Korean Counterfeiting

Kristie and I have now entered the realm of counterfeiting in Korea.

Let me explain. As I think I told you, the government pays for our rent while we are here. It’s one of the nicest perks of working for DoDDS. However, the way it’s distributed is a bit of a problem. Rather than give it in monthly increments, they prefer to give it in one lump sum for the year. Since we just renewed our contract for the next year, we had $22,000 deposited in our account. There is not a checking system as we know it in Korea. Rather, I had to withdraw the cash from the bank, and we walked downtown to get it changed into Korean won. Here we are, holding 22 thousand bucks in a brown paper bag. I was suspicious of everyone. Even Kristie.

We found the best exchange rate, and, after waiting a few minutes, had our rent money. We called our landlord, he signed a receipt, and took his money for the year. (Note: there is a side story here regarding our toilet seats. While he was here, Mr. Kim and I were kneeling in front of our toilet wiggling the defective seat. I wondered how I ended up in the bathroom with a Korean sticking his hands all over my toilet bowl searching for loose screws. He later returned with two red Christmas-themed seats with “Santa’s World” written on them. Kristie politely refused them. I thought they’d be kitschy. Kristie then politely told me that “kitschy” is a pretentious word and I should not use it.)

A few days later, we went to the same money exchange place to change more money for our trip to Seoul. He said, “I’m glad you came by. One of those $100 bill is no good. Fake.” I told him that I withdrew it from the bank, but he said that they don’t check the bills there. His bank is sending it back, and I think he expects us to buy it back. Think of the corrupted possibilities here. He wants us to return in a few days to look at it. I’m not sure what the outcome will be (or what I’m supposed to be looking for), but I’m going to go to the bank tomorrow to sort this out.

6th in Seoul

On another note, today is our 6th anniversary. We spent the weekend up here in Seoul (I’m typing this from the coffee shop in the hotel while Kristie sleeps). Yesterday, we had a great plan. First, to an Independent Film Festival at the Seoul Arts Cinema, then a trip to the Rodin Museum (his “Gates of Hell” sculpture is housed here), then we’d have dinner at the Baghdad Magic Café, where there is a magic show. Nice plan. Reality, however, was different. The Seoul Arts Cinema moved to an undisclosed location. The Rodin Museum was closed for June. The Baghdad Magic Café was, as far as we can tell, demolished to make room for high rises. That’s the last time we trust a two-year-old guidebook.

Summer Plans

I’m in the homestretch as far as the school year is concerned. We have two more weeks of classes before heading home for the summer. Here’s our schedule:

June 18-23 Portland/Seattle
June 24-30 New Hampshire (work-related workshop)
July 1-9 Rhode Island
July 10-16 Washington, DC (another workshop)
July 17-August 17 Portland
August 18-20 San Francisco
August 20 Leave for our return to Korea

Even though we are having a grand time gallivanting around, we are homesick to be home (is that a repetitive phrase?).

At least we’ll have plain, firm toilet seats there.