Wandering while mentally wondering...

I happened to snap this picture from across the street, not intending to capture the noise of the power line or the two words..."on" in the background. Now that I look at the picture, it seems perfect. Reality television, seems to be something that Koreans can't get enough of. Dating shows, where the audience texts in their comments and a group of young Koreans that seems to get their own safer versions of other shows that usually have them set in traditional Korean setting, pushing the envelope to their own social norms.

This staged event of one of the reality kind, have these guys dancing on stage and chugging beer to cheers here in downtown Daegu. As you can imagine, the guy with the shades and hat induced screams from the girls in the crowd. I was partial to his look as well.

However, to be fair, my journey of the day starting by going downtown, wondering what I would find, when I stopped and stared at these caged parakeets. I just wondered why they would be sitting in front of a clothing store. Oh these birds were smart, and not at all camera shy. Singing away happily as I snapped their pictures, I thought of it as just a kind of ordinary moment when two Korean girls decided to strike up a conversation with me.

All of a sudden I had two shadows who wanted a picture with me. Why? I honestly don't know, but I obliged them by hailing down an expat who happened to be walking down the street. I kind of laugh because I finally see how the oversized hat (I just can't find one in Korea to fit my head) and sunglasses obscures my face. We exchanged information and I went on my way, leaving these birds to fly to enjoy their freedom.

And then it came to pass, a shop that doesn't just sell panties, but the more erotic thong. The shopkeeper's face turned red and begged me not to photograph them...so one shot was what had to do, at the very back of their store...not made in Korea, but made in the UK. God Save the Queen!

When you get lost...just go somewhere

Do you ever wonder why we get lost sometimes? This is one of those times, where it really wasn't particularly urgent for me to be at a certain place, but I had to make a choice...give up and go home or change my plans. So just like the picture of the musician...sometimes you just have to play.

There is something to be said for the use of landmarks for directions, however when you use landmarks that coincidentally have a few of the same venues all within a block of each other...it turns into a wild goose chase. Kind of like going to an intersection and seeing a Starbucks on each corner. Daegu is like that with their cell phone stores...you can have four of the same one not just at an intersection, but also up and down both sides of the street (just a bit of an over saturation problem).

However, as the rains kept coming down...I decided to find someplace to hole up for a bit...and perhaps listen to some music. After navigating my way through the umbrellas and construction areas without having my more practical shoes on, I spotted a place called Martini that had written above the sign...two key words...Live Music.

It was after all Saturday night, and the setting seemed to be a good one. Early enough in the evening to just relax and perhaps catch some entertainment. As I looked at the miniature piano and microphone...there was one thing distinctly missing...customers. I thought with hesitation if I should even go in...but no, immediately I was shown a chair right at the bar by the lovely and cheerful Betty who seemed pleased to practice her English.
As I settled in and gave my order we exchanged stories about our travels, life philosophies, and our observations about the Korean ways of doing things. It was honestly refreshing to hear her point of view of what it is like to be a part of the culture as a woman. She has a distinctly liberated view of how she wants her life to be.

The night was more entertaining than I could have possibly imagined. I was witnessing the real drama of this place trying to keep afloat. As a few customers filtered in and sat down, there was a small group of older (meaning my age) Koreans that ordered a bottle of Hennesey and started doing shots. I politely declined the drink when offered (Whiskey and I parted company a long time ago) and returned to the writing I was working on.

Betty came by and expressed curiosity over what I was working on and I happily showed her and she began to haltingly read the work. Somehow, it was at that moment where I no longer felt I would be lost in translation. So I offered to compose something for her, but she would have to give me the word.

The word she chose was emptiness...and the words flowed...

The Wholeness of Emptiness

The empty glass sits before me
the ice is gone

the alcohol consumed
pouring through me
the emptiness of you.

You were to be
something more than

you are.

An illusion that I dreamed
That you could complete me.
The reality that I had to see
The wholeness of the
emptiness of me

in your eyes

that no longer see.

And at the bottom I inscribed, "For Betty at the Martini Bar - 7.10.2009"

It was just a moment in time where you just play and you give what you can along the way. If you can, drop by the Martini Bar, and see Jasmine (Betty decided to change her English name) and Lee Hee Soo. And if you can play a bit on the piano...that would be just damn swell.

A conversation with strangers...

I admit I am an observer of people. A voyeur of sorts. A friendly smile, and a notebook and my dark sunglasses worn to protect my vision. I was sitting outside, enjoying the day when this young couple crossed my path. He was desperately trying to take his friend's picture. She was avoiding his lens, even resorting to hitting him. I laughed as I continued to watch this exchange.
So quietly I spoke up, "You should let him take the shot. It would be fabulous if you would allow him to focus in on your eyes." Oh, she protested, at first, but I finally convinced her that she needed to see the beauty he saw in her. Somehow, with those few words I was able to convince them both to pose for me while he took the picture.

I told them both, "With fear, nothing can be created, not even a picture."

When we parted company I was thanked with the following words, "Thank you for teaching us." I smiled and waved back...