mirror man

By the time I post this it will be a few days old, but I wanted to type it all down now while it's still fresh.

After moving into my apartment yesterday I tallied all the items I'd need to purchase at the neighborhood E-Mart (Korea's answer to Wal-mart). I needed some basic things- like a full-length mirror, rubber gloves, and a toothbrush cup. I also made a grocery list because I got an Asian vegetarian cookbook in NYC that I've been dying to try out. After perusing every. single. aisle in E-Mart, I was able to cross most things off my list. Sidenote: you have to pay for shopping carts here. And plastic bags, too.

Once I got up to the checkout line I realized I had way too many things in my cart for the 10 minute walk home. A young male worker was nearby, so I motioned at him to take the cumbersome mirror away; I would come back and purchase it later. He obviously misread my finely honed acting skills, and promptly repositioned the mirror so the cashier could scan the barcode. D'oh.

'Well,' I thought. 'I'm a strong, independent woman. I can carry all this home.' That and I had no clue how to describe to a taxi driver where to take me.

Big mistake.

After waddling 3 blocks with my load, and receiving no lack of curious stares from the locals, I had to rest. I gave myself 10 minutes and set out again. This time I made it another block before I had to take a break. Laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation, but hurting from the weight and awkwardness of everything (including a 12-pack of toilet paper that I was roped into purchasing by a very persistent E-Mart employee), I pep-talked myself for the remaining 2 blocks.

While crossing a parking lot, barely shuffling forward, I heard someone jogging up beside me. A man was motioning wildly and before I knew it he grabbed the mirror out of my thankful hands and was walking next to me, speaking in Korean. Now, I've been told a thousand times there is "no crime in Korea." But honestly it didn't even cross my mind that this man might be robbing me. And he wasn't.

Even though he was headed the opposite direction, he took the time to walk my mirror all the way to my apartment. Along the way he asked if I was there to teach English, and I found out that he works in sales for film developing and has been to the US several times, his most notable trip being to Las Vegas.

This man was just one more kind display of the generosity I have seen in the short week I've been here. I'm really looking forward to learning more about this amazing culture.