Socializing is Rough

Since it got cold here, I've developed an almost unhealthy attachment to my space heater. So, I made a New Years' resolution to keep up with my friends and get out of my apartment more.

Unfortunately (fortunately?), what it leads to is an all-nighter dancing in Hongdae. I dragged myself onto the subway at 5 a.m. and tried not to fall asleep on the ride home. Given the time, my subway car was pretty full  - Koreans once again make me feel like a huge wimp when it comes to partying.

Overall, though, no Black Out Korea moments, so I consider it a win.

Tofu and English Villages

For my winter camp, we are taking the students to Paju English Village on a field trip. So, Kyeong, Mr. Shin and I went to see it before so we could make up some activities.

To be clear, Paju is the name of the city in which the English village is located. So, what is an 'English Village,' actually? Well, I can tell you there is not much of this:

Or, any farms or verdant countryside or fields of yellow rapeseed. In actuality, an "English Village" in Korea looks much more like this:

Yes, that is a castle behind us.

Paju English Village is sort of a hybrid between Disneyland, a British boarding school (Howarts?) and the Imaginarium. In fact, there is Disney music playing constantly.

Would you like to go to Meister Burger? They produce high quality and good service!

In short, it was a bit strange. But that is okay. Kyeong told me not to worry about going so far north, to Paju (one and a half hours north of Seoul), as we would not cross the border. I told her I would not tell my mother (oops).

For lunch, Mr. Shin took us to a restaurant specializing in tofu. I know people is the U.S. do not normally think of tofu as delicious but OMG IT WAS SO GOOD OMNOMNOMNOM. They made it by hand at this place and they had several different types. My favorite was Dubu Kimchi, which is just firm tofu eaten with a warm, spicy type of kimchi.

I have been reading The Ominvore's Dilemna and was talking to Kyeong about traditonal cultural foods being healthier. Kyeong told me that Koreans have a word for this - Umshik Kunghap - which means "food harmony." Tofu and kimchi have umshik kunghap because eating them together is more delicious AND healthier for you. Tofu, while high in protein, produces a chemical that makes humans unable to absorb most of its protein. But, by eating it with fermented foods, this chemical is neutralized so all the protein can be absorbed.

Man, I should watch myself; I think I'm being converted.