"That's what blogs are forrrrr..."
[Cue Chorus]
Here's to Gardner in Korea, cool commenter from this blog who helped me out with my having "been kookminned" out of getting the cash from my money orders – the type that can't be used outside of the US.
Well, since I figured that the base IS the US, for all intents and legal purposes, and has a federal post office there (two, in fact), that I might get this postal money order exchanged.
So I met Gardner and headed off to the first post office, which only had enough cash to exchange one check. I was glad my gracious host had the time, since the main exchange didn't have the cash, either, and told me that they'd probably have it later in the day, around 4.
So what to do? EAT. Now, of course, I had to treat, but I felt kind of like I was the one getting the fun, since I was so happy to just even be on the base again (I had had access until I was 25 as a military dependent, and go there when the parents visit Korea).
I've never been happier to be inside the bowels of American normalcy.
We almost hit this bar-and-grill that Gardner in Korea suggested, but it chose that day to be closed for cleaning or some such. So we ended up at the Dragon Hill's Mexican place.
I know, a lotta people complain about that place. But they're crazy. That place rocks. Shredded pork, BBQ spare ribs, mashed taters...oh, my! I wish I had two stomachs.
Wait. I already do. Or so Korean folks tell me. Hehe.
Well, that day, my 배 was really, really 나왔어 like a mofo'.
I had cash in the pocket, a bursting belly, and I bought two pies and apple fritters as sweet bribes and payoff for missing so much work unexpectedly that day, as well as for myself.
I'm pretty well settled in here in Korea, but there's nothing like BBQ ribs that don't come with 20-year-olds in striped uniforms, killer cheer, and purple knee socks. OK – so sometimes, I like the kneesocks...
Anyway.
I can't help it. No matter what people say, no matter how uncool some may think it to be to salivate at the prospect of getting into the base, let them see what they do if they get an invitation to sticky macaroni, salty pizza, and Cool Ranch Doritos™. Cherry Coke, "real" hot dogs, and link sausages.
And white teenagers. And black people. Fat people. Cars that stop for pedestrians. Women in military uniforms. Houses with yards. Stuff like that.
Did I mention Cool Ranch Doritos™?
I feel a tear welling up.
