OK, that last post actually applied to yesterday (the 5th). Today we got up a little early to meet Katherine (Clay’s friend from the States who also teaches at the Academy) and Sophie (Clay’s Korean girlfriend). We originally intended to tour a traditional Korean village, but the bus ride would’ve taken too long for Clay and company to make it back in time to teach at 4. Instead we walked around among the skyscrapers and visited the local mall. Koreans love their American merchandise. The reason I know this is because the majority of all clothing is plastered with (badly interpreted) American idioms and slogans. I’ve noticed a lot of people wearing North Face and Dickies apparel though I’m not sure these fine companies are seeing much profit from the sale of these clothes. We visited a couple of stationery and novelty stores where they had all kinds of stuff stamped with weird English phrases. One of my favorite purchases was a little notepad with a confused looking panda bear and the following statement printed in small letters at the bottom of the cover: “Panda: fall in love…or fall in hate. get inspired or get depressed. ace a test or flunk a class. make babies or make art.” Sober wisdom or insane blathering…you decide.

Clay left at 4 to teach again. Mat and I walked with him most of the way then stopped off at a park to shoot some hoops. We held the rapt attention of 4 or 5 youths on the sidelines for a short while. As my head grew bigger and bigger my brain grew smaller and smaller. I decided I could dunk…I tried and failed as per usual. The children were disheartened. A little later I totally redeemed myself with a beautiful shot that arched over the backboard and in with nary a thread touched (there actually was no net on the goal). Satisfied with our performance and eyeing the gathering storm clouds, Mat and I returned to Clay’s apartment. Mat now slumbers and I toil ceaselessly to bring news of our trip. I only hope someone reads.