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Irish Spring Isopropyl Alcohol and Sleeping Pills

Funny thing about shampoo, for the better part of the last 23 years, I rarely used Shampoo and I NEVER used Conditioner. This was a marked change from my high school years of wash / rinse / repeat (why should hair be washed TWICE each shampooing!?!) and this change began the moment my college pal Flibby Thurstein recommended to me in 1987, while we lived in Barrington Hall -- that I wash my hair less frequently, in order to retain my head hair longer. 

Flibby’s theory was that washing one’s hair frequently causes rapid hair loss.  For that, I never once bought or used shampoo for the next 23 years. Still, I haven’t bought shampoo or conditioner once in over two decades. I still have a full head of thin hair.

You see, I’m only 5ft6in tall and the fact that my hair is thin and straight and the top has wide scalp-showing parts, means that most of my Berkeley friends towered over me – Flibby is 6’4’’ tall. As a result, not infrequently did my pals rib me, “Yer gonna be bald by the time yer 23” when I was 19 and “Yer gonna be bald by the time you’re 30, when I was 23, the year I left Berkeley for LA in 1991.  

I can either be thankful to Flibby or chalk it up to coincidence. Perhaps my hair could have been clean all these years and still be attached to my head!?!  We’ll never know.     

I remember when I, at the age of 36, moved to Pusan in Summer 2004; in my new apt, the former tenants had left behind a large bottle of Vidal Sassoon Shampoo in the bathroom almost completely full. I moved out July 2006 and I didn’t even finish the bottle!

Nowadays I wash my hair 3-4 times a week, but for years, once or twice a month, if that.   My hair is thin; it doesn’t collect an obscene amount of dirt. I never got the nickname, pigpen. Be that as it may, when I first arrived in my mom’s West LA condo in November 2009, there was a big bottle of shampoo in the shower.  Yesterday, November 4, 2010, I finally finished off the shampoo bottle.  It took only one year!

The reason for such excessive use is that I ran out of soap 3 months ago, and have not bought any new soap; which means I’ve basically been using the shampoo as soap since August! That’s why today, I went to the market and bought Irish Spring soap – my favorite soap. I also bought Isopropyl alcohol and sleeping pills, so I won't drink at night.  I did not buy any shampoo. 

It was funny in the market. I asked a box boy where to buy soap.


-- Where can I find soap?   (pause)
-- What kind of soap do you want?
-- Bar Soap?
-- Oh. (longer pause)
-- Dude, soap. You know, soap? What’s the deal?
-- Yeah (pause) I’m sorry. (laugh)  Follow me!

The awkwardness was on account of ‘soap’. Both the Latino box boy and I shared a lot a unspoken subtext and even a laugh. Our conversation might have sounded like this.


-- Where can I find soap?
-- What kind of soap?
-- Bar soap. Regular soap. The kind of soap you use to wash yourself.
-- We have body wash, foaming cleanser, liquid soap...
-- Dude, soap. I want soap.
-- Hand soap? Face soap?
-- Soap, mutherfucker soap! I’m a man.
-- Yeah, I’m sorry, it’s not you. It’s all these West LA people. Nobody ever wants just ‘soap’ anymore.
-- Yeah, I've noticed.  What the hell happened to the modern man?

TODAY and this week begins NOVEMBER 2010. This is significant to me because in November 2009, I returned to the United States after being away for 13.5 years. Oh, I’d visited the States over the decade plus, but I had not resided Stateside, nor had I worked on US soil, nor had I paid any taxes to the IRS (legally, mind you), nor had I had any real involvement with the USA from 1996 till November 2009 when suddenly, I WAS BACK for good! 

And more than just being back, I had no plans to go anywhere, not for travel, not for work, not for anything. I was back in LA to make it as a writer. Nearly 12 months ago, one calendar year, I arrived in the US; and with the exception of two overnight trips with my family, one to Vegas, one to Modesto, I’ve spent every night of the last 11+ months in my bed or on my brother’s sofa.  I love LA / hate LA.

Boy, how things have changed in the last 13.5 years. Here’s a short list of things ubiquitous NOW in 2010 MMX, that weren’t here BEFORE I left the US in 1996.

Transfats
Supermarket shelves full of soap-like products
Universal and Ubiquitous Internet
A cell phone in the hand of every other driver
A cell phone in the hand of every pedestrian
Handheld video playing devices
Dot com attached to everything
Pharmaceutical drugs advertised on TV
Reality Programming replacing dramas&sitcoms
So Many TV Networks!
Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton
Original Cable Programming / Movie stars doing TV
The Animation Domination of Simpsons / KingoftheHill / Family Guy / Futurama / Cleveland Show / Metalocalypse / Spongebob Squarepants etc.
Traffic Lights with digital timers
Traffic Cameras
Cannabis Dispensaries
Pot references on TV



Random pictures - part 37

Presenting yet another random picture post - good pictures that didn't find their way into another post for whatever reason.Incredible - an ancient Egyptian something-or-other discovered in South Korea! I shudder to think what the hieroglyphics say. Seen in Wonju.So that's what happens when you drink too much Jager... Seen at a bar in Hongdae.Just a few of the leaves turning color amidst the


 

Fact: Elvis would have loved melona - Hawaii

Elvis once lived nearby, up at the top of a mountain.
If it was good enough for Elvis, 
it was good enough for us to walk up and take a peek.


So up, and up we went .... 




Dragonfly, no matter what language you speak, is one of my favourite words. 
In French it's libellule, in Korean it's 잠자리 (jamjali).
I'm going to pretend that one of them was stealing a kiss, 
and not trying to tear the other to bits.  
 





... and then it was time to go back down.
Look what I found?!



I may have eaten 2 of these a day in the summer while in Korea,
There may have been a few days where the only thing I consumed was Melona.
I may have been the happiest girl in Hawaii when I spotted them at the grocery store.

Do you smoke cigarettes?

No, I do not. I carry a lighter in my purse, if you need it. I just use it to burn threads off my clothes.

3 Days 2 Nights: Seoul

The area around Dongdaemun Gate is home to some of Seoul's best bargain shopping. ~ Photo P. DeMarco

Whether you are about to attend the G20 or are heading to this dynamic city for fun, Seoul is the place to be. Looking for something to do? Where to eat or sleep? Check out this article I wrote and photographed for the Philippine Airlines inflight magazine Mabuhay and learn more about the “Miricale on the Han River.”

[View published version in PDF  format here]

Seoul: City of Infinite Discoveries

Throw away your misconceptions and nip into fast changing Seoul where the energy is as hot as kimchi. PETER DEMARCO shows us around this dynamic city.

An 89 year old man sits in Seoul’s Tapgol Park in the shadow of a ten-story marble pagoda dating back to the Jeoseon Dynasty, some 500 years ago. He rests his hands on a twisted black wooden cane, wearing traditional white baggy clothes or hanbok: the clothing all Koreans once wore on a daily basis, but now only wear during festive occasions like weddings or national holidays. He sits quietly, alone, still, as if comforted by the cultural relics that surround him, while life in this mega city explodes around him.

Seoul really is the “city of infinite discoveries” as the local board of tourism boasts. As you walk the streets of this capital city, you get the feeling that something important or interesting is happening somewhere. The energy on the city streets is so strong you almost don’t want to sleep for fear that you’ll miss out on something.

It’s easy to understand why this city is so dynamic once you realize Seoul is Korea. Although the city’s population is around 11 million, almost half of all Koreans – or 25 million people – live within 2 hours of the city center. It is the nerve center of the country both politically, culturally, and economically.

Life Around Town

A few blocks away from Tapgol Park in the Bukchon neighborhood, a fashion photographer snaps pictures of a tall Korean beauty under the shade of trees that line the street. She’s modeling the latest black leather bag, holding it like a badge of recognition that screams “I’m a VIP, look at me!”

A group of friends giggle as they walk by shopping for shoes, clothes, and a quirky neighborhood cafe to relax in. On the hill above, a couple get’s lost in the alleyways of a cluster of traditional wooden houses with black tile roofs. Fortunately, many of these charming old-style houses or hanok have been preserved instead of being demolished to make way for a new shops or modern-looking houses.

Down the road, inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, next to a grassy field by the Folk Art Museum, Korean performers in traditional dress practice for an afternoon concert. They sing folk songs that have been sung for centuries, their voices echo eerily around the palace grounds.

The pulse of Seoul can be felt wherever you go. From tea houses to temples, markets to museums, it’s obvious the city is alive.

December Lights

In the winter, Seoul puts on a show as thousands of multi-colored lights blanket the city’s cultural hotspots. Since 25% of Korean’s claim to be Christian, the country celebrates Christmas with lights and Christmas trees, making for a festive atmosphere. But make sure to dress warmly as temperatures can drop below freezing in the winter months.

For an especially extravagant show of lights, be sure to head over to Cheonggyecheon Stream (Metro line 5, Gwanghwamun Station, exit 5, walk towards Cheonggye Plaza; free). This 3 kilometer tree-lined stream was once covered by an overpass but is now a favorite place for tourists and locals alike to go for a romantic stroll or have a relaxing picnic with friends.

For an even more spectacular view of the city lights, head to N Tower (also known as Seoul Tower) on Namsan Mtn. Take in the city views from the observation deck or sip coffee while overlooking Seoul at the cafe on the floor below. You can hike to the top of the mountain or take the cable car (line 4, Myeong-dong Station, Exit 3, cablecar.co.kr.; 7,000 won R/T) for a less strenuous trip.

No matter what time of year you decide to visit, you’re guaranteed to always find something interesting. In fact, you don’t even have to go out and search for adventure. Just do as those from Seoul do: sit in the park and let the city open up to you.

Websites

Korean Tourism Board

Hi Seoul

Official Seoul City Tourism Website

Seoul Travel Tips

  • Seoul is one of the safest cities in Asia and the world. Theft or violent crimes are rare.
  • Public transportation is extremely clean and efficient. You can take the subway to most major tourist destinations.
  • Be sure to stop by one of the many tourist information centers for free maps and assistance in English.
  • Although most Korean’s can’t speak English very well, people from Seoul tend to have more experience interacting with foreigners so it is possible to find some English speakers. It would be best to bring along a phrasebook though.

Where to Eat

  • Dokdo Cham Chi: Korean’s, like their Japanese neighbors, have an insatiable appetite for raw fish or whay as the locals say. One of their favorite types of raw fish is tuna or cham chi. If you want to try fish that practically melts in your mouth, stop by this “tuna house” located right next to the Jungno 3-ga metro station. [Myeong-dong, Jungno-gu, +82-2-762-6537; 25,000 won]
  • Bok Cheon Kalguksu: You can’t leave Seoul without trying one of Korea’s signature dishes – kalguksu or handmade wheat flour “knife noodles”. For an even more authentic treat, try the Kongguksu or cold green chewy noodles in a frothy, creamy, nutty-like broth of ground soybean, topped with sesame seeds, sliced cucumber and a cherry tomato. The perfect place to stop after visiting Gyeongbokgun Palace next door.  (Jongno-gu, Sogyuk Dong, +82-2-739-6334; 7,000 won]
  • Parksee Moolko On Jebee: This quirky restaurant in the heart of the artsy Insadong neighborhood serves up Korean favorites like pajun, also known as a Korean Pancake, which is made of rice flour and filled with vegetables and seafood such as squid or oysters, then fried. So delicious! Especially when you wash it down with the house specialty: fermented milky-like ginseng-flavored rice wine called dongdongju.  [Kwanhun-dong, Jongro-gu, +82-2-723-3200; 20,000 won]

Where to Stay

  • Banana Backpackers: For the budget conscious traveller, this hostel offers clean and safe accommodation next to many of Seoul’s major attractions as well as free kitchen, internet, luggage storage, laundry facilities and more. [30-1, Iksun-dong, Jongno-gu, +82-2-3672-1973, bananabackpackers.com; dorm bed 20,000 won, single 35,000, double 45,000 won]
  • Seoul Guesthouse: Why not stay in a traditional wooden house while in Seoul? If you want to live like a local, try one of the many hanok guesthouses like this one located between the city’s two royal palaces. [135-1 Gyedong Jongro-gu, +82-2-745-0057, seoul110.com; single 35,000 won, twin 50,000]
  • W Seoul: This award-winning hotel’s cutting edge design and modern amenities like an indoor pool with a panoramic view of the city, Turkish bath and spa, driving range, and 5 star kitchen, make it one of the most desired and trendy places to stay when in Seoul. [21 Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, +82-2-465-2222, wseoul.com; Double room weekend 375,000 won, weekday 255,000 won, see website for special weekend packages]

Where to Shop

  • Myongdong: If you’re looking to buy the latest fashions at the best prices, this maze of stores and neon signs is crammed daily with Seoul’s trendy bargain hunters. From high heels and jeans, to jackets and suits, you can find all the designer labels and much more. A sight not to be missed! Similar alternatives are Namdaemun market or Dongdaemun market (great for night shopping). Take subway line 4 to Myeongdong Station.
  • Yongsan Market: Cameras, MP3 players, computers, cell phones, and every other electronic imaginable practically spill out of the stores at Seoul’s technological-Mecca of markets. Over 5,000 shops are crammed into twenty or so buildings, making it a technophile’s dreamworld. If you want to get the best value for your money be ready to haggle and bargain your way to deeply discounted prices. Take subway line 1 to Yongsan Station.
  • Shinsegae Department Store: Gucci, Prada, Armani, Hermes, Dior: “house of haute couture” is a more fitting name than department store for this high-end shoppers paradise. Be sure to check out the fine foods market in the basement. Take subway line 4 to Hoehyun Station.

Typical Characteristics of Koreans from Seoul

When asked what people from Seoul tobagi or locals are like, Mr. Pak, a 30 something executive educated in America said jokingly as he smoked a cigarette with his colleagues: “sparkling!” He was referring to the country’s latest ad campaign: “Korea, Sparkling!” According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the new slogan is a metaphor for Korea’s passionate and warmhearted people, unique and creative 5,000 year old culture, and changing landscapes and seasons.

Mr. Pak went on to say in a more serious tone that people from Seoul tend to be more liberal and open to new and different ideas. He described Seoul as being a type of “cultural hotpot” where people from all over Korea and the world come to make a living. Kim Bo Hyun, a college student living on the outskirts of Seoul described the city and its people as being more trendy, unique, and fashionable than the rest of the country.

Kimchi Trivia

Even if you haven’t been to Korea, chances are you’ve already heard about kimichi. But what is it really? Kimchi is fermented vegetables in seasoning – most often onions, garlic, and chili peppers which give it a spicy red color.

When most people think of kimchi, they picture the most popular type which is the red baechu or Chinese cabbage kimchi. However, kimchi is not always red or made with cabbage. The Korean Food Academy states there are actually over 100 different types of kimchi, and references to kimchi date as far back as 2,600 to 3,000 years ago.

Kimchi is such an important part of Korean culture that the locals believe in “kimchi power” or the supposed ability of this pickled concoction to cure almost any type of ailment from cancer to SARS. Actually, kimchi contains about 80% of the daily recommend amount of vitamin C and carotene. It also has high levels of vitamin A, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), calcium, and iron.

 

 

Hand to God... It happened.

On of the stories I get to read on a regular basis in school is about a trip to the zoo. Every time I read this story, I remember our family's most unique trip that took place sometime in the late 1970s or early 1980s.

We were still living in Texas and it was during the winter holiday season, since my grandparents were visiting from Chicago. As a family we drove out to the Dallas Zoo for the day. Normally, our family visited the Fort Worth Zoo, but we opted for something a little different... and that's just what we got.

Now, I will admit that some of the details are a little fuzzy, but the main bullet points of the story that follows is the truth. Hand to God, I am not making this up.

So here is our family at the zoo. we were having a great time during the chilly and overcast day when we happened to come across the lion cage. Yes, it was a cage and not a huge pit. I'm not sure what the lion was doing, but I remember it was pacing back and forth in the cage and it looked funny. I wish I could remember what about this particular feline had us chuckling and pointing, but I can't. All I know is that as a young boy, I had the giggles and I wasn't alone in that regard.

The lion wasn't amused.

He (I know it was a male lion), became upset with us. He didn't growl. He didn't roar (man, that would have been cool). No, this particular lion promptly stopped, turned, lifted his leg and shot urine at us.

No we had to be standing at least 20 feet from the cage. Not only did the urine make it that far (in the air), but hit everyone: mother, father, myself, my two brothers, and grandparents. No one escaped unscathed. The urine drenched us. It must have been days since that big cat peed.

Following the "golden shower," we exclaimed our disgust and started blotting down our wet bodies with napkins my grandmother collected from the cantina. I'm not not sure how big her purse was, because there seemed to be an endless supply. While the napkins made us dry, it didn't remove the smell from our bodies. To help with that, Grandma broke out her Chanel No. 5 and spritzed us all.

It didn't help. For the rest of the day we smelled like pee. Classy pee, but pee nonetheless. That lion got us good.

Hear my mother recount the story below.



What's your most memorable trip to the zoo?

Have a great weekend!

South Korea Adventure #18- Yangsan 양산

We headed out to Yangsan, which I guess technically is a suburb of Busan. It is on the subway line. I have ridden through several times but have never tried to do anything there before. As it's getting cold we decided a short ride would be better. Also we had a third rider with us. It was first time to ride in South Korea. Our day started off slow, but we ended up going to Tongdosa first. It's one of the more popular Buddhist temples. We ate at a restaurant across from the temple. It was really good. We had this dish of ginger root that was prepared with a spicy sauce. It was really delicious. At the temples I usually take pictures of the signs that have English information. Maybe I will use it later when I do some voiceover for the video. Sometimes I don't read the signs till I am editing the video. This time I ended up learning a lot. On the way in we thought that Tongdosa was maybe popular because it was easy to get to. You don't have to climb the side of a mountain to get there. The actual reason is that the temple contains actual relic of Buddha. There was this courtyard where people kept walking around and around in. I could not figure out why, but now I know. It was where they store the relics. I wish we would have realized that while we were there. Even though it is really close our trip back to Yangsan was long. It took an hour and a half. The traffic was terrible. Moshin who wrote with us got his first taste of Busan traffic. I also introduced him to riding in the traffic and how to cut around the traffic jams. He survived.

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