That's Dog You're Eating

Teacher:    That's dog you're eating. Can you eat dog?
Me:            What!? Dog? Dog, like d-o-g, dog?
Teacher:     No. Dog, like d-u-c-k.
Me:          

 

So, yes, my colleagues do speak English but there is the occasional miscommunication, especially with facemasks muffling things. I never really bothered to translate the lunch menu before eating but I think I'll start. Knowing the difference between dog and duck can make all the difference.

School lunch featuring duck, not dog.

Indeed, life is strange here and sometimes it's necessary to seek out some familiarity. I was introduced to an Italian restaurant that serves some amazing spaghetti in crab sauce with fresh homemade bread. The owners are a friendly, older Korean couple who spent some time living abroad and can speak English. They take incredible pride in their food and the quality is amazing. After the first meal, I knew I would become a regular customer. Korean food is great but at least with spaghetti, I don't have to guess what I'm eating. Spaghetti is spaghetti. And it's one of the best meals I've had in Korea.

Despite the strangeness of life here, I am amazed at the kindness I have received from the Korean people. I have become somewhat of a regular customer at Twosome Place, a cafe next to my main school and near my home. I still can't communicate properly in Korean, but I've made friends with one of the baristas. Whenever I come in during her shift, she gives me free ice cream with my latte. The first time was an amazing surprise because we hadn't really spoken at all, so it was just a kind gesture for a regular customer. But since then, it's been consistent. Every time I see her, a cup of ice cream is added to my order. There's nothing like ice cream to help you forget about the ridiculousness of teaching at middle school. I just need to remain consistent at the gym to offset all of this ice cream.

When I was living in Toronto I didn't eat Korean food regularly but every so often I would stop by KoreaTown and pick up some Walnut Cakes, known as Hodo Kwaja in Korean. These cakes resemble actual walnuts and are filled with either sweet red bean paste or mash potato and walnut. I hadn't found any in Korea until yesterday when a teacher brought some in for everyone to try. I love the sweet bean paste.

Food is a bridge to understanding a culture. It can make you feel happy and accepted. It can also make you feel like a foreigner, completely lost and out of your element. No dog for me, thanks.