Well well well...what a great day Saturday was. It was AMAZING to see Eliza after all this time and catch up. We haven't talked like that in years, and it was high time we did it again. Never before have I heard so many St. Patrick's references in my life. I just love to hear about how all those childhood friends are doing...we swapped gossip and good news stories over way too much wine...but I'm skipping ahead.
Eliza got to the bus station a bit late and missed her originally paid-for bus ride. She called me to tell me she'd be in Seoul at around 4:30, half an hour from when we were expected at the soccer game. I did some quick planning to get the tickets to my friends so that they wouldn't have to wait for us, then her train came in early! The poor girl: I was expecting her at Seoul Station, and she got in to the Express Bus Terminal (they're an hour apart). I instructed her as to how to get where we were and we finally did meet up. We were just on time for the game: every place takes an hour to get to from every other place in Seoul, I swear.
The game was amazing. The mayor's seats were very good, though we weren't hobnobbing with Korean celebs, as hoped. We kept looking up longingly at the (heated) VIP section that over looks the stadium. Though it was cold, we were all dressed appropriately enough to withstand the temperatures for a full two hours. Much like the prison we visited last weekend, there was not ONE heated area in the whole stadium. Even the restrooms were freezing cold. This constant cold is the hardest part to get used to. Canadians do winter RIGHT.
Eliza and I talked the whole game (game? What game?). Every time there was a goal, firecrackers went off near our seats, sending us into a flurry of screams and shocked gasps. Girls.
When the game was nearly over, us gals had to head out to make it on time to the show. The guys stayed for the penalty kicks that resulted from the tied game. Apparently it was a pretty good ending. We made it all the way to City Hall (an obvious hour away) before four of us decided we were too hungry to sit through an hour and a half Korean Musical. Let's just go for dinner and drinks! The other two in the group were a little sore that the plans were changed, but hey, we live in Asia...sometimes plans change. Plus, I hadn't seen my friend in ages. I had to sit and talk with her more.
We went back to Budda's Belly in Itaewon and had an amazing Thai dinner. I have to tell you, when you get off the subway at Itaewon Station, there's a HUGE sign advertising the Hamilton Hotel. All it says is, "HAMILTON". Well Eliza Jane just FREAKED out and naturally had to photograph it. Unfortunately, she had to back up pretty far to get it all in, essentially stopping foreigner traffic. There are far more foreigners than Koreans in Itaewon, and we don't like to stop for other people's photo ops. And there she stood, getting just the right shot, not stopping for anyone. I was enamoured: who does that? It was great.
At dinner, Eliza and I polished off two bottles of wine. I haven't had a drop to drink in over three weeks. I'm amazed my body dealt so well with my abuse. Tiffany and Holly headed home as we opted for dancing in the city. We asked some Korean women on the street where we should go to find a dance club (and "MEN!", as I so shyly asked). They pointed us to Helios.
Crammed inside the club were far too many people and good music. You know when you know it's going to be a good night and nothing can go wrong? That's how I felt. Eliza had her overnight bag and we had winter coats, so we were thrilled to see that the Koreans had thought of everything and had installed lockers for patrons. I TOOK a locker from the same two gals we met on the street (who just so happened to follow us back to the club). I just nonchalantly walked between the two of them, grabbed the key, and started to fill the locker. I pretended they weren't there. Hey, the way I looked at it, I saw it before them, so I must have first dibs on it. Voila done.
Eliza is a HOOT to be out with. She dances, she flirts with all the men, and she knows just when to get away from the Nigerian importers at the end of the bar. We wondered what they imported, but decided to get the hell out of dodge before they started in the Foreigner Exporting business. Cringe.
Following that move, we found some new humans and danced with them into the night. Two women, who I'm sure were attempting to pick us up, bought us tequila shots. I poured mine on the floor because at this point I'd polished off three more glasses of wine after dinner. Hey, at least I know where to draw the line: apparently red wine is good for my heart ;) At least I know my girls would agree.
We slept for most of Sunday, lounged around the house, and talked some more. Seeing Eliza, being able to talk openly with an old friend, having her open my fridge and help herself to food in the morning all really helped alleviate the homesickness. Knowing she's only a bus ride away (albeit a 3-hour ride, but one ride nonetheless) ensures my future comfort. Unfortunately, she said I made her feel more homesick. Yikes...sorry.
Since I'm still sans camera, I'll post some pics as soon as Eliza sends them my way. Good day.
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