Procrastination

           So last night Rachel, John (our Canadian co-teacher), and I decided that it was a time to celebrate our good fortune. We had been a little strapped for cash and asked our employer for a small advance.  They not only came through, but came through in style.  We managed to get twice what we had asked for and had it within 2 days.  Little did we know that what was a harmless night out after work, became a series of sad observations about the condition of Korea. 

           So when last we left our heroes they were boarding the subway to famous Iteawon.  I have written about this place before and many of you out there in “internet-land” know of it well.  With a stash of cash in our pockets and a destination in mind, we went to the famous Wolfhound Pub.  Instantly we all felt like we had come home.  Delicious beer, perfectly cooked burgers, Caesar salads, and bangers and mash graced our table and were quickly devoured. 

           Ok, so all good right?  It’s what happened next is where our story gets interesting.  So we were very tired and didn’t feel like taking the subway home.  After making the decision to find a cab we then waited for nearly 20 minutes as taxi after taxi drove past us.  One going so far as to slow down, lower his window, hear where I wanted to go, and drive off.  John had an even worse experience trying to get a cab.  He managed to get one to stop.  The driver then said that it was going to cost him x4 the normal rate to get where we wanted to go. 

           Now it wasn’t all rejection and disappointment.  Across the street from where we were waiting we saw our first drunken businessman.  I had commented to Rachel before how prevalent the alcoholism is in this country, but she was more than shocked to see a man literally fall over drunk on the side of the street, then picked up by his buddies and thrown into a taxi.  Apparently we are a worse choice than someone who might literally vomit all over your cab. 

           And speaking of vomit.  So after being rejected and an attempted fleecing we thought that we might still have enough time to grab the last train back home.  With luck and fortune on our side we dashed through the ticket machine, down the many, many, many flights of stairs, and got on the last couple of trains home.  Now here comes the vomit part.  As I said alcoholism is quite large here.  When we boarded the first train we found a whole row of seats that were empty.  With cat-like reflexes, I managed to pull Rachel away in time, from stepping foot first in a pool that covered the floor near the empty row of seats.  With a little close comfort though we all managed to grab a few seats far and away from the offending space.  Now the funny part about this was we found another offending pool on the second train we had to board.  Rachel could only turn to me and ask “really?” in a voice that was as much amused surprise as it was horror.

           Ok so we got home all safe and sound, and promptly passed out.  After all we had work the next day.  It isn’t as if I am wasting valuable time at work to blog a story about finding rude cabbies and vomit on the subway.