People are strange when you're a stranger..." ~ The Doors.
Last week was a strange week...a very strange week of happenings indeed...
It all started when a man gave me his card early Monday morning. I was headed out for my jog and he'd just finished an evening of partying. He was stumbling all over and as I walked by, he gave me his card...well, he stuffed his card between my arm and my body because I was pretending not to notice him. Usually I don't put much thought into these actions as I tend to get many business cards from men just passing me by, sober or drunk. I just figured Koreans loved giving out their business cards. But something struck me as strange on Monday morning, so I pondered his actions throughout the day.
Two mornings later, I'm up bright and early for a jog, and I decide I would pay close attention to the people walking around my 'hood. I notice three women, probably in their 40s, coming out of one of the buildings near my apartment, very drunk, smoking and dressed very...slatternly and revealing by Korean standards. I have seldom seen women openly drunk and smoking in the streets...usually it's just business men making complete fools of themselves. They giggled as I passed and say 'hello' as they were locking up one of the storefronts. Looking at the store, I noticed there are no windows on the ground level, just wood paneling and a flashing sign in the shape of a heart hanging on the door. The second and third floors have windows, but they are covered with paper. And still I wonder...
Up early again the next morning, I notice there are quite a few of these storefronts on my street. This time as I stroll by, I notice one of the buildings is open and I see an elderly lady cleaning. I peer into the doorway, but can't really see anything as the space is made up of smaller rooms with doors. The walls of these smaller rooms did not go up to the ceiling and I could hear people whispering. With this, I hurried on ahead, trying to piece together what I've seen. As my mind is racing, I'm also noticing I'm passing by more storefronts that look identical to the ones in question. Then it occurs to me and I stop abruptly. At that exact moment, I also hear someone crying out in ecstasy. I stood in disbelief. I've walked this route hundreds of times and never once did I notice the 34 almost identical looking storefronts on my street.
I'm living in a red light district! I knew these places existed here, but I had no idea I was living right amongst it all lol.
I was curious as to what reaction I would get from my coteachers, so I told them about my discovery and explained the whole story. Their reaction? They laughed...and laughed...and laughed!! Here is Lanny's explanation as to why I am given business cards...
"Oh, Cony...this is not so strangey. These men think you are very beautiful and they give you this cards because they think you are a Russian.... (long pause while she thinks of the English word).....
......ahhhhhh... prostitute!"
Enjoy!!!
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