It pays to be loyal

I am a big believer in shopping at mom and pop stores... especially ones around your home.  In Korea, I have chosen 1 grocery store, 1 corner market, 1 dry cleaner, 1 pharmacist, and 1 kimbap place to frequent as often as possible in order to get to know my neighbors and contribute to their business!  

Since I'm living here alone, it's been important for me to get to know my neighbors, and the merchants in my area.  Being able to wave to all these people in the morning on my way to work, or at night on my treck home, has made me feel part of this community!!

Tonight, I did some grocery shopping and was stopped at the door, by the clerk, who motioned for me to drop my bags.  I was confused by the gesture, but followed her directions anyway.  She asked me where I lived (in Korean) and I told her.  She explained (mostly with hand motions) that she would take my groceries to my apartment on her auto bike so I didn't have to carry them up my hill!  

Sure enough... a couple minutes after I arrived home, I had a knock on my door!  Can you believe they delivered my groceries for me?!  It pays to be a loyal customer... in more ways than one!!  

Where does this bus go?

These are the typical Bus signs in Korea... believe it or not, I can actually read and understand these signs!

The night I took this picture, I had to read this sign to figure out which bus to take home. I took bus 103, because I read that it stops in 괴 정 시 장(which means: Goejeong market), which is near my apartment! Who's impressed?! Anyone, anyone?!!

What are you guys doing?

Last friday, after lunch, I was walking up the staircase at my school and saw some of the 5th grade girls climbing all over each other. It was one of the strangest and funniest lunchtime activities I think I'd seen, to date. Stella told me it's a popular Korean game... The girls put their heads between another girl's legs, and then someone jumps on their backs! If I didn't have pictures to go with this, you'd think I was describing an adult film!!

I have no idea what the purpose is of this game, but if I have to lean over and put my head between someone elses legs and then have everyone fall on top of me to play it , I don't think I'm interested!!!