My first "fame" experience
Last Saturday, October 9th, I took myself to a Makgeolli Festival. Makgeolli is a rice wine that is native to Korea. The festival consisted of different vendors hosting booths where they were giving out free samples of their product, a person then after sampling could purchase a bottle if they desired. After getting lost on the bus on my way there ( I accidentally rode to the end of the bus line -___-), I arrived and was alone...at a free sampling of alcohol.. So...I did what any smart, level-headed person would do, I started sampling away. At around my 5th booth I was approached by 2 older Korean men who were both obviously Makgeolli-ed out of their minds insisting that I accompany them around to the other booths. Of course I went, who in their right minds would pass up hanging out with two hammered Ajusshis (I am positive I spelled the word incorrectly)? To begin our rendezvous they asked me the typical questions Waygooks (foreigners) are asked by Koreans:
1st Question: My roots
Men :"Where are you from?"
Me: "California"
Men: "oooooohhh Cali-PORN-ya. You movie star?"
---I get asked this way too often to be flattered.
2nd Question: My status
Old Men: "Married"
Me: "No"
Old Men:"Boyfriend?"
Me: "No"
Old Men: "ohhhh noooooo? you hab a good mask and *give me a thumbs up* S-line you need boyfriend."
---After a moment of confusion I finally figured out he was talking about my face (mask) and figure ( a S-line is a curvy figure).
So off we went booth hopping and sample tasting. The festival was pretty busy, with free alcohol naturally came a lot of people. That caused each booth have a line to receive your sample (the lines went through very quick). But instead of waiting in line my two Ajusshis walked me straight to the front and yelled at the workers "EL-AYE STI-ILL" and pointed at me. I had no idea what they were saying but the workers responded happily and poured me a sample. This continued to every single booth twice around! and all of them responded the same, they would give a smile, a cheer, a laugh or something of the sort and pour me a full shot of whatever it was they had (most booths were only giving out half shots or less). I was just a happy friggin' camper! Free alcohol, skipping the line! Could it be called something other than HEAVEN?
Then, when I thought it couldn't get any better, these two Ajumma (again my spelling is questionable), old Korean women, walked up to me, had a one-sided conversation with me ( I couldn't understand a single word), sat me down and spoon fed me. I don't know what it was that they fed me but they literally opened up a fresh pack of chopsticks, pulled out some Korean dish, picked up some food, put it in my mouth and then gave me a sip of Makgeolli. This continued until they felt I had eaten and drank enough. I didn't have to do anything except sit, chew and swallow. I was being treated like royalty (and enjoying it to the fullest)!
Believe it or not my day got EVEN better. The icing on the cake was the Gangnam Style dance-off. My two Ajusshis, after listening to an announcement from the stage, physically drug me from the chair I was sitting in to the dance floor where I participated in a Gangnam Style dance off with a child, two other foreigners and a slew of Ajusshis and Ajummas. Due to my buzzed state of mind and inability to Gangnam dance to save my life, I didn't compete well... but I did managed to do two things:
1- I finally realized that the two Ajusshis had been introducing me to the booths as LA-Style (El-aye sti-ill)
2- Record videos (which are attached!)
My second "fame" experience
Last week I joined a gym finally. Unlike gyms back at home which are typically HUGE and have hundred of members, gyms in Korea are small and more exclusive. I joined Vitamin Fitness only because they have a better cardio selection than the other gyms I visited (the other gyms only had treadmills) and the equipment is new but I am getting way more than I bargained for. My first day working out was my leg day. I arrive at the gym after work in my typical workout outfit; spandex, bright colored nikes, bright sports bra and a muscle tank. I jump right on a treadmill to start my warm-up. After working up a good sweat I stretch and started my lifting routine. My first workout was squats and it was here I noticed people were starting at me. I figured it was because I can squat a pretty decent amount for a woman (of course it being my first day there I had to squat a little more than usual to show out) but then I realized that everybody else was matching. The ALL had on the same outfit. Apparently the fact that my gym provides gym clothes for members to workout in (they wash them for you too) was lost in translation when I signed up. I shrugged it off and continued my workout standing out like a sore thumb. While lunging across the gym I again became aware that people were staring at me, but even more people this time. I worried that maybe my spandex were see through (all girls who work out know what I am talking about) but that wasn't the case. I again shrugged it off and continued to work-out, even harder now that I had an audience.
**Koreans, like most other Asian cultures that I have encountered, do not find it awkward, rude or weird to stare as most Western Cultures do. They do not mean to offend or make anybody uncomfortable, it is purely out of curiosity.
I finally finished my workout but not with out attracting the attention of everybody else in the gym. I was on my way to the locker room to shower and change when I was approached by one of the trainers at the gym (short, buff, beautiful, Asian to those of you who don't know me that is just my type) who in broken English said to me "you work-out sooo gud, eats ahhh-mazing. Korean women...no" (Translation: I'm a beast). After giggling like a 3rd grader, blushing and mumbling a thank you I hurried to the locker room to shower and change. The showers are very prison like (I have never been but have seen plenty in movies), there is a row of heads in a long room, community soap ( I bring my own) and all inhibitions are lost. I happened to be in the shower during rush hour, all of the heads were occupied. I was in the dead center of the shower handling my business when I felt hands other than my own touching my hair! (I hate when people touch my hair, so if you see me DON'T). I turned around startled and was facing a naked Korean woman. After moment of a silent stare she pointed to my hair and gave me a thumbs-up. I then hurried to finish my shower. While I was changing in the locker room another naked lady came up to me, pointed at my body (she pointed at an awkward place at that) and gave me a thumbs up and said "you have good body." I find this to be the ultimate compliment because Korean women all seem to value this unattainable thinness and I am very far from that.
Thoroughly flattered, with a bigger head than usual and uncomfortable at the same time I go to leave the gym. Before I could make it out of the door I was stopped by yet another Korean (male this time) who did not utter a word but shook my hand and gave me a banana. I still am not sure why.
Now every time I have gone to the gym, which is everyday, I have left with compliments and more often than not a gift of some sort. Fame.
I may never go home.
#CHEERS2MYNEWFOUNDFAME
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