Chapter 66: "The Land that Racial Equality Forgot?"

Actually, that's way too harsh to say about Korea. Yeah, foreigners are really separate, usually, but everyone's been really friendly and helpful with us. If anything, we get away with more because we're foreign.

But the other night I had my first Racism Experience. One of our Korean friends took us to this little hole-in-the-wall pub, but when we went inside, one of the employees there said the owner didn't allow foreigners. The friend assured him that none of us were Irish (lol!), but the other guy still said no. Apparently foreigners are too loud :-)

So our friend called him a -censored- and we left. Honestly, none of us (my coworkers and I) were offended, more like surprised and amused, especially since the bar was empty except for two other people. We continue to harbor thoughts about going back perhaps, with a whole herd of foreigners and no Koreans, so we can play dumb.

Meanwhile back at the funny farm (school), kids have apparently been breaking the cd players between classes, to make the teachers waste class time trying to find a working player. For weeks I did this with one particular class, and it was so annoying, because I thought it was beyond coincidence that I had to get a new player every single class, but I didn't want to think that they were seriously tampering with the player.

Just to say, I hate this class. They are my worst of all this term, and I'm galled that I've had them every single term my whole year here. Horrible little antichrists.

Anyways, yes, apparently they've been breaking the player, then when I come in and try to play the cd, and it doesn't work, they all applaud and laugh their heads off. Why didn't I catch on earlier? You might be asking. Well, this is the type of class that applauds and laughs their heads off at nearly everything I do that is not funny. This is also the one class that I will not speak a word of Korean in, because they completely bust up, and it makes me think that I've accidentally said the word for "fart" or "boob."

A far cry from the class I have right before them, a class of 8 boys and two girls, all ages 9-10, who (after two months) are still operating under the misconception that I speak and understand Korean. Bless their hearts. They're so insanely funny.

But I digress. Back to the nasty older class that I hate. Apparently their queen, the overly-dramatic-angry girl I've mentioned before, has been breaking the players. When my boss finally found out, he did...nothing. We now have a policy where the teachers take the players with them to class, instead of leaving them in the classroom. A lovely defensive maneuver, cleverly evading students who would like to destroy your property. I was hoping for a more offensive action, like EXPULSION or FIERCE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FROM THE HAND OF GOD.

I will cry and throw a party if this girl ever leaves. Throw a party because she's gone, and cry because she didn't leave sooner.