Japanese Fusion with a Cajun Twist

I have to admit that I fell in love with the decor, and often the surroundings play into a mood, an emotion. This Japanese fusion restaurant seemed to have anything and everything on the menu...but little in the way of Japanese cuisine. However that didn't dissuade me as I started to drink in the environment. My experience, when I view art of other cultures, I am often drawn to the female form. The story it reveals, or doesn't. Why the Japanese artists often portray the geisha as the pinnacle of their value of beauty. The geisha was the secret keeper, an entertainment, yet, to serve, to be selfless to the point of abolishing personal desires, dreams and ambitions.

Every aspect of how these women were trained from all areas of art, culture, to be skilled in conversation, and more importantly...these women knew when to be silent and to have a still tongue. I sank into my chair...and ordered blueberry soju...finally deciding to partake (or if you will drink in) of this Korean cultural beverage...and of all things that I was surprised to see on the menu...Cajun chicken...and since I am partial to strongly flavored dishes...I was certain I would be pleased.

Yes, Foreign gal, once again made an amusing discovery...she did not know what she was ordering. I had the expectation of a small pitcher, however you see what was delivered to my table...accompanied with a small shot glass. Immediately, I could smell the blueberry and trouble. To justify my consumption...I thought of a quote by Henry Miller, "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." I poured my first shot and toasted to the thought of divine awareness.

As if on cue, the waiter hurriedly came with a bowl of soup. I almost burst into laughter. I sincerely doubted this was going to put the slightest dent into any absorption of alcohol. A half-grin/half-smirk crawled across my face. I poured myself another glass and began to wonder if I had been served kool-aid instead of soju...

However...my main course arrived...if you think this looks like Cajun chicken, you have never been to New Orleans. What was before me was what amounted to breaded chicken on a bed of salad, garnished with slices of hard boiled eggs and cherry tomatoes...covered with what appeared to be corn flakes (yes, corn flakes).

Again...I sat back...and this time I could not restrain the laughter...

I am in Korea...first thought. In a Japanese restaurant...second thought. Having a 'Cajun' meal...third thought. At least there wasn't anything on my plate that I couldn't identify properly.

ah...time to pour another glass of soju.

Clubs, Soju, and Shiny Things

It's no secret that drinking is very much apart of South Korean society. As far as the acceptable hour to drink, it seems to be reserved to late in the evening and very much reserved for the weekends. On some places you will see a list of upcoming events (or in this case past) with entry fees, dress codes, and who isn't allowed in the establishment (also in this case, military members).

The servers here are young, fresh-faced, and love the night life, which extends until 5 in the morning for most establishments. However, as I began to look around at the MANY places to go I realized the competition for business can be fierce in this city of neon lights. Most people are attracted to shiny things...and in Daegu...there are a lot of shiny things. With all of that sensory input, I started to look for a few oddities.

Now I know I can be just a bit of a 'semantics queen'. Club organ...with its techno house music had a couple of seemingly unrelated themes for me. First of which was the name. Organ...organ...organ...hmmm. I looked at the washing machine and over thought that as well. Was this a laundromat? Was it to imply brain washing? Was it just simply what the designer produced? I should have gone inside to check it out...but what threw me was the bizarre question about androids? I think I sleep and dream while I am sleeping...but there I go again...thinking.

Then you will find places that have a staunch, more adult feel to it, as to say...'no children allowed.' I smiled.

And then I ran into this place, which I will never go into, because to me...nothing spells depressing more than advertising that you are desperate. Perhaps they tried too hard to capture the Beatles sentiment...but it just doesn't work.

Yes. It is unfair. We judge by appearances. No matter how small the detail, we discern by what we are in the mood for. And since I personally don't care for Soju, I kept on walking.