When in Rome

I have been having many exciting experiences in Korea. I have seen a Korean history museum, a Korean performing art group, watched what I think is Korean version of Saturday night live, and eaten many new and different things! I have been trying to take it all in stride although I am told that I wear my emotions on my face a little too much (by my Korean translator who has spent 6 years in the US and had no problem telling me so! :)) The lunch experience he is talking ab

out was a spicy meal of noodles and salted fish. The meal was actually great but I was struggling to use chopsticks with it and they thus thought I hate the food! oy...gotta learn to have a poker face because the food was good. I have gotten better with chopsticks with certain foods, but others (like long slippery noodles) are my downfall.

Yesterday I was asked if I have eaten dog before. I swallowed and said no. I was asked if they could treat me to some- so I said yes, I would be open to that. I kept praying that it tasted good because I did not know what I would do if it was bad. It actually tasted like a very tender roast beef. The disconcerting thing was that not only did we have to walk past a kennel full of dogs before walking into the restaurant but every once in a while during the meal there would be a chorus of barking- just to remind me where I was and what I was doing!?!? I have been wondering what makes some foods gross vs. acceptable in each culture. I don't have an answer but I am thankful that God has not given me a squeemish stomach or problems with texture since I have tried many new things!

This picture shows a traditional Korean restaurant with people eating on the floor (more difficult in a skirt!) with my host mom and new sisters, Deborah beside me and Esther across the table!