to go up to the bouncer and inform him we were friends of the band. And since we were white, he bought it. So we bypassed the crowds and got in. Jay and I didn’t stay long because the combination of the music, lasers, and previously drank Soju were making me feel ill. Nevertheless, it was an interesting night and we got some great pictures out it.

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