A Frenzied Search for Thanksgiving Turkey in South Korea

Somewhere in Seoul, there is Thanksgiving turkey. Photo: Ian Muttoo, Feature Photo: Gerry

Despite all which we took away from my six months vital in the traditional timberland monastery upon meditation, the impermanence of everything, as well as vital in the moment, there is zero utterly like multiform hours in trade to have we forget all of the Buddhas teachings.

Whether Im the newcomer or directly behind the wheel, the participation of alternative cars has the capability to expostulate (no pun intended) me in to the savage rage. Now integrate which with the lack of H2O upon the train as well as the building ardour for turkey, as well as we have the small idea how we outlayed the initial half of my Thanksgiving Day.

It proposed out with the elementary enough plan: find turkey in South Korea. Im regularly seeking for turkey in Asia, as the charge customarily gives me something to strive for. Online stores can yield sandwich meat, though to find which true, fresh-out-the-oven turkey quality? Not the easiest thing in the world.

For one, there have been no live turkeys in Korea. Secondly, there have been couple of ovens. Nevertheless, for the single dedicated to the search, it is probable to lane down this elusive bird for Thanksgiving dinner. A Couchsurfing forum provided me with the answer: the in progress propagandize in north Seoul upon Saturday, November 27th, only the four-hour outing by train from my quiet small mountain town.

There was the second issue affecting my quest: South Korea came underneath attack. North Korea launched an conflict upon Yeonpyeong Island.

The nation is not land the breath, watchful for the subsequent barb to hit.

The emails came flooding in from friends as well as family, asking if we was alright. we live upon the easterly coast, hundreds of kilometers away from the attack. Even if we had been in downtown Seoul, we d! oubt we would have been severely affected. we have to confess we feel the same titillate to reach out to those we know in alternative countries when disaster strikes, though we consider the improved response than Are we ok??? would be So, what have we heard which we havent?

Life is starting upon as common here. Yes, there is speak of escalation upon both sides of the DMZ, though until bone-fide fight breaks out, there will regularly be talk. Why? Because North Korea is run by the two-year-old who likes to throw his toys from time to time. Yes, we see you. Time to put your pressed bunny behind in the box.

Little has been affected in South Korea alternative than in Yeonpyeong, of course. The mail is still being delivered. Buses have been still running. Planes have been flying out. Restaurants have been portion food. The nation is not land the breath, watchful for the subsequent barb to hit.

Turkey. It all comes behind to turkey. Kim Jong-il is one, as well as we want to eat some.

So what happened upon my Thanksgiving Day?

Korean bus, Photo: Turner Wright

I begin the day during 5:45 a.m. with the healthy seven-kilometer run as well as stretching. This will yield the forgive we need to stuff myself. By 7:45 a.m., we locate the train for Seoul as well as tumble defunct upon schedule.

I mostly hear travelers tossing around the expression,Its not the destination; the the journey. Given which we outlayed some-more time in movement than we did during my destination, Id contend theres truth in that. we should have well known reason up wouldnt obey the clock. The couple of hours Im awake we see all lonesome in the layer of pure snow. The train is still relocating during top speed. A note to those who have never taken public transportation in Korea: when buses have been upon schedule, the drivers have been typically reasonable people. Make them the couple ! of mins late, however, as well as youll see maneuvers comparable to those in Beijing or motorcycle taxis in Thailand or perhaps F-16s.

At this point, Im the small endangered about the roads up ahead, though we confirm to play mental games with the time: OK, even if were behind by an hour, we can have it to cooking When the train eventually does come to the complete stop as, we after learned, from an accident nearby Wonju we have the preference to keep my cool, as well as only let the hunger build. After all, we need to get the bit of an ardour for an all-you-can-eat dinner; whats the harm in skipping lunch?

OK, even if were behind dual hours, we can have it to dinner.

OK, even if were behind 3 hours, we can have it to cooking the small late.

Four hours?? Are we kidding me?? Move this bus, NOW! NOW! NOW! we WANT MY TURKEY!

I consider of myself as flattering flexible when it comes to transport plans, though the suspicion of the take the break watchful for me during the finish of the prolonged train ride opposite the nation was only as well tantalizing to allow anything to interfere.

The total time, Im texting my Couchsurfing crony in Seoul to see if therell be anything left if or when we do arrive. Even if we were to arrive during the train depot inside of the couple of hours, Id still have to navigate the transport system for an hour or so. All which planning, all which expectation for pumpkin pie, the starting to come crashing down. we consider of myself as flattering flexible when it comes to transport plans, though the suspicion of the take the break watchful for me during the finish of the prolonged train ride opposite the nation was only as well tantalizing to allow anything to interfere. People have been stepping out of their vehicles. A cackle of girls from the Chinese debate train is building the snowman, unknowingly using powder from where the Korean male only did his business. we keep repeating to myself, Its the trade jam, theres zero we can do.

Eight hours after va! cating B ugu, we arrive in Dongseoul Bus Terminal. Positioning myself during the front of the bus, we fly out as soon as the doors have been open, acid frantically for the nearest transport access. Did we mention this is my initial time in the large city? Ride Line 1 change to Line 3 buy the ticket here which train, right or left? My turkey is waiting!

Ive run marathons. Ive had calorie cravings over those the small human beings can imagine, though we still find my stomach pushed to the extent of tolerance during the suspicion of not indulging in sweet potatoes, stuffing, as well as succulent white meat. The subsequent event might not present itself until Christmas. And watchful 4 weeks in the land of the morning calm? Not starting to happen, slightest of all with me in the ease mood.

Despite all my speak of inner rage, we relax once we comprehend it is during slightest theoretically probable to have it to dinner. Although we arrive upon the third building of the in progress propagandize sweaty, tired, as well as with my leg muscles in knots, we keep the smile upon my face as well as an tractable attitude.

The writer gets his turkey during last.

Four poetic ladies hail me, only as astounded we done it to the table as we am. Although Ive had Thanksgiving Dinner away from my family, this is the initial time we common it with fellow Couchsurfers. All as well as all, it was the single of the best decisions we made. All the guest save one, were American, though we were utterly the mixture of ethnic backgrounds: the Russian Jew, the Polish Catholic, as well as me, whatever we am what am we these days?

The only thing which unequivocally concerns me during this point, however, is the delights scattered opposite plates upon the red tablecloth. Pumpkin pie, stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes all we can eat for 30,000 Won (about $30), as well as all we can speak about transport for! free. < /p>

The evening continues with poor Korean drink during the accumulation of bars in north Seoul as well as wraps up with drunken talks of life, love, as well as complacency in my hosts flat. Im meditative Just an additional holiday come as well as gone. Though we regret not being home, we adore how such gatherings can move strangers together. Whereas we might have simply upheld through Seoul as well as treated my horde to the cooking in the sequence restaurant, right away we both reason the memory of the common holiday with brand new friends.

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